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Top-level presenters, artists, politicians, and thought-
leaders, "seminar on wheels" site visits, and a turnout that meant the David
Citadel, Jerusalem, was bursting at the seams were all part of the scene at the
2008 International Conference.
It was a rare opportunity to network with a dynamic,
multigenerational group of Jewish philanthropists from around the world, and an
experience that by all accounts re-energized giving, helped form powerful new
collaborations, and suggested new philanthropic strategies for improving impact
across a range of initiatives.
We are working to share the contents and outcomes of the 2008 International Conference with you! Spin-off programming is also in the works so check back
for updates!
The audio files for the following discussions are available to your right.
2008 Opening Plenary: The Elusive Common Ground?
This plenary explored the relationships between members of
the global Jewish community through the prism of the place of Israel in
our individual Jewish identities, asking questions like: is Israel at
the center of a Jewish People? does it even matter? can we move forward
together if we don’t
have a common understanding?
Isaac Herzog, Minister for Social Affairs and
Services
and for Diaspora Affairs; Leonid Nevzlin, Nadav Fund; Raya Strauss
Bendror; David Shneer, University of Denver; Moderator, Yaacov Ahimeir
Philanthropy in Israel: Reflections on a New Era
The emergence of a unique Israeli philanthropic community is one of
the great stories of the last decade. Conference delegates will hear
insights from some of the world’s most engaged Jewish philanthropists
who will discuss a set of central questions about giving in and to
Israel and about the quality and growth of Jewish philanthropy today.
Is the emerging Israeli philanthropy unique - and if so, how? What are
the biggest obstacles to philanthropic activity in Israel? What is
Jewish giving - and is Israeli giving Jewish? Do Israeli
philanthropists see a role for themselves outside of Israel? Ought
Israelis be involved in alleviating global Jewish issues? Are
non-Israelis too involved in funding in Israel?
Danna Azrieli, Azrieli Foundation; Charles R.
Bronfman, Chair, Andrea & Charles Bronfman Philanthropies; Avner
Stepak, CEO, Meitav Investment House; Moderator Dana Weiss
Power and Philanthropy
To quote Spider-Man, with great power comes great responsibility.
As funders, our wealth brings us power and access, and we make an
impact with more than just our grants. How we act as grantmakers— both
publicly in how we give and to what we give, and privately as persons
of influence — has its own effect. How do we fulfill our
responsibility honorably and use our power wisely? Where is the line
between a project of personal interest that serves a purpose and a
vanity project? When does a funder need to hear "no"?
Rivka Carmi, President, Ben-Gurion
University of the Negev; Dov Lautman, Chair of Executive Board, Tel
Aviv University; Eitan Wertheimer, Chair, IMC; Moderator Dalia
Yairi-Dolev
The Agony & the Ecstasy: A case study in driving change in a foundation.
Managing change in a foundation is no easy task. In this
session John Healy used his experience at The Atlantic Philanthropies
as a case study for unraveling the complexities of how to organize a
foundation's work to make significant and sustainable impact.
As CEO and President of The Atlantic
Philanthropies, John Healy managed the foundation's successful
transition to a more focused model, including the decision to spend
down its remaining endowment of approximately $4 billion by 2016.
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The Elusive Common Ground.zip
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