Like all Jewish federation leaders, Arik Rosenbloom raises money to support worthy Jewish projects. But he isn’t planning to export any of those funds to Israel. He already lives there.
Rosenbloom serves as executive director of Takdim, the first and only U.S.-style Jewish federation in Israel. Based in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat HaSharon, Takdim opened last spring with the goal of bringing a new model of philanthropy to Israel.
Takdim’s mission is to raise funds from residents and local businesses for projects in their community, throughout Israel and around the world. The concept is so new, Takdim leaders recently toured the offices of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation and met with its staffers to see how a federation operates.
“We’re looking together at how to create a different kind of partnership than what’s been in existence between Israeli and U.S. [federations],” Rosenbloom explained. “We’re saying put aside the place of government. It is our duty as citizens of [Israel] and residents of our city to step up to the plate.”
The word “takdim” means “precedent” in Hebrew, an interesting name as there is no precedent of a federation in Israel. Traditionally, the government has tackled most social needs in the country. Takdim leaders want to change the culture of dependence and turn more Israelis into philanthropists.
Gila Noam, director of the S.F. federation’s Israel office, has been working closely with Takdim to bring its leaders up to speed. She thinks the timing is right for a community federation in Israel.
“This reflects a growing trend among Israelis,” she said. During the 2011 summer protests, “more than 400,000 people in the streets showed how the social fabric needs strengthening. We Israelis need to take responsibility for doing exactly that. In the case of Takdim, it reflects an understanding that the Jews in Israel are part of a larger whole.”
According to a 2009 Hebrew University study, 62 percent of contributions to nonprofits in Israel came from outside the country. That figure represents a drop from prior years, and the trend continues. Factor in reduced government services, and Takdim leaders recognize how quickly these gaps could create greater need. They want Israelis to take matters into their own hands.
Why Ramat HaSharon, with its 40,600 residents, and not a bigger town, such as Tel Aviv proper, with 10 times the population?
“It’s a fascinating community,” Rosenbloom says, “very strong, striving to retain that sense of caring. Its people are influential leaders in politics, arts, technology, the military and others.”
Among them are Takdim chairman David Ivry, who serves as president of Boeing Israel and is Israel’s former ambassador to the United States, and Miri Eisen, one-time spokeswoman for the administration of Ehud Olmert, the former prime minister.
Takdim lay leader Debra London said it will take up to two years for the fledgling federation to attain the Israeli equivalent of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Meanwhile, the organization already has begun working with the Ramat HaSharon municipality and the local community centers, which play an important social service role in Israeli society.
So far, Takdim has yet to disburse funding to any grantees. It’s too early in the process. But its leaders already are organizing a planning committee to prepare for that day.
“In Israel, people say ‘planning? That’s a new concept,’ ” Rosenbloom joked.
At some point, the plans will get the green light, and philanthropic shekels will begin to flow. Over time, Takdim leaders hope not only to change how Israelis take care of each other, but also how Israelis think.
“Until now, Israel and the Jewish community in Israel was perceived as the shnorrer,” said Takdim lay leader Doran Levinson, using the Yiddish word for “mooch.” “We’re coming with a new concept: a settled community in Israel, here to contribute to our society and learn from the federation how to do it.”