EPISODE · Jun 5, 2025 · 53 MIN
The JNF Blue Box: How Loose Change Helped Build Israel
from Jewish History Nerds · host Unpacked
In this season finale, Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab explore the powerful and surprising story of the Jewish National Fund's iconic blue tzedakah box—also known as the JNF "Blue Box." What began as a nostalgic household object for many Jewish families turns out to be one of the most influential and controversial symbols in modern Zionist history. Discover how this simple tin box, known as a "pushka" in Yiddish, became a global fundraising tool for land purchases in pre-state Israel, helped popularize the holiday of Tu Bishvat, and instilled Zionist values across generations of diaspora Jews—dime by dime. If you like this show, please write a review wherever you get your podcasts. And be in touch. Write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you. Click here to see a picture of Yael's great grandmother's blue box. Here is a link to the Blue Box, New Edition, on the JNF's website. Click here to read about the Jewish National Fund in the Encyclopedia Judaica. Click here to read excerpts from Eric Engel Tuten's history of the JNF. Here are links to protests in Canada and Colorado. This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube. ------------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History Wondering Jews
What this episode covers
In this season finale, Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab explore the powerful and surprising story of the Jewish National Fund's iconic blue tzedakah box—also known as the JNF "Blue Box." What began as a nostalgic household object for many Jewish families turns out to be one of the most influential and controversial symbols in modern Zionist history. Discover how this simple tin box, known as a "pushka" in Yiddish, became a global fundraising tool for land purchases in pre-state Israel, helped popularize the holiday of Tu Bishvat, and instilled Zionist values across generations of diaspora Jews—dime by dime. If you like this show, please write a review wherever you get your podcasts. And be in touch. Write to us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you. Click here to see a picture of Yael's great grandmother's blue box. Here is a link to the Blue Box, New Edition, on the JNF's website. Click here to read about the Jewish National Fund in the Encyclopedia Judaica. Click here to read excerpts from Eric Engel Tuten's history of the JNF. Here are links to protests in Canada and Colorado. This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube. ------------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History Wondering Jews
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The JNF Blue Box: How Loose Change Helped Build Israel
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