Upcoming Events

• JFN IL Young Funders Forum Meets Qudra's Young Funders

  Wednesday, June 07, 2023 at 06:00 PM +03

  details & rsvp
  
  
  

  JFN’s Young Funders Forum invites its members to a meeting with the young funders of Qudra – Arab Philanthropists Network, to get acquainted and to catch up.

  *The meeting will be held in Hebrew.

  Location: Tel Aviv

• Innovation Diplomacy Through Climate Tech: A Conversation With Avi Hasson, Start Up Nation Central

  Wednesday, June 07, 2023 at 06:00 PM EDT

  New York City, Location TBA

  details & rsvp
  
  
  

  Please join us for cocktails and conversation with Avi Hasson, CEO of Start-Up Nation Central, on Wednesday, June 7th. Avi will explore latest developments in Israeli climate tech and its role in establishing and solidifying the Abraham Accords. Avi, a titan of Israeli high tech, will share insights on how innovations in climate and sustainability have helped advance relations with Israel’s new regional allies over the common cause of combatting climate change. Avi will be in conversation with Carly Maisel, Global CEO of the Kirsh Foundation.

  RSVP by Friday, June 2

  Location: New York City, venue to be provided after RSVPing.

  ---

  With three decades worth of tech industry leadership experience from both the private and public sectors, Avi Hasson steers Start-Up Nation Central’s strategy and day-to-day activities.  Before joining Start-Up Nation Central, Avi spent more than a decade as an early-stage investor at venture capital firms Gemini Israel Funds and Emerge, identifying promising startups and helping them scale. Between 2011 and 2017 Avi served as Chief Scientist at Israel's Ministry of Economy and Industry and as the Founding Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA), a key government driver of Israel’s tech explosion over the past decade. In addition to sitting on the board of Tower Semiconductor (which Intel recently announced it would be acquiring), nowadays he shares his deep knowledge of the Israeli innovation ecosystem as a board member of organizations such as Sheba Medical Center and SpaceIL. Avi completed his B.A. in Economics and Middle Eastern Studies and his MBA at Tel Aviv University.

  Carly Maisel is the Global CEO of the Kirsh Foundation. The Foundation works to build a better society by lifting people up, helping them to be self-sufficient and building culturally rich and tolerant communities. Notable initiatives include Shine A Light, raising awareness about antisemitism in the United States and Canada; increasing access to solar power and clean water in sub-Saharan Africa; microfinance programs in Israel; and bridge-building efforts to bring together partners across cultures and geographies.

  Carly has served as a trusted senior advisor to global leaders in philanthropy, business, governance and advocacy. Prior to joining Kirsh Philanthropies, Carly served as Director of Communications and Philanthropy at the Tamares Group; Head of Communications at Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre (BICOM); and Public Affairs Advisor to Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor at the Israeli Embassy in the UK.

  Carly serves on the Advisory Board of the Community Security Service (CSS) which focuses on efforts to strengthen the security of the Jewish Community in America; on the Board of Israel- based start-up Dreame; and as co-chair of the Advisors’ Committee for UJIA’s Social Impact Investment Initiative (Si3).

  Carly is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Program for Leadership Development and holds a BA in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.

• A Morning Reading of Ethical Tribing with Joanna Landau in New York

  Friday, June 09, 2023 at 08:30 AM EDT
  
  
  

  We are proud to share a new, international best-seller by JFN member Joanna Landau: "Ethical Tribing: Connecting the Next Generation to Israel in the Digital Era." The book focuses on how to successfully counter one of the greatest threats facing the Jewish people: a younger generation that is becoming increasingly disconnected to their Jewish identity and Israel; and how to address this through social media and digital influencers.

  Joanna Landau is Chair of the Board of Vibe Israel, the nonprofit she founded that pioneered harnessing the power of digital influencers to share Israel’s story with the world. She is on a book tour throughout the US, including stops in the cities below.

  To join this event, or any of the events listed below, please contact Becca Hurowitz at [email protected].
  

  • June 1, 6:30 pm, Beverly Hills, CA
  • June 3, 5-7 pm, Chicago, IL
  • June 6, 5-7 pm, Toronto, ON

• Climate Philanthropy in Action - 1st Site Visit

  Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 08:30 AM EDT

  Israel in Israel

  details & rsvp
  
  
  

  ًWhat’s the connection between Shoresh Sandals, solar energy, and philanthropy-government-business partnership?

  The Green Funders’ Forum (GFF) is pleased to invite you to a series of learning and inspirational site visits on climate philanthropy.

  The first site visit will take place on TUESDAY | June 13 | 8:30 am - 6:30 pm IL

  RSVP here

  The site visit includes:

  • Start Up Nature- rewilding nature to adapt to climate change and generate local economy.
  • 100% solar Shoresh Sandal factory, and a discussion on the unique philanthropy-government-business partnerships in transitioning to clean energy.
  • Lunch hosted by JFN member Yoki Gill

   

  Organized ride from Tel Aviv (optional ride from Jerusalem depending on the number of participants)

  The site visit will be held in Hebrew and is open to funders and foundation professionals upon RSVP until June 8.  

  Space is limited and will be on a first-come basis. 

  Participation Fee: 100 NIS

  RSVP here

• Grantmaking Professionals Monthly Online Convening - 6/14/23

  Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT

  Online

  details & rsvp
  
  
  

  Please join us for a monthly virtual convening for grantmaking professionals where we will come together for shared learning and community-building. 

  Speakers:

  To be announced.

  Facilitators:

  Mike Berkowitz
  Co-Founder & Principal
  Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies, LLC

  Jaré Akchin
  Vice President & Executive Coach
  Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies, LLC

• JFN IL: Gender Giving Forum- Gender Violence in Israeli Society

  Monday, June 19, 2023 at 03:00 PM +03

  details & rsvp
  
  
  

   

  The Gender Giving Forum invites members of the network to an in-depth learning session on gender violence.

  Gender violence is a severe social issue evident across all parts of Israeli society, in which women, children, the family and society as a whole are harmed.

  The extent of the phenomenon in Israeli society requires a comprehensive discussion on the social, legal and economic implications.

  We will learn about multi-sectoral intervention programs and explore the unique response that the philanthropic community can give in terms of prevention, policy change and eradicating the phenomenon.

  Location: Jerusalem

• Impact Investing Roundtable - 6/20/2023

  Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT

  Online

  details & rsvp
  
  
  

  Impact investing is an increasingly important way for individuals, foundations, Federations, and nonprofits to powerfully expand their capacity for social and environmental change, all while providing a framework to live their values through how they spend and invest.

  Join JFN’s growing community of impact investors for a lively and action-oriented monthly roundtable, each featuring JFN members for shared learning and shared action. 

  Whether you are new to impact investing or a seasoned veteran, the roundtables will help you to build skills, deepen your collaborations and deal access, and add meaning to how you're managing your money.

  Read JFN's Guide to Jewish Impact Investing

  Featuring

  Master Class: TBA

  Investment Pitch 1: TBA

  Investment Pitch 2: TBA

• Kas ba Kas: The Humanitarian Plight Facing Jews in Ethiopia

  Monday, June 26, 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT

  Online

  details & rsvp
  
  
  

  Kas ba Kas (Ethiopian Integration in Israel) Peer Network

  There are approximately 13,000 Jews in Ethiopia waiting to go to Israel. Some have been waiting at the Jewish compounds for more than 20 years. Their physical situation is often dire, with little work available to them.

  Having discussed their complex political reality in our previous meeting, we now wish to get a better understanding of their physical plight, the humanitarian issues, and needs at play.

  Join us as we seek to gain a better understanding of the situation on the ground in Ethiopia vis-à-vis the Jewish community.

  SPEAKERS
  Jeremy Feit is the volunteer President of SSEJ (Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry) since founding it in 2000. SSEJ’s Founding Honorary Chairman was Elie Wiesel and its current Honorary Chairman is Senator Joseph Lieberman. As President, Jeremy oversees SSEJ’s role as by far the largest provider of aid to the malnourished Jews in Ethiopia. SSEJ distributes over 2.5 million meals a year, runs a school for over 2,500 students and recently opened a medical clinic treating 3,300 children.

  Negusi Alemu was born in Northern Ethiopia. After his family made aliyah he was separated from them for many years until Israel finally allowed him to make aliyah as well. He received degrees in Israel where he worked in education before returning to Ethiopia six years ago to run humanitarian programs and the local synagogue.

  Dr. Arthur Eidelman trained in pediatrics and neonatology at Yale. He established the first Department of Neonatology in Israel at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center and is considered the “founding father” of neonatal medicine in Israel. Dr. Eidelman chaired the Department of Pediatrics at Shaare Zedek and was a Professor of Pediatrics at Ben Gurion University and Hebrew University. He served as International Editor of the Journal of Perinatology and Editor-in-Chief of the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Dr. Eidelman has extensive experience with the Jewish community in Ethiopia. He led nutritional surveys of the community which resulted in published peer reviewed articles.  Dr. Eidelman recently returned from Ethiopia with physicians from Hadassah and Sha'aray Tzedek in conjunction with the opening of the SSEJ clinic serving 3300 Ethiopian Jewish children.

  Howard Rieger had a four-decade career as a Jewish community organization professional: 11 years at the Cleveland Jewish Federation, concluding as their Operations Director; 24 years as President/CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, and 5 years as New York City-based President/CEO of Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). During his federation tenure, Rieger was actively engaged in fundraising for Operations Moses and Solomon, the latter of which was facilitated by Israel’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Asher Naim, with whom Rieger had a long personal relationship dating back to 1975. While at JFNA, he conceived of and was responsible for launching Operation Promise, which raised millions of dollars to enhance the aliyah and klitah of Ethiopian Jews. In retirement, Rieger has worked to raise funds to sustain the Beta Israel residing in Addis Ababa and Gondar, waiting, sometimes for decades, to join their community in Israel.

• JFN New Member Orientation

  Monday, July 10, 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT

  Online

  details & rsvp
  
  
  

  Welcome to the JFN family!

  At this special session, led by Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement Ari Rudolph, you'll learn how to get the most out of your membership and will have an opportunity to meet other new members. We will cover a variety of topics, including membership benefits, how to use our website, and much more!

  Veteran members who are looking for a refresher on member benefits and processes are also welcome to come! 

• JFN 2024 International Conference

  Monday, March 18, 2024 at 08:00 AM EDT through March 20, 2024

  Hilton, Tel Aviv
  
  
  

  Save the Date: Click here to mark your calendar!

  More info coming soon. Please email any questions to [email protected].

  JFN's International Conference is open to JFN members and those eligible for membership. Learn about past JFN International Conferences.