Iselin mother/son duo now active within Jewish National Fund-USA
For Lauren Iselin and her son Alex, leadership in Jewish National Fund-USA is a shared family commitment to Israel.
The Jewish World Team
3 mins read
Published by
The Jewish World
ALEX ISELIN & LAUREN ISELIN
For Lauren and Alex Iselin, supporting the land and people of Israel runs in the family. The mother and son are both in leadership positions within Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF). Lauren serves as board president in the Capital Region of New York State as well as chairwomen of Women for Israel, and Alex is involved as president of the JNFuture New England Board.
An evolving commitment
When she first got interested, Lauren didn’t know much about the Jewish National Fund organization. “I remember running into Ken Segel [then a capital region board member] at my synagogue… and telling him that Jewish National Fund-USA was the only local Jewish organization that had not asked me to be involved,” she said.
That conversation led to involvement. Lauren joined the board and took on leadership roles, including helping to build the Women for Israel community that continues to grow and thrive. The Capital Region’s fourth annual Women for Israel event is set for June 10, in Albany.
Lauren’s leadership role was significant to her as it followed the death of her eldest son David in 2018. “I felt lost...I needed to engage myself in something meaningful, and I found that in Jewish National Fund-USA.”
Through the organization, Lauren was able to honor David’s memory by supporting the Green Horizons program, a Jewish National Fund-USA affiliate that provides educational outdoor hiking and camping trips for youth in Israel while promoting Zionist values and connection to the land of Israel. This resonated with her because of David’s love for the outdoors and his passion for helping others.
Lauren and her husband Harold also dedicated a garden in David’s memory at the Ayalon Institute, a bullet factory established by the Haganah in 1945, creating a lasting tribute that connects his legacy to the land and people of Israel.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alex’s involvement
Lauren learned about JNFuture, the organization’s young professionals community ages 22–40, while chairperson of a Breakfast for Israel She says that she knew it would be perfect for Alex. She got in touch with a JNFuture professional, gave him Alex’s information (with his permission), and told the professional to reach out.
“My initial involvement with Jewish National Fund-USA was limited,” said Alex. But after completing his MBA in 2022, he became committed to growing the organization’s scope in New England with JNFuture.
Three years later, he was asked to become the president of the regional board and accepted.
Sharing love of Israel
“My generation overall seems to be more hesitant to jump into philanthropy soon after college,” he said, citing student loans, the rising cost of living, and the desire to create their own families. “Even for those who are Jewish and passionate about Israel, you need to be able to explain why an organization like Jewish National Fund-USA is the one that deserves their time, energy, and dollars.”
Under his leadership, the JNFuture community in New England has become a place where young professionals can connect with like-minded peers, particularly with the rising anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism following October 7. “It gave them a place where we could collectively exhale and find comfort with others who we knew shared our love for Israel,” says Alex.
Lauren and Alex say that they continually bond over their shared efforts within the organization. “When we’re catching up on the phone or in person,” Alex says, “we almost always wind up talking about a recent Jewish National Fund-USA event we attended or what our respective boards are working on, bonding over this organization that has come to play an important part in both of our lives.”
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Iselin mother/son duo now active within Jewish National Fund-USA
For Lauren Iselin and her son Alex, leadership in Jewish National Fund-USA is a shared family commitment to Israel.
The Jewish World Team
3 mins read
Published by
The Jewish World
ALEX ISELIN & LAUREN ISELIN
For Lauren and Alex Iselin, supporting the land and people of Israel runs in the family. The mother and son are both in leadership positions within Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF). Lauren serves as board president in the Capital Region of New York State as well as chairwomen of Women for Israel, and Alex is involved as president of the JNFuture New England Board.
An evolving commitment
When she first got interested, Lauren didn’t know much about the Jewish National Fund organization. “I remember running into Ken Segel [then a capital region board member] at my synagogue… and telling him that Jewish National Fund-USA was the only local Jewish organization that had not asked me to be involved,” she said.
That conversation led to involvement. Lauren joined the board and took on leadership roles, including helping to build the Women for Israel community that continues to grow and thrive. The Capital Region’s fourth annual Women for Israel event is set for June 10, in Albany.
Lauren’s leadership role was significant to her as it followed the death of her eldest son David in 2018. “I felt lost...I needed to engage myself in something meaningful, and I found that in Jewish National Fund-USA.”
Through the organization, Lauren was able to honor David’s memory by supporting the Green Horizons program, a Jewish National Fund-USA affiliate that provides educational outdoor hiking and camping trips for youth in Israel while promoting Zionist values and connection to the land of Israel. This resonated with her because of David’s love for the outdoors and his passion for helping others.
Lauren and her husband Harold also dedicated a garden in David’s memory at the Ayalon Institute, a bullet factory established by the Haganah in 1945, creating a lasting tribute that connects his legacy to the land and people of Israel.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alex’s involvement
Lauren learned about JNFuture, the organization’s young professionals community ages 22–40, while chairperson of a Breakfast for Israel She says that she knew it would be perfect for Alex. She got in touch with a JNFuture professional, gave him Alex’s information (with his permission), and told the professional to reach out.
“My initial involvement with Jewish National Fund-USA was limited,” said Alex. But after completing his MBA in 2022, he became committed to growing the organization’s scope in New England with JNFuture.
Three years later, he was asked to become the president of the regional board and accepted.
Sharing love of Israel
“My generation overall seems to be more hesitant to jump into philanthropy soon after college,” he said, citing student loans, the rising cost of living, and the desire to create their own families. “Even for those who are Jewish and passionate about Israel, you need to be able to explain why an organization like Jewish National Fund-USA is the one that deserves their time, energy, and dollars.”
Under his leadership, the JNFuture community in New England has become a place where young professionals can connect with like-minded peers, particularly with the rising anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism following October 7. “It gave them a place where we could collectively exhale and find comfort with others who we knew shared our love for Israel,” says Alex.
Lauren and Alex say that they continually bond over their shared efforts within the organization. “When we’re catching up on the phone or in person,” Alex says, “we almost always wind up talking about a recent Jewish National Fund-USA event we attended or what our respective boards are working on, bonding over this organization that has come to play an important part in both of our lives.”
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Iselin mother/son duo now active within Jewish National Fund-USA
For Lauren Iselin and her son Alex, leadership in Jewish National Fund-USA is a shared family commitment to Israel.
The Jewish World Team
3 mins read
Published by
The Jewish World
ALEX ISELIN & LAUREN ISELIN
For Lauren and Alex Iselin, supporting the land and people of Israel runs in the family. The mother and son are both in leadership positions within Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF). Lauren serves as board president in the Capital Region of New York State as well as chairwomen of Women for Israel, and Alex is involved as president of the JNFuture New England Board.
An evolving commitment
When she first got interested, Lauren didn’t know much about the Jewish National Fund organization. “I remember running into Ken Segel [then a capital region board member] at my synagogue… and telling him that Jewish National Fund-USA was the only local Jewish organization that had not asked me to be involved,” she said.
That conversation led to involvement. Lauren joined the board and took on leadership roles, including helping to build the Women for Israel community that continues to grow and thrive. The Capital Region’s fourth annual Women for Israel event is set for June 10, in Albany.
Lauren’s leadership role was significant to her as it followed the death of her eldest son David in 2018. “I felt lost...I needed to engage myself in something meaningful, and I found that in Jewish National Fund-USA.”
Through the organization, Lauren was able to honor David’s memory by supporting the Green Horizons program, a Jewish National Fund-USA affiliate that provides educational outdoor hiking and camping trips for youth in Israel while promoting Zionist values and connection to the land of Israel. This resonated with her because of David’s love for the outdoors and his passion for helping others.
Lauren and her husband Harold also dedicated a garden in David’s memory at the Ayalon Institute, a bullet factory established by the Haganah in 1945, creating a lasting tribute that connects his legacy to the land and people of Israel.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alex’s involvement
Lauren learned about JNFuture, the organization’s young professionals community ages 22–40, while chairperson of a Breakfast for Israel She says that she knew it would be perfect for Alex. She got in touch with a JNFuture professional, gave him Alex’s information (with his permission), and told the professional to reach out.
“My initial involvement with Jewish National Fund-USA was limited,” said Alex. But after completing his MBA in 2022, he became committed to growing the organization’s scope in New England with JNFuture.
Three years later, he was asked to become the president of the regional board and accepted.
Sharing love of Israel
“My generation overall seems to be more hesitant to jump into philanthropy soon after college,” he said, citing student loans, the rising cost of living, and the desire to create their own families. “Even for those who are Jewish and passionate about Israel, you need to be able to explain why an organization like Jewish National Fund-USA is the one that deserves their time, energy, and dollars.”
Under his leadership, the JNFuture community in New England has become a place where young professionals can connect with like-minded peers, particularly with the rising anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism following October 7. “It gave them a place where we could collectively exhale and find comfort with others who we knew shared our love for Israel,” says Alex.
Lauren and Alex say that they continually bond over their shared efforts within the organization. “When we’re catching up on the phone or in person,” Alex says, “we almost always wind up talking about a recent Jewish National Fund-USA event we attended or what our respective boards are working on, bonding over this organization that has come to play an important part in both of our lives.”
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Iselin mother/son duo now active within Jewish National Fund-USA
For Lauren Iselin and her son Alex, leadership in Jewish National Fund-USA is a shared family commitment to Israel.
The Jewish World Team
3 mins read
Published by
The Jewish World
ALEX ISELIN & LAUREN ISELIN
For Lauren and Alex Iselin, supporting the land and people of Israel runs in the family. The mother and son are both in leadership positions within Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF). Lauren serves as board president in the Capital Region of New York State as well as chairwomen of Women for Israel, and Alex is involved as president of the JNFuture New England Board.
An evolving commitment
When she first got interested, Lauren didn’t know much about the Jewish National Fund organization. “I remember running into Ken Segel [then a capital region board member] at my synagogue… and telling him that Jewish National Fund-USA was the only local Jewish organization that had not asked me to be involved,” she said.
That conversation led to involvement. Lauren joined the board and took on leadership roles, including helping to build the Women for Israel community that continues to grow and thrive. The Capital Region’s fourth annual Women for Israel event is set for June 10, in Albany.
Lauren’s leadership role was significant to her as it followed the death of her eldest son David in 2018. “I felt lost...I needed to engage myself in something meaningful, and I found that in Jewish National Fund-USA.”
Through the organization, Lauren was able to honor David’s memory by supporting the Green Horizons program, a Jewish National Fund-USA affiliate that provides educational outdoor hiking and camping trips for youth in Israel while promoting Zionist values and connection to the land of Israel. This resonated with her because of David’s love for the outdoors and his passion for helping others.
Lauren and her husband Harold also dedicated a garden in David’s memory at the Ayalon Institute, a bullet factory established by the Haganah in 1945, creating a lasting tribute that connects his legacy to the land and people of Israel.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alex’s involvement
Lauren learned about JNFuture, the organization’s young professionals community ages 22–40, while chairperson of a Breakfast for Israel She says that she knew it would be perfect for Alex. She got in touch with a JNFuture professional, gave him Alex’s information (with his permission), and told the professional to reach out.
“My initial involvement with Jewish National Fund-USA was limited,” said Alex. But after completing his MBA in 2022, he became committed to growing the organization’s scope in New England with JNFuture.
Three years later, he was asked to become the president of the regional board and accepted.
Sharing love of Israel
“My generation overall seems to be more hesitant to jump into philanthropy soon after college,” he said, citing student loans, the rising cost of living, and the desire to create their own families. “Even for those who are Jewish and passionate about Israel, you need to be able to explain why an organization like Jewish National Fund-USA is the one that deserves their time, energy, and dollars.”
Under his leadership, the JNFuture community in New England has become a place where young professionals can connect with like-minded peers, particularly with the rising anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism following October 7. “It gave them a place where we could collectively exhale and find comfort with others who we knew shared our love for Israel,” says Alex.
Lauren and Alex say that they continually bond over their shared efforts within the organization. “When we’re catching up on the phone or in person,” Alex says, “we almost always wind up talking about a recent Jewish National Fund-USA event we attended or what our respective boards are working on, bonding over this organization that has come to play an important part in both of our lives.”
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related News
Local
Events
JFS slates Holocaust Survivors Day luncheon; to celebrate their resilience on June 4
Federation and JFS partner for a June 4 kosher luncheon honoring local Holocaust survivors and the emergency fund that keeps them at home.
The Jewish World Team
May 27, 2026
Local
Events
Isle of Klezbos, an all women klezmer group, set for June 14 concert at Shaara Tfille Synagogue
All-women klezmer band Isle of Klezbos marks Pride Month with a June 14 set in Saratoga blending Eastern European tradition, jazz, and swing.
The Jewish World Team
May 27, 2026
Local
Events
Colonie Chabad schedules YID Talks; four to share their ideas
Colonie Chabad’s TED-style night returns June 8 with four local voices, from a Technion-bound graduate to a Union College rabbi.
The Jewish World Team
May 27, 2026
Local
Events
JFS slates Holocaust Survivors Day luncheon; to celebrate their resilience on June 4
Federation and JFS partner for a June 4 kosher luncheon honoring local Holocaust survivors and the emergency fund that keeps them at home.
The Jewish World Team
May 27, 2026
Local
Events
Isle of Klezbos, an all women klezmer group, set for June 14 concert at Shaara Tfille Synagogue
All-women klezmer band Isle of Klezbos marks Pride Month with a June 14 set in Saratoga blending Eastern European tradition, jazz, and swing.
The Jewish World Team
May 27, 2026
Local
Events
Colonie Chabad schedules YID Talks; four to share their ideas
Colonie Chabad’s TED-style night returns June 8 with four local voices, from a Technion-bound graduate to a Union College rabbi.
The Jewish World Team
May 27, 2026
Local
Community News
SJCA lists Zoom performances from The Braid
True stories of American Jewish life anchor The Braid's June 4 and 7 Zoom premieres of "L'Chaim America!" for the nation's 250th, hosted by SJCA.
The Jewish World Team
May 21, 2026
© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios
© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios
© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios
© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios