Some 100 Shluchim and supporters gathered at the historic GH on the Park in Midtown Manhattan for the relaunch of the Machne Israel Development Fund (MIDF). Hosted by Mr. Steve Rosenberg, founder and CEO of Greystone, the afternoon brought together longtime MIDF participants and a new generation of supporters.

Founded and named by the Rebbe in 1986, MIDF brought together individuals prepared to look beyond their own communities and collectively support Jewish life 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 5746 for a brocho that the Rebbe should have a dedicated group of financial partners. Within months, MIDF was established.

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 1986.

At the gathering, he unveiled a revolutionary philanthropic online platform that gives 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 bureaucracy, but with the highest level of responsibility.”

Developed following extensive research and consultation with Shluchim, the renewed MIDF will initially focus on four areas: Early Childhood Education; Emergency Assistance to Shluchim, 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.

Rabbi Levi Wolff, Chabad Shliach and Rabbi of Sydney’s Central Synagogue, placed the evening’s mission in the aftermath of the Bondi massacre. Against the evil on display, he described the extraordinary response that followed: Jews responding with greater pride, unity and light, and an unparalleled outpouring of support from non-Jews inspired by the collective Jewish response.

Wolff connected that response to the words of last week’s Haftorah: “Kumi Ori” — “Arise, shine.” The challenge, he said, is not simply to survive, but to get up and shine.

Machne Israel, he said, enables Shluchim around the world to do precisely that — standing behind them as they bring Jewish light to their communities, especially in moments of challenge.

Wolff then announced that Mordechai Gutnick and his wife, Naomi, committed a $1 million grant to MIDF — a commitment they said was only the beginning. The announcement drew enthusiastic applause and prompted several others in the room to increase their participation, giving the renewed fund immediate momentum.

Rosenberg spoke of the extraordinary talent, creativity and dedication Shluchim 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.”

He urged those gathered to see partnership with MIDF not simply as philanthropy, but as a privilege for themselves and their families.

Mrs. Chagit Leviev Sofiev, President of Leviev Companies USA, recalled how her father, Reb 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.

A video presentation traced MIDF’s history and the Rebbe’s personal involvement in the fund. Rabbi Mendy Herson recalled hearing from his father, Rabbi Moshe Herson, a founding Shliach involved in MIDF, that the Rebbe assured Shluchim that bringing their supporters to MIDF would in no way diminish their local giving. On the contrary, it would strengthen it.

More than four decades after MIDF was established, the map of Shlichus has expanded to thousands of communities. The scale has changed, but the mandate has not.

“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.