Rothschild Foundation Funds Beit Ha’Nassi Repairs

Israel’s Cabinet is expected to approve today acceptance of a $500,000 grant from the Rothschild Foundation to carry our emergency repairs at Beit Ha’Nassi, the official residence of Israel’s President. This will cover approximately half the cost of needed structural repairs caused by years of neglect at the complex. The Ministry of Finance has issued the necessary sign-offs. Completed in 1971, with no infrastructure updates since, the complex suffers from – among other things – faulty wiring, serious mold issues, and a lack of adequate facilities for official receptions and press coverage. Last year, Peres was able to secure government approval for a $3 million grounds overhaul paid for by the Jewish National Fund prior to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. Assuming approval,... Continue Reading

Alexander Muss High School Begins to Expand

Last week, on the grounds of the Eshel Hanassi Youth Village in the northern Negev, the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) broke ground for the first of three dormitories planned for a new resident program. This marks the first stage of an ambitious multi-campus expansion of the Hod Ha’Sharon school. The Alexander Muss High School, established in 1972 in conjunction with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, has developed into the premier program for high school students experiencing short-term Israel programs – a program that despite the current economic challenges is charging ahead. Their main campus operates at capacity during several periods of the year and early enrollment for 2010-2011 indicates a strong upward momentum in both their core program and to the shorter visits... Continue Reading

The Jewish Agency: Bold Gamble or Huge Miscalculation?

Israel’s politics are not for the amateur. Nor, in many cases, those of the organized Jewish world. But neither prepares you for the contemporary global stage – even if your name is Natan Sharansky. Sharansky thought he could play with the big boys. He even thought the Jewish Agency could operate freely in the former Soviet Union. He rolled the dice and lost. Badly. The cancellation of the Jewish Agency’s upcoming Board meeting in St. Petersburg is actually a big deal. It is a loss of prestige both for the organization and for Sharansky personally. It calls into question the support of the various Russian billionaires he has been wooing and were expected to attend. This is mostly political – the global kind. It’s about philanthropist and Jewish Agency Board member Leonid... Continue Reading

Taking Foundation for Jewish Camp to Stage 3

Jeremy Fingerman had his first day of work yesterday as C.E.O. of the Foundation for Jewish Camp. While enjoying his favorite blend of Wissotzky tea we had the opportunity to catch up with him and hear his thoughts for FJC going forward. Like his predecessor, Jerry Silverman, Fingerman has come to the Foundation from the world of consumer products. And it is clear his brand marketing background will greatly influence not only how he envisions his role, but the work of the Foundation itself in the future. For make no mistake about it – in today’s day Jewish camping is not only a brand but in Fingerman’s view “an icon brand – and icons need to be renewed and made relevant for today’s consumer. Consumer product companies all understand the need for a continuing cycle... Continue Reading

Is There a Downside to Giving On Impulse?

According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, “Contributions continue to pour in for relief efforts in Haiti. Eight days after the massive earthquake struck, donors have contributed more than $305-million to 32 U.S. nonprofit groups. The pace of giving for Haiti is running ahead of the amount donated in the same period after the Asian tsunamis in 2004, but slower than the outpouring of gifts after the flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.” The corporate world has also stepped up to the plate, donating cash as well as medicines and other basic products. Clearly their is much need in Haiti: for food, water, medicine and yes, even mattresses. But are we giving effectively and efficiently, or only on impulse? The New York Times is asking this morning if we are really thinking through our... Continue Reading

28 Days 28 Ideas

The Jewish media world has been popping with stories and opinion pieces of late on innovation and sustainability of this growing area. Now, in the second Jewish media collaborative effort to be announced in 2010, seven key players are joining together to continue the dialogue. Launching February 1 will be 28 Days, 28 Ideas – a series of daily posts addressing innovative Jewish ideas, programs, concepts, you name it! This diverse group of contributors will be continuing the discussion that has been taking place, largely – but not exclusively – on eJewish Philanthropy and the JTA. The participating publications are: Monday: The Fundermentalist (JTA) Tuesday: Jewcy Wednesday: eJewish Philanthropy Thursday: The Sisterhood Blog (Forward) Friday: Jewish Federations of North America Saturday:... Continue Reading

Meet the Future Today: The Israel-Asia Center

The economic fortunes of China have been front-page news this week. From James Chanos warning that China is “Dubai times 1,000 – or worse” to Thomas Friedman writing in today’s The New York Times, “All the long-term investments that China has made over the last two decades are just blossoming and could really propel the Chinese economy into the 21st-century knowledge age, starting with its massive investment in infrastructure.” With conversations focused on bubbles, economics and Google’s latest China policy, off most people’s radar are the continuing, and growing, ties between Israel and the various countries in Asia. Due to current realities, it is of paramount importance for Israel to strengthen its relationship and understanding of the entire region, not only... Continue Reading

Our Latest Tech Links

I’ve had a busy few weeks – Limmud UK along with a series of meetings and presentations in London. The most popular subject of discussion (after the economy’s effect on philanthropy) is how organizations can best utilize social media to advance their agendas. Questions on marketing through Facebook, and blogs, were high on everyone’s list. This is why we established an on-line Resource Library. In our article links section, we bring you informative, current links to nonprofit blogs and trade publications that we hope will assist you in staying current on the newest global trends and technology while at the same time providing guidance in evaluating concepts and tools for your own organization. Here are our latest additions; we encourage you to check back often as new links are... Continue Reading

The Phenomenon Called Limmud

55,000 meals served; 900 sessions; 320 presenters, a 380 page program book and 2500 participants from 40 countries. Those attending ranged from eight weeks to 90 years; 1000 were first-timers and 300 were between 5 and 18. Such were some of the stats from last month’s LimmudUK. Known simply as “Conference” this annual independent event is, in the words of Sir Jonathan Sacks, “British Jewry’s greatest export.” Held in the week between Christmas and New Year’s, this year’s Conference was the biggest ever. Bringing together religious and secular, affiliated and not, traditional and alternative to celebrate, to create and to provide a catalyst for individuals to further their own Jewish learning in an inclusive atmosphere. Conference took place on the campus... Continue Reading

The 10X Factor in Online Fundraising

Based on new research compiled by Convio, a major provider of software to the global nonprofit world, on December 31 there was a 13 times  increase in the number of donations and more than 22 times more funds were raised than daily averages the rest of the year. Consider: In the last week of the year (from 12/25 – 12/31), Convio clients processed 4.9x the number of donations than they did in an average week. The amount raised was an even larger lift (7.7x the amount raised in an average week) indicating that the average gift size was also larger (57% larger). In the last week, the top 10% of organization saw >10x increase in number of donations and >15x increase in funds raised. While every day in the final week of the year (including Christmas) saw an increase in average donations, the... Continue Reading

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