Transparency in Israeli philanthropy continues to be a big deal in the press as a result of the recent JFN Conference. According to the Forward:

"The Israeli government does not demand the same level of financial reporting of nonprofits as does the United States, and it does not publicly release the financial reports that it does receive, as has become increasingly common in the United States and Great Britain with services like the Web site GuideStar. The result is that transparency and public oversight are often lacking."

A must read article: As Ranks of Israeli Wealthy Swell, Philanthropic Sector Plays Catch-Up image source: The Reut Institute...

A new study at an Irish university suggests that gossip influences generosity, reports Reuters. NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Worried about what people are saying about you? Concerns about gossip could influence behavior, including generosity, researchers said. "As it turns out, the act of gossip can indeed be quite powerful," said Jared Piazza of Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Read more here. Perhaps the Jewish Funders Network should pass the study details over to the Israeli philanthropists who participated in their recent Conference here in Jerusalem. See our previous post, Israeli Philanthropists: Afraid of Transparency.

around the Jewish media world this first morning of Chol Ha-Moed... Donor wants more aid to Jewish cause In a sign of the times for Jewish philanthropy, it is also serving to link up American Jewish donors and foundations with a new breed of Israeli philanthropists. "There's a change in the Israeli mentality. The hard years after the founding of the state taught Israeli society to schnor, to take money from America or from Europeans with guilty consciences. That mentality is changing. Israelis aren't suffering so much anymore. There's a small layer in society that can contribute greatly." Now, he believes, Israeli philanthropists should take the lead in Jewish philanthropy in order to inspire overseas Jews to do the same. "If Jews ...

The American based Jewish Funders Network came to town this past week, but you'd never know it. You see, the community of Israeli philanthropists participating in the Conference put a noose around the JFN's neck and held them hostage. They told the JNF they "suffer at the hands of Israeli gossip columnists" and pushed the JNF team against the wall. The sessions were closed to the media; a 180 degree turn from the JFN's normal practice. The official program stated the sessions were closed not to “undermine the participants’ feelings of privacy and security”. I was told by more than one participant of the JNF's need to have this, their first ever Conference in Israel, succeed; pretty much regardless ...

more housecleaning... The Jewish Funders Network announced this past Tuesday its plan to open a permanent branch office here in Israel. The decision will allow JFN to better meet the needs of its growing membership in Israel. According to JFN President Mark Charendoff, "Our ability to open an office in this location marks a new stage of maturity for the Israeli philanthropic community. It will offer a place for Israel based funders to come together to compare experience, access, information and create partnerships." The organization set a new record of attendance this week at its annual conference in Jerusalem as members from ...