Chabad Relaunches Membership Model for Machne Israel Development Fund with $1 Million Founding Gift
Chabad's Machne Israel Development Fund (MIDF) has relaunched a membership-based funding model, originally established by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in 1985. The relaunch, announced at an event in midtown Manhattan, is anchored by a $1 million founding gift from philanthropists Mordechai and Naomi Gutnick. The original model, which involved annual dues and gatherings with the Rebbe, fell out of use in the 1990s. The revived model maintains a membership structure with a minimum annual contribution of $18,000 and includes an online platform for donors to browse projects, direct contributions, and track their gifts. Rabbi Shmaya Krinsky, executive director of MIDF, clarified that the fund itself was never dormant, but the membership model is being specifically revived. Member contributions will be directed towards five key areas: the Frontier Fund (supporting new shluchim and emerging communities), the Early Childhood Initiative, the Emergency Fund, a fund for expanding Chabad ce...