As co-chairs of the Social Venture Fund for Jewish-Arab Equality and Shared Society, we are more convinced than ever that our work is critical to the future of a Jewish and democratic Israel.

The recent passage of the Nation-State bill, which prioritizes the Jewish identity of the State over democratic values of inclusiveness and equality of all citizens, flies in the face of SVF’s Vision and Mission which is as follows: 

The Social Venture Fund is committed to Israel as envisioned in the Declaration of Establishment of the State. Our collective vision is an Israel that: guarantees social and political equality for all; equitably shares access to the opportunities and benefits of education, economic development, and public resources; and provides the conditions for every citizen to feel part of an inclusive society with a positive future.

SVF's mission is to leverage the collective resources of its members and other stakeholders by funding strategic initiatives in Israel that:

• Build mutual respect and understanding between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel;
  
  
• Promote structural and institutional reforms that support the vision of Israel as a shared society for Jewish and Arab citizens;
  
  
• Increase the capacity of Israel’s Arab citizens to share equally in the social, educational, and economic life of the country and to engage effectively in the development of their communities and the country as a whole.
  
  

With 21 members and grants now reaching $1 million a year, SVF’s grant making is helping build the philanthropic field and seeding structural change in the area of economic development, education, and emerging issues in Jewish-Arab relations. We have always seen this work as a practical and impactful way to support Israel and ALL of its citizens. Today, we reaffirm what an absolute imperative our work is and we urge you to consider joining our learning and giving collaborative.

Wendy Rudolph and Josh Arnow
Co-chairs,
Social Venture Fund for Jewish-Arab Equality and Shared Society