A Visit to Israel’s Future

Roni Flamer has a vision: he wants to bring 100,000 people to the Negev to make it prosperous and attractive.  He believes it is the key to Israel’s future security and economic vitality. Right now the Negev has 60 percent of Israel’s land but only 20 percent of the population. Flamer heads an organization called O’r (“light” in Hebrew) that is trying to change that, and with a little help from the Federation of Central New Jersey, he just might succeed.

Flamer is one of a host of energetic, committed people transforming Israel and spurring new directions for its future.  He and others are being aided by cutting edge philanthropy from the Federation.  From economic development in the Negev to helping new immigrants become Israelis, from projects that bring out the best in the young and help the elderly where they need it most, the Federation is fostering entrepreneurial opportunities and helping knit together the complex fabric of the new Israel. During a whirlwind four-day Mission trip to Israel, 16 Federation leaders had the opportunity to see up close how their new philanthropy is shaping the future.  The experience made it clear, says Pam Zaifman that “we are integral partners in one of Israel’s most ambitious challenges.”

What’s cutting edge about the Federation’s effort is the breadth of the portfolio of projects, the closeness with which the Federation works on the ground, and, as a result, the synergistic and leveraged connections that are being forged. The Federation has three ways for donors to support the future of Israel: through the Annual Campaign, where the Federation partners with the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI); the Endowment Foundation and Ness Negev Business Loan Fund;  and supplemental giving. The Central New Jersey Federation commits a higher percentage of its budget overseas than most Federations, and the members of the mission trip got to see just how widespread the impact of their dollars is.

The Ness Loan Fund is a good example.  In Israel, private philanthropy precedes government investment.  The Ness Fund has made over $1 million in loans, funding more than 90 businesses. These loans have helped leverage more than four times that much in private (cut: and government) investment. The Fund is helping a new generation of pioneers show Israel how entrepreneurship is done. In a bakery, where an array of tempting pastries pleases the eye, in a garlic factory where only five employees are able to turn out 16,000 trays of frozen garlic a day, in the presence of a new ambulance service, the Mission visitors met Israel’s idealists.  It was inspiring to see how these entrepreneurs shared the joy of moving their business dream into a reality with our help.

Equally important, the Endowment Foundation is spurring business expansion through a network of banks, businesses and start-up specialists, creating opportunities that will transform the Negev.  Companies there are also being aided by Israel Venture Network, a group of venture capitalists, high-tech entrepreneurs, and business leaders supported in part by the Endowment Foundation.  IVN’s goal is to help successful small businesses expand.  The garlic factory, which is currently seeking to expand its business internationally, is one of its clients.