OTTAWA — The Jewish National Fund of Canada (JNF Canada) announced on Tuesday the formation of a new charity, ‘Friends of JNF Canada,’ as it continues its efforts to regain its charitable status. JNF Canada President Nathan Disenhouse stated that this new organization will take the lead in fundraising activities while JNF Canada works to restore its status.

“Our supporters are tired of seeing our work limited without a charitable status, so they’ve stepped in to take up our mission,” Disenhouse said. The new charity aims to fundraise for Israel similarly to JNF Canada, but it will have the ability to issue tax receipts.

Disenhouse explained that Friends of JNF Canada will collaborate with other Canadian charities to support projects for Israelis in need. These projects will focus on vulnerable populations, enhance environmental sustainability, and promote mental and physical health among Israelis.

Irving Weisdorf, a key figure in establishing Friends of JNF Canada, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “It’s really important to us that the vital work JNF does for thousands upon thousands of Israel’s most vulnerable isn’t derailed by the torrent of anti-Israel sentiment we’ve seen in the last two years,” Weisdorf said.

The formal launch of Friends of JNF Canada is scheduled for Monday, September 8. This development comes after the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) revoked JNF Canada’s charitable status last summer. The decision followed a complaint from Independent Jewish Voices, which accused JNF Canada of violating the Income Tax Act by financing discriminatory practices in Israel and the occupied West Bank.

The CRA’s decision was met with approval from the Public Service Alliance of Canada, a labor union representing CRA employees. JNF Canada CEO Lance Davis expressed his surprise at the CRA's decision, stating that the organization was working in good faith to comply with the law. He also claimed that the CRA’s actions denied JNF Canada due process rights under the Canadian Constitution.

Documents obtained later revealed that the CRA had not met with JNF Canada officials for several years during its review of the charity's status. JNF Canada lost a judicial appeal regarding the CRA’s decision in June but has vowed to continue its fight, potentially taking the case to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Founded in 1967, JNF Canada supports over 100 projects aimed at helping various groups in Israel, including seniors, at-risk youth, and individuals with special needs. The organization is also known for overseeing the construction of Canada Park, a controversial site built over three evacuated Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank. JNF Canada’s parent organization in Jerusalem is one of the largest landholders in Israel, owning approximately 13 percent of the country’s land.