Our Dinners & Galas

Jewish National Fund of Canada - Negev Dinners & Galas

In 1948, with the creation of the State of Israel, a new form of Canadian communal expression in support of Jewish National Fund came into being. It was called the “Negev Dinner” which was created to honour outstanding communal leaders and significant events in Jewish life and, in so doing, gathered support for development of the Negev desert region, which constituted some 60% of the land area in the newly formed Jewish State.

The first Negev Dinner in Canada was held in 1948 hosted in honour of the newly formed State of Israel and was sponsored by Jewish National Fund of Toronto. Proceeds from these early Negev Dinners were initially directed towards the Negev; however, as needs in Israel grew, other priorities were added.

JNF sponsors Negev Dinners and Negev Galas from coast to coast and proceeds are devoted to major projects throughout Israel. These events represent a continuing rallying point for Jewish National Fund community-wide support across the country. Negev Dinner/Galas provide a prestigious forum for honouring community leaders and those who have given outstanding personal effort of behalf of the Jewish State. In many instances this has become the most prestigious organizational/social event in the local community.