[This post was originally published October 20, 2009 in PresenTense Magazines' Philanthropy issue. As a part of our continuing discussion on Jewish philanthropy, we are reprinting.] by Josh Buchin For many young Jews, the subject of philanthropy for the sake of Israel does not occupy much of their time. Whether it's because the issue is too political or too overwhelming, the topic often gets pushed aside in favor of other forms of philanthropy. But for some young Jewish philanthropists, Israel is an area that truly speaks to them. PT sat down with young philanthropists to discuss why giving to Israel can be an important and relevant issue in our day-to-day lives. “Theodor” wishes to remain anonymous. He is an active lay leader in the Jewish community of Luxembourg. Tell us a little … Continue Reading
Post 9: On Organization: Heavy Hitters Come Together
[eJP note: This post, by Gidi Grinstein, was originally published on May 13, 2008, as part of a series on Philanthropy in Israel. With this year's Jewish Funders Network conference taking place in Israel, we thought it would be timely to rerun the series.] Can Jewish philanthropy be transformed? Among other things, the answer depends on the ability of the ‘heavy hitters’ of Diaspora Jewish philanthropy in Israel to join together in order to improve their standing in Israeli society and agree on a number of guiding principles for their operation. Success in doing so will be important for them, as well as for Israel and the Jewish world. A large portion of Diaspora Jewish philanthropic giving in Israel is from a small group of large givers. They are institutions, most prominently the large … Continue Reading
Jewish Agency Approves 2012 Budget of $322m
At the final plenary of the Jewish Agency's Board of Governors meetings, the 2012 budget was passed unanimously. The approved budget of just over $322m. represents a cut of approximately 2.5% from 2011. As approved, the budget contains a projected deficit of $4.6m. The Jewish Agency is required to have a balanced budget and within the next 60 days additional revenue, expenditure reductions, or a combination of the two must be identified. Of note, the Jewish federations (which earlier this summer had indicated to JAFI that 2012 would see a decline in income) is budgeted to provide $105m - the same as in 2011. Keren Hayesod $43m and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews $9m. Of the projected decline in income, $5m (of the approximately $8m) results from a U.S. Government grant … Continue Reading
Response and Responsibility in Jewish Philanthropy; Responding to Prof. Richard Marker
by Johanna Arbib-Perugia First, let me say that I welcome Prof. Richard Marker's response to my article 'Looking back to the Future of Jewish Philanthropy'. He brings to the fore many pivotal questions and issues, some of which I agree with and all of which are worthy of our attention. To begin with, I think there are few people who would argue with Prof. Marker's assertion that 'no one is obligated to give their personal money to any specific voluntary cause'. Secondly, as I have already clearly stated, I believe, as Prof. Marker does, that Tikun Olam reflects a basic Jewish value and should have a place in Jewish philanthropy. In my fairly broad experience of Jewish philanthropy, I haven't found either of these principles to be seriously challenged or grounds for hot (or even lukewarm) … Continue Reading
Reform Zionism: A Personal Mission
For the Sake of Zion: Richard G Hirsch’s Historical Memoir of the Struggles of Progressive Zionism by Rabbi Daniel Allen Zionism is the story of the modern liberation of the Jewish people restored and renewed to our homeland. It is also the story of remarkable individuals who carved a path for the growth of the Jewish State and a flourishing democracy in the Middle East. The leadership of Weitzman, Ben Gurion, Meir, Eban, and others is well known and well documented. However, the leadership of some of the practitioners and thinkers who played key roles in Israel’s growth is less well known. In his new memoir For the Sake of Zion: Reform Zionism - A Personal Mission, published by URJ Press and the World Union for Progressive Judaism, Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch tells of his life’s work … Continue Reading
Heard Around Jerusalem, continued
The Week That Was Friday morning in Jerusalem; a time to complete Shabbat preparations, and reflect on the past week. And as senior leaders - both lay and professional - continue to stream into Israel, a day of rest sounds pretty good. With the upcoming Jewish Agency board meetings next week, the tension is so thick a plastic knife could cut through. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. After the high of multi-young leadership events the past few weeks, including the ROI Summit, the Nahum Goldmann Fellowship and the launch of the latest cohort of the PresenTense Global Fellowship, the Israeli Presidential Conference opened on Tuesday. And what began with such high hopes and expectations in 2008, at least as far as Jewish world programing, has become a disappointment for many. The most … Continue Reading
Looking Back to the Future of Jewish Philanthropy
by Johanna Arbib Perugia When we inquire about the future of Jewish philanthropy, we are really asking about the future of the Jewish people. This is due to the fact that since Biblical times, the two have been immutably interrelated. Then as now, philanthropy played an integral part in shaping Jewish life, values and society, it was not merely a question of helping the poor. One of the most beautiful expressions of this can be found in the tacit agreement between the tribes of Zevulun and Issachar, where one tribe would study while the other provided for their material needs. Though this relationship was not viewed as philanthropy, but rather more as a partnership or a means of dividing tasks to achieve a common goal, it is clearly rooted in the patently Jewish philosophy of … Continue Reading
Yuval Rabin Returns to his Grandfather’s Village
Today, in the small village of Sidorovichi in Western Ukraine, not far from Chernobyl, history came full circle. Yuval Rabin, son of the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, unveiled a sculptured stone bas-relief plaque in the village where his grandfather Nehemia Rubichov was born in 1886 and emigrated from in 1905. The memorial is situated at the entrance to the Rabin Cultural Center in the village and depicts Nehemia and his two children, Yitzhak and Rachel (who lives on Kibbutz Manara.) Yuval Rabin said, “This event is very moving both for me and all the family. My grandfather would tell often tell us stories of his Ukrainian childhood and I am very grateful to Limmud FSU, Keren Haysod, the Jewish Agency and the Israel Cultural Center in Kiev who made possible this tangible tribute to the … Continue Reading
Families of Carmel Fire Victims to Receive Special Grants
The Jewish Agency, on behalf of Jewish communities around the world, will be giving a Passover gift to 44 families who lost loved ones in the Carmel fire. Each family of a person killed in the fire from the Prison Service, the police and the firefighters will receive a gift of $10,000 as recognition of service to the State of Israel. The Jewish Agency will also be organizing activities and trips during the Passover holiday for children and widows of those killed in the fire. The special assistance to these families was made possible by donations from the Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod and Jewish communities. In addition, the Jewish Agency will be giving five educational scholarships of $10,000 to young people who lost their parents in the fire. … Continue Reading
Choice to Head Ethiopian National Project is Controversial
from The Jerusalem Post: Ethiopian Israelis reject possible project head appointment The likely appointment of a new CEO to head one of the Ethiopian community’s flagship organizations for absorption and education has been sharply criticized by some community leaders, with one group seriously threatening to take legal action if the appointment comes to fruition, The Jerusalem Post has learned. Roni Akele, currently director of the non-profit Fidel Association for Education and Social Integration of Ethiopian Jews, was touted Monday evening at a board meeting of the Ethiopian National Project (ENP) to take over as director of the multi-million-shekel initiative set up in 2002 to tackle the needs of the 110,000-strong Ethiopian immigrant community here. However, over the past few weeks, … Continue Reading
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