Israel Impact Grant Initiative Committee Visits Grantees

By Steve Ganz, Israel IGI member

It is often said we must think globally and act locally.  As a member of the Israel Impact Grant Initiative (Israel IGI), I had an opportunity to help people and organizations who are trying to make local change – local to Israel.  These organizations are called “social ventures” – ventures that undertake to make social change.  Working with troubled youth, enhancing social movements and/or enabling non-profits to have the resources to succeed in achieving their mission are just a few examples of the missions of such ventures.  I was given this rare opportunity to help make a difference and truly a difference was made – both in helping these groups and in me.

Steve, far left, and the rest of the Israel IGI members

Our institutional partner in Israel is the Israel Venture Network (IVN). IVN is an impact investment organization, creating sustainable social change in Israel through breakthrough social enterprise programs and venture philanthropy. In addition to financial investment in these ventures, IVN provides mentorship to help these groups succeed in making social change.  Our IGI Committee read through many proposals for funding and we researched these ventures to understand who they are and what they do.

A student practicing glass work at Susan’s House

Reading about what these groups do cannot compare to actually seeing and meeting the people they work with. For example, when we were visiting one venture – Susan’s House in Jerusalem – we had the opportunity to meet with graduates of the program.  One of the project’s main goals is to offer at-risk youth basic skills while encouraging them to return to a normative life style. These are kids who when entering the program see no hope in their futures. However, one young man we met just finished three years in the military. He now has a job waiting for him and an exciting future ahead.  Alongside this graduate was a young man who just finished the program.  “It was time,” he said, “to move on.”  Susan’s House helped him find direction, but he learned that he needed to forge the path ahead on his own.

Other groups we funded looked at more than providing individual service.  Jobs4Moms is a group that is trying to make a fundamental change in fabric of Israeli society.  It is structurally difficult to spend time with your child while at the same time work the expected long hours of professional/executive jobs.  The leaders of this venture are working with companies to create jobs that allow for flexibility to work and still be an attentive parent.

The IGI group met with amazing individuals in Israel who have dedicated their lives to seeing and fulfilling change in Israel. From the north in Haifa, all the way down to the Gaza, the groups we met with have a specific mission they wish to follow.  I am only glad I was part of a group that was dedicated and diligent in their efforts to help make a difference.

Learn more about all four of the Israel IGI grantees.  For more information on the Israel IGI contact Siggy Rubinson at 415.512.6429.

Announcing the Inaugural Israel Impact Grants Initiative Grantees

Two years ago, the Jewish Community Federation (JCF) launched an ambitious pilot to revolutionize its grant making efforts. Known as the Impact Grants Initiative (IGI), this new model adopted a venture philanthropy approach that offered high engagement opportunities for previously unaffiliated local donors and lay leaders while identifying high performing nonprofits that can make significant impact on local Jewish communities.

The concept of venture philanthropy, which combines theories and techniques used in venture capital strategies and business with philanthropic practice, provides a platform to highly engage donors and make strategic and tactical community investments. Typically, venture philanthropies focus on capacity building grants, instead of providing support for direct service delivery or general operations. They also provide funding as multi-year grants.

In January of this year, the IGI approach was adopted for an innovative partnership with the Israel Venture Network (IVN) to engage people in our local community in a unique collaboration with Israeli colleagues to identify and co-fund high performing social ventures in Israel.  The team is made up of a diverse group of talented and thoughtful individuals including business owners, non-profit leaders, and  high-tech entrepreneurs who spent months learning about Israel’s social issues and trends as well as the emerging field of social impact investment. This IGI culminated in a week-long trip to Israel to visit the seven enterprises under consideration and to make the final funding decision.

IGI team in decision-making mode

The team ultimately decided to fund three high-impact enterprises with the possibility of a fourth:

Susan’s House employs youth at risk in the production and sale of unique glass, jewelry and housewares.  This venture is run by a member of the ultra-orthodox community, who mentors and guides his program participants to develop self-esteem, communal values, interpersonal relationships and job skills.

Mitam provides a variety of human resource services to non-profits in a sector in Israel that typically lacks the knowledge and financial capacity to hire full-time HR professionals.

Jobs4Moms is an online job search platform geared toward mothers seeking quality full and part-time jobs that have the flexibility necessary to combine parenting and a career that utilizes their skills and experience.

Pending: Rakea aims to revolutionize academic studies for young Ultra-Orthodox students by weaving Torah studies into math textbooks. Typically, these students forgo the core studies in math, science and English for exclusively Jewish texts, and leave behind an education that’s critical for employment outside the yeshiva.

Not only did this experience yield three exceptionally effective  new Federation grantees representing an important and emerging sector in Israel, it also built and cemented bonds among the IGI team and created new relationships between the team and Federation.

For more information on the Israel Impact Grants Initiative, contact Siggy Rubinson at 415.512.6429.

Israel’s 65th Birthday: A Time to Reflect and Feel Proud

Although established in 1948 to be the only Jewish State in the world, Israel’s population of about 7.5 million is less than 80% Jewish. It makes it to the world’s news headlines quite often because of its volatile borders, but the magnitude of positive social change that is taking place in this small state (it can fit into New Jersey with room to spare) is even more newsworthy.

Israel is indeed, a “Start-up Nation.” Science and technology is one of the country’s most developed sectors. The percentage of Israelis engaged in scientific and technological inquiry, and the amount spent on research and development in relation to gross domestic product is among the highest in the world. Israeli scientists have contributed to the advancement of agriculture, computer sciences, electronics, genetics, medicine, optics, solar energy and various fields of engineering. It is a nation of innovators, and naturally, that innovative streak is evident in the work to build a more socially just, and pluralistic society. In partnership with foundations, Israeli philanthropists, government, and our grantees, it is work that the Federation has been at the forefront of for 25 years.

The recent elections in Israel demonstrated that the desire for a more accepting society is not a minority position. During President Obama’s visit on the Eve of Pesach he observed that the story of Passover is a story about “finding freedom in your own land.” At its core, that is what so many Israelis on the ground are working for. The freedom to live in a just and welcoming society – one that provides the opportunity for everyone to earn a good living, receive a quality education, practice Judaism in a way that is meaningful for them. Our grantmaking in Israel supports organizations that are working toward these goals.

As we approach Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Day of Remembrance) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day), and the 65th birthday of the Jewish state, it is a time to reflect and feel proud. Proud of the significant work we are doing in Israel, and the strong connections between Bay Area Jews and our homeland. It is incredible what this small, young country has achieved in its 65 short years of existence, and what it can achieve in the next 65 years.

Learn more about the work Federation does in Israel. For more information, contact Sigalit Rubinson, Israel and Global Program Officer, at 415.512.6429.

Building a Pluralistic Jewish and Democratic Israel

In Hebrew, Gvanim means hues of color. The JCF founded Gvanim to promote Jewish pluralism in 2000 in response to the deep division in Israel symbolized by the assassination of Prime Minister Yizhak Rabin by a Jewish religious extremist.

The Need

In Israel, schools and communities are divided into religious and secular sectors, creating social divisions and religious tensions that can present obstacles to democracy. The framework is often seen as a struggle between the ultra-orthodox and ultra-secular, but this polarization is only a partial view of the complex socioeconomic trends within Israeli society. Our work in Israel aims to promote the full expression of Jewish identity in all its variegated forms.

The Outcomes

Gvanim redefines pluralism for modern Israel through a 1-year action-oriented fellowship program similar to the Wexner Heritage Program that:

• Engages key Israeli leaders from across the religious and social spectrum in a deep examination of personal Jewish identity-related challenges, together
• Empowers Gvanim participants to initiate, plan and implement social action programs to promote Jewish pluralism in Israeli society
• Provides thought leadership and funding for the fellows’ social action projects

All core program fellows visit San Francisco and NY for hands-on experience in Jewish pluralism and then participate in an alumni network for further their learning and collaboration.

Igniting Innovation in Jewish Pluralism

In the last decade, Gvanim has blossomed into a network of programs stemming from fellows’ social action projects that stimulate a new shared discourse – the very bulwarks of democracy.

• 150 ALUMNI Initiated 80 Social Action projects.
• 350 SECONDARY PARTICIPANTS Participated in Gvanim spin-off programs in the IDF, in local Government, in the Knesset, Business execs etc
• THOUSANDS OF ISRAELIS ARE TOUCHED BY THE PROGRAMS Members of newly created congregations, participated in conferences, celebrated high holidays in an inclusive place.

For more information, contact Megan Kennedy at MeganK@sfjcf.org or 415.6264.

A Transformational Trip to Israel

By Janet Harris, Director, Early Childhood Education Initiative

Last month, I had the pleasure of participating in a ten-day study tour of Israel with a group of Jewish resource specialists from five Bay Area preschools. The purpose of the trip was to deepen our relationship, as teachers and Jews, with Israel through getting to know early childhood educators and social entrepreneurs, as well as to explore the land and places we have learned about in the Torah.

We walked through the narrow paths of the Old City of Jerusalem, hiked in the nature preserve of Neot Kedumim, and toured preschools and kindergartens, getting to know their teachers on a first-name basis. Our PJ Library counterpart, the director of Sifriyat Pijama, also helped us see how the PJ Library comes to life in Israeli classrooms.

Janet (second from left) and fellow educators in Israel

Highlights

A highlight of the trip was the opportunity to visit JCF-funded projects in Galil and gain a real understanding of the work we do in the country.  Barak Lazoon, our intrepid leader and JCF representative in Israel, took us to the Druze Village of Kisrae-Samea where we visited Early Childhood programs along with the staff of Echad.

One of the projects that JCF has funded was the construction of a beautiful ECE center with wrap-around services (speech therapists, physical therapists, social workers, nurses, etc.) for parents with young children. The impact of this center on the community has been profound. Children are receiving services for special needs, as well as what we consider to be basic developmentally screening. There are language enhancement programs, support groups for parents, and a beautiful play area for families to enjoy.

Children playing at the ECE center

We also had a private audience with a Druze sheikh – a first for us all. We learned that the Druze hold prayer services only twice a week, unlike the Jewish halachic commandment to pray three times a day, or the Muslim commandment of praying five times a day. He assured us that the Druze were “very lucky” because of that!

Reflections

This trip was eye-opening and transformational for me, and my fellow participants have expressed similar sentiments:

 “For me the excitement began as soon as the land of Israel came in site from the airplane window. Like so many people say, ’it’s like coming home.’ This was not a group trip where a guide toured you through the country giving you historical facts. It was an incredible experience where passionate Israeli citizens embraced us in ways that are indescribable. I am so energized to the potential and possibilities of ways I can bring Israel alive to my colleagues and the children and families that I work with. And I have the desire to return to a place where I only began on what I know is a new personal and professional journey.” – Betsy Surtshin, Teacher, Osher Marin Jewish Community Center ECE program

Educators doing some learning of their own

 “I love spending time in Israel, however, this trip was different. I have never seen Israel through the lens of a Jewish early childhood educator. I was amazed at how the children were viewed, considered, and honored. I have been struggling with this epiphany since my return, trying to figure out how I can make sure that the children in my care are guaranteed this same level of respect and dignity.  There is a collective story that is Israel; it is both historical and cultural, and this story is a unifying and identify-creating narrative. It is my responsibility to share this epiphany and find like-minded educators, leaders, and parents that want to help me fill the space our children are engaged in. I want to create a richness that is as sustaining and sweet as the milk and honey that flows in the ideal that is Israel.” – Adam Lowy, Jewish Resource Specialist and Teacher, Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco

We would all like to express a hearty todah rabah, or thank you, to the Jim Joseph Foundation and the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund of San Francisco for funding this trip. The children will reap the benefit of this amazing journey!

The Early Childhood Education Initiative (ECEI) focuses on engaging more Bay Area Jewish families with young children in meaningful Jewish life and community. The ECEI was launched in 2007 in response to the 2006 JESNA study which highlighted the importance of Early Childhood Jewish Education as a gateway for family engagement.

For more information, contact Janet Harris, Director of ECEI, at 415.499.1223, extension 8104.

Pop Up Purim Stores

by Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder
Rabbi in Residence at B’chol Lashon

Rabbi Ruth

On the first night of the Northern California Rabbinic Mission of Israel, Rabbi Stacy Friedman opened our Federation sponsored trip by pointing out that just as we have seasonal Halloween pop up stores throughout our region, in Israel there are pop up Purim stores which similarly sell costumes, make up and accessories. For Rabbi Friedman, these stores are a reminder of how public life in Israel moves to the rhythms of Jewish life.

But Purim differs from Halloween. At Halloween, we don costumes to scare others. At Purim, we don costumes to see the world through different eyes. To literally put on a different point of view.

So it is only fitting that this trip is happening in the weeks leading up to Purim. The 17 rabbis traveling the country this week represent the full diversity of Jewish life in Northern California. We have different approaches to religion and observance, we serve big and small congregations as well as non-profits and in chaplaincy.  We have many points of view. By traveling together we are learning to see Israel through each other’s point of view.

We are also “trying on” all sorts of Israeli points of view. Our itinerary is purposely introducing us to many different Israelis, who each tell a unique Israeli story. On our first day alone, we met with the founder of a youth movement for Orthodox gay teens, with the head of Israel’s premier civil rights organization, and with the leadership and students of a secular Yeshivah in Tel Aviv. At each stop we not only saw Israel through their eyes, but also saw the changes they are affecting on Israeli society and culture.

Paintings, too, capture different points of view. We saw the retrospective of 82 year old Naftali Bez. Bez came to Israel during WWII as a young man and has been painting what he sees since his early teens. Even our food came with a story and a new way to look at the world.  Liliyot, a fine dining restaurant, fills its kitchen with an apprenticeship program for at risk youth. Graduating them to full time jobs in culinary arts. Good food and good works.

In Haifa, we learned about the thousands of foreign educational and non-profit leaders who make their way through the leadership training institute founded by Golda Meir. Each teacher from Ghana, social worker from Thailand, or government employee from Ecuador who spends three weeks learning from the best of what Israel has to offer becomes an unofficial goodwill ambassador. At the Technion, Israel’s leading technical university, we learned how the school is committed to reaching out to every sector of Israeli society from the Ultra Orthodox to the kids in crisis. At Beit Hagefen, a center dedicated to religious and cultural dialogue, we heard from a rabbi and a Muslim leader about how religious leaders come together to speak out against discrimination.

But while some points of view are easy to try on, others stretch us and make us see the world from places we may not choose to get to on our own.   On Thursday, we experienced two radically different points of view. First we visited with the settlers in Hebron and had a chance to visit the holy burial site of Abraham, Sarah, Rebecca,  Isaac, Jacob and Leah. We heard from a young army spokesman who is responsible for the security of over 600,000 individuals. And in the afternoon we went on a tour with Ir Amim where we learned about how the current political and security realities are effecting the Arab population. Whatever our points of view, we are challenged to consider opinions that we may have not considered before.

Next week, we return to Northern California to our congregations and organizations. We will be bringing back the new visions and experiences to share. And when Israel or Purim ‘pops up’ we will have a great many perspectives to draw upon.

IGI + IVN = Funding Social Ventures in Israel

The Impacts Grants Initiative (IGI) is an exciting approach that provides 360 degree benefits. IGI engages donors in the grantmaking process in a meaningful way that deepens their connection to the Jewish community; it provides multi-year funding to organizations and programs doing some of the most innovative work around, and it helps build the capacity of these organizations by providing pro bono support during the life of the grant. The IGI approach is like one stop shopping for building a vibrant caring, and enduring Jewish community! This approach has proven so successful that we have expanded its reach all the way to Israel. We’re partnering with the Israel Venture Network (IVN) to support social ventures that seek to narrow social gaps and spur the Israeli economy.

Eric Benhamou, CEO of the Israel Venture Network (IVN)

The Israel IGI includes ten local business leaders who are community-minded and feel personally connected to Israel but haven’t yet participated in Federation activities.  The group met for the first time earlier this month to embark on a journey of learning: about Federation, about our partnership with IVN, about venture philanthropy, about social issues in Israel.  Eric Benhamou, IVN’s Chairman and former CEO of 3Com and Palm, made the case for venture philanthropy and talked about his personal journey and the creation of IVN.

Together with IVN, the IGI team will identify and co-fund four social ventures, bringing their professional business experience to the non profit world and helping to develop a new sector in Israel.  By doing so, they will connect to each other, to the Federation and to Israel — and show the great impact we have when we come together as a community to put our Jewish values into action.

Israeli Terror Relief Update

Although a cease-fire has since gone into effect, many Israelis continue to feel the impacts of the violence. Federation leaders witnessed the strength of Israelis in aftermath of war on a mission that offered a glimpse of life for many traumatized by the tension in the south of Israel. Participants visited programs and initiatives operated by The Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), World ORT and the Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC), where Israelis are benefiting from your generosity.

The Federation’s Israel Terror Relief Fund, in collaboration with our partners, continues to address the most critical needs in Israel. With support from the broader North American Jewish community, the Fund is helping children, people with disabilities and special needs, seniors and families who are victims of terror. See for yourself with  pictures from their mission.

See “Resilience & Recovery” Gallery

Thank you for your support for those trying to rebuild.

Improving Lives for Young Druze in Israel

There are approximately 100,000 Druze in Israel today. As Arabic-speaking citizens of Israel, many of  whom serve in the Israel Defense Forces, they are committed to the State and its institutions. Members of the community have attained top positions in Israeli politics and public service. Yet, living largely in isolated villages, they often face limited educational opportunities. As part of JCF’s goal to promote volunteerism and leadership among disadvantaged populations in Israel, The Federation’s Neurim program aims to change this by closing academic gaps, and promoting self-empowerment through volunteer and leadership programs. Neurim serves over 700 youth in five Druze villages in the North.

During operation “Pillar of Defense”, Friends by Nature program participant David Aptaker, volunteers, and kids went to the northern Druze village of M’rar and spent time with the community there, learning about their culture and way of life. Here’s his first-hand recollection of his journey:

“Two days ago, we went to Mrar, a Druze village in the north that is very close to where we are staying here in Kibbutz Hanaton. We met with Ali, a Druze activist and member of one of the Shachaf communities under the umbrella of “Horizons of the Future” – a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening Druze communities. Ali told us about Druze beliefs and culture and about his own life in Mrar. The Druzim are a monotheistic, small, and somewhat secretive sect that split off from Islam and believe in the prophet Muhammed as well as other prophets. Something that struck me as fascinating was the fact that they are completely loyal to the country they inhabit. A Druze living in Israel is loyal to the Israeli government. A Druze in Syria is loyal to Syria, a Jordanian Druze is committed to Jordan, and so on. Ali was in the military for 16 years as a commander, and was very proud of this. He told us that the Druzim are a small community globally, and the fact that they are loyal to the countries in which they reside makes them a fragmented community—their religious beliefs are the same, but their loyalties aren’t to one another. Two Druzim might meet one another in the battlefield while serving different armies, and according to Ali, there would be no qualms in killing one another if need be. This is because the Druzim believe in reincarnation—killing one in the battlefield just destroys the body, not the soul. Their souls might meet in the next life.

After sitting in the community center and listening to Ali speak, we left for a tour of Ali’s town. We first visited an old olive press, where Ali explained the process of making olive oil. They shake olives off the tree branches, separate the olives from the leaves, then they press the olives, put the olives in a centrifuge with water to take out impurities (the olive oil and the water separates, leaving pure olive oil), then they put it through a pipe system and walla: delicious olive oil. It was really cool to watch him explain how it worked in broken, but clear English. Not only was he interesting to witness, but the setting itself was beautiful: an old, concrete building with bricks, high ceilings, arches and the smell of dust and history.

From the olive oil factory, we wandered the windy, hilly streets of Mrar. Ali told us stories about people who lived there before, showed us the Druze place of worship, and pointed out some of the local geography of the area from a high point in the city. It was beautiful. Something interesting was the Druze place of worship was in a house—not an ornate church or synagogue-type of building. He said this was in order to keep their worship practices, and location secret from the community. They’re a fascinating group of people.

Ali, in particular, was adamant about the idea of coexistence. He repeated the fact that he believed in coexistence, respect for one another’s religious and cultural practices, and that the city of Mrar is a shining example of pluralism. I found that interesting, especially coming from a man who served in the army for so long.

Ali then took us to his family’s restaurant in the olive groves nearby. It was a beautiful scene—long tables under olive trees, a nice clear sunny day, and incredible food. We had hummus, labane, dolmas, lentils, bread with zatar, pita, limonana, tea, coffee, etc.

All of it was delicious—most of the participants on our trip said it was the best meal they’ve had in a long time (some said it was their best meal in Israel). It was definitely the best meal I had in Israel up to this point. I could tell things were home made and fresh. Nothing beats that…maybe my mom’s cooking…but this was definitely high up on the food ladder.

After stuffing ourselves with all the delicious food, we bought some of their olive oil and then headed to Ali’s familiy’s olive grove to help them harvest. Ali was telling us that some olive trees can simply be shaken and the olives will come loose and fall from the branches. The trees he owned, however, needed to be forcefully hit in order to collect the olives. We set up tarps beneath the trees, were given bamboo sticks, and began whacking the tree branches. As we worked, I had the chance to talk to some of Ali’s family. The harvesting time in the olive groves, according to them, was something they enjoyed and looked forward to every year. It lasts for a span of a few days, but the special thing about it is that it brings the family together. Most days of the year, the different family members have a variety of jobs that keep them busy, and there isn’t necessarily a time when they all sit together, so for them to have an excuse to unite and spend time with one another was special. I enjoyed having the privilege of spending time with them as well. It’s ironic and special that this conversation happened in such close proximity to the Thanksgiving holiday.

When we had spent about an hour working together, we sat for some coffee and snacks, listened to Ali speak a bit more, and made our way up to Rosh Pina for a lovely dinner at a quirky restaurant filled with puzzles, games, and good food. Our experience with the Druze, learning about their culture, their way of life, and Ali’s personal narrative was interesting, eye opening, and something I won’t forget.

Update on the Situation in Israel – Friday

Dear Friends,

In the wake of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas that took effect at 2 p.m. EST on November 21, Israeli officials were optimistic that the violence that has gripped Israel for eight days would finally end, but acknowledged that the conflict is “far from over.”

“Millions of Israelis are still under rocket fire or in bomb shelters. It’s too early to declare this finished, but we hope it will be,” said Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren during a teleconference just after the cease-fire, held by The Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Council of Public Affairs.

For most of the people in the affected regions, the last 8 days has been the reality they have faced on and off for the past 12 years. There are children for who rockets and bomb shelters are the norm – never having experienced anything different. It is not surprising that a recent study shows that almost half of children ages 12-13 in the town of Sderot demonstrate clinical symptoms related to post-trauma, the same goes for a third of the younger children.

Israeli professionals have developed highly effective responses and treatment for post-trauma stress, but we need to make sure that every child who requires treatment will receive it  for as long as it’s needed. Considering the modest socioeconomic capacity of much of the South’s population, it is important that therapy be readily accessible and affordable.

As Israel remains vigilant, the work of Jewish Federations continues. Through our Israel Terror Relief Fund, we will continue to address the most critical needs in Israel, providing support to children, people with disabilities and special needs, seniors and families who are victims of terror.

The Ambassador offered profound thanks to the Obama administration, Congress and the entire North American Jewish community. He also recognized Jewish Federations for our immediate $5 million commitment to help the people of Israel. “We are greatly indebted to our friends throughout the Jewish community who have stood by us, who have called the Embassy with offers of support, and who have made their ideas and commitment to Israel known to local leadership and press,” he said.

Let us hope that this cease fire becomes a prelude for real, lasting peace.

 

Make a tax deductible contribution for immediate emergency assistance.

Sincerely yours,

Jennifer Gorovitz

Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund