About a century after the Jewish National Fund was established as one of the institutions charged with carrying out Zionist policy, it still continues its activities in Israel and throughout the Jewish world. The historical episode we have tried to illuminate in this book thrown into relief the uniqueness of its activities and the changes they underwent within only one generation (1924–48). Our intention was not to realise a de-mystification of the organisation or any of its activities, nor to effect any historical revision of its symbols; quite the contrary: we sought to re-locate its role in the Zionist ethos. In concluding, we shall try to indicate the reasons for a general operational institution becoming one of the most important agents of Jewish culture.

The Organisational Theory Aspect

Researchers who have attempted to analyse the activities of the organisations adopt approaches and concepts from the field of ecology. They treat the as an organism trying to exist and survive in its environment. This environment is no isolated concept but is very concrete: it consists of other organisations, they too battling for survival and success. They wish to acquire as many resources as they need to survive and realise their goals over time. In all organisations different strategies develop for adaptation to the conditions of a changing environment. These strategies are determined by the decision makers, who interpret the information flowing from the environment into their organisation. Organisations may choose to influence their environments through propaganda or lobbying, and in this way they improve their chances in the battle for survival.

In this respect the Zionist Organisation itself was one of the main components of the environment in which the JNF endeavoured to gain advantages in order to survive. As early as the first decade of the twentieth century the JNF, as an operating institution, began to collect money and carry out activities in Eretz Yisrael. At that time few Jewish national institutions existed that worked actively in the country, so JNF involvement in ‘building Eretz Yisrael’ outreached its initial goal. At this stage it seems to have functioned within the friendly environment of the Zionist Organisation, and the heads of the JNF could create fruitful relations with its leaders and win the rewards of status and appreciation.