What They Started, We Carry Forward
In 2027, we mark two milestones: 15 years since Jordan River Village opened its doors, and 15 years since the passing of its co-founder, Murray Grant. Murray and Marilyn believed every child in Israel deserved an equal place at the Village, regardless of nationality, religion, or background. In their honor, we are taking the next step in that vision: deepening our outreach to the Arab community with a dedicated session focused on Jewish-Arab participation.
Every gift helps deepen our outreach to the Arab community in Murray and Marilyn’s honor — increasing Arab family participation and making the Village more inclusive for all of Israel’s children, just as they dreamed.
Give a gift in honor of Murray and Marilyn Grant:
The story of Murray and Marilyn Grant, as told by their daughter, Lisa
My parents, Murray and Marilyn Grant, were dreamers and doers. They made aliyah to Israel in 1971 with a vision to make a difference.
They spent almost 35 years in Israel, building a life with a wide circle of friends and a deep engagement in Israeli politics, culture, and society.
After retirement, as they continued their work as activists, their priorities unexpectedly changed.
During a visit to Connecticut in the mid-1990s, they were invited to a jazz concert. At the intermission, my mother picked up a brochure for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, founded by Paul Newman that gives children with serious illnesses a week of camp at no charge.
That ignited the spark.
At the time, thousands of immigrants from the former Soviet Union were settling in Afula, where my mother had worked for over 20 years — including many children from Chernobyl who were being treated for cancer. Afula’s hospital had no cancer treatment facilities, so the children were sent by van to Haifa, what my mother called the “Chemo Run.”
It didn’t take much for them to put this together with what they’d read about the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp: there absolutely must be such a camp in Israel.
From that point on, Murray and Marilyn devoted tireless energy to creating a similar camp to serve Jewish, Muslim, and Christian children throughout the region.
Despite countless setbacks, including their own declining health, their vision became reality when the Jordan River Village was formally dedicated on June 10, 2012. Though seriously ill, my dad was determined to be there.
The day was more than we hoped for. With a standing-room-only crowd of over 600, my folks were showered with the recognition they so deserved for fifteen years of hard work.
My father had the honor of doing the ribbon cutting and reciting the Shehecheyanu blessing — his gratitude to God for keeping him alive to see this moment. It is something all of us who were there will remember forever.
In his brief remarks at the dedication of Shvil Ha’Meyasdim, the Founders’ Way, established through the generosity of their community in Sarasota, Florida, my dad said:
Indeed, it was — a celebration of a life of meaning, purpose, and love.
Sadly, two days later, my dad died on the plane returning to the United States.
Today, the Jordan River Village sits on 60 beautiful acres in Israel’s Lower Galilee. It is Israel’s only free, year-round camp of its kind, welcoming children with serious illnesses and disabilities from throughout Israeli society.
It is truly the place my parents dreamed it would become.
— Lisa
Carrying Forward What They Believed
From the beginning, Jordan River Village was meant to belong to every child — no matter their illness, their family’s finances, or where they came from. That commitment remains at the heart of the Village today.
Now, we are taking their vision one step further: deepening our outreach to the Arab community with a dedicated session focused on Jewish-Arab participation, so more Jewish and Arab children can meet, participate, and belong as equals.
At the Village, children arrive speaking different languages, from very different communities. Then…
And, for a little while, they simply get to be children together.
This is not a new direction. It is Murray and Marilyn’s vision, carried forward.
Our goal is to raise $150,000 in honor of Murray and Marilyn.
Every gift toward our $150,000 goal deepens our outreach to the Arab community and increases Arab family participation through a dedicated Jewish-Arab session — exactly as Murray and Marilyn envisioned. We invite you to honor them in one of three ways.
Make a Gift in Their Honor
Every gift brings us closer to a dedicated Jewish-Arab participation session and deeper outreach to Arab families across the region. Choose an amount below, or enter your own.
Carry Their Dream Forward Every Month
Murray and Marilyn built something meant to last. A monthly gift keeps that promise alive — steady, dependable support, year after year.
Make Their Legacy Part of Yours
Murray and Marilyn built something meant to outlast them. By including Jordan River Village in your will, trust, or estate plans, you help make sure future generations of children feel that same joy and belonging.
You don’t need to know the amount today — a simple pledge lets us welcome your intention now.
Make a Legacy GiftFifteen years ago, Murray stood inside the Village he and Marilyn had devoted their lives to creating.
He looked around and said:
“What a wonderful day.”
He had lived long enough to see the dream become real. Now it is our turn to make sure it continues — by deepening our outreach to the Arab community and increasing Arab family participation, just as they dreamed.
Please join us in honoring Murray and Marilyn by keeping the Village a place of joy and belonging for generations to come.
Give a gift in honor of Murray and Marilyn Grant:
Every child belongs. Every gift carries the dream forward.
