Jewish National Fund to honour Stephen Harper for ‘outstanding support’ of Israel at Negev Dinner in Toronto

The Jewish National Fund celebrates its 65th annual Negev Dinner on Sunday by honouring a sitting Prime Minister for the first time.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was chosen by a committee of board members and past honourees, said Josh Cooper, JNF Canada Chief Executive Officer.

“The prime minister's outstanding support of the state of Israel, his efforts towards combating anti-Semitism and preserving the memory of the Holocaust made him an obvious choice,” said Mr. Cooper.

Added JNF Toronto President Faye Minuk: “I am honoured to be a part of an organization whose work is so meaningful and has resulted in the greatest modern-day achievement of the Jewish Community; building Israel. It is a privilege to have Canada’s prime minister as JNF Toronto’s 65th Negev Dinner Honouree.”

The prime minister's outstanding support of the state of Israel, his efforts towards combating anti-Semitism and preserving the memory of the Holocaust made him an obvious choice

After the inception of the state of Israel in 1948, the Negev Dinner was introduced to acknowledge leaders in the community, particularly in their support of Israel. With proceeds originally going directly towards the Negev, donations now go to various projects across Israel.

This year, donations will go toward the building of the Stephen Harper J. Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary Visitor & Education Centre in Israel. “Given his well documented love of animals, we felt this would be an appropriate project to present to him,” said Mr. Cooper.

Hula Lake Nature and Bird Park is a hub for some of the 500 million birds flying over Israel during migration season and serves as a major attraction, with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Money in the fund will go towards a visitor center.

Chaired by Senator Linda Frum and Howard Sokolowski, the event is being held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Although exact attendance numbers will not be announced until Sunday, Mr. Cooper says the event is sold out so it is “safe to say thousands” of people will be there, making this “the largest Negev Dinner in JNF Canada’s 65-year history.”