Meir Panim provides nutritious food through a chain of soup kitchens, and delivers food to schoolchildren, the elderly, homebound and Holocaust survivors. With branches throughout Israel, the venture provides a million meals each year! Meir Panim also maintains the “Power of Giving” warehouses, which provide household furniture and appliances to over 36,000 families per year. The school youth clubs, employment rehabilitation programs, senior citizens’ clubs, as well as a wide array of vocational training programs, all run by professionals with help from volunteers, empower impoverished individuals become members of the working world.

Meir Panim is particularly concerned with the needs of underpriviliged children. To keep children from needy or broken homes within mainstream society, Meir Panim established “Meir Panim for Children,” which provides nutritious school lunches, a network of after-school youth clubs, and  distributes new school bags filled with school supplies before every school year.

The organization is currently accepting donations of clothes, toys, furniture and appliances at our POG warehouses. Anything too big to be brought in a private car can be picked up for free by a POG truck by calling *3656. For more information about Meir Panim’s activities, or to donate, contact Aliza Solomon at 02-501-1431 or alizas@pog.org.il

Meir Panim’s website: www.meir-panim.org
Donations can also be made through Meir Panim’s branches in Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and in the US via the PEF (recommending “Mifal Chaim”) or your local Jewish Federation. °

Due to its growing success, Yad Eliezer has received the highest 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of charities.

With an aim to combat poverty on individual, family and communal levels, Yad Eliezer provides critical short-term relief and confronts the underlying causes of poverty. Yad Eliezer’s comprehensive welfare system actually empowers people with long-term financial and psychological stability. The system includes the distribution of essential food, clothing, and household items, job training, and adolescent mentoring programs. Therefore, the goal is not to make their clients perpetually dependent on the organization, but to bring about economic recovery and social development in Israel.

Yad Eliezer is proud to honor its commitment to limited overhead and minimal expenses while providing personalized and professional assistance to hundreds of thousands of our nation’s neediest. Projects include food boxes with baby formula, Meals on Wheels, Chicken for Shabbos & Holidays, a Big Brother/ Big Sister Program, the Shalhevet Program which detects learning disabilities in the early childhood years, a Widows’ Fund, a dental clinic that provides 8,000 visits each year to the residents of Tzefat, and financial assistance to needy couples for their wedding. °

Philanthropic consultants are not only for very large donations, but can help donors of more moderate means negotiate bureaucratic red tape. Philanthropic consultants work with non-profit organizations, as well as government sponsored projects…even the army.

One recent case I worked was helping to raise funds to supplement army-issued equipment. While on the surface it seemed like a simple request, it was more complicated than the donor could handle on his own. Due to concerns about “protektzia” (gaining favors inappropriately) and the fear of favoring one soldier over another, parents, for example, can’t donate funds to their child’s army unit. However, a donor approached me with a specific request to help a hesder unit stationed on the Northern Border. Remembering stories from the Second Lebanon War of ill-equipped army units, he wished to bolster the government’s standard-issue supplies and help the soldiers’ physical conditions, while warming their hearts with the knowledge that Diaspora Jews cared about their condition.

The donor faced many hurdles in actualizing his donation, from language barriers to cultural differences, so he asked us to steer the project. There are several organizations that help Israeli soldiers, and the donor didn’t know which organization would best help. After deciding that the Agudah L’maan HaChayal could best handle the donor’s wishes, I proceeded to make sure that the dollar contributions to the project were able to receive tax-deductible status in America.

Some donors are satisfied with writing a check. Others want to know how their funds will be used. Other patrons want to follow their donation every step of the way. In fact, some supporters feel the project is only completed when an official thank you (with a plaque and/or photograph and letter) is sent at the completion of the project. A philanthropic consultant can keep a project moving in a timely manner, and make sure the specific needs of every donor and organization’s are met. Indeed, the soldiers of this brigade will have new fleeces and gloves before the winter frost hits the Hermon, and the donor will have a photograph to remind him of the finished project.

Philanthropic donations are always welcomed by organizations. In today’s world, the consultants who accompany donations are also welcomed, as charitable groups realize a consultant’s oversight benefits both donor and recipient. In this particular case, all of Israel benefits as the soldiers protecting us from Hizbullah have extra equipment to keep them comfortable and alert. °

Three years after the Disengagement, Ranana and her husband filed for divorce. She felt as though her personal world was crumbling and she was losing her mind.

At that point, Ranana met Ruth Atilla, a former resident of Ganei Tal. Ruth is the director of job placement for JobKatif— a non-profit organization which helps former residents of Gush Katif and Northern Samaria find jobs and open businesses. Today, statistics show that of the 2100 individuals employed before the disengagement, 545 are still unemployed. Another 500 families are what JobKatif staff call “underemployed,” meaning they have found basic work but their income is not up to par with what it was before the disengagement.

“I hadn’t seen Ranana since the Disengagement,” said Ruth. “I know her from Gush Katif and she always had a smile on her face. That day she was crying hysterically and looked terrible.”

Ruth called her friend over and asked her what was going on. “She told me about the divorce. She told me she was feeling desperate and was on her way to her family doctor to see if she could get herself committed.”

“I felt like I was losing my mind,” said Ranana. “Then Ruth appeared like an angel and asked me if there was anything she could do to help. I asked her if she had any work for me. I had no idea that Ruth was working at JobKatif or even why I asked. I suddenly thought that going to work might save me.”

As fate would have it, Ruth was taking a break. She was busy arranging interviews for work in a brand new telemarketing center in Nitzan, a small community in the south of Israel. Most of the Gush Katif families are clustered in Southern Israel. JobKatif established the call center with Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon to employ Gush Katif families, particularly those over 40— some of the most difficult to employ.

Ruth told Ranana, “If you want an interview, clean yourself up and come back in ten minutes.”

According to Judy Lowy, Executive Director of JobKatif there are defining moments in making the decision to go to work. “Going back to work is not as simple as sending out a resume and going for an interview. When any person looks for a job, he is bombarded by emotions— the most prevalent one being fear. A voice in his head might scream, ‘what if you fail or worse yet, what if you succeed?  How will that change your life?  Are you ready to let go of your past and enter the next stage of your life?’”

People who have been through multiple traumas like living under rocket fire, losing their house, their job and their community in one fell swoop experience these fears. According to Lowy, many of the former residents of Gush Katif are emotionally paralyzed. They want to move forward and yet have no idea what the future might hold. JobKatif’s staff of counselors, most of whom are themselves from Gush Katif, help individuals and families identify the next steps that will get them back into the workforce, and stabilize them and their families.

Ruth wasn’t sure if Ranana would return for the interview, but Ranana grabbed the lifeline. It was not an easy interview. Ranana tried her best to put on a good face, but she couldn’t hide the fact that her life was in a very difficult state.
“At the end of the day when the interviewer gave the list of who he wanted to hire,” said Ruth, “Ranana wasn’t on it. He said that he felt like she had too many problems on her head and she wouldn’t be successful.”

After a lot of talking, Ruth convinced him to give her a chance although he told he didn’t believe she would last even two months on the job.

Three months later, Ranana is one of the ten best workers in the center.

“Going back to work has given me the strength to make it through this difficult period of my life,” said Ranana. “When so much of my life feels out of control, it is important to have a place where I am successful, where I am recognized and rewarded. My work makes me able to get through the day and has given me back my sanity.”

Ranana was JobKatif’s 1000th job placement. That means that 999 people in situations like Ranana— some better, some worse, have been strong enough to accept help in rebuilding their lives. °

*not her real name

JobKatif (www.jobkatif.org.il) is the premiere organization dedicated to helping former residents of Gush Katif and Northern Samaria find employment and return to self-sufficiency. JobKatif provides business loans and grants to new businesses, mentoring by experienced business people, professional retraining courses, job recruitment and placement services and critical emotional support. To date, JobKatif has assisted in the establishment of 140 new businesses and has placed 1000 people in new jobs and professional careers. The majority of our work is based in Israel’s south.

For media inquiries please contact Beth Shapiro at info@jobkatif.org or 072-272-7124 or 631-791-5556.
Visit the organizational website at: www.jobkatif.org.il

Between November 9-13th, over 900 bicyclists from around the world will join together for a bike tour that will span Israel’s southern region. All proceeds will go to support the children of Jerusalem’s Alyn Hospital.

Originally conceived in 1999, Wheels of Love combines three aspects: philanthropy, athleticism, and giving back to the community. Today, the event is Israel’s largest multi-day, multi-route sports event.

Bike riding to support the hospital is no coincidence. Alyn specializes in rehabilitative therapies for children, where most of the patients are limited in their physical capabilities. Hagai Shmueli, Spokesperson and Director of Marketing tells us, “we like to think that the type of effort, energy, and enthusiasm that the participants put into the bike ride matches that of the children during their rehabilitative process.” The Alyn hospital network includes Shahar, a Rehabilitation Eudcational Medical Day Care Center, an in-patient hospital, an enrichment center (for less severe medical problems), and a sports center.

Approximately 35% of the participants are Israelis, coming from towns around the country. Caryn Gale of Hashmonaim rode in last year’s Wheels of Love ride. “It was hot, I was tired and I was ready to climb on the bus and let it carry me to the end of the route…[but] we gave it our all. We biked to the top [of the mountain] and were rewarded with a beautiful long downhill glide….At that point, I really understood the challenges that the kids of Alyn face each day and the great feeling when they—especially with the support of Alyn.”

They are brought to the hospital and introduced to the children in Alyn a few days before the ride. “This creates an especially strong connection,” Haggai explains. The opening ceremony takes place in Malha, and off they go!  The route is broken up into four tracks: On-Road, Challenge, Touring, and Off-Road. They also visit sites of interest along the way. Volunteers are stationed throughout the entire route to cheer them on, give out water, food and refreshments.

Riders range between ages 15 and 82, are required to raise $2,000 for the 5-day tour (donations are accepted even after the ride), and are from thirteen different countries. Because the hospital is a non-profit organization, the donations raised from the Wheels of Love bike ride cover a good portion of the budget for the hospital and go directly to treat the children.

This year, the ride coincides with municipal elections, and riders will be in Arad. The organizers have therefore arranged for vans to pick up the participants and bring them to their cities, only to return immediately after to finish the last leg of the trip. °

Within this new reality, the increasing force of local businesses and the third sector is front and center. Foreign Affairs recently published an article on “Global Corporate Citizenship,” which argues that”companies must not only be engaged with stakeholders but be stakeholders themselves alongside governments and civil society.” Bill Gates, in his “Creative Capitalism” article in Time Magazine August 11, 2008, calls for businesses to re-examine ways they can profit while simultaneously assisting the underprivileged and developing nations. “Government and non-profit groups have an irreplaceable role in helping [the underprivileged and third world countries], but it will take too long if they try and do it alone. It is mainly corporations that have the skills to make the technological innovations work for the poor.”

At Yesod Masad, this is what we call the “triangle of influence”: today governments, businesses, and the third sector are working together to affect social change. The synergy between these forces is powerful enough to tackle some of the most looming problems in education, hunger, poverty, disease, and the environment, domestically and globally.

Jewish communities worldwide are all facing common Jewish issues: Jewish identity, Jewish education, demographics, lack of leadership, and anti-Semitism/anti-Israelism/fundamentalist Islam.

Addressing these issues through the prism of the triangle of influence can not only increase resources, but our effectiveness as well.

The influence of each player within the triangle of influence is increasing in Israel.

Municipalities: With a lack of involvement from the national government in social issues, municipalities are becoming increasingly involved, empowered and effective. The role of municipalities’ social change was evident in the Second Lebanon War. Philanthropists and Federations need to partner with strong, solid municipalities and cultivate these relationships. Partnership 2000, which looks to bring Federations together with a sister city in Israel for social change, is a good outlet. Yet most philanthropic investments in Israel, whether geographical, sectoral, or issue-based, should involve municipalities.

Individual Israeli Wealth and Israeli Businesses: Individual wealth is increasing, as is the success, wealth and influence of businesses. Businesses in Israel are becoming increasingly involved in social change, as are businessmen and women as they become increasingly successful. Take for example the transformation of Bat Yam, now considered the city of excellence. Ten years ago Bat Yam was one of the poorest, most neglected cities in Israel, with its population base deemed very low socio-economically. Aaron Castro, founder and creator of the Castro clothing store, who made aliyah from Saloniki in 1933 and opened his first tailor shop in Tel Aviv in the early 1950s (with the Bat Yam store opening in the early 1990’s), has been loyal to Bat Yam throughout the growth of Castro, with its headquarters in the city throughout its development. Less than a decade ago, Aaron Castro went to the mayor and demanded the city be transformed through massive investment in education. He put his own and his business’s money where his mouth was, in the form of philanthropic investment in education in Bat Yam, and he demanded that the municipality leverage with him. Today Bat Yam has been transformed into Israel’s “City of Excellence” and is growing in its impact.

Business models: Business’ involvement in social change in Israel also means the introduction of new philanthropic models of investment, such as the growth of community development venture capital funds (VC). VCs are investing in underprivileged areas, whether through small business development encouraging gentrification, or through technologies generated by the areas (such as green tech in the Negev). The lesson: Socially responsible investing (SRI) can bring a return on the dollar in terms of profit— strategic philanthropic investments means business concepts and often models are pulled in to the investment.

Third sector: Non-profits organized to tackle social issues are a major force. So too are individual philanthropists. Due to these changes, new organizations and forums have been created such as:

Sheatufim: Brings together Israeli businesses and the third sector for social change.

The Jewish Funders Network: Brings Israeli philanthropists together with international Jewish philanthropists. The network’s Israel office is slated to open in 2008/9.

Center for Philanthropy— Hebrew University of Jerusalem: Opened in 2007, with a PhD student examining the role of philanthropists influencing policy, such as the Gaydamak phenomenon and the Knesset’s Gaydamak law.

Reverse philanthropy is now flowing from Israel to the Diaspora to address global Jewish issues occurring abroad. In the end, the well-being of the Diaspora has an impact on the strength of the State of Israel.

Yesod Masad’s raison d’etre is to enable social change in the Jewish world via the triangle of influence. As strategic advisors to all three elements, we see first- hand that the most effective change occurs when all three elements work together.

Whether you are the head of a non-profit, a grass roots activist, or whether you come from the philanthropic side of the third sector, Federations, or foundations, know that your power can be reinforced and increased many times over. Nonprofits should look for partners with the business sector and even consider working THROUGH the business sector. Projects can be sculpted to involve business departments, concepts and players.

Philanthropists should understand that there is a difference between tzedakah and philanthropic investment. The former does not consider strategic value, return on the dollar, and impact. The latter does. Consider the new kinds of models which will allow you to invest, to see your money returned both socially and financially, and to make your philanthropic dollar go further. SRIs— concepts and players— can allow us to tackle the biggest of problems and to multiply our reach and effectiveness.

This article originally appeared on the Amuta 2.0 blog at
www.amuta20.com/blog. °

Retorno sits tucked away in the hills surrounding Beit Shemesh, a picturesque campus with lush flowers, rolling hills, exotic birds, and horses. Yet, Retorno is no ordinary place. As one client sums it up, “it’s the only dati rehab in the universe.” In fact, A. goes so far as to claim that “it would not be an understatement to call it the holiest place on earth.” A rehabilitation center for people who suffer from myriad addictions, Retorno saves lives— not only of the addicts themselves, but of their children, spouses, and entire families.

“Retorno,” or “return” in Spanish, reflects the very essence of the institution’s philosophy. Rabbi Eitan Eckstein, founder of Retorno, believes bad people do not exist; only people who experience bad things in life. Established in Mexico fifteen years ago, Retorno helps people from all walks of life confront the pain behind their addictions, and turn their lives around. According to Eckstein, all addictions (whether alcohol, drugs, food, fire, internet, sexual, self-mutilation, or anything else under the sun,) are a way of self-medicating to escape an inner problem. Thus, an abuser arrives thinking they already have the solution to their troubles. Part of the challenge at Retorno is merely getting users to realize that addictions are not the solution, but a band-aid. Thus, the main issue to tackle in the rehab center is deep-rooted trauma, not the addiction alone.

Getting people to admit to their addictions is tough in any setting. However, the situation is even more aggravated when someone lives in the confines of a religious society. To allow progress with the way that the Jewish community deals with addiction, it is essential to really understand the mind of an addict.

Escapism is at the root of addiction, and substances often actually prevent people from letting the pain take over, potentially causing them to commit suicide. Rabbi Eckstein spoke of a young client who had discovered that his friend had hanged himself. When asked if his friend was on drugs, the response was that had he been, he would still be alive.

Through a unique combination of group and individual therapy in addition to spirituality, Retorno helps clients acknowledge the source of their problems and make peace with themselves. Daily activities include horseback riding, sports, Torah learning, trips, reflexology and massage therapy. A large portion of the day at Retorno is spent doing chores, in order to instill responsibility amongst the clients. By cleaning the stables, working in the kitchen or tidying the offices, clients understand that they are capable of being productive and integrating back into society.

It is not just the daily schedule that helps the clients to progress. The bonds forged between the residents are just as important for recovery as the relationship with one’s therapist. Udel Bergman, head of Retorno’s English-speaking program explains, “There are limits to what professionals can do. It is the fellow addict sitting next to you at lunch who can truly empathize with you.” That is why they organize separate programs for different nationalities; it is easier to bond with someone who shares a similar cultural background.

The success of Retorno’s unique approach to treating addictions is reflected by the fact that seventy percent of the clients who reside at the rehab center for more than three months stay clean. This appears to be particularly impressive when compared with the American rehab system, which has a fourteen percent success rate. Therefore, the Retorno system, both more affordable and more accommodating than most other rehab centers available, has become a viable option for many observant Jews around the world.

It is important for the Jewish community-at-large to confront that addictions of all sorts exist amongst “our own.” Moreover, it is essential that we encourage individuals with addictions to get the proper help— the help they deserve— in an effort to get their lives back on-track.

Retorno was established in 1989 by Rabbi Eitan Eckstein in Mexico, and now has branches in Israel, Latin America, and North America. If you know someone who needs help, contact Retorno at www.retorno.org. °

Times get hard. Families suffer. Some families don’t even have enough money for groceries. Actually, that’s an understatement. There are thousands of families in Jerusalem alone who cannot afford groceries. But that’s not the only problem. Many of them have dietary needs that no soup kitchen or pre-packaged food distribution center can meet. Most of them have kids that actually want some treats now and then. And why shouldn’t they get treats? They are people that lost everything and have forgotten what normal life can be.
Tikva Market is the only place in Israel that actually works as a bona fide supermarket with real produce, common brands of shampoos, sweets, pastas, cereals, toiletries and home products, but offers these items with a 90% discount. Where can you buy a bottle of coke for half a shekel in Israel? Shampoo for 1nis? Forty rolls of quality brand toilet paper for 4nis?
Shiur Times had the opportunity to visit Tikva Market in Jerusalem and see the amazing work they do in person. We quickly realized how much potential such an initiative has to help families get back on their feet. When families get into dire situations, they frequently become isolated, as they may feel ashamed of how they live and what they eat. Obviously they do not have the finances to go out for dinner with friends or even to host them at home. Shabbat is the perfect example of a time that we all want to invite guests.
Tikva Market allows families who are living under the poverty line, the opportunity to go shopping the way everyone else does, have the same types of food as everyone else does, and in short, deal with their situation with dignity. The Market assists 2200 families in the Jerusalem area, all of whom are approved by the Ministry of Welfare and a committee of rabbanim-dayanim, who review each case every three months. They only accept people whose situations are temporary; who have suffered from accidents, sickness, unemployment—those with the ability to rebuild.
The founders of the Market work in collaboration with case managers, who give the families support and practical skills training, so that they can work towards re-establishing themselves. With the combination of restoring self-respect by now being able to shop at a supermarket, and providing skills training, these “clients” soon feel ready to start afresh. “Our goal is to help people not shop here anymore. We have such a long waiting list and not enough funding to help everyone,” says founder Haim Knopfer.
Knopfer began the Tikva Market concept five years ago from a storage room in his Jerusalem flat. What started with fourteen families has now grown to over 2200 families. Whoever is approved to shop at Tikva Market pays a small percentage of the final bill and must be reviewed regularly to ensure they are taking steps to “get out of the hole,” so to speak.
Rav Halberstam has called Tikva Market a “chidush in chesed” and we wholeheartedly agree. The Market sends donations directly to help families in need, which makes it a reliable and hands-on charity. Here is an example of putting in money as if it yields an investment As Purim and Pesach are quickly approaching, donations are strongly encouraged. The following breakdown gives an idea of the sponsorships desired (any amount helps, obviously): one full wagon is $75, sponsoring one family for one month costs $250, while sponsoring 2500 people for one month costs $50,000. Those who are down need our help in getting up, even if they can’t get up right away. After leaving Tikva Market, we realized that even the poor are entitled to have choices in life.
Donations can be send to the following addresses:
Within Israel: TIKVA MARKET, Katzenelbogen Street POB 43267 Jerusalem Tel: 02- 653-7080, Fax: 02 653- 70-20
Europe: Les Amis Tikva Market, 21-29 Rue J.J. Rousseau 93107 Montreuil Cedex, Tel. (33) 01 48 75 52 29 – Fax (33) 01 48 73 76 03
U.S.A.: The Friends of Tikva Market, 2939 East 11th Street Los Angeles CA 90023. Tel. (323) 981-1860 – Fax (323) 981-1868

Sarra Horwitz made aliyah from Detroit.  She currently resides in Jerusalem.  She has been involved in community work, and the non-profit sector, for nearly ten years.

Grassroots leaders and the business executives work together to bring Zionism into the 21st Century

When Mark Twain visited Palestine in 1867, he made sure to visit the Negev, but was hardly impressed. Following his visit, he wrote The Innocents Abroad and referred to the Negev as “a desolation that not even imagination can grace with the pomp of life and action.” Fortunately, Twain was sorely mistaken.
More than one hundred years later, the Negev stages some of the most fascinating, cutting-edge technological and environmental projects in the world. The leaders spearheading these initiatives are indeed bringing Zionism to the next level, but for an area that takes up approximately 65% of Israel’s land mass, what has taken so long?
Believe it or not, since the time of the aliyah waves in the 1880’s only a little more than 30% of the land in Israel has been developed. While halutzim digging the fields may be the prototypes of the old-school Zionism, entrepreneurs, investors, scientists and students are all heading south to bring Zionism into the 21st century- this time with a sophisticated flare that is attracting world attention.
Though the Negev houses less than 10% of Israel’s population, the area has attracted thousands of individuals and families within the past decade or so. These people are heading down south, filled with hopes and a Zionist pioneering spirit, and see the Negev as full of promise. With so many people heading down to the “southern frontier,” the entire area has seen strong development economically, culturally, socially and educationally. Each new initiative helps create more opportunities so that more people will be attracted to live here. The government itself has recognized the potential of the area and declared it a “Free Production Zone”, encouraging developing industries and small businesses to establish themselves. Additionally, a number of organizations such as the Development Authority of the Negev, Tnuat Or and the Initiative Center of the Negev have set out long-term strategic plans that intend to attract over half a million residents in coming decades.
The KKL- JNF is another such organization that has stood at the forefront of developing the Negev for decades. One of the first achievements was the building of a basic infrastructure in the area, such as creating various water sources including dams, reservoirs and building a water pipeline from the north. Since water supply is such a scarcity, these new sources were able to inaugurate innovative desert farming techniques. KKL-JNF also created parks and forests and developed a foundation for a tourist industry, as well. They are heavily involved in land reclamation, building farm access roads, strengthening agriculture, preserving heritage sites, beautifying town entrances and creating meeting points near IDF bases for soldiers and their parents.
The mission of Tnuat Or aims to populate and develop the Negev and the Galilee regions. Formally founded in 2000, the idea for the “movement” actually started a few years beforehand, when a group of teenagers from Petach Tikva envisioned establishing their own community in the Negev. After fulfilling their military service, they partnered up to establish the community of Sansana in the Negev.
Since the establishment of Sansana, Tnuat Or has continued to establish five new communities and is in the process of establishing four more. Their short-term plan is to relocate 26,750 families to the Negev. In effort to accomplish this goal, Tnuat Or has established an information center which is a huge resource for individuals, families and companies wishing to acquire information on the Negev. Tnuat Or sees itself as an expert on issues related to housing, education, and employment in the Negev. They also work in partnership with various branches of the government, KKL-JNF and Nefesh B’Nefesh. The founders of the organization believe that Israel’s long-term security and economic vitality are dependent upon its ability to settle all areas within its borders. They have therefore taken on an active role in cultivating this strategic area of the country and wish to turn the image of the Negev as “frontier” to a place where the quality of life and standard of living is en par with the rest of the country.
The Initiative Center of the Negev (ICN) is also taking action to develop the economic prosperity of the region. A non-profit organization founded by leading business executives, the ICN focuses on guiding new entrepreneurs and assisting small and medium-size businesses in the Negev. The ICN established the first technological incubator in Israel, founded and supports over 30 startups in the Negev and has creative over 300 jobs. In addition, ICN is slated to launch the “Entrepreneurial Kibbutz,” which will essentially attract talented and motivated entrepreneurs to establish more startups in the area. The concept will turn the area into a mini-Silicon Valley, where innovation and ideas are the name of the game. Residents will enjoy a high standard of living without worrying about any sort of long commute to work: the kibbutz will host both a residential and commercial development area. Such an infrastructure will create job opportunities and economic sustainability for its residents. ICN will also offer a pilot program for students in the area who are interested in learning how to establish their own business initiatives. Cultivating professional relationships with these students and offering such skill-building sessions will also encourage these fresh minds to consider making their lives in the Negev.
Beyond the sheer physical and envisioned demographic expansion of the area, are impressive ecological advancements. On an academic level, Ben Gurion University has become internationally renowned for its research achievements. The Institute of Desert Research, for example, is acclaimed for its research on the desert environment, dry lands agriculture and solar energy. In addition, the university’s Solar Energy Research Center is testing and demonstrating a variety of solar-powered thermal technologies. Because Israel has almost no natural fuel sources except for its abundant sunshine, it has become a world pioneer in the use of solar energy. The Negev has also spearheaded innovative techniques for water management, waste management (Dudaim, an economically-sound waste disposal site, for example) and sustainable development in eco-friendly villages.
Overall, the Negev is on its way to stardom. What was once a vast desolate mass of land with rolling hills of sand and sun is now emerging into the global economic market. With this “think global, act local” mentality from leaders, visionaries and pioneers alike, we are bound to see the Negev blossom into an incredible asset to Israel.
Mark Twain, get ready to roll over in your grave. The Zionists are at it again.

A brief look into the demographics shows that finding appropriate employment for the diverse range of skills may not be so simple. For example, finding a teaching position for a single mother of three may be quite different from helping reestablish someone whose living came from the agricultural technologies of the hothouses, or from farming the land itself. What about the older population who are simply not as marketable in today’s workforce? Regarding the latter, Ariel Dubrowin, spokesperson for JobKatif says, “the toughest cases are generally older people…they were deeply emotionally affected by the Disengagement, and the disruption it brought to their lives. They do not have the energy they once had to rebuild their businesses from scratch.  Many of them have been struggling with depression for over 2 years and need serious encouragement just to get dressed and leave their caravillas every day.”

To help this demographic, JobKatif piloted a project placing volunteers in hospitals, yeshivot and other social institutions. The program was successful, but came to a halt due to lack of funding. Financial support would allow them to launch the volunteer program again, which would serve over 350 people. Ideally, they would also like to offer a stipend of $500 per person, per month. The organization also plans to offer professional coaching and psychological counseling to these people, to get them back on their feet (pending funding.)

JobKatif works on a number of models to give the evacuees skills to rebuild their lives: employment coaching, vocational training, direct job placement and seed money for small start-up businesses. The organization offers practical coaching services, including workshops on marketing, business taxes, law and entrepreneurship. It also places individuals in vocational training and academic programs. Since many of the former Gush Katif residents gained their parnasa from agriculture, which cannot easily be replicated in their new [temporary] environments, vocational training is imperative. Even people in the Gush Katif security force are in need of retraining since there are not as many vacancies for security in the areas where they resettled.

Thus far, over 150 people have been sponsored to attend career retraining courses. The organization currently sponsors the tuition of training courses, but with more funding, JobKatif would also like to subsidize the family’s living expenses for six months while the breadwinners retrain.

While most of the residents of Gush Katif have received some level of financial compensation for the evacuation, it is barely enough to cover daily expenses, since many of them still do not have any other steady income source. Some business owners have received compensation, but many are still negotiating with the government on the value of their business.  Due to the arduous process involved in receiving more compensation, JobKatif helps re-establish businesses and launch new initiatives.

As of today, JobKatif has helped to restart more than 150 businesses. With professional assistance in writing business plans, assessing the viability of the business and providing seed money, JobKatif businesses have created over 450 jobs for people from Gush Katif and the Northern Shomron.

Tal Nishri, for example, used to teach in a women’s seminary in Gush Katif. She now lives in Yad Binyamin, a religious community in the center of the country where many former Gush Katif residents now live. With the help of JobKatif, she opened “Katom” (“Orange”), a stationary/toy store in the commercial center of the town. JobKatif helped Tal and her partner two years in a row by providing capital for purchasing “back to school” supplies.  They then were able to sell the products below the standard retail prices, thereby attracting more customers to the store, which gave the business a giant boost.

In addition to direct assistance such as Ms. Nishri’s case, the organization has also launched a website that publicizes job openings that connects appropriate candidates to positions. The website has been so successful that even the government ministries refer people to the website for job placements. So far, over 600 people have found jobs through their website. Confirming the impact JobKatif has made on the evacuees, Benny Fefferman, an official in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, says JobKatif is “the primary body in Israel solving the employment issue [for evacuees.]”

However, “many of these people are still underemployed— meaning they are still in the midst of rebuilding their client-base, and/or have not re-established their successful career as it was in Gush Katif,” says Ms. Dubrowin. Approximately 1,000 people are affected by unemployment or underemployment with about 800 of these people completely unemployed.

The organization has a large network of volunteers who work in a variety of capacities, including everything from daily business coaching to office administration handled by young women doing their National Service (b’not sherut leumi), to English-speaking volunteers who translate PR materials. A large portion of the volunteers come from the Gush Etzion area, close to Yeshivat Har Etzion, where Rav Rimon teaches.

Even with the achievements that JobKatif has made to help the evacuees resettle, Rav Rimon still focuses on those who are still unemployed. “Working is not just about finances,” he says, “it affects your dignity, your self-respect, your happiness in life and how other people see you. The Disengagement was a huge devastation for all of these people. Almost every aspect of their lives has suffered ever since: home life, careers, physical and emotional health, family stability… we need to restore hope and optimism where it was lost. This is the aim of JobKatif.”

Since the organization does not receive funding from the government, it relies solely on donations for its funding. JobKatif recently received a generous grant from the UJC for retraining, but it is still in need of major funding. The organization intentionally keeps overhead costs low, so the evacuees will benefit as much as possible from the donations.

Currently, they are looking for donations to give 100 business grants (approx. $20,000 each), career and vocational retraining to 150 people with living stipends to their families (each course costs $3,000 and cost-of-living subsidies are approximately $4,000 per family.) In addition, JobKatif is requesting a grant of $1.25 million, which will give coaching, psychological and employment services to 600 people.

For more information on donating to  JobKatif, see their website at ww.jobkatif.org.il