In 5785, Eric Fingerhut linked Israel’s wartime needs to North America’s philanthropy, politics, and security. Under his leadership, the Israel emergency campaign topped $850 million, funding trauma care, hospital equipment, evacuee relief, and community recovery. After Iran’s missile barrage, JFNA swiftly sent another $10m. to partners, underscoring wartime agility.
He paired fundraising with advocacy. After the May murders of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington, he urged a post-9/11 level national effort to protect houses of worship. A week before Rosh Hashanah, he wrote here that “the ‘Jewish tax’ is real,” pressing for sustained security funding.
Keeping Jewish unity visible from Washington
His coalition-building kept Jewish unity visible in Washington. From leading the record March for Israel to sustaining follow-on rallies, he kept support for Israel and the hostages bipartisan. Inside the Federation world, he managed leadership transitions while focusing on resilience and Israel relief, working with Chairman Gary Torgow.
Measured by dollars delivered, policies advanced, and security prioritized, Fingerhut shaped this year’s response for Israel and Jewish communities
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