By , JTNews Correspondent
Local Seattle
resident and a longtime Jewish National Fund supporter
Robert G Kaufman has been named Campaign Consultant for the
Pacific Northwest.
Kaufman brings
nearly 30 years of volunteer fundraising experience in the
Seattle Jewish community to JNF, where he will recruit
members for the Seattle board, as well as support the
existing board in Tacoma.
Bob is the ideal
candidate to create lasting ties to Israel from the state of
Washington. His passion and his knowledge of Israel are well
known, said Josh Kay, president of the JNF Board in the
greater Seattle area.
A speaker and
writer on Jewish issues, Kaufman will plan small gatherings
to educate the community about JNFs new program of building
the Negev. In addition, Kaufman will work with area
synagogues on a new nationally based synagogue effort to
build a new reservoir near Mitzpeh Ramon in the south of
Israel, as well as coordinate local fundraising appeals.
I began working
for JNF in 1948 at the age of five, collecting dimes and
putting them into a Blue Box until it was filled and they
would plant a tree for Israel. I didnt know who this Israel
was, or why he couldnt plant his own trees, but I felt good
doing it, said Kaufman, who added he was active in the
organization through the 1970s and 80s.