If you are a regular reader of eJewish Philanthropy, you probably know most of those involved in bringing this endeavor to fruition live in Jerusalem. And while we have a relatively narrow focus on this site, and a desire to remain out of anything even remotely political, the murder of the eight students in the heart of Jerusalem has touched us all. Hence, some blog posts last Thursday night and Friday morning. And this one. Today, the Jewish Agency for Israel announced a

Worldwide Mobilization in Memory of the Victims

In the wake of the horrific massacre of 8 innocent Israeli high school students and young adults on Rosh Chodesh Adar Bet, Thursday night [6th March ...

Some doom-sayers worry about the intermarriage rate; others the shrinking birthrate in the Jewish community; or the lack of reasonably priced communal affiliation. Guess for these people the glass is always half empty. For those of us on the other side, those of us who see the beginnings of a new golden age of Jewish communal innovation, those of us out in the trenches (so to speak) with the new, young innovators, the students in the various professional programs, and the just all around 'younger' interested and non-affiliated, not only is the glass not half empty, it's close to overflowing! The most recent example, this past week's Jewlicious Festival 4.0. Writing on the Jewlicious blog, "ck" ...

In light of the security situation in Sderot and the Gaza perimeter, the Jewish Agency is giving $1.7 in scholarships to the Sapir College in Sderot. The scholarships of $1000 each will be given to 1,700 students studying at the college. The funds were raised by the UJC. This significant assistance for the college will help Sapir continue to function and grow. The scholarships will be available in the coming weeks to students currently enrolled. Hundreds of students receiving scholarships are also involved with volunteer work in the local community, particularly assisting children and young people. According to JAFI Chairperson Zeev Bielski "the best answer to the murderous attacks on the college is to support the college by providing an incentive ...

Speaking yesterday afternoon at JAFI's Board of Governor's meeting in Jerusalem, Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni warned of an erosion of the Zionist idea, a trend advanced by the growing de-legitimization of Israel in the international community, and said that Israel and Jewish communities abroad must redouble their efforts to reverse this (trend). Livni pointed to the common challenge that is facing both Israel and world Jewry. "Today there is worrying erosion and a process of de-legitimization against Israel in the world -- it appears as if the Zionist idea is losing its importance. What was understood 60 years ago is no longer understood today. This trend is not just taking place within the international community ...

One of the biggest conversations in the Jewish world today is the interaction between the Diaspora and Israel. Or, if you are sitting on this side of the ocean, between Israel and the Diaspora. Therefore, with JAFI Board Members beginning to congregate in Jerusalem for their upcoming meetings, it was no surprise that a closed-door session at the Prime Minister's Office late Wednesday, was leaked to the press last night in time to be THE headline splashed across the Israeli press this morning (this one from JPost)...

Olmert's task force aims to revolutionize Israeli-Diaspora ties;

"U.S. Jewry is in crisis, and we can help"

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has established an unprecedented high-level government task force charged with ...

As the central hub in which most affiliated Jews express their sense of Jewish commitment and belonging, the synagogue is a natural place to deepen the relationship to Israel.

And so, a new endeavor began in Jerusalem yesterday as a group of American participants have come together to discuss, What does it mean to be an Israel-engaged synagogue. Their five day itinerary brings together key people, professionals and lay leaders, from throughout the Jewish community whose work and passion are committed to Jewish life and the synagogue.

Abraham Joshua Heschel writes that "The land is a text." Their journey begins with the belief that the Land of Israel embodies Judaism, and stands as a dynamic and living Jewish text. ...

It's sleeting (here) in Jerusalem; the Winograd Committee is set to deliver their final report later this afternoon and I would like to share some thoughts on a session I attended last week at the Herzliya Conference. The session was billed as, 'Rethinking Jewish Philanthropy – Interrelations between Israel and the Diaspora'. A more apt title would have been, 'An Infomercial from JAFI and the N.Y. Federation'. I really should not complain. For the first time ever the subject of Jewish Philanthropy has reached the table at the Herzliya Conference. And however brief (only 45 minutes) and the only session I attended that did not allow follow-up questions, or comments, at least there was a presence. For ...

The Jewish Agency for Israel began a new campaign today in the Israeli press. In front page mega-sized ads they proclaim: "Keeping the promise that any Jew, every Jew, has a home in Israel." The interesting sidebar, JAFI's new tagline: As Israel's largest and most effective nonprofit, the Jewish Agency is the leader in partnering the people of Israel with communities and donors worldwide to meet Israel's 21st century challenges. The Jewish Agency is supported by UJC/Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. (click here to see the ad) I guess this must be part of their new marketing approach on how to seem in touch with their constituents: “JAFI ...

Perhaps, perhaps not. But one thing is certain: in their relations with both the American Jewish community and the growing and influential world of Anglo Olim, JAFI is in serious need of a spin-doctor. I remember well two plus years ago, when Zeev Bielski, the popular and charismatic Mayor of Ra'anana, with the genuine support of the American Jewish community defeated Natan Shransky for the position of Chairman of the Agency. Today, it seems the love affair is over. The Jewish Agency, known in Israel simply as the Sochnut, has roots all the way back to the early years of the British Mandate. Storied earlier leaders include David Ben-Gurion. Following the ...

In an historic new agreement, for the first time ever, Christian supporters will join the JAFI Board of Governors. According to a breaking story on The Jerusalem Post web site, an agreement was signed earlier today between the (Chicago based) International Fellowship for Christians and Jews and the Jewish Agency broadening the cooperation level between the two organizations and acknowledging a $45 million pledge for the next three years from the IFCJ. Under this new agreement, Christian supporters of Israel will sit on the Jewish Agency Board. In a statement released Thursday, the Jewish Agency called the agreement "historic," and said it would legitimize a "strategic partnership with the ...