NATIONAL EDITION: Exclusive Interview with JNF's Russell F. Robinson

Russell F. Robinson, JNF's CEO and a member of its global board of directors, is the featured guest on this inaugural national edition of Radio Chavura.

Robinson divulges that at this year's national conference, JNF will formally announce an unprecedented 10-year, $1 billion fundraising campaign, that he says will be "the most innovative, most bold campaign" even untaken by a Jewish organization.  

The national edition of Radio Chavura is intended to build support for the Jewish National Fund conference to be held in Denver from October 25th through October 28th. The conference will bring together hundreds of committed Jewish leaders from across the United States to learn about JNF's ongoing work on behalf of the land and people of Israel. Those attending will also have the opportunity to meet and interact with committed volunteers of all ages, as well as to contribute their own ideas for enriching the work of JNF.

"Colorado has a flourishing and vibrant Jewish community which couldn't be more excited to welcome the JNF national conference," says Maxwell Rotbart, co-host of Radio Chavura.

Rotbart notes that the Colorado Jewish community, which predates statehood in 1876, gave rise to the United Way and helped inspire Golda Meir's Zionism during her sojourn in Denver as a high schooler.  Well-known global brands that have Jewish roots in Colorado, include Samsonite Luggage, Hot Pockets, and perhaps most famous of all, the Barbie doll.  (Inventor Ruth Mosko Handler was born and raised in Denver.)

Today, Colorado is an incubator of many cutting edge companies in the technology and health sectors, serving as the global headquarters of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs, which educates and connects biomedical and health innovators who seek to commercialize their ideas, inventions and discoveries.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, who recently returned from an inspiring visit to Israel, will be the JNF conference's opening speaker on Friday, October 25th.  Other Coloradans scheduled to participate in the program include Rabbi Joe R. Black, spiritual leader of Temple Emanuel; Jerome "Jerry" Tinianow, chief sustainability officer for the City of Denver; and Dr. Jeanne Abrams, an historian and professor at the University of Denver.  

At the breakfast and closing plenary on Monday, October 28th, Ken Salazar, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior and a former U.S. Senator from Colorado, will be the speaker.  During the breakfast, longtime JNF lay leaders, Eugene "Gene" Kay and Stanley Kamlet will be honored for their years of service. 

CREDITS:

Hosts: Maxwell and Dean Rotbart

Musical Director:  Julie Geller

Audio Production:  Blane Nichols

Additional Audio Elements:  Jason Hickman

Director of Research:  Talya Rotbart

Staff Photographer:  Avital Rotbart

Opening Announcement: Eugene Kay

Opening Music (Hinei Mah Tov) and Closing Credits (Elokai):  Julie Geller

Songs:

• Zum Gali Gali - Fred Fastow, Jewish Songs for Classical Guitar
• Maym Mayin - Israeli Folk Group, Authentic Israeli Folk Songs & Dances
• Lo Yisa Goy - Miami Boys Choir
• Yism'Chu - Rabbi Joe Black, Sabbatical

JNF Liaisons:  Neta Yoffe (New York) and Boaz Meir (Colorado)