Tel Aviv’s Mann Auditorium, home to the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, is the recipient of a $10m. gift from philanthropist Charles Bronfman. The gift will allow for renovation of the historic building, the construction of a new concert hall and other smaller projects. Bronfman's gift will also entail a name change, with the Mann Auditorium - named after Frederic Mann - set to become the Bronfman Auditorium. The Mann family has agreed to the change and Frederic Mann will be appropriately memorialized in the newly renovated space. In speaking of the gift Jeffrey Solomon, President of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies told eJP,"Charles Bronfman's gift to the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra reflects and continues his multifaceted approach and commitment to supporting … Continue Reading
Yad Hanadiv Updates ‘A Social Capital Market for Israel’
Yad Hanadiv, the Rothschild Foundation, has released an updated version of the booklet A Social Capital Market for Israel. from the Summary: The nurturing of social investment in Israel would involve channeling more money to address social problems by improving the efficiency of financing by existing public and philanthropic resources, and by attracting new wealth to investments that offer twofold value: economic and social. We have learned from overseas models that the development of the field has potential to produce a quantum leap in contending with complex socio-economic challenges by reinforcing the financial strength of the main social services providers, and by making a positive impact on innovation and on the commitment to socio-economic outcomes and gains. In recent decades, in the … Continue Reading
Tel Aviv to Host International Mayor’s Conference
Bringing together dozens of prominent mayors from every corner of the globe, the 28th annual Mayor’s conference - sponsored by the American Council for World Jewry, Israel’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Union of Local Authorities - will take place between May 6-10, 2012. The conference is a great opportunity for mayors from all over the world to“ see firsthand how Israel has become a leader in defense, security and intelligence products,” said Council Chairman Jack Rosen. “As every mayor knows, these are essential not only for the country as a whole, but for cities and communities that need to invest on behalf of the safety and well-being ”of individuals and families. The Mayors will meet with Israel’s Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, the Mayors of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, … Continue Reading
In Memory of the Fallen: Honoring Heroes of Israel
by Moti Vaknin The place, and the time: Israel on Yom Hazikaron - Israel’s Memorial Day - held on the fourth of Iyar, the day before Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day). Fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism are remembered at national memorial services, such as this one for victims of terrorist attacks at the military cemetery in Haifa. The somber mood of the day takes effect with radio and television programs on Israel’s wars, the closing of all venues of entertainment nationwide, and two air raid sirens which sound throughout the country, causing all traffic to stop in commemoration of Israel’s fallen. images courtesy Israeli photographer Moti Vaknin This post, and accompanying photographs, is from the PresenTense Jewish Heroes issue; originally published … Continue Reading
Israel Sabbath Shopping Is Increasing Despite Laws, Fines and Boycotts Due to Unrelenting Consumer Demand
Beer-Sheva, Israel, April 22, 2012 - Israeli consumers, not the Knesset, are likely to determine the future of shopping on the Sabbath, according to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers in a new study published in the Politics and Religion journal. "Both religious and secular communities use their power as consumers, albeit in different ways, to shape the public sphere," according to Drs. Guy Ben-Porat and Omri Shamir of the Department of Public Policy and Administration in BGU's Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management. "The shift away from the formal political realm is a result of a deadlocked political system that is no longer able to regulate boundaries between the religious and secular realm." During the past 20 years, there has been increased consumer demand for mall … Continue Reading
Unto Every Person There is a Name: Yom HaShoah 2012
A poster designed for this year’s Yom Hashoah, which depicts a family as the shadow of an old man with the words, “Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day 2012”, pays tribute to both the survivors and the millions who were murdered. Jerusalem, April 18, 2012: The official poster distributed for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day (Yom HaShoah) by Yad Vashem and the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs was designed by Dorielle Rimmer Halperin, a graduate of the Visual Communications Department at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Jerusalem. Creating this poster had a major impact on Rimmer, whose grandparents, Esther and David Rimmer, are Holocaust survivors. “This was an exciting challenge for me,” said Rimmer, who graduated from Bezalel in 2003. “It’s a … Continue Reading
Exporting Knowledge: Israel Sci-Tech Curriculum Making Impact at U.S. Jewish Day Schools
by H. Glenn Rosenkrantz April 15, 2012 - Hartsdale, NY - He’s 15, in ninth grade, and already thinking about a sci- tech career. “The idea of being involved in science and technology is very appealing to me right now,” said Greg Robinov, a student at Solomon Schechter School of Westchester, north of New York. “Dealing hands-on with hypotheses and ideas that are truly applicable to how the real world works is something I really want to be part of.” Robinov is one of 35 students at this Jewish day school enrolled in a science and technology program designed by Israel Sci-Tech Schools Network (ISTSN) and exported to the United States for the first time this academic year. The program is based on curricula and teaching models that are the hallmarks of ISTSN, which is spearheading … Continue Reading
Are Israeli Human Services Agencies “Jewish” Communal Service Agencies?
Are Israeli Human Services Agencies “Jewish” Communal Service Agencies? A Look at the Shared DNA of Israeli and Jewish Overseas Service Providers by David Marcu My collaborative and increasingly intensive work with overseas Jewish communal service agencies frequently punctuates the fact that we Israeli organizations may be quite different from our overseas Jewish counterparts. While often providing similar services, the identity of both types of agencies is often starkly different. In short, Jewish communal service agencies often see their Jewish identity as a primary or central feature of their mission and raison d’etre, while those of us providing similar services in Israel often see professional identity and purpose as primary, with Jewish identity essentially as an … Continue Reading
Canada: The Fundraising Frontier
by Chaim Katz I recently attended a fascinating conference in Jerusalem, targeted at the non-profit community. Following the lunch break, we were treated to an entertaining performance by Jerusalem humorist, Jackie Levy. He opened with a series of jokes, aimed at proving that statistics are worthless or, at least, often far from accurate. The jokes were well delivered and certainly helped contribute to our post-meal digestion. But, the point, although told in jest, had a great deal of merit, especially in the world of Resource Development. Statistics are probably among the most flexible factors in mathematics and the sciences. They are highly malleable and can be twisted in most any shape or direction, depending on your needs. I once heard statistics compared to the manna that the Jews ate … Continue Reading
Good Deeds Day 2012: A First Look
Good Deeds Day 2012 is off and running; in Israel events took place around the country this past Tuesday and will be followed March 25th internationally. Good Deeds Day is an initiative of Ruach Tova and the The Ted Arison Family Foundation. For more see, Israeli Billionaire Shari Arison Promotes ‘Good Deeds Day’ and Israeli CEO Believes Good Business and Good Deeds Go Together. … Continue Reading
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