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Bringing Philanthropy's Foundations into Focus

Thursday, February 5, 2026  

What does strategic philanthropy actually look like in practice? In this new eJewishPhilanthropy piece, Yossi Prager, Senior Managing Director of JFN Consulting, reflects on the questions funders are asking right now and introduces Foundations in Focus, a concise series offering practical tools for governance, grantmaking, risk management, and generational transition.

Read the piece in eJewish Philanthropy

Read Foundations in Focus, including Yossi's latest entry on Due Diligence: Red and Yellow Flags

If you're attending the JFN International Conference and would like to schedule a time to meet with Yossi, click here.

Reasons for Hope and Opportunities for Progress
A Green Funders Forum North America Session

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | Zoom
12:00pm ET | 9:00am PT | 7:00pm IT

Join Green Funders Forum North America for a focused look at what is working in climate philanthropy right now. Paul Pinsky, former Director of the Maryland Energy Administration and architect of one of the most ambitious state climate laws in the U.S., will open the session with a look at where climate policy and funding are showing real results, followed by peer introductions and shared learning about promising climate investments across the JFN network.

Thursday, February 19, 2026 | Zoom
12:00pm ET | 9:00am PT | 7:00pm IT

Recent research points to a notable shift in who is entering rabbinical training, including a growing share of students who identify as women and as LGBTQ+. At our February meeting of JFN’s Gender Lens Philanthropy Peer Network, we will use findings from the recent Atra study as a starting point for a broader conversation about gender and leadership in Jewish communal life.

We will look at how leadership pathways have evolved, where gaps in representation still exist, and what philanthropy can do to support leadership that more fully reflects the communities it serves. We will focus on practical ways funders can help amplify underrepresented voices.

Speakers

  • Rabbi Mary Zamore, Executive Director, the Women's Rabbinic Network
  • Judith Rosenbaum, CEO, Jewish Women's Archive
  • Gali Cooks, founding President and CEO, Leading Edge
  • Sara Shapiro-Plevan, Chief Program Officer, Elluminate (moderator)
 

A Vision toward Vitality: Reimagining the Gaza Envelope with Impact Investing

In the aftermath of October 7th, communities in Israel’s Gaza Envelope are charting a path from trauma to renewal and onward to regional vitality. As JFN relaunches its Impact Investing Peer Network, this webinar will bring together Chen Farchi Cohen, Head of Partnerships for Kibbutz Nir Am, with experienced impact investors Adir Waldman and Simone Gross to explore how impact investing can drive economic recovery, resilience, and long-term growth.

Grounded in on-the-ground experience and investor insight, the discussion will highlight how community-led priorities—across tourism, culture, and resilience—can be matched with mission-aligned capital to create meaningful, scalable impact for the entire Otef Aza region.

Still interested in coming to the Conference? Sign up to join the waitlist. As space becomes available, we will thoughtfully review each case and notify individuals when they are able to register.

Your presence at this conference has the potential to make a meaningful impact, and we will do our best to accommodate as many participants as possible.

Conference attendees are invited to celebrate Shabbat together as a community in San Diego starting Friday evening, March 13. Join an intimate group for an experience that provides rich content and creates space for deeper conversations about our shared heritage. Learn more in the Conference Attendee Hub.

Pave the way to a successful member experience by ensuring your profile is up to date. Find more professionals, get matched up with like-minded peers, and benefit from their professional skills and experiences. Login to your profile today to browse the directory and other resources we have available for you.

  • JFN Consulting offers personalized philanthropic services to individuals, families and foundations. Senior Managing Director Yossi Prager is available for one consultation session (up to two hours) to JFN members free of charge. Click here to reserve your complimentary consultation with Yossi
  • Israel Advisory Services provide in-depth workshops, mapping, strategic planning, and advice to help you fund more effectively, from top experts in Israeli philanthropy
  • JFN’s Concierge service aims to provide each member with a personalized user experience that addresses all of their philanthropic needs
  • Members who wish to consult about giving to Iron Swords-related needs can contact Anat Danis

Applications are open for the Opening the Dor 2026 cohort. Start an integrational philanthropy experience in your community that connects teens and seniors through philanthropy, identity, storytelling, and heritage. Read more here.

Share your news, job postings, and non-fundraising events with the more than 6,000 people who receive this newsletter. Submit for consideration two or three sentences, an image, and any relevant links by clicking here. We publish items from current JFN members only.

FROM THE FIELD

The ‘good problem’ highlighting a critical area for investment
Rabbi Jill Levy, eJewish Philanthropy

The End of “Climate Emergency?” More Funders, Nonprofits Lean into Affordability
Michael Kavate, Inside Philanthropy

Giving Tuesday Sets a New Record … But Was it the Last Hurrah For 2025? 
Joanne Florino, Philanthropy Roundtable

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