The Rambling Thoughts of JC

So Long and Thanks for All The Fish – A Suggestion for Israeli Philanthropy

2011-05-26T15:42:00.003+03:00

Ben Gurion said that what the government did not provide the people do not need.

Ben Gurion was wrong.

You know what, let me temper that comment - what Ben Gurion said is no longer relevant.

Whether the details of Israel’s birth were governed by circumstance or by design is not the point. The fact that the fledgling State was destitute, struggling against foes internal and external, and as unstable as any newborn may be expected to be until finding her own legs, so to speak, is very pertinent to the methods of ruling that were implemented at the time.

I would like to think that, besides the economic politics of the ruling party from independence through the 70’s, the lack of acceptance of a third sector in Israel (to act alongside the Public, 1st, and Business, 2nd, sectors) was necessitated by a difficult combination of a lack of resources and a need to prioritize. During this period, far from the oppression of the 3rd sector in other socialist, communist and monarchist regimes existent at the same time, the Israeli social activist was able to operate under the laws residually incumbent in the land. For many issues, Israeli law was either based upon, or deferred to, British law; on issues pertaining to the registration and management of what we now call non-profit organisations (NPOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), charities, social sector or third sector initiatives, etc., the legislation in place was the Ottoman Law of Associations, dating back to 1909 when the Turks adopted the French system that suited their needs.

I would ask to put to one side for a moment the Jewish and Islamic view of Tzedaka/Zakat as a system of social justice, and would like to look at it through a more modern prism of social investment (the two have the basically the same aim and endpoint, but the latter I would like to propose as a framework to be adopted).

In 1998, Robert Harstook wrote an article in Fund Raising Management entitled “77 Reasons why People Give”. This article lists reasons ranging from the inspired to the egocentric, and is a great place to look to find insights into the motives of either your own giving or that of your donors. I would like to concentrate on the realm of the logical, and to propose a theory of why we are where we are in Israel, 2011, and where we should go from here.

To present a diametrically opposite system to that of BG, allow me to suggest that of laissez-faire, or pure, capitalism.

The weaker sectors of society are a drain on the resources of the stronger. Taking into account the fact that capitalism is based upon the creation of wealth through production and consumerism, this drain on the resources of society must be solved, not merely supported.

The way to do this, it appears, without having the ability to “dispose of” the weaker elements of society in any one of the Spartan ways designed by mankind over the centuries, is to enable the weak... not to be.

If the weak are not weak, they will not be a drain. If they can break even, make as much as they cost, they may not be a drain, but they are also not a resource. If a way could be found for them to create more than they cost, to produce, to advance, then they become a resource. When cycles of poverty become cycles of production and growth, they create wealth and sustain the growth of society - they also, as consumers, enable the rich to become richer, thus advancing the capitalist’s cause.

Without any state intervention, other societies came to the realisation that the investment by those with means in bringing those without to the point at which they become self-sustaining generators facilitates growth for the investor at least as much as it does for the investee.

Let us diverge, for a moment, from logic and take a glimpse at the Jewish ethical stance. The Rambam devised a theory of social investment that comprised of an eight level measuring scale of the effectiveness of giving. The lowest level, according to the Rambam, is the begrudging donation to the needy. The levels go through a combination of willingness to give, consideration for the feeling of shame of the beneficiary, and the purposeful direction of the gift. The highest level is: “to strengthen the name of another Jew by giving him a present or loan, or making a partnership with him, or finding him a job in order to strengthen his hand until he needs no longer [beg from] people.” (Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Gifts of [that belong to] the Poor)

This philanthropic scale has been gefiltered - boiled down to fish - with the lower end of the scale being compared to the giving of a fish, as opposed to the more effective and self-sustaining provision of a fishing rod.

In much the same way that a doting uncle will reward the efforts of his childish nephew by throwing him a coin in encouragement, or as a Pavlovian treat in order to reinforce positive behaviour, our Zionist enterprise has been nurtured by those proud of what we can become and eager to help us get there. During our periods of youth and adolescence that was fine, even necessary, as we could not have made it on our own. The investments made in Israel were not naively altruistic - they were repaid in SROI (Social Return On Investment) comprised of pride, naming opportunities, fame, mitzvah, and any other of the 77 mentioned by Harstook - but all the same it was ok for us to be the recipient of aid from those more able to give. At least it was then.

Winston Churchill is often mis-credited with Former French Prime Minister Georges
Clemenceau’s having quoted Francois Guizot, saying, "If a man is not a socialist in his youth, he has no heart. If he is not a conservative by the time he is 30 he has no head".

Two years after turning thirty, in 1980, The Law of Amutot created in Israel a brand of non profit organisational registration that is known only to us. Israeli law finally recognised the relevance of social activist initiatives. It took another quarter of a century before the Government of Israel mentioned the role played by organisations of Israel’s social sector in a cabinet meeting following the fiasco of the home front during the Second Lebanon War.

Our society seems to be maturing.

Since the international economic rollercoaster ride began in 2007, the fundraising paradigm of the average Israeli amuta has had to change. Our old uncle fell on hard times, and we, his “Start-Up Nation” protégé, were no longer a child.

Israel’s rate of economic growth in 2010 was over 4.5%, compared to the OECD average of 2.7%. They may still have more, but we are growing faster, and they are hurting.

Israel has realised that Ben Gurion’s centralism is no longer either necessary or appropriate. Israeli society now realises the need for the Social Sector to act as a force in tandem with the Public and the Private.

Just to present a snapshot:

There are 33,000 amutot listed on Guidestar Israel, with about 1,500 new ones registered each year.

The 3rd sector accounts for almost 10% of the workforce and 13% of the GDP.

...but....

Israel ranked 36th in the 2010 World Giving Index. 36th! Tucked in there between Nigeria and Sudan. Proud?

I would like to suggest that it is about time we grew up a little more than we already have. Apparently those who “do” do so in approximately the same proportion in Israel (one amuta per 244 people) as they do elsewhere (one NPO per 194 in the US), but those who give/enable/facilitate do not.

The realisation that local investment in the breaking of cycles of poverty is an investment in the prosperity and growth of our own wealth and stability is one with which we, as a society, have yet to come to terms. Our problem is growing, but our ability to reach out for “fish” is not, it is declining.

We can continue reacting to this situation as we have for the last four years - we can push harder, write more requests, advertise more aggressively - or we can stop reacting and start pro-acting!

It really will be quite easy to do. Here are the necessary stages to go through:

1) Decide to make a difference

2) Learn how to do it effectively

Of the two, the second is the easier.

Once we have started along the path, once we have, as a society, decided to make the change, we can finally say to our uncles, “so long and thanks for all the fish”, and then we can go out and start providing fishing rods to our neighbours and friends, to invest in the solving of our problem, to facilitate our own growth and our own wealth by enabling the productivity of our own less fortunate elements. I believe that by making such an effort, by being seen to be taking responsibility for our own issues, our uncles may well surprise us by their willingness to leverage our investment with some rods of their own.

It all sounds so grown-up, doesn’t it?

REFLECTIONS ON THE MURDER OF YITZCHAK RABIN AND THE LOYALTY OATH

2010-11-04T16:25:00.000+02:00

By Jonny Cline, Modi'in Israel, November 1, 2010

When someone feels the need to look at you in that certain way, lower their voice, and say, "Let me tell you the truth...", don't you feel that you are about to witness an inversely proportional relationship between the truth and the words on their way to your ears?

That is the uneasy feeling I have on two issues that are running through my brain on this, the 15th anniversary of the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin.

The first issue is one that has bugged me annually for the last fourteen years.

The first annual memorial demonstration was held on the first anniversary of the murder, in the square where it happened. I do not use the word "demonstration" without reason.

Yitzchak Rabin was a legend of Israel, a military man since before the founding of the state, the man responsible for the road to Jerusalem during the pre- and post- independence struggles. He was the Prime Minister of the country, the whole country, even those who did not see fit to help him get the job. The government he formed, the policies it promoted and the day to day running of the country it facilitated was, on the whole, for my good as they understood it. Following that line of reason, his murder was my loss, the turmoil that followed it affected me, the way society reacted and counter-reacted was something I suffered - therefore, should its remembrance not also be for me?

The traffic on the way to the square that night was horrific, even by Tel Aviv standards. I ended up walking the last mile or so, with the crowds of people growing more dense as I approached the main site. The graffiti underneath the stairwell next to which the shots were fired had been covered with perspex to protect them, the marking of the actual site had not yet been properly designed as it is today. The square itself was twice as crowded as it had been for the demonstration held that night.

So there I was, Jonny, the religious young Zionist, recently released from my service in a fighting unit of the IDF, studying at Bar Ilan University (a profile not entirely unlike that of the Bar Ilan University law student who wore a kippa and had recently been released from his service in a fighting unit of the IDF, who had pulled the trigger a year before). I came to join my fellow countrymen in remembrance of our collective tragedy. I came around the corner just as Yossi Beilin began his speech.

"Let me tell you the truth," he preached, "We don't blame all of the religious community, we don't even blame all of the students at Bar Ilan..."

In one foul swoop I had been labeled, branded, ostracized. I had no place there. I had no share in the commemoration of the most profound event that had happened in Israel since I had received my first blue passport.

This has not changed. For the next few years I would watch the broadcast of the memorial "concert" on channel 1 Israeli television , hoping that the speeches would be more of a call to unify than a vilification of half of the population of the country by a small group who had hijacked our national heritage. After a while I gave up. The day on which I remember Rabin, and contemplate the lessons that are to be learned, is the 3rd of Tishrei, the Fast of Gedaliya. I had no real appreciation of this fast until Rabin was killed - Gedalia was a Jew who administered the Jewish autonomy in the Land of Israel, and was killed by Jews who disapproved of his policies. Sounds familiar, no?

A couple of years before his assassination, a couple of students were arrested and tried for having passed out car stickers (Israel's most effective media for ideological expression) stating that Rabin must be killed. As part of their punishment, the court demanded that they write an official apology to Rabin.

This year the National Archives published some documents relating to Rabin and his murder. One of these was the letter that Rabin wrote in reply to these two.

It was a powerful letter, concise and moving. In his own, recognizable, way, Rabin officially condemned their actions. He wrote that on another, personal level he could understand the strength of conviction that would lead them to suggest such a course of action, but that he felt that taking such steps would negate the very strength of our being - the ability to tackle difficult issues in a manner that facilitated the very existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic State.

The Declaration of Independence had stated it, Herzl had written about it, Jabotinsky had sworn by it - everybody knew that the fundamental principle of Israel as a Jewish and democratic State is the very core of our raison d'etre, the imperative guiding line of our society, the essential basis for our existence as Israel in this neighborhood of the world. It is obvious.

So why do we need to have it said?

Are we not sure? Do we need to hear it over and over? Could it be that it could be said and not meant?

Why is it so important to have the discussion about the wording of a pledge of allegiance at this point in time? Why does it matter? I mean, of course it matters, of course all citizens of the State should be loyal, but since when has reading a declaration changed the speaker's way of life? ...and what are we so afraid of?

In America (not normally my chosen icon of normalcy, but needs must) one can burn a flag as a student, not inhale, and still become president! Oh, I forgot to mention that a law pushed through quietly on the same day was one defining the damaging or destruction of the symbols of the state as a criminal act.

Do me a favour! Even my 4 year old can quote Thumper! "If you can't say not'n nice, don't say not'n at all!"

Why can we not keep sight of what is actually necessary? Should we not be seeking to disarm those who are actually out to break laws that cause actual damage? Why introduce a farcical dramatic act instead of actually leading the State to a place where it may actually inspire loyalty and pride among its citizens?

More importantly:
Have we so completely lost sight of our fundamental principles that we need them plastered in populistic slogans rather than serving as the wisdom that guides us?
Are we so short sighted that we can allow for cheap political tricks to undermine our sense of self protection and will to survive?
What the hell is wrong with us, and when are we going to learn?

Three years after the assassination of Rabin, the first time I felt able to write about it, I concluded by stating that I did not make Aliyah in order to live in the Israel of today - with all of the good that there is to say about it, the modern miracle of our survival, there are some aspects of our behaviour that are really nothing to write home about - I made Aliyah in the hope that others with the same belief in what we could be will join me, and together we can create the State of Israel of which we all can be proud.

I am still here. I still believe it can happen.

What are you waiting for? For the work to be done by someone else, or for it to be too late?

Come on, already!

The Wandering Jew Builds a Hut

2010-09-22T11:43:00.000+02:00

One of those "can you imagine..." moments that I have been known to use to describe Winnipeg to the average Israeli is the story of how the schach (roof) of our succah collapsed under the weight of the snow.

We had a very pretty Succah in the 'Peg - sturdy, but homey. Actually, it is the type of Succah you will rarely see in Israel today. Its walls were made of solid wooden paneling, it had a door with a heavy lock, it was equipped with all mod cons, including lighting and central heating - well, a small blow heater that burned the legs of the person sitting immediately opposite it, and didn't really do much good to anybody else due to the facts that heat rises and that Succot have no real roof insulation!

I was familiar with this type of shack from my youth in England. As opposed to sitting in Manitoba in your thermal underwear, in close to zero temperatures, expecting to hear sleigh bells and faint echos of "I'm dreaming of a white....", in Blighty you would be doing the calculation of how long it would take for the men to run out, hoist open the roof, make kiddush from a cup that was already more precipitation that wine, and run back in to dry off, with the hope that a bowl of hot chicken soup would ward off the inevitable seasonal snuffles.

In both of these situations you spent at least an hour at some point over the holiday season in a group conversation, that sometimes resembled a pre-strike trade union gathering, discussing why The Big Boss chose the seasons He did for the holidays we "celebrate": Sukkot in the snow, the fast of the 9th of Av that goes out at 11pm, Tu B'Shvat (New Year for trees) when the ground is still in permafrost, etc. Why is our religion not seasonally sensitive?? Are even our holidays supposed to be a burden?? What, with our backaches, the price of Jewish education today, and the dreadful service at the restaurant last week, don't we have enough to complain about???

The simple answer is: There is a solution to (almost) all of your woes!

There is a magical kingdom where Yom Kippur ends at 6pm, where you don't lose fingers to frostbite whilst lighting your Chanukah candles outside for all the world to see, where the best football game of the season will never force you to choose whether to be there for Kol Nidrei, or to be just a little bit late (He'll understand).

A couple of times a year Shlomit comes home from a store and proclaims the goodness of living in a country where your own seasonal symbols are the ones paraded on display in the commercial district. "I just love it!" she will invariably effuse, "They give out apple and honey to you as you walk by! The songs are ours, not carols, ours! You don't have to explain to anybody why you want a fish head!"

OK, that last one is mine, but you get the picture.

Sukkot, for us, is generally spent at Shlomit's elder sister's house on a kibbutz in the North. There are more or less 14 of us nowadays (us and our 3, them and their 3, the parents and the younger sis-with-spouse) who gather to celebrate the one festival in the calendar that is actually called "a festival of rejoicing" (no fasting, no extended dirges in shul... there is a little bit of twig shaking, but even so, it hardly seems Jewish to have so much fun).

Putting up the Sukkah (a task that is generally identified as something you drag yourself out into the cold to do, late at night - as if surviving Yom Kippur wasn't enough, He was now going to see you off one hammered thumb after another!!?!) takes about 25 minutes. You have to make sure that the metal lego-style frame has its cotton "walls" arranged so that the door will open towards the house, and of course you have to tie it down so it doesn't blow away in the breeze that will playfully dance across the rolling, green hilltops to dissipate the slightest over-warming you may be feeling under the gaze of the autumn sun. The children will spend the days designing artwork that will be displayed both from the walls and among the fruits that can be hung from the trellis that will support the leafy roof, through which we will look for the stars that shine as if hung out in the clear skies as the whole family wines and dines in comfort and togetherness....

Pretty picture, no? The truth? Ok.. The kids will fight over who gets the chair next to Saba, somebody (I have $10 on it being Shlomit, again!) will spill half a bottle of coke on the tablecloth and the baby won't sleep so well in yet another strange bed... but you know what?

This is how Sukkot was supposed to be!

The season is perfect, the fruits are ripe, the national spirit (whilst not necessarily 100% in line with the day's mitzvot) is absolutely in-tune with the message of the festival - happiness, freedom, the people connecting with our land - what could be better than this? (besides that, cynic!)

Oh, yes, and we one keep one day of Yomtov at either end!

Heaven, no?

Well, perhaps it's not heaven, but it is Israel, and that's the closest we have to heaven on earth!

An article of mine that was published in the Winnipeg Jewish Review today

2010-07-08T21:36:00.001+03:00

Features - Winnipeg Jewish Review

REFLECTIONS ON LIVING IN ISRAEL

By Jonny Cline

The Israel to which I returned from my time in Winnipeg was not the Israel that I had left behind. If we are already talking openly, neither the Israel that I left, nor that to which I returned, were anything like the Israel to which I made Aliyah. Then again, the Israel to which I made Aliyah was different before my army service than it was after my army service, and different again, to the Israel I knew when Yishai, my eldest, was born. I will explain.
Next year I will have been Israeli for half of my life.
The Oslo Accords were signed on my 18th birthday. I believe this was just a coincidence.
I made Aliya the following summer, quite unintentionally as it happens. Rabin was the Prime Minister, peace with Jordan had been declared, and everything was looking quite optimistic. With all of the celebration in the air, nobody really noticed that many of the tourist attractions that I had visited during my two earlier trips to Israel, and even those that I hiked through during that first year as an Israeli citizen, were being closed off to Jewish visitation, among them the Temple Mount, Shechem, Herodian, Sebastia, etc. Many beautiful, historical sites that had been the connection between me and the history of the land were now off limits - but we were all happy with what the future seemed to hold, so it seemed to matter less.
Six months into my IDF service, Rabin was assassinated. The party seemed to end abruptly. I remember hitching a lift from near Hadera to Bar Ilan University during the following spring, as I was making plan for my release from the army. A young woman stopped for me and I got in. As soon as I did, and she saw a couple of things she had not noticed as I stood on the road side, she became tense. At one point she reached over to get something from her handbag, and I suddenly understood why. These were the facts: I served in an active field unit, I was wearing a kippah, and I was travelling to Bar Ilan University. This is the association she drew: Yigal Amir was an orthodox Jew who had served in an active field unit and had been a student at Bar Ilan University at the time he pulled the trigger. When she moved her bag from the dashboard, she uncovered the "Shalom, Chaver" sticker that lay underneath it.
"You don't feel comfortable with me in your car, do you?" I asked her.
"To be honest," she replied in embarrassment, "no. I know it's wrong. I can't help it."
That was Israel during the post-Rabin years.
In 1999 Shlomit and I got married. After finishing university we moved to a small (40 family) community called Kiryat Netafim in the Ariel corridor. We moved into our new house two weeks before Rosh HaShana 2000. At that point in time it appeared that a final settlement agreement between Israel and the PA that would end the saga of the previous century was imminent. Our house would most likely become prime real estate, 30 minutes away from Tel Aviv, and 450 meters above sea level. Great view and great clean air, what could be better.
During dinner on the eve of Rosh HaShana, with all of Shlomit's family around the table, one of our new neighbours knocked on the door and invited me out for a chat. I was asked to come and sign on an M-16, to take my place in a civil defence rotation, and to be on the alert. We were under the impression that there had been a few sporadic incidents, that the youth in villages throughout Israel were letting off a little steam over the holiday, and that all would be back on track soon. Yishai was born three years later.
Four years and more than 2,000 deaths later - of which I attended the funerals of about 300 with whom I had worked, taught, lived and shared friendship - we accepted the position as Shlichim in Winnipeg and made the move. About a week before we flew to Canada I was working with youth in the communities of Northern Shomron.
Likud Prime Minister Arik Sharon had asked the party whether or not to disengage from Gaza. The proposal was voted down, and he vowed to honour the results of the democratic process.
By the time we returned to Israel Arik Sharon was the Kadima Prime Minister, although there had been no election, and the Gush Katif Bloc and Northern Shomron were empty of Jews, and the imminent peace and quiet was not yet evident.
Two more wars later I find myself living in the central Israeli city of Modiin. 70,000 others live here with me (with plans to grow to 230,000), many of whom, particularly in the Buchman and Kaiser neighbourhoods, are Anglo olim. Closer to home, Yishai (no longer chubby with long hair) is a tall and skinny young man who finishes first grade tomorrow, Adar (conceived in Winnipeg, born in Jerusalem) is now 4 years old and has a very definite opinion about almost everything, and Jordyn has spent most of the six months since her birth smiling happily at the world around her. Shlomit has gone back to work following the best part of a year, pre and post birth, at home.

The truth is that this is Israel.

If you were short-sighted enough to imagine that Israel can be understood by judging the ebb and flow in the short-term, you would probably get the impression that my home is one riddled with uncertainty, victim to the whims of political intrigue and extreme ideological shifts. You may feel that war comes way too often, and perhaps be mistaken into thinking that there may be a "wham-bam" solution to all ills.
I would suggest an alternative paradigm.
I have spent the last seven years watching each of my three children go through pretty much the same series of steps in their growth, my father has spent the last 35 watching me and my brother, and my 97-year-old grandmother (may she live a long and healthy life) still speaks frequently about how her "children" (71 and 67) still haven't fully grown up. In the same way that I would not dream of looking at my four year old critically for the rapid changes in her behaviour and whims, knowing as I do what she had to go through in order to reach this (very cute) stage of her development, and knowing as I do what awaits her as she follows in her brother's footsteps, I would like to ask that we look at the State of Israel as if she were going through something like puberty. We can discuss the pros and cons of various nurturing and education methods at some other point.
Israel is an exciting place to live, sometimes exhaustingly so. I would say that there has not yet been a calm period in her short history, and indeed that every period has been interesting in its own way. During the 16 years since my aliya I have watched a social and political system go through incredible developments. Politics is beginning to be more about economic and social issues than about borders and land. Education and employment are the number one concerns in every public survey, and our system of checks and balances (government, Knesset, supreme court) is about to reach the point of having to redefine its rules of engagement.
I love being part of the future in the making. I share that love with pretty much everyone I meet, all of us who can take a step back from our daily grind of traffic jams and making the mortgage to realise that we have reached the point where our greatest concerns are beating the traffic and getting a raise!
If you watch carefully, really carefully for the next few years, I bet you will see the following: a new generation of leadership emerging that wears suits rather than sandals, Israeli business success creating a viable middle class, an urbanisation movement, investment in transportation and industry infrastructure that will make the periphery of the country thrive independently of Tel Aviv, and much, much more.
I look forward to sharing it with you as it happens.
Jonny Cline was the former Shaliach for the now defunct Winnipeg Zionist Initiative. He was born and raised in England.

Amateurs, bloody amateurs!

2010-06-24T18:59:00.007+03:00

Yair Lapid, a journalistic icon in my eyes, described a couple of weeks ago how we seem to be failing to attract the attention of even our own people to a true appreciation of our current paradigm, let alone that of the wider global community. He called us amateurs. The government are amateurs, our PR pros are amateurs, we are all amateurs.

He is right!

Just as much as, if not more than, in any other way, we are amateurs when it comes to the management of our third sector, the social sector, the non-profit sector... You see, we are so amateurish that we cannot even agree how to call ourselves (are we fundraisers or Resource Developers?), and yet we are surprised to find that support, financial and otherwise, does not come pouring in to facilitate any programming whim we happen to have.

We need to grow up. We need to stop doing what we have always done. We need to look around us and see what has changed, is changing, and is about to change.

"The rules of philanthropic engagement for Israeli non-profit organizations have changed drastically in response to 21st Century realities and in reflecting the sensibilities of modern donors." writes Sari Revkin, named one of the 50 most influential women in Israel by Globes Magazine, in an enlightened article she wrote recently. Her 7-pronged strategy provides the necessary basics for the rejuvenation of any NGO or campaign.

I read two great articles today (and retweeted them both).

In the first, entitled "Standing Again At Sinai, This Time With Facebook", Hillel president, Wayne L Firestone, puts it to us in the simplest of terms that the way we insist on telling our story is not really bad, but rather totally irrelevant. Facts do not a story tell, and the fact that you have put it out there does not in any way translate into it being read, understood or accepted. There are ways to make that happen, and Wayne offers quite a few very simple suggestions as to how to reinvent ourselves to regain our lost relevance.

The second, "Why Your Fundraisers Are Your Biggest Competitors," by Rik Haslam of the Resource Alliance, warns of the inherent overthrow of the fundraising world by the socially networked giver/raiser. Far from being a believer in any doomsday prophecies myself, Rik is only emphasizing in an extreme way the trends that have been creeping up on us since Facebook reached Tipping Point.

So why aren't we listening? Why haven't we changed? What are we waiting for?

The answer, in my opinion, is similar to that given to the hi-tech companies I used to work with/for in the run-up to the bursting of the bubble in 2000. There are many ways to divide up the non profit community of Israel, but I will suggest just one: there are those who have made a change, those who would like to but just don't know how, and then there are those who are quite sure there is no change to be made.

"Change, why change? Ok, there have been a couple of tough seasons, but there was a market crash so what did you expect? We will just keep on doing what we have always done, that is what has worked 'till now!"

If an NGO could for a second be compared to a parrot, that, my friend, is (or will soon be) an ex-parrot!!

You see, there were three types of hi-tech company that sat comfortably in the bubble in 1999. One of them saw no need for examining its organizational growth or fiscal security, two of them went through (sometimes with me) processes of introspection, sometimes with consultancy and sometimes with restructuring. These two generally documented their findings. The owner of one may be able to rummage through the boxes they took from their office as they moved out, and might be able to find a copy of the report they wrote... in pristine condition, as if it had just been printed and bound - the other will pull his dog-eared copy off the shelf of his corporate archive or personal collection and will show it to you, delicately, with the respect afforded an old friend and mentor, so that it doesn't fall apart. Of course I am exaggerating, but fewer than half of the the companies were still around after the whole business went belly-up

The same thing is about to happen to us.

This is not going to happen because of the sub-prime fallout, it is not going to happen because of Madoff (may he get what he deserves), it is not even Obama's fault. It is going to happen because the times they are a'changing. Times are changing, technologies are developing, generations are passing, and societies are maturing - all of this is happening, and all we (some of us) are still doing is sending out mass mailings by email (so we get the younger generation, you know).

I am about to give a rather strange parallel, please bear with me...

The Rambam (Maimonides), in his collection The Mishneh Torah, describes the onset of idol worship. In short, he describes how a people who truly know and celebrate their beliefs becomes, as the generations pass on, a people who nominate a group of "priests" as the educated elite, the descendants of this group allow their knowledge to be replaced by "ceremony", that then gets lost and becomes "secrets" that then lose any meaning, eventually ending up as "the way things have always been done."

Dr Barnardo used to write letters to his donors, personal letters, handwritten letters. His letters contained all of the elements that we use today: a personal story, a specific project, a personal invitation to become a partner in an essential effort to mend the ills of society, etc., etc. - all of the elements of the "secret formula" that we thought we recently created. Dr Barnardo died 105 years ago. How much progress have we made since then? How much more sophisticated have we become? Is the great advancement of a century that we send these letters by email, that the savvy among us use services to ensure that we get through spam filters??!?

I believe that there are three types of NPO in Israel today. There are those who really and truly have already set out upon the path to building their future; there are those who are realizing that their well will soon run dry and are looking to make a change before it is too late; and then there are those who feel that their mission is far too important for their "friends" to ever let them die.

After the cloud settles, less then half of them will survive. Of the 26,000 Israeli NPOs (over 1,400 new ones every year!) registered, only those who are genuinely willing to step outside their comfort zone, who are looking for ways to replace "the way that things have always been done", respectfully, with the way that our future donors and partners will expect to be found, approached, cultivated and/or stewarded in the future, will be able to carry on doing the good work they have done.

Our future, if I may be so bold as to make a forecast, looks quite different from our past.

We need to seriously begin looking closer to home. The Israeli is getting richer (at least some of us are), as the American is struggling to retain their social status.
We need to begin to broaden our base of support. Far fewer major funders are looking to invest so much in one place for a long period of time. We need to be spreading our risk and looking for more friends,giving less, with whom we may have to resign ourselves to sharing shorter relationships.
We have to meet our prospective donors where they expect to be courted. Our truth, and our genuine belief in the righteousness of our cause must be replaced by an open invitation to facilitate the empowerment of a funding partner to realize their ideology by subcontracting to us activity in the field.
We must be present, and regularly communicate, through the media channels, and in the language, that will maximize our impact and broaden our reach. Todays world communicates through social media, open code, free expression, self-explanatory soundbites that are commensurate with on-the-fly information overload and non-stop information communication. (This blog post, for example, would never fly!)

I find myself looking forward to this future. It may not be easy, but it will definitely be (already is!) very exciting.

May the deserving survive, and may Yair Lapid never be able to write such a thing about the 3rd sector.

Flotilla Choir presents: We Con the World

2010-06-04T17:32:00.000+03:00

ילדים בסיכוי

2010-06-04T16:23:00.000+03:00

ילדים בסיכוי

Gaza Flotilla - What Really Happened

2010-06-03T08:44:00.000+03:00

ילדים בסיכוי

2010-05-01T21:37:00.000+03:00

ילדים בסיכוי

2010-05-01T21:36:00.000+03:00

An Eye Opener that Changed a Gut Feeling

2010-03-08T12:58:00.000+02:00

On my (long) drive home yesterday I heard on the news an item about a 3-year-old boy who was found wandering the streets of Hadera. As he was wandering across a main road, he was noticed by an Arab Israeli gent, who took responsibility for ensuring that the toddler was brought into the nearest police station.

My gut reaction to hearing the item... "Take the child away from the parents! How terrible is it that some people so neglect their children!"

Yesterday was my first day as Director of Marketing and Resource Development for Yeladim - The Council for the Child in Placement. I began my first day at the organisation with a tour of one of the hostels/homes in Tel Aviv for kids who have been removed by the authorities from homes in which they could not, or should not, be raised.

As an anecdote on the side, I remember little of the swimming lessons I received as a child, except for one, apparently outstanding, event - my father picking me up and throwing me into the water. This is how I felt at midday yesterday - drenched with the substance of the experience from which I had just emerged, a little overwhelmed, and enthused with a feeling of empowerment having seen how much can be done and the profound affect any effort invested can have.

To hear about the family, it turns out, may well draw out a quick instinctual reaction. Having seen the kids, I now realise how that well intentioned, almost Pavlovian, response may well be more self-righteous indignation than an effective solution.

There are 6,500 children and youth under the age of 18 in Israel who have been removed from their homes and who are living in state facilities. The system does try its best in most cases, but the needs greatly overshadow the available resources.

I look forward to seeing what can be done.

Oh, and the end of the story of the tiny wandering Jew: His mother had asked an older sibling to watch him for a minute whilst she took care of the baby. The sister saw the tot running after the skirt-tails of the mother, and assumed the child stayed with her. A small oversight, perhaps, but one that could so easily have ended tragically!

Info about Yeladim can be found here.

Mayanei HaYeshua 90sec for tradeshow.wmv

2010-03-01T17:20:00.001+02:00

This was my swansong for MYMC, the last project I saw finished.
Enjoy.

מכתב פרידה ממעיני הישועה

2010-02-17T09:29:00.002+02:00

1) יש דיון בגמרה (מס' תענית, דף כט) באם האמירה "משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה" יש בה עניין של הלכה למעשה. הבה נניח שכן.

2) בתקופה זאת אנו מרבים לקרוא על נושאים פילנתרופיים למיניהם. בפרשת תרומה אנחנו קוראים על בניית המשכן וכליו, ולומדים על ההתגייסות העממית המאסיבית למען העשייה הנהדרת. לעומת זאת, אנו לומדים לעומק את הנושאים של שמן המאור וכד' אשר עבורם נגבה מחצית השקל.

נשאלת שאלה מתבקשת: איך ייתכן שאת סכומי העתק עבור כלי כסף וזהב יכולנו לבטוח בטובת ליבם של בני עמנו, אך למען מוצרי יסוד זולים ושכיחים כגון שמן זית אנו מוכרחים לגבות מס? הלא כל עלות המצרכים הייתה מכוסת על ידי תרומה אחת משמעותית (סה"כ בגובה 600,000 Xחצי שקל לשנה)?

ניתנו תשובות "עמוקות" כגון:

מעורבות כל פרט ופרט בישראל בעבודת הקודש,

העובדה שללא התרומות הכי קטנות של עניי העם, הכלים היפים והנוצצים אין בהם אלא חתיכות מתכת מעוצבות,

העושה דבר שאינו מצווה עליו לעשותו אין שכרו כשכר המצווה

ואהוב עלי מעל הכל: "כל אחד שיכול להרשות לעצמו רוצה את שמו על כלי המקדש, אבל השמן? לולא המס של מחצית השקל לא היינו יכולים לממן אפילו את "חשבון החשמל" דאז!"

ברגע שבו אני עוזב, לאת עתה, את המרכז הרפואי, ברצוני לברך אותנו שנזכה למצוא ולקבל נכון את ה"תרומה" של כלי המקדש, אבל שגם נעריך את החיוניות והמשמעות של כל מחצית השקל ומחצית השקל, ונזכור לכבד את התורם הקטן ולטפחו, כי אם כן יכול להיות שיום אחד הקטן הזה גדול יהיה.

בנימת ההלכה למעשה של החודש, אתמקד בשמחה שלי שזכיתי לעבוד יחד עם כל אחד ואחת מכם, וכולי תקווה שדרכנו תצטלבנה בעתיד. אשמח לשמור על קשר עם כל מי שחפץ בכך, ואעמוד לרשותכם לכל עניין, מקצועי ו/או אישי, בו אוכל לעזור.

פרטי הקשר שלי לעתיד:

טל: 052-2322336

דוא"ל: jonnycline@gmail.com

חודש טוב

ג'וני

D-I-V-O-R-C-E

2010-02-09T11:47:00.006+02:00

No, no, don't worry, I don't mean a real divorce, at least not from my wife. (Could you actually imagine either one of us coping alone with 3 offspring??!?)

It has been said - and credit for this saying coming to my ears has been given to my wife - that leaving a place of work is like going through a divorce.

It is!

To be honest, no relationship (except for mine with my wife, of course ;-) ) is perfect. There are ups and downs, times when one partner invests or appreciates more than the other, times when one is required to support the other, times of shared joy or sadness, times of doubt and uncertainty. Through all of the good and the bad, reaching a decision to end it all is an incredibly large leap into the unknown.

Whether you are the dumper or the dumpee, and even if the eventual break-up was looming, the actual *rip* to RIP is shocking.

For years - 2 in this particular case - an ongoing process of intertwined growth has been weaving "me" into the fabric of the organization, and vice-versa, as friendships are made, experiences are shared, and more waking hours are spent in the (tzniusdik) bosom of the workplace than even at home with one's "real" family.

As in anyone's relationship with an extended family, particularly on a spouse's side, there are those with whom the connection is stronger, those with whom you would even share a beer outside the compulsory framework, and the annoying little cousin who just bugs the hell out of you but you can't hit them because your mother-in-law guards them like a jewel - so it is within the bounds of an 800-strong workforce (actually about the same size as my wife's family).

There are friendships that have been forged here that I hope will last for years, those that have been functionally pleasant, and others that I will do my best to quickly put behind me - but even those have been an integral part of my life for long enough to necessitate a mourning process...

..but there is no time!

As I recall, when one breaks up with a girl/boyfriend, obviously from a more meaningful relationship rather than a meaningless fling, there is a need to take stock. As the fable of the scarred heart describes well, if in a very schmaltzy manner, each encounter changes the very essence of our person. I am not the same Jonny as I was before working at Mayanei HaYeshua. My experiences here, and the atmosphere in which I have lived here, have altered the way in which I look at the world, and the way in which I react to it - some of this will wax and wane, but the baseline will have shifted from its place pre-MYMC.

As in the extreme example set by Jewish mourning ritual, the stages of grief and re-emergence into a new reality allow for a gradual understanding that you have suffered a life-changing loss, accepting that this situation is irreversible, and readjusting in order to be able to rejoin society having come to terms with the fact that you have no choice other than to re-find your place and happiness in this new paradigm. This process takes time. If the necessary breathing room is not facilitated, crisis is due to follow - rebound relationships, sudden realization, unrest and inability to return to an effective existence.

Unfortunately, in the separation from a place of employment, most of the time we are not afforded the luxury of proper closure.

This is not the first time I have changed job (stop laughing!!), but it may rank up in the top 3 most difficult separations I will have gone through.

Without a doubt the breakup that had the most profound effect upon me was the untimely end to my Shlichut. That my family had changed their life-plans in order to go and temporarily resettle in the frozen tundra of Western Canada only amplified the pain of having the ideological professional position of my dreams cut short by a budget cut caused by a political rift 6,000 miles away. The disappointment was overwhelming, and the loss of potential will be something that I will mourn for a long time to come.

The fairly cataclysmic end to my period as CEO of the World Union of Jewish Students is another wound that has left a painful and visible scar. At the turning-point of a process of organizational overhaul to be told by a new political leadership that your services are no longer required, and to spend the next three years in lawsuits just trying to get some of the salary and other payments that were illegally withheld from you, was a trauma that has definitely left me, and all of those around me whether directly or indirectly affected, with a "healthy" dose of PTSD.

The political maneuvering that led to the end of the WUJS upturn was a sad thing to see. I see quite clearly the fundamental flaws in the system of the organization that made such a happening possible. Although I am called a fool by some for the way I view the actions, I fully accept that it was the right of the new elected officials to do WHAT they did, but HOW they did it - criminal! Disgustingly criminal! (See: Of innocence, ignorance and downright cruelty) The phrase that sums up that period in my career is that of John Kenneth Galbraith: "Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups."

In stark contrast to that organization, and that behaviour, the phrase that sums up my time at Mayanei HaYeshua is the popular mantra: "The boss is not always right, but he is always the boss."

Mayanei HaYeshua Medical Center is not a place I would ever have imagined myself working, much less so growing to love.

As it happens, this 20-year-old, ultra-orthodox, 800 staff-strong hospital is an incredible place to have spent the last two years. The rich tradition of a warm, caring family atmosphere is given the sharp focus of groundbreaking forward-thinking halachik rulings on practical medical issues, and the vision of a hospital that may not solve the shortage of hospital beds soon to become apparent in central Israel, but it will do more that any other hospital capital project is doing today to improve the situation.

My "State of the Union" report on fundraising at MYMC I will post after I have actually taken my leave at the end of the month, but let it be said that I have never seen an organization with more potential, a more powerful cause, and more readiness for action than this... but...

"The boss is not always right, but he is always the boss."

I wish the next person to take the position luck - he'll need it. I will pass on all of the information I can, and will do my best to persuade others to accept him, in spite of the logical conclusion to his efforts. He, like me, will eventually understand that there is no way to make that damn horse drink! I didn't believe it when my predecessors warned me, and I am sure that all but the smartest of those who come will fall into the same trap of believing the impressive promises of support, cooperation and available resources.

When the time comes, and the management (I can't bring myself to type leadership) constellation changes, I will definitely be one of those most actively willing to jump back on the horse and realize the potential of this place.

But until that day comes...

As I mentioned, in the separation from a place of employment, most of the time we are not afforded the luxury of proper closure.

With the everpresent responsibility to provide for mortgage, education fees, bills and taxes... and food, time to go through a proper process of closure is never really an option.

Ah well, as they have been heard to say in the Israeli OCS: "This is what there is, and so we will succeed with only this".

I look forward to writing about the new place when the ink is dry, and this place is behind me, and may the move be free of personal "baggage", rebounds, and the like.

New Year, New Child... New Job

2010-02-08T15:59:00.005+02:00

Wow! Talk about new beginnings!

The obviously good things first...

Yarden Avia was born on Sunday, January 17th, in Mayanei HaYeshua Medical Center. Shlomit received the best treatment possible (and believe me that it makes a difference that they know who you are!). All are fine, and it is a great trade off: sleep for a tiny new person.

The new year really didn't make any impression whatsoever. It was a regular day at work, and almost went by totally unnoticed.
Strange, but I suppose Tisha B'Av doesn't affect most of China that much, either.

New Job? Now here's a juicy item. Let me get my head around it, and I'll tell the story.

Nefesh B'Nefesh visit Mayanei HaYeshua Medical Center

2009-11-05T09:02:00.001+02:00

Stanford Social Innovation Review : Articles : The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle (August 18, 2009)

2009-09-17T11:07:00.001+03:00

Stanford Social Innovation Review : Articles : The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle (August 18, 2009)

Posted using ShareThis

Unemployment and Efficiency – A Necessary Connection?

2009-09-17T10:23:00.000+03:00

Posted by Richard Marker | September 17, 2009 | Category: Best Practice, Professional Development | Leave a comment It hit me – something is wrong with this picture.

It hardly surprises when we read a press release announcing that another company or non profit has reduced its staffing – usually accompanied by a note of regret that financial exigencies – or some other carefully worded euphemism – necessitated these reductions. [A firing by any other name, even if part of a crowd, is the loss of a job.]

The recent deep recession has almost inured us to these announcements – after all, what can one expect during a time when income, purchasing power, and contributions are down and prospects for improvement hardly in the offing?

But in the last few days, two national not for profit organizations announced a restructuring which, incidentally, included staff reductions. What got my attention was that both energetically denied that finances played any part in the decisions. “Efficiencies” would mean no reduction of services but that they would be provided differently.

What, I wondered, does that really mean? That they are asking already overburdened and probably underpaid non-profit workers to take on even more portfolios? Have they somehow found a way to use technology to obviate those professional services? Are they trying to make a point to their supporters that they are tough enough to make the hard decisions even if the finances don’t demand them?

Then I remembered: for the last decade or so, virtually every merger or new executive of every for-profit company would proudly announce that their newly merged or restructured company would increase profits and earn the confidence of shareholders by – what else? – reducing personnel costs. Efficiencies and elimination of duplication of services would yield immediate results, justifying the “multiples” and projected profits into the future. It is hardly surprising that non-profits follow suit.

How quickly we forget that it was not so many years ago when companies prided themselves on the growth of their workforce, on how they were improving the quality of lives of those who were connected to their enterprise, that they could reduce work-time to 5 days [and those days were 9-5!]. Now no one flinches when a private company or even a non-profit reduces benefits, expects 24/7 commitment, and reduces workforce. It is as if all of the promises of a humane modernity have been reversed – all too often in the guise of efficiency or profit.

You may ask: “isn’t this the wrong time to be raising this question – at a time when businesses and non profit organizations are fighting for survival?” Why argue for changing the employment paradigm when the struggle is to avoid firing even more people?

For me, this is the best time to remind us that pressures on companies for short term profit have pushed our investments in people and long term strategies to a lower priority and disposable luxury. This is the best time to remind us that the relentless, and often ill advised push for non-profit efficiency has too often led non profit employers to lose sight of the value of their most precious resource – their own workers and the values that drive them.

I raise this issue on a philanthropy blog because, as the economy slowly and fitfully rebounds and philanthropy follows, it is incumbent upon funders to reinforce the right kinds of changes, adaptations, and efficiencies, and not be taken in by the often dubious or misplaced applicability of for-profit mentality in the independent sector. Do we really believe that a non-profit delivers better service because the workers are pushed to carry larger workloads – with few benefits or guarantees – than before? Do we really believe that we are fulfilling a vision of a caring society by having fewer people employed? Do we really believe that the ultimate measure of the success of any group or business or organization is that they can do as much with less?

As a society, the unemployment and underemployment crisis has been a long time coming. It reflects attitudes that predated the current financial crisis and, sadly, will outlast its recovery. I only hope that one of the lessons learned is that a post modern, technologically advanced, and complex society should not sacrifice its soul on the backs of its workers.

One wonders: if we had retained the value of employees, employment, and quality of life over the last 15 years or so, would we be in the mess we are today?

Richard Marker serves as an advisor to foundations, independent funders, and not-for-profit organizations; he is a Senior Fellow in Philanthropy at NYU’s George Heyman Jr. Center for Philanthropy. Richard specializes in strategic philanthropy and planning. He is an occasional contributor to eJewish Philanthropy and regularly blogs at Wise Philanthropy.

2009-09-01T15:35:00.000+03:00

The Summer Block

2009-08-17T16:53:00.006+03:00

Has anybody else found a way to come to terms with what happens during the summer? Of course, by "what happens" I really mean what does not happen!

As opposed to the rest of my collegues, who I am now guessing either earn much more than me, or who know something about home economics that I have not as yet figured out, I have been in the office every single day over the last month and a half. For most of this time, I have been alone! Nobody here with me, not a sod!

Has it been easy? No

Has it been fun? NO

Has it been a worthwhile period of really effective productivity? Has it? NO!!!

It has been six weeks of humidity and boredom during the slowest period of the year. The Jews, it appears, are a cold-climate clan, not made for too much "doing" whilst the sun and surf are up.

For philanthropy it has been an interesting time to watch. The markets are confusing commentators with ADHD-like behaviour, Jews are being arrested in Deal, Madoff's ex-lover with a hugh conflict of interest has pretty much destroyed any self-respect Hadassah had left, Israelis have been robbing the IRS blind, and the Fatah has an Israeli Jew on its National Council - all in all not a slow period on the news front, but not news that has served to stir the juices of generosity in those who would perhaps otherwise have been open to giving.

It could have been a good period for hosting tourists.

It could have been a good period for preparing next year's workplan and budget.

It could have been a good time to ensure that all of our marketing literature and social media brands are in order.

It could have been, but for this year it has not been any of those things.

Here are my summer's resolutions, those issues I would like to have rectified by this time next year:

I would like to have a website

I would like to have a mailing list receiving regular communiques

I would like to have an activities budget

I would like to have a marketing budget

I would like to have Nihul Takin

I would like to have a figurehead for my "friends of" in Israel, and one in the US

I would like to have opened avenues to facilitate all forms of giving

I would like to have opened avenues to facilitate the enlistment of new friends and interested parties

I would like to have materials to give to those interested in what we do

I would like to have the means to reach those on my list of targets

More than anything, and as a pre-requisite to realising any of my goals...

...I would like to find the way to bring the message home, once and for all, to "the powers that be", that the investment in proactive efforts is essential in order to succeed.

It is a sad, yet common, fact, that this obvious truth is all to often ignored. The planning stages of the major project at hand, eg. the $200m, 17-storey tower for which I am raising funds, include every single micro stage of building and populating the project, but how the money is to be raised? That is my problem.

When I find the answer, I will let you know, but until then just watch my wish list and see how far I get.

#2 got so big, and #3 on the way(?!*$)

2009-08-17T09:14:00.002+03:00

Kaleidoscope - Summer 2009

2009-07-23T11:20:00.002+03:00

Every Gift Says Something—Are You Listening?
By Donna Red Wing

Imagine a world in which all donors are the same. They give for the same reason, they expect the same result, they engage in the same way—and even prefer one method of recognition. I suppose this would be of great help to fundraisers and nonprofits. You would know exactly who your donor is and what he or she wants. There would be no guessing, no exploration.

However, that is not the world we live in. In case you haven’t noticed, our communities are constantly being infused with outside influences, so much so that “outside” doesn’t carry much meaning anymore.

So what does that mean for us as fundraisers? I think we have to wave one final good-bye to predictability with our donors. Now we have to really get to know them.

As I see it, giving is a very wonderful—very personal—expression of self. It is something you impart on another. It is something born of values and beliefs, be it faith in a higher being or simply faith in humanity. I think understanding why a donor gives—something we’d all certainly like to know!—is tied to identity and to the things people hold most dear. Often a donor gives through a framework of belief.

What do your donors believe about human nature or a life beyond the present one? What traits and actions do they hold in highest regard? Perhaps most importantly, how do they view philanthropy? The fact is, when people give of themselves, especially in large amounts (such as a major-gift donor), they do so based on what they think is right and good. While appearing similar at first glance, there is beautiful nuance in the world’s many giving traditions.

Many Pictures of Giving

The Qur’an speaks to the issue of philanthropy, or zakat, as one of the five pillars of Islam. Each Muslim is required to donate a percentage of his or her salary. Then there is the tenet of sadaqa, which is a voluntary gift. In Judaism, tzedakah, which literally means righteousness, can be interpreted to mean justice and charity. There is clearly a social justice context to Jewish philanthropy. Christian philanthropic traditions have their genesis in Judaic concepts and practices, as well as Greek classical traditions that were refined and defined by the New Testament. Social and humanitarian reform, as well as the diversity of belief within Christian traditions, have left their imprint. Whether we look at the admonishment to “love your neighbor as yourself” or the story of the widow’s mite, both speak to intent, as well as action. Buddhist philanthropy is rooted in a compassion that seeks to end human suffering. And in Native American traditions, philanthropy is not an obligation, but rather simply what is done. It is experienced as a gift of both the donor, who gives, and the recipient, who accepts.

Beliefs Matter

There is considerable emphasis now on keeping religious beliefs, political views and even differences of lifestyle, isolated—almost quarantined—from public settings. However, our differences are important. Let’s not inoculate ourselves or sterilize our environment of difference and unique identity. We should acknowledge and celebrate uniqueness.

When you talk to donors, who they are matters. Why? Because it matters to them—a lot more than their social status, the size of their bank account or the car they drive. Philanthropy is a deeper concern. It is more than what I am, it is who I am—and in some cases why I am.

I’m not suggesting that you walk up to people and ask them what they believe in order to better understand their view of giving. I’m also not saying that we as fundraisers need to become experts on the world’s religions. I am saying that until you know why people give, they won’t give as much (or give at all). People give from a far more personal, complex and unique place than you’ll ever find out without a long-term, close conversation born of respect, curiosity and even admiration.

So now that I’ve described the distance that lies between you and your prospective donors, current donors or even long-time supporters, realize, too, that building a bridge is certainly possible and very rewarding. Want people to give more? Find out what makes them give—and keep giving. Let them express their core beliefs and values. Let them speak. All you need to do is listen.

Donna Red Wing serves as senior adviser to both the Interfaith Alliance and the National Crittenton Foundation. Red Wing was the first recipient of the Walter Cronkite Award for Faith and Freedom. She serves as co-chair of the board of directors of the Grassroots Leadership Institute and chair of the AFP Diverse Communities in Fundraising Task Force. Red Wing is a Christian Buddhist, which makes for some very interesting philanthropic beliefs and practices.

I am a Zionist by Yair Lapid

2009-06-08T11:55:00.001+03:00

Yair Lapid, a popular and current journalist revisits Zionism: a notion that some question its relevancy today: This is his Zionist manifest of a personal nature that is inseparable from the national one. In it he says that he is proud to belong to this tiny minority that influenced the world more than any other nation:

I am a Zionist.

I believe that the Jewish people established itself in the Land of Israel, albeit somewhat late. Had it listened to the alarm clock, there would have been no Holocaust, and my dead grandfather - the one I was named after - would have been able to dance a last waltz with grandma on the shores of the Yarkon River.

I am a Zionist.

Hebrew is the language I use to thank the Creator, and also to swear on the road. The Bible does not only contain my history, but also my geography. King Saul went to look for mules on what is today Highway 443, Jonah the Prophet boarded his ship not too far from what is today a Jaffa restaurant, and the balcony where David peeped on Bathsheba must have been bought by some oligarch by now.

I am a Zionist.

The first time I saw my son wearing an IDF uniform I burst into tears, I haven't missed the Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony for 20 years now, and my television was made in Korea, but I taught it to cheer for our national soccer team.

I am a Zionist.

I believe in our right for this land. The people who were persecuted for no reason throughout history have a right to a state of their own plus a free F-16 from the manufacturer. Every display of anti-Semitism from London to Mumbai hurts me, yet deep inside I'm thinking that Jews who choose to live abroad fail to understand something very basic about this world. The State of Israel was not established so that the anti-Semites will disappear, but rather, so we can tell them to get lost.

I am a Zionist.

I was fired at in Lebanon, a Katyusha rockets missed me by a few feet in Kiryat Shmona, missiles landed near my home during the first Gulf War, I was in Sderot when the Color Red anti-rocket alert system was activated, terrorists blew themselves up not too far from my parents' house, and my children stayed in a bomb shelter before they even knew how to pronounce their own name, clinging to a grandmother who arrived here from Poland to escape death. Yet nonetheless, I always felt fortunate to be living here, and I don't really feel good anywhere else.

I am a Zionist.

I think that anyone who lives here should serve in the army, pay taxes, vote in the elections, and be familiar with the lyrics of at least one Shalom Hanoch song. I think that the State of Israel is not only a place, it is also an idea, and I wholeheartedly believe in the three extra commandments engraved on the wall of the Holocaust museum in Washington: "Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but above all, thou shalt not be a bystander."

I am a Zionist.

I already laid down on my back to admire the Sistine Chapel, I bought a postcard at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, and I was deeply impressed by the emerald Buddha at the king's palace in Bangkok. Yet I still believe that Tel Aviv is more entertaining, the Red Sea is greener, and the Western Wall Tunnels provide for a much more powerful spiritual experience. It is true that I'm not objective, but I'm also not objective in respect to my wife and children.

I am a Zionist.

I am a man of tomorrow but I also live my past. My dynasty includes Moses, Jesus, Maimonides, Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, Albert Einstein, Woody Allen, Bobby Fischer, Bob Dylan, Franz Kafka, Herzl, and Ben-Gurion. I am part of a tiny persecuted minority that influenced the world more than any other nation. While others invested their energies in war, we had the sense to invest in our minds.

I am a Zionist.

I sometimes look around me and become filled with pride, because I live better than a billion Indians, 1.3 billion Chinese, the entire African continent, more than 250 million Indonesians, and also better than the Thais, the Filipinos, the Russians, the Ukrainians, and the entire Muslim world, with the exception of the Sultan of Brunei. I live in a country under siege that has no natural resources, yet nonetheless the traffic lights always work and we have high-speed connection to the Internet.

I am a Zionist.

My Zionism is natural, just like it is natural for me to be a father, a husband, and a son. People who claim that they, and only they, represent the "real Zionism" are ridiculous in my view. My Zionism is not measured by the size of my kippa, by the neighborhood where I live, or by the party I will be voting for. It was born a long time before me, on a snowy street in the ghetto in Budapest where my father stood and attempted, in vain, to understand why the entire world is trying to kill him.

I am a Zionist.

Every time an innocent victim dies, I bow my head because once upon a time I was an innocent victim. I have no desire or intention to adopt the moral standards of my enemies. I do not want to be like them. I do not live on my sword; I merely keep it under my pillow.

I am a Zionist.

I do not only hold on to the rights of our forefathers, but also to the duty of the sons. The people who established this state lived and worked under much worse conditions than I have to face, yet nonetheless they did not make do with mere survival. They also attempted to establish a better, wiser, more humane, and more moral state here. They were willing to die for this cause, and I try to live for its sake.

Leora's Song - Ain't it a Pity (that life can be shitty)

2009-04-21T14:50:00.001+03:00

Leora and I were in school together. She is just one of those infectious people you love! If you can... PLEASE save her life!!!!

JC just applied for ROI2009

2009-03-26T18:08:00.000+02:00

Since fulfilling his own personal goal at the tender age of 18 by leaving Anatevka (Manchester), Jonny has spent the last 15 years trying to find ways to help turn Israel into the country and State that he envisioned.
A mini-career in Hi-tech at the end of the '90s forced Jonny into a life of community work and non-profit management once he realised that the search for "the good life" would likely lead him back west of Tel Aviv.
Fours years of Israeli regional government and community work with the communities and children of the Shomron prepared Jonny for a period of service as the senior Shaliach of the Jewish Agency in Western Canada, based in Winnipeg.
Returning to Israel at the end of 2005 to the position of CEO of the World Union of Jewish Students led to a full realisation of the desperate need for professional management in the Israeli non-profit sector and, even moreso, the Jewish World bodies.
Jonny has spent the last couple of years in resource development in the Israeli third sector, and fulfills his need for ideological fulfillment through active participation in the building of organizations such as Israel2020 and Israel Connect.

Besides my activities assisting in the fundraising for a local synagogue in my community, my involvement is currently in four areas:
1) professionally I serve as Director for Resource Development for a hospital in Bnei Brak that was founded to provide for the needs of the Ultra-Orthodox community. This hospital is the world leader in the research and practice of medical science according to Jewish Law, studying and writing the oral law for tomorrow that will facilitate the use of modern developments in tandem with Jewish Halacha. My style is one of relationship fundraising, raising awareness and building community around a good aim and a worthy cause.
2) For the past 3 years I have been an activist and leader in Israel2020. Born out of concern that the disconnect that our generation feels in its own homeland is, in no small part, due to the disregard for our needs exhibited by our political leaders, and their inability to enable us to take our place as the leaders of the State of Israel in the future. Currently the General Secretary of the movement, I have responsibility for matters of organisational structure and meeting legislatory requirements.
3) Since I can remember I have always played an active role in ideological movements. I am an active member of the World Likud and the Likud Party English Division.
4) Israel Connect is an organization dedicated to developing and facilitating a two-way, long-term, interpersonal connection between Jewish youth from around the world and their peers in Israel, and to those of their peers serving in the Israel Defence Forces, in order to reinforce Jewish continuity and Jewish identity. I am the first member of the lay-leadership board that is currently being built. My experience has enabled me to assist in building the structure of the organisation, and to facilitate the process of mission definition and marketing.
My heart belongs to the Jewish World and our future. Whether professionally or voluntarily I intend to maximize the benefit that my knowledge, experience and energy can give to the causes in which I truly believe.

My first three aims are all part and parcel of the fourth, super-aim:
1) Community: The world of the Jewish social activist is a wonderous thing to experience. Our circles are manned by some of the most interesting, effective and driven people in the world. Not only would I take great pride in being numbered among this body of activism, I would also take very much to heart mr responsibility to take an active role in the life of the community in any and every way in which I can effectively add benefit to the work being done.
2) Shared Experience and Knowledge: each one of the 120 participants this year, together with each one of those from years gone by, has a wealth of knowledge, experience, information and skills from which the missions to which I turn my hand may benefit through my exposure to this community. I will gladly share whatever I can bring to the table.
3) New Energy: The role of the third sector, NPO/NGOs, social society, is never to be completed, its need neverending. There is no better way to recharge the activist batteries than to spend time in such an intense dynamic of energy as this program will allow. Add to that the networking that takes place and the community that forms and grows and you have a self sustaining source of energy that can support activism and positive work for a lifetime.
4) Hope: There are many good people promoting many great causes. It is only natural that the day-to-day can lead to a resilience to renewal and a narrowing of horizons. Competition becomes a concern rather than a boost, resources suddenly appear inadequate, social life becomes a distant memory. Participation in a shared experience facilitated by a platform such as ROI can revitalise that essential spark that stops us questioning whether what we do counts, and reminds us that we KNOW that what we do counts! I want to plug into this power source, and I wish to feed it with whatever I have to give.

Building and facilitating Networks of Purpose is what I have done and what I do.... and I know that it can be done more and it can be done better!
The Jewish People have survived and grown as a nation because of our ability to communicate, this is an unarguable fact. That the modern era, with its explosion of communication development, is a challenge to the survival of our people is a less recognised phenomenon. Have the myriad of communications breakthroughs not offered an opportunity? Have they not facilitated far more volume and variety of communication than ever before? Of course, but this growth and variation has also necessitated the development of a whole industry aimed to aid us in making use of these very tools and skills for the preservation of our age-old community and tradition.
My hope is that the development of this industry, facilitated by this track, will promote the survival of our people through the best use of all resources available, and that I can share what I have to offer with the pool of available resources that, through the network of purpose formed within the ROI community, will make our Jewish World better for the future.

Doing the right thing ...

2009-02-16T17:05:00.001+02:00

is sometimes the right thing to do

Happy Birthday Israel

2008-05-05T12:19:00.001+03:00

The Merkaz HaRav Slaughter of Children

2008-03-11T07:58:00.000+02:00

2007-11-22T09:01:00.000+02:00

מ-YNET אתמול. מעניין

סקר: עמותות 'מגלגלות' כ-75 מיליארד שקל בשנה"העמותות מסבסדות את המדינה - ולא להפך", התקוממו מנהלי ארגונים חברתיים, במהלך כנס שבו הוצג היקף הפעילות הכלכלית של החברה האזרחית בישראל. לדברי רענן דינור, מנכ"ל משרד רה"מ "יש דברים שהממשלות פשוט לא יודעות לעשות"תני גולדשטיין

22,000 ארגונים ללא כוונת רווח פועלים בישראל והם מגלגלים כ-75 מיליארד שקל בשנה, כך עולה מנתונים שהציגו ארגון-הגג "מנהיגות אזרחית" ומשרד רה"מ במפגש השנתי של החברה האזרחית שהתקיים אתמול (ג'). עוד עולה מהנתונים שהוצגו כי למעלה ממחצית מתקציב העמותות, בהן גם מוסדות אקדמיים, ממומן בידי משרדי הממשלה הרוכשים מהן שירותים חברתיים; מקורו של 13% מתקציבן בתרומות; וכ-34% מהכנסותיהן נובעות מפעילויות עצמיות.

על-פי הנתונים שהוצגו בכנס, הממשלה משתמשת בעמותות כמתווכות ברכישת שירותים ומוצרים, דוגמת אספקת מיטות לבתי חולים. היקף התמיכה הממשלתית הישירה בעמותות, שלא בתמורה לשירותים, הסתכם בשנת 2006 בכ-2.2 מיליארדי שקלים, הכוללים סכום של 150 מיליון שקל שהוחזר לתורמים כהטבות מס. בנוסף, הממשלה מעניקה לעמותות סיוע עקיף של מיליארדי שקלים באמצעות הרשויות המקומיות - אך גובה מהם מסים העומדים על כארבעה מיליארד שקל בשנה.

במגזר השלישי בישראל, המורכב מארגונים ועמותות ללא מטרת רווח, פועלים כ-250,000 עובדים בשכר ומתנדבים. שכרם של העובדים מקביל לשכר המקובל בסקטור הציבורי, ואילו ערכן השנתי של שעות העבודה שתורמים המתנדבים, המהוות כ-15% מכלל הפעילות בעמותות, מוערך בלמעלה משבעה וחצי מיליארד שקל. "ההערכה מבוססת על שכר המינימום המקובל במשק", מציינים עורכי הסקר. "אילו היינו מעריכים את שווי השוק של שעות העבודה שמספקים
המתנדבים, רבים מהם אנשי מקצוע, הסכום היה גבוה יותר". עם זאת, שיעור ההתנדבות בעמותות הישראליות נמוך למדי בהשוואה לצרפת, הולנד או שבדיה, בהן שליש עד 75% מהפעילים הם מתנדבים.

"העמותות מסבסדות את המדינה - ולא להפך - אולם הממשלה מתערבת בפעילותן גם כשהיא אינה מסבסדת אותה", מתקומם ירון סוקולוב, מנכ"ל ארגון "מנהיגות אזרחית" שבחסותו נערך הכנס. "ברור שהממשלה צריכה לפקח על העמותות שבהן היא תומכת, אבל באיזו זכות המדינה בודקת כמה מרוויח מנכ"ל עמותה שלא נתמכת על-ידיה?". דוידה לחמן-מסר, המשנה ליועץ המשפטי לממשלה שהשתתפה בכנס, מסכימה עימו. "יש צדק מסוים בביקורת על יחס הממשלה לעמותות", היא מוסיפה. "הפיקוח על שכר מנהלי העמותות שאינן נתמכות בעייתי. גיבשנו תיקון לחוק שהיה אמור להסיר את הפיקוח, אבל הכנסת דחתה אותו".

לפי הסקר, רק ל-8,200 עמותות (37.2% מכלל העמותות) ניתן אישור ניהול תקין בשנה החולפת, וכנגד 619 עמותות בלבד (2.5% מכלל העמותות) הוגשו תלונות. "אסור להתערב בפעילות העמותות באופן שמפריע להן לתפקד, אבל חייבים לבדוק מה קורה בהן", אמר ירון זליכה, החשב הכללי הפורש שנאם בכנס. לדבריו, שיפור משמעותי בפיקוח על העמותות חל לאחר שהועבר לאחריות אגף החשב הכללי. "לא עוד החתול שומר על השמנת", זליכה התגאה. "חשפנו מאות ואלפי מקרים של כפל תמיכות, רמאויות ושאר מרעין בישין, בהיקף של מאות מיליוני שקלים".

"שיתוף הפעולה בין העמותות והממשלה בישראל נמצא בפיגור", סיכם מנכ"ל משרד ראש הממשלה רענן דינור. "אין ספק שהמלחמה בלבנון היתה התנסות קשה וחשובה לשני הצדדים, וחידדה את הצורך בהסדרת שיתוף הפעולה". כשנשאל האם אינו מודאג מכך שהממשלה מסירה מעצמה אחריות ומגלגלת אותה על העמותות, דינור השיב כי "התחזקות העמותות היא חלק מתהליך בינלאומי שאינו ייחודי לישראל. יש דברים שממשלות פשוט אינן יודעות לעשות. הממשלה אינה טובה בסיוע במקומות שבהם צריך לתת שירותים ספציפיים ולענות על בעיות ייחודיות של אנשים".

נגישות היא זכות

2007-11-15T10:40:00.000+02:00

נגישות היא זכות

Of innocence, ignorance and downright cruelty

2007-11-14T13:30:00.000+02:00

When I was about 7 years old I stole a ruler from the kid sitting next to me. I was caught, punished (something that included my rear end coming into contact with a training shoe held in the hand of a teacher who broke a sweat when he executed such a sentence - frequently), and sent to the deputy headmaster. When he asked me what had happened, my immediate response was, "I didn't do anything, it wasn't me!". I found that my discovery of the great defence tactic, deny deny deny, was brilliant! He could do nothing to me as long as it held water, and when I was asked how it could be that I was innocent, when the teacher clearly reported that Jonathan Cline had been caught taking a ruler, I blurted out that there were four boys of that name, all in my class. I knew it was a lie, he knew it was a lie, we both knew the truth would very soon come out, but for the moment we had reached a point at which it was pointless to carry on. I went home that night with a feeling that I might actually get away with it, but it was not very likely. The next day the deputy head walked into my classroom and asked for the four Jonathan Clines to stand up, needless to say that the story ends with the one JC who did stand up receiving yet another round of buttock percussion (those turncoats, the other 3).

I was wrong, and I got what I deserved.

I was 7!

A couple of weeks ago an organization that I once managed submitted a request to the courts for protection from debtors, to enable them to carry out a high profile, high cost event. Let's put to one side for the moment who, what, when, where and how, for I am sure I will be writing about that soon enough, and suffice it to say that I understand the request even though the circumstances lead me to hope that the request denied by the judge. Why is this relevant?

The relevance of this issue to the story preceeding it above is similar to the relevance of the content of the request statement to the purpose of the request itself.

In the statement given by the current chairperson of the organization in question, that was subsequently paraphrased as the request submitted to the courts, approximately half of the narrative is dedicated to a David-Irving-style rewriting of my time at the organization. Despite facts shown in financial papers handed in as appendices to the same request I am charged with single-handedly causing the current financial situation of the organization; despite the fact that every check was countersigned I am accused of acting unilatterally; indeed in spite of the fact that constitutionally all financial matters are the non-transferrable responsibility of the chairperson, I, the former Executive Director, am accused of having mismanaged the financial dealings of the organization. So far from the truth are the enclosed allegations that the former chairperson of the organization herself was removed from office for her responsibility for the very issues here thrown on my shoulders.

The irony, one of the many, is that the current chair, despite heroic claims for having taken action to right wrongs, had absolutely nothing to do with my time on the neighbouring seat. The sad fact of the matter is that a politically motivated, and premeditated, aktion by the new members of the executive body, to replace officers of the organization with those more to their likeing, left the organization and its day-old (newly- and maybe surprisingly- elected) chairperson at a critical turning-point. The day after a major conference there is an immediate need to collect fees and call in pledges of financial support, and to build on the recent success (and it was an astounding success) to bring in partners for the activities of the coming programming season. Instead the organization was left, thanks to the refusal of the executive body to accept offers of a smooth transition, without knowledge regarding from whom to claim their dues and who to invite to join them. Energies were dedicated to politics, and the after-effects of this negligence have already had serious repercussions.

The smart thing to have done, accepting the right of the young executive body to make their own mistakes, would have been to lower one's profile and to make nice with whoever necessary in order to achieve a possible win-win situation. The smart thing to do would have been to put one's own politician's pride aside and to apportion responsibility for decisions made and actions taken according to the protocols at-hand.

In light of the things I have learned, experience and common sense, I would question how smart it was to have declared myself (as written in prayer) "judge and prosecutor, knowing motives, giving evidence, writing, sealing, counting, measuring, remembering all, even things we have forgotten". I would think twice before making declarations contrary to the constitution of the organization I claim to represent. I would think twice before making declarations contrary to the decisions made unanimously by the executive body of the organization I claim to represent.

I would think twice, and then once again, before I stood up in court and told an untruth.

If we are already talking about truth, although the executive body did discuss submitting a request, why have none of them seen the request submitted in their name? Why are none of them aware of any of the rumours being spread in their name regarding future actions to be taken against me? Why need I receive apologies, direct and implied, from them for any damage caused to me and my reputation whilst their employee is speaking in their name about events that preceeded her?

Is she innocent, acting out of sheer inability to comprehend the reality surrounding her? Is she ignorant, having read neither the constitution of the organization she ran an election campaign to represent, nor the minutes of executive discussions and decisions from the year immediately preceeding her election? Or does she know the truth and choose to act otherwise?

At this point I would like to point out that "Thou shalt not bear false witness" is actually the ninth commandment. It is wrong. It is evil. It is punishable!

The current chairperson of the organization is 26

I learned my lesson 26 years ago; she has yet to learn.

Not a fan of forwarding articles - but this is moving!

2007-10-29T13:40:00.000+02:00

What is going on? Please, educate me!

2007-10-28T12:00:00.000+02:00

I find myself quite disturbed by the current strike of secondary school teachers on many levels:

For the Kids: Absolutely my major worry. Even though my kids are nowhere near the age of those affected, at some point they will be. The thought that the system is as unstable as it is, annual strikes practically expected and accepted, is beyond my comprehension, and would be funny if it weren't so sad. So far the schools have been out for nearly 3 weeks - doesn't sound much when you say it, but when you consider that they only learn half-days, and that a third of the year is holiday, the same three week period earns significance when you think how little we invest in our kids anyway!

For the teachers: A teacher in Israel is not respected, not valued, not paid. Why anyone able to find gainful employment would turn to the teaching profession in Israel is beyond me. Cultural difference aside, I was brought up in a society that encouraged the best and most knowledgeable to go into teaching in order for our children to be taught by the best. A teacher was held in respect if not in awe as the one who knows, the ultimate authority. Teachers' advice was sought on matters of education, behaviour, parenting, safety, teenage development, social responsibility, extra curricular activities, etc. etc. Why can I not expect the same for my kids?

Against the teachers: Yes, you have the right to strike! Yes, you deserve more! Yes, you are not valued as much as you should be! BUT You chose to be a teacher. You chose to take upon yourself the responsibility to safeguard my children and educate them, not just to pass exams, but to prepare them to enter society as an asset. My children learn their roles from you, how you talk, how you act, how you talk, what you teach, what you allow, what and how you punish. So much they learn from you, and yet the lessons they are currently learning are How to hold the system hostage, How to get away with shirking your responsibility, How to claim the moral high ground by merely being better than the other side rather than empirically good. I would like to ask you why you choose the beginning of every school year to state your demands and strike?

Against the unions: Don't get me wrong, I support workers' rights as much as the next man, and you have rights and regulations for actions in order to attain what is rightfully yours; but let me teach you a word, say after me - R-E-S-P-O-N-S-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y! First of all act in the interests of those for whom you wake up in the morning - your children and my children, and whithout giving any philosophical waffle about long-term good, care about whether our children are learning the skill that will pay for their future rent and bills, or if they are hanging out in playgrounds in gangs at 2am out of pure boredom and lack of challenge. Please clean up shop, and if you need to fight for your rights, at least do it in a way that will still allow me to respect you the morning after!

Against the government: Please take action as part of a long term plan, a stragtegy. Please lead my country to a place it should be. Please take responsibility for the education of the children in your system, they will be the only pool from which your future replacements will be drawn, if you deprive them of education you deprive us all of everything to come. You are the results of the system that has failed us all so far - please give us a brighter tomorrow - it's your job!

Against me, but actually for me and my kids and the teachers and Israel: What the hell is wrong with me, us, you, them? How could we have let this go on so far and get so bad without caring? How can we go about our daily activities and make ourselves not look? Are we not embarrassed? What am I talking about? Just the education system? Wow, no! It appears that I am talking about the social services, and the health service, and public transport, and the military, and the police, and the roads, and the pollution, and the taxes, and the cost of living, and the unemployment, and the organized crime, and the bank fees, and the prime minister, and the government, and the civil service, and, oy, the corruption... and the rest!

Maybe it's time to do something, and maybe it's time to do it properly!!

This is MY country, MY State, and MY R-E-S-P-O-N-S-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y!

Israel 2020

2007-10-18T16:13:00.000+02:00

So, having had a week to think about it, I feel quite ready to sum up the conference last weekend.

First of all, how nice to have a conference that does not completely clash with work and life! I could go for the evening, go home to sleep, and turn up for the morning; OK, so it did not exactly fit in with home life, and I did get very little sleep - but, no pain no gain - it was worth it.

2020 seems to be a strange creature.

The evolution of the movement thus far seems positive, and apolitical (VERY important). The "grown-ups" do seem to be keeping their distance, although hopefully they really are there in the background.

In my conversation with Hillel this week I think I found some of the fog clearing up in my mind. What bothered me more than I was aware, it appears, is the fact that I have a difficulty imagining 2020 moving in the direction of a successful movement based on the general impression I got at the conference. Don't get me wrong, the workgroups were very well run and the crowd present was of very high quality human raw material, but I would not yet describe what I saw as a movement.

My "words of wisdom" to Hillel were based around the assumption that a successful movement must be a grass-roots led initiative for which there is a passionate need amongst its target population, pulled forward by emmotive and charismatic leaders who naturally rise to the top and lead the crowds along with them hanging onto their every word. I did witness a gathering of driven folk, but they were put into a framework of management/leadership/participants that, in my humble opinion, stands contrary to the environment necessary for the spontaneous, excitement driven, enthusiastic initiative taking that allows movements to push their way out of the birth canal and become fighting, living, community-changing organisms (sounding very much like a virus here - but yes, infectious) that do have the possibility to change the face of a generation.

I was honoured to be asked to join the executive of the amuta, and do hope that it will develop. I'm sure there'll be more on this subject...

אני מאמין באמונה שלמה

2007-10-18T12:16:00.000+02:00

אני מאמין באמונה שלמה בעיר ירושלים כבירת מדינת ישראל.
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה בדת לאומית אחת שהיא יהדות. יש במדינה מאמינים בדתות רבות שמגיעות להם זכויות להאמין ולעסוק בפולחן וטקס בחופש ובביטחון. חופש הדת כולל גם חופש מדת והפרדה בין רשויות הדת לרשויות המדינה. יתאפשר לקהילות דתיות לנהל רישום אוכלוסין משל עצמן במגביל לרישום האוכלוסין הרשמי של המדינה, אך מעמד רשמי ומשפטי יהיה רק לרישום הרשמי של רשויות המדינה. איש באמונתו יחיה וימות, אך המדינה תהיה מדינה יהודית.
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה בזכותה של המדינה היהודית לעמוד כשווה בין שווים בין עמיתיה לקהילייה הבינלאומית, ובחובתה לפעול בהתאם לפחות בשאיפה מתמדת להיות "אור לגויים".
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה שאזרח המדינה חייב להיות נאמן למדינה. מבלי להגביל את חופש הביטוי של היחיד, סמלי המדינה, מוסדותיה וריבונותה פתוחים לביקורת אך לא לבגידה.
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה בזכות האזרח והחברה לחיות בביטחון ובשלום, ובחובת המדינה, מנהיגיה ומוסדותיה לספק את נדרש למטרה זאת.
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה בחובת השרות הלאומי. על כל אזרח חובת האחראיות לשרת בתקופת שרות סדיר חובה, ובמידה הראויה גם שרות מילואים, לטובת הזולת, החברה והמדינה. על המדינה, בעצמה או באמצעות רשות הפועלת מטעמה, לשבץ כל אזרח ואזרח בתפקיד הולם לצרכיו וכישוריו ולצרכי המדינה והחברה בשרות צבאית, ביטחונית, ציבורית, חינוכית, חברתית, ובכל מסלול שרות אחר לרווחת המשרת ושולחיו.
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה במערכת חוק ואכיפה צודקת וחזקה אשר משרת את האזרח, החברה והמדינה.
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה בזכות של כל אזרח ואזרח לייצוג אחראי, ישיר ואמיתי בגופי השלטון. לכל אזרח הממלא את החובות המינימאליות של האזרחות הזכות להשתתף בתהליכים דמוקרטיים, ועל כל משרת ציבור החובה לפעול באחראיות כלפי המדינה, הציבור הכללי, וציבור בוחריו. לכל אזרח הממלא את החובות המינימאליות של האזרחות הזכות להישמע ע"י נציגיו בגופי שלטון, והזכות לקבל מענה סביר לכל פניה לנציגיו בגופי השלטון.
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה בזכות האזרח לדרוש מהמדינה, מוסדותיה ושותפיה מזון, מעון, מלבוש, מורה, ומרפא במידת הצורך, אך גם הפנייה ותמיכה לדרך כדי לא להזדקק.
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה בזכותו של האזרח להתפרנס בכבוד, ובאחראיות המדינה לספק, או לדאוג שתהיינה, הזדמנויות מספיקות לכולם.
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה בחברה לכל אזרחיה. היות ואנו חיים באוכלוסיה הכי מגוונת ומפולחת בעולם, חל על החברה הישראלית מחויבות לאפשר הזדמנות שווה לכל אחד בה. נגישות, חופש העסוק, חופש הדת, חינוך, תרבות ושרות הן רק טעימה ממגוון זכויות החבר וחובות החברה.
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה בחובת המדינה לחנך את ילדיה ואזרחיה לערכים ומוסר. מקורות דתיים, ציונים והסטורים ישרתו יחד עם יצירות אומנות, פילוסופיה, חזון, מדע ואמונה כבסיס לחברה נאורה.
אני מאמין באמונה שלמה במגזר שלישי חברתי חזק ופעיל שידאג לצרכי החברה ולפעול לצד גורמי השלטון למטרה זאת. אין מקור כוח ולכידות חזק מזה של חברה אשר מסוגלת להתגייס לענות על הצרכים של עצמה. מבלי לרצות לצטט קלישה מזן "אחד למען כולם וכולם למען האחד" חברה המסוגלת לכוון את משאביה למען צרכיה האמיתיים תזכה להישרדות, התחזקות והתקדמות עד כדי לשרת כהשראה.