Funding from JFN Members Aims to Promote Jerusalem as Hub of Israeli Creative Thinking

NEW YORK, January 2, 2014 -- An artists’ project, a dance company, and an NGO that uses film to promote nonviolence among Israelis and Palestinians are among the grantees from the first round of a matching grant program devoted to furthering social and cultural programs in Jerusalem.

Applications for the second round of grants from the program will be accepted online until Jan. 31.

The initial pledges, made by members of the Jewish Funders Network, were matched by the Leichtag Foundation of Encinitas, Calif.

“We believe the future of Jerusalem has never been brighter,” said Charlene Seidle, Executive Vice President of the Leichtag Foundation. “These grantees represent the cutting edge of creative thinking in Israel and are a critical part of the fabric of civil society for one of the world’s most important cities.”

In all, 10 NGOs were awarded grants in the first round by Leichtag in partnership with JFN.

Eligible NGOs and projects are based in Jerusalem, and must work to either promote social or economic entrepreneurship, advance arts and culture, or encourage social activism.

The NGOs receiving matching funds in round one are: AMI (Artists and Musicians for Israel) Neshima; The Association of Painters and Sculptors – Jerusalem Artists’ House; Ginot Ha’Ir Community Council; Ir Amim; Jerusalem Secular Yeshiva; Jerusalem Village; Just Vision; New Spirit; Vertigo Dance Association; and Yeshivat Talpiot.

“This is a win-win for the NGOs that have received funding as well as for our members who pledged funds for the match,” said Andrés Spokoiny, JFN President and CEO. “It was heartening to see through the grant applications the true extent of social and creative entrepreneurship in Jerusalem.”

For more information about the Jerusalem Renewal matching grant program, and to submit an online application for round two, visit Jerusalem-match.org or email [email protected].

JFN matching grants programs have generated nearly $80 million in new funding for Jewish causes, since their inception in 2004, and have been used to promote such issues as Jewish education, helping the Jewish elderly and poor, and environmental protection in Israel.