This week we’re profiling two of the participants, Tapingo and Reactful.

Tapingo

Speaking with an interested visitor at Innovation Alley

Tapingo was founded in Tel Aviv in 2010. Since then we have moved our operations, sales and executive team to the US and we are now based in San Francisco, with our engineering, research and development team still based out of Israel. Because of our unique origins and offices still based in our founding country, we were eager to participate in this year’s Innovation Alley at Israel in the Gardens in SF. The organizers of this event saw our growing startup as a great example of Israeli innovation and success in the US and Bay Area. My colleagues and I loved the idea of sharing our ideas and product with the local community and we welcome the support and interest of fellow high tech companies and entrepreneurs. Although Innovation Alley was not necessarily an event where we would expand our presence on any particular University Campus, we were excited to meet and talk about our company with those who are interested in hearing our story, ideas and goals.

Tapingo is a mobile application used by students and faculty at universities across the US to shop on and around their campuses. People use Tapingo every day from their smartphones and browsers to purchase their meals and more, and we are growing rapidly at colleges nationwide. Our technology was born from the minds of Jewish and Israeli innovation, and our founders met in the Israeli Defense Forces over seven years ago.

You can find more information through our website www.tapingo.com, or download the application to see what colleges and universities we are currently present at. For more information please email us at sales@tapingo.com

Reactful

What if websites could understand and predict your moods and actions, and then use those insights to show you exactly what you are looking for and at the right time?   Our young Israeli startup identified a gap in the way current website analytics inform both the users and the companies of each other’s interests and objectives.  In essence, we founded Reactful to improve the ways users interact with websites and how websites respond, or react back, to each individual user.

Soon after we decided to establish a company, we joined the Upwest Labs accelerator in Palo Alto to grow our marketing base and engage with potential Beta users. By happenstance, we met Adam Swig at one of the local social events we attended, and he introduced us to the Innovation Alley event at Israel in the Gardens. This event was a perfect opportunity for us to help out non-profit organizations and give back to the Jewish community, while also creating awareness for our product in Silicon Valley.

With the help of Reactful’s product, many corporate clients (and now also non-profit organizations) are benefiting from their optimized websites, increased donations, higher subscription rates, and email submissions. We are able to help companies by automatically improving their websites’ business results by listening to each visitor’s digital body language and using predictive analytics solutions to respond with the right content – in real time! We said goodbye to static websites, and we enabled online pages to dynamically interact with visitors as if they were having a two-way conversation. With Reactful, sites can show their customers exactly what they want, at the right time, resulting in higher conversion rates.

If you would like to hear more about what we do, request a demo to experience Reactful live on your website, or just want to say hello and show support, we would be more than happy to hear from you!

Feel free to contact us on our website, follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

Reactful team with Adam (third from left), Roselyne (second from right), and Ben Swig (right)

Reflecting back on my seventh grade self, I feel as if I did not have nearly as much philanthropic knowledge as I do today. When I was in seventh grade, I knew that giving tzedakah was a wonderful thing to do, but I did not know much beyond that. Frankly, my seventh grade concerns had more to do with my social life than tzedakah.

As high school neared, I developed a passion for tzedakah as I had come to the realization through my family’s involvement that tzedakah is an extraordinary mitzvah, and that if I am fortunate enough to help other people, then it is a privilege to do so.

I joined the Marin/San Francisco Jewish Teen Foundation (MSFJTF) when I was a freshman in high school. My time spent on the board was an extraordinarily enlightening process. As a first year board member, I really got a taste for how the process goes. I recall meeting our program director, Sara Nesson, at the teen involvement fair at my synagogue. Moments after I was told what the Teen Foundation was, I knew that it was for me. Although the eventual goal of fundraising thousands and thousands of dollars seemed extraordinarily far off, when the time came and we did in fact meet our goal, the feelings of incredible accomplishment were so very powerful. As a Leadership Council (LC) member in my second year, I assumed a leadership position, planning and leading the meetings with my fellow LC’s.  What struck me as most extraordinary was the fact that just one year after I had been a beginner and entered the fundraising and philanthropic process, I was already teaching others about the significance of giving.

Now that I am on the Alumni Council, I get to embark on my own project in relation to MSFJTF. Our job as alumni is to take part in our own projects, coming up with some way to bring our knowledge and experience to the broader community. Ryan Werth, a fellow Alumni Council member and I decided that we wanted to contribute to the larger community by teaching a three-class series on tzedakah to seventh graders at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco.

At our first session on a Thursday afternoon in January, we joined the school for tefillah (prayer) before teaching.  At first, Ryan and I exchanged confused glances, as we observed how seventh graders had seemed to shrink since we were in their shoes just a few years ago. We then realized that tefillah was a combination of 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th graders, and continue to laugh about our misunderstanding!

Our class has about 10 students, full of youthful energy and spirit. A highlight of my experience has been watching the seventh graders speak passionately about their individual interests in doing mitzvot and tzedakah. A few of the kids mentioned their involvement in Friendship Circle, which I got a kick out of because I had also been involved with Friendship Circle when I was in middle school. Memories of my seventh grade self started to resurface in my mind. Despite only having been in seventh grade four short years ago, it almost feels as if a lifetime has passed. I have come to realize that I have come a long way in these past few years.

Something that was particularly meaningful about this experience was seeing that the seventh graders look up to Ryan and me and fully trust our teachings. As teens and new teachers who are proud to be Jewish and to participate in tzedakah, that was a wonderful feeling!  We both look forward to going back in the near future for the rest of our teaching series.

Hallie (R) and Ryan (L) teaching at Emanu-El

In 2003 when I graduated from college, after serving as president of Bates College Hillel, I found myself out in the world: a tiny gay fish in a huge straight sea.

I started working in politics and my Jewish life was put on hold. I was literally “wandering in the desert.” There was no coming of age program for LGBTQ young adult Jewish leaders, so I was on my own to figure out how to get back involved.

Luckily I found Nehirim, the LGBT Jewish spirituality organization launched by Jay Michaelson. Those retreats, on which I had the opportunity to pray and hike with orthodox, reform, and secular LGBTQ Jews, were sweet (and still are). For several years while living in Washington, D.C., I attended Nehirim retreats and spent time with friends at Moishe House.  After moving to San Francisco, I also became involved with a fledgling LGBT Jewish social program for young gay men (though it took on more forms than months I was involved).

I started to see a trend in how young LGBT Jewish leaders were involved: in fits and starts, and without a plan.  I had to figure out how to be a leader on my own, with guidance from personal mentors and friends.  Today I am on the board of directors of two Jewish organizations, and am a member of the 2013 San Francisco cohort of the Wexner Heritage Program. I want to make sure that those experiences are available to more LGBT Jews in the Bay Area.

When I heard that Keshet and the Jewish Community Federation were partnering on a program to train and inspire young LGBTQ Jews in the Bay Area, I jumped at the chance to get involved. What better way to inspire future leaders than get them together for a year and have them start thinking about their legacy and their vision for the LGBTQ community? In my opinion, the Pathways to Jewish Leadership program is an excellent way to share leadership skills and tools to make a bigger impact.

I often hear that LGBTQ Jewish leaders don’t want to go to Jewish leadership “straight” events. So, while we have made a ton of progress in opening doors to LGBTQ Jews in the wider Jewish community, I have wondered what we are doing to ensure that they have leadership opportunities like our straight brothers and sisters. This program is part of the answer.

We need to ensure that we have more of a pipeline for people like me – young adults who are wandering around in the LGBTQ Jewish community looking for, or making flirting glances at, leadership roles, but who don’t have the opportunities like I had to jump in. This isn’t about tokenism or a feel-good project. The Pathways program is a way for the Jewish community to invest in LGBTQ leaders.

If you know someone who might be perfect for the program, let us know. If you want to join us for the program, please do. Let’s create your vision and plan for the future and let’s do this together.

Sam Goldman is the California Program Director for the Conservation Lands Foundation, an organization that works to protect lands in the American West. Sam serves on the boards of Wilderness Torah and Nehirim, and is a current member of the Wexner Heritage Program.

On Friday March 1, the Marin/SF Jewish Teen Foundation alumni and one member of the Marin/SF Jewish Teen Foundation Leadership Council visited Canal Alliance, an organization that the MSFJTF donated to in 2012 to see the effect of our grant to their Youth Scholarship Program(YSP).

During our site visit, we were blessed with the opportunity to see a mural that many of the kids worked on last year called “True Colors”. In order to complete the mural, the kids in charge of the project had to gain approval from city council and say that the mural was a collaboration and that everyone’s design ideas were put in the mural. As student David said, “True Colors” is about “revealing who you are and what you want to do with yourself.”

Our tour continued into the YSP buildings where the rooms are named after colleges, both local and national, to motivate students and demonstrate that it is possible for all to succeed and go to a four year university. Says Erik, a youth educator, “Every student here [at YSP] is prepared to be successful.” The Youth Scholarship Program mandates that both parents and children sign a contract and although the program is free, parents are asked to attend monthly parent forums to keep them involved and informed. Director of Communications, Joshua Castro, said, “There is a waiting list for YSP and it is not an opportunity to be taken for granted. The kids who are here want to be here.”

Both Jesús and David, the two students we met with on our tour, were very grateful to have been given the opportunities granted to them through Canal Alliance and the Youth Scholarship Program.  “I found myself,” David said. “This is the beginning of something great, of my future. They [Canal Alliance and its teachers] saw a lot of potential in me and knew what opportunities to give me.” Jesús added, “It’s been a big deal. I wasn’t a good kid but I’ve gotten a lot better and I have friends, advocates, confidants…I can’t explain it — it’s a safe community and they’re my people. I will never forget this, Canal Alliance teaches you so you can do something with yourself in the future.”

In addition to the Youth Scholarship program, Canal Alliance also offers immigration legal services, education opportunities, economic development, ESL and computer classes, and family services. These programs are either free or have a very small reduced cost.

Visiting Canal Alliance was a meaningful way to learn more about the Youth Scholarship Program and the effect that our money had on these students. It was inspiring to see these students with goals that they are determined to reach and hope for their future. I can say with confidence that the grant made last year went to a good place and I am proud to have put our grant to such an amazing organization.

Canal Alliance youth leader Jesus (far left), with Michaela (second from left) and other MSFJTF teens, spearheaded this amazing mural outside the organization. Jesus has visited MSFJTF twice to talk about Canal Alliance over the years.

Paul Cohen

Coming out in the late 70′s, I was exploring what it meant to be a gay man in society.  I already had two strong identities: American and Jewish.  Each had been nurtured by family, school and community, but now I had the opportunity and responsibility to develop this additional identity.  How much a part of my life would it play?

I discovered the uniqueness of the Bay Area as I was able to be out at work and in my volunteer activities, and was fortunate to become part of a synagogue in which my gayness was part of the mainstream of that community.

The Jewish community became the focus of the integration of my identities.  I brought my skills and passion to the boards of the Jewish Community Center, San Francisco Hillel, the Bureau of Jewish Education, and the Jewish Community Federation.  I was not necessarily the first gay man on these boards, but was able to teach an understanding of the needs of the gay and lesbian community.  The results were that the Jewish community was a strong partner in the fight against the Briggs amendment, the AIDS crisis, and more recently, marriage equality.

I want to share the success of my experiences integrating my identities and the LGBTQ Pathways to Leadership program that the JCF offers, in partnership with Keshet and the LGBT Alliance, provides me that opportunity. The program is an incredible vehicle for learning new skills, but most importantly, for meeting and being mentored by the pioneers of the LGBT Jewish leadership.  I believe it does take “a village” to develop competent, healthy and well-integrated adults.  We who have traveled the road are proud of creating new paths in which younger members of the LGBT community can have the opportunity to become leaders in the many agencies serving the Jewish community.

As Jews and as LGBT folks, we understand the importance of standing up, being counted, and giving back.  We learned during the height of the AIDS epidemic that allies in the general, and most specifically the Jewish community, made a difference for hundreds of men and their families.  The individuals and couples who volunteered for such programs as “Chicken Soupers” had recognized our common humanity and they stood up for us.

Our organizations, both those serving the LGBT community and the Jewish community, need trained and skilled volunteers.  This is your chance to gain those strengths.  Through the Pathways to Leadership program you will learn, develop new skills, and the quality of your life will be enhanced. The Bay Area is special and the commitment by the Jewish Community Federation to provide opportunities for us is an incredibly valuable gift.  I urge you to take advantage and sign up to participate.

Paul Cohen is currently President of the board of Menorah Park in San Francisco.  He is the director of the Congregation Sha’ar Zahav Journey to Judaism program, and a board member of Interfaithfamily.com. He is a past board member of the Jewish Community Federation, the Bureau of Jewish Education, San Francisco Hillel and the San Francisco Jewish Community Center.

Congregational/Community School: Day Schildkret, Congregation Rodef Sholom

When I found out I won this award, I danced. I danced to not only celebrate my own win, but for all who are benefiting from the Fire Circle and reconnecting through ritual. I danced for all the Jewish teens who now have a place in their lives for something sacred, something powerful, something ancient each and every week. I danced for nature being the perfect vehicle for personal discovery and wonder. And, I continue to dance because our teens are now returning to be mentors and are continuing this cycle of connecting to their ancestral Jewish roots. I continue to dance because our world desperately needs our adolescents to transition into their adulthood and it is happening here. I am beyond grateful for this award and for the opportunity to serve our youth, our community and our planet. May we continue to regenerate our culture and find our place once again beneath the larger Etz Chaim.

Day School: Renee Fine, Yavneh Day School

I am truly humbled to be recognized for the Helen Diller Excellence in Jewish Education Award. During the course of my more than 20 years in Jewish education, I have been associated with many excellent teachers, and to receive this special recognition is extremely meaningful to me.  I truly love teaching, and I love being Jewish. So it is quite natural for me to be working at a Jewish Day School where I can combine both my passion for teaching and my love for Judaism.

If there is one thing that I’ve learned in education, it is the importance of weaving the threads of Judaism throughout both General Studies and Judaic curriculum. When a student makes a Jewish connection through Art, Music, Literature, Science, etc…it becomes more relevant to their lives through their own personal prism. The challenge for the educator is to utilize both creativity and sensitivity to children’s distinctive needs and interests.

Early Childhood Education: Silvia Gitlin, T’enna Preschool

Jewish teachers of young children have a truly unique opportunity. This early period of time is crucial for instilling enduring Jewish identity in children, for engaging and inspiring new parents and for serving as a gateway for additional Jewish education and involvement in synagogue and community life. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be part of the educational process of young families and to be honored for doing what I love. Thank you!

Informal Education: Kenny Kahn, Be’chol Lashon Camp

Winning this award is incredible. Thank you to all of my Be’Chol Lashon people that nominated for the award. I accept this award on behalf of all the amazing and inspiring Jewish educators who I have been taught by or worked with in the San Francisco Bay Area. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by incredible individuals who invested their time and efforts on me, creating both an engaging and safe place for me to learn and identify as a Jew. Temple Beth El, Camp Kee Tov, UAHC Camp Swig, Berkeley Midrasha, and Be’Chol Lashon helped shape me into the Jewish man and educator I am today, and it is through their programs and amazing staff that I was able to learn and feel accepted. Returning the favor is an honor and a pleasure, and through Camp Be’Chol Lashon, with my co-director Sarah Spencer, I wish to continue educating the diverse population of young Jews from across the nation and the world on how community and identity are vital to one’s self and an understanding of religion and culture. We all share the common thread of Judaism, and it’s important that we celebrate it through one another.

What’s new?

• The Philanthropic Service department is interested in having personal, one-on-one conversations, in person or over the phone, with Donor Advised Fund holders to get to know them and learn more about their interests.  The goal is to better understand our donors and determine what specific needs our clients have.  If you would like to be part of these conversations, please contact Sue Schwartzman.

• Come be inspired by our teen philanthropists.  Whether you have kids or grandkids, nieces or nephews about to enter high school that you want to encourage to get involved in philanthropy; or, if you are looking for personal inspiration, come to one of the upcoming Teen Foundation grant celebrations: June 1 in the North Peninsula, 8 PM at Peninsula Sinai Congregation and June 6 at 7 PM at Kol Shofar in Marin for our Marin/SF Teen Foundation.

• Last month we brought in Danielle York from 21/64, an expert in multi-generational philanthropy and family systems to speak on “Healthy, Wealthy Families: Tips for success and well- being for all stages of life.”  Danielle’s top tips were:

1. We can’t expect our children will know what to do with money, if we don’t teach them how to use it first. Teach your children about financial fluency by asking them to help budget your next vacation.
2. Allow your kids to make mistakes and fail at times.  Teach children how to tolerate discomfort by telling them about hard times your family faced.
3. Lastly, teach them about developing a worldview by exposing them to a variety of settings outside of your own home.
4. Allow your kids to see your own imperfections.  Don’t let them grow up thinking life is always in perfect presentation.  This allows them to develop realistic expectations and to deal with adversity when it arises.

This month’s Philanthropic Education Webinar and Seminar focused on creating Healthy, Wealthy Families. Danielle York from 21/64 Philanthropies led an engaging and informative discussion on this important topic that many of us can relate to. As the seminar began, we sat at a table and were asked to reflect on a number of family memories: Who do we think of when we think of family? Was money discussed at home? Who did we go to for support? What was our first job? How were gifts received in our family? What did we do when we received money? Did we spend it? Save it? Donate it? As Danielle asked us these questions, we closed our eyes to help recover and remember some of these memories. After a few minutes of reflection, we came together as a group and got the chance to share our thoughts.

What struck me was how personal these memories surrounding money were! I thought back to my childhood and realized money was never really discussed at home. Although both my parents were doctors, I have many memories of my parents arguing about money. I remembered when I got my first job, and how great it felt to have money to spend on the things I wanted. I remembered that the year I had my Bat Mitzvah, my class collected several thousand dollars to donate to nonprofits around the country. Even though we never discussed money directly, messages surrounding money were constantly in the background.

After we had gotten the chance to share some of our positive and negative memories, York set the stage for the rest of the session,telling us that “with that sense of who we are and where we have come from, we can be more intentional about the children that we are raising, the families that we are helping to grow, and the experiences we are fostering for others.”

Throughout the session, York focused on five indicators of success for healthy, wealthy families. I explain each point below, and frame each point through a Jewish lens.

1. Values: B’tzelem Elohim… in G-d’s image. We are all created in G-d’s image.

   York opened the seminar by telling us: “What we are teaches the child more than what we say. So, we must be what we want our children to become.” There are two types of values: aspirational values (I want to be a runner, but I don’t run) and operational values (I am an independent, strong thinker). Strong, healthy families are those that spend time illuminating operational values for each individual within the family. It is important to not only discuss the values you want to embody, but to actually participate in these actions that help you uphold the values you want to live by.

2. Connections: L’dor v’dor… from generation to generation
   

   “We are hardwired for connections- mothers and fathers know this. It is visceral,” York explained. “We are animals that are designed to be connected to other people. Without authentic connection, there is suffering.” With connections, comes the need to show vulnerability. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable shows your ability to take risks and challenges. While embracing vulnerability can be risky, it is necessary that we teach our children and grandchildren the importance of vulnerability. By showing them examples of your own vulnerability, it will encourage children to feel ready to take on their own challenges.

3. Motivation: “It is not up to you to finish the task, and you are not free to abstain from it.” -Pirke Avoth Ch.2
   

   Motivation is a huge factor in healthy families. York tells us: “The desire to get better and better at something matters. Fostering mastery is encouraging your children to find what it is that they are good at and letting them work hard to achieve success here.” York shared three major components to motivation, as outlined by Dan Pink. First is autonomy- we must let our children have a full sense of personal choice. It allows them to think about risks, failures, and successes for themselves. Although it may be difficult at times to fully let go and let our children be independent, it is a very important factor in being motivated. Second component is purpose.  We must teach our children that the work they are doing—whether donating money, holding a job at a company, or going to college—are all efforts towards something greater than themselves. Knowing that our work and our money go to something bigger than us is so impactful. Mastery is the final component to motivation. It is important that we foster a growth mindset- one that pushes our children to find something that they feel motivated by and one that inspires effort, rather than success or failure. Remind them that no great act was achieved without someone taking a risk.

4. Skill Building: “Anyone who does not teach their child a skill or profession may be regarded as teaching their child to rob.”  –Talmud, Kiddushin 29a
   

   We must teach our children the skills they need to be successful in who they are and what they do, particularly when it comes to dealing with money. York referenced a client of hers who shared this quote: “A pool, like money, can be really dangerous without skills. But a pool, like money, can be really powerful and lovely and rich with opportunity and joy.” We can’t expect our children will know what to do with money, if we don’t teach them how to use it first. Much of these skills can be taught by sharing our own personal experiences. Teach children how to tolerate discomfort by telling them about hard times your family faced. Teach your children about financial fluency by asking them to help budget your next vacation. Lastly, teach them about developing a worldview by exposing them to a variety of settings outside of your own home

5. Practices/Rituals: “This too shall pass.”
   

   As this Jewish proverb says, it is important to remember that moments will continue to pass us by. It is important to remember and celebrate the good moments regularly to remind yourself and your family how blessed they truly are. York quotes Sean Aker who said “Only 10% of happiness is based on the reality of what really happened. The other 90% is based on how your brain processes the external world”. No matter what type of family you come from, or who makes up the members of your family, it is so important to celebrate the little moments. Make sure to teach your children about gratitude and joy, because it is something that we can lose sight of so quickly. There will inevitably be good and bad times with any family, and in order to keep strong, the family must keep these practices of joy in place in order to help uplift the individuals that make up the family.

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.

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.