Machne Israel Development Fund Relaunches With New Generation of Supporters

Chabad reps and supporters renew the Rebbe’s model of collective responsibility for Jewish communities worldwide

Some 100 guests met over an intimate lunch at the elegant, historic Glass House overlooking Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan. Chabad representatives and their supporters had come for the relaunch of the Machne Israel Development Fund (MIDF). 

Hosted by Steve Rosenberg, founder and CEO of Greystone, the event convened longtime MIDF participants and a new generation of supporters.

Founded and named by the Rebbe in 1985, MIDF was created to support Jewish life through the work of Chabad shluchim — representatives — wherever the need arose. The Rebbe himself was the fund’s first donor. 

Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, the Rebbe’s secretary and Chairman of Machne Israel and MIDF, recalled asking the Rebbe before Rosh Hashanah 1985 for a blessing that the Rebbe should have a dedicated group of financial partners. And indeed, within a short while, he was joined by a growing cohort of philanthropists who were willing to look beyond their own communities for the benefit of world Jewry. 

In recent years, the MIDF sought to enlarge its base. Rabbi Shmaya Krinsky, Executive Director of MIDF, spearheaded the fund’s renewal, bringing together a new generation of supporters around an updated version of the model established by the Rebbe in 1985.

At the luncheon, he unveiled a new platform giving supporters a direct connection to the projects they fund, allowing them to explore needs, direct their support and follow the impact.

“The fund is going to operate with an unparalleled level of transparency and efficiency,” Krinsky said. “Our focus will be on a minimal amount of time spent on bureaucracy, but the highest level of responsibility.”

Developed following extensive research and consultation with Chabad representatives, the renewed MIDF will initially focus on four areas: early childhood education; emergency assistance to Chabad reps, families and communities facing crises; the Frontier Fund for smaller, developing and remote Jewish communities; and the Israel Pillar Fund for critical needs in Israel.

“Our goal is to bring a new generation of supporters into this shared responsibility — strengthening Jewish life and standing behind the Shluchim bringing its light to communities around the world,” Rabbi Shmaya Krinsky said.

Rabbi Levi Wolff, Chabad rep and Rabbi of Sydney’s Central Synagogue, placed the evening’s mission in the context of the aftermath of the Bondi massacre. Wolff described the extraordinary response that followed the horrific attack: Jews responding with greater pride, unity and light, and an outpouring of support from non-Jews inspired by the collective Jewish response. Machne Israel, he said,  supports Shluchim around the world as they work to enlarge the light they bring to their communities and to the broader world, especially in moments of challenge.

The event inspired a $1 million grant to MIDF by philanthropists Mordechai and Naomi Gutnick, who have emerged as new leaders in Jewish charitable giving. The announcement drew enthusiastic applause and prompted several others in the room to increase their participation, giving the renewed fund immediate momentum.

Mr. Rosenberg spoke of the extraordinary talent, creativity and dedication Chabad reps and their families bring to their mission.

“Each of these couples possesses the drive, creativity and vision to succeed in the business world,” Rosenberg said. “Yet, inspired by the Rebbe’s vision, they choose instead to dedicate their lives to ensuring that our children and grandchildren have a loving place where they can explore and embrace their Jewish identity.”

Partnership with MIDF, he said emphatically, should not be seen simply as philanthropy, but as a privilege for themselves and their families.

Mrs. Chagit Leviev Sofiev, President of Leviev Companies USA, recalled that her father, Mr Lev Leviev, would emerge from encounters with the Rebbe with another mission — to accomplish more for the Jewish people, to give more and, at the same time, to grow spiritually.

More than four decades after MIDF was established, the scale has changed, but the mandate has not.