Tree Charity Embroiled In New Flap Over Funds

[Ian David]

Tree Charity Embroiled In New Flap Over Funds
By NATHANIEL POPPER
March 11, 2005

An escalating dispute between the Jewish National Fund in Israel and its American-based fund-raising arm is raising questions about the way the American organization, one of the most prominent names in American philanthropy, is spending its money.

The fight revolves around an unpublicized effort by the Jewish National Fund in America to fund other environmental organizations in Israel besides JNF. The tensions have been fueled by a decline in the amount of money flowing to the Israeli organization from JNF America. In recent years, of the $30 million spent by JNF America, almost $10 million went to Israel. That figure dropped to $8 million last year, according to Russell Robinson, the chief executive officer of JNF America. He added that an additional $4 million is being held in an escrow account for JNF in Israel.

In addition to highlighting the tensions between the two entities, the controversy carries unpleasant reminders of a 1997 scandal over the amount of funds going to Israel from JNF America.

Known in Israel as Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, JNF is a 104-year-old organization founded in what was then Palestine to develop the land for Jewish settlement. Among American Jews, JNF is known for its iconic blue tin collection boxes and for its work planting trees in Israel. The American affiliate was founded in order to raise funds for JNF activities in Israel.

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