Sponsored by Ogen and produced by J.’s branded content studio.
Behind Israel’s headlines lies a quieter crisis: the struggle for financial dignity. Inflation is rising, banks are tightening access to loans, and thousands of Israelis are left without a safety net. The Gaza war has only increased these pressures. Families are working harder but falling further behind. Small businesses are ready to rebuild but cannot access the credit they need. Nonprofits are stretched as they care for communities under strain.
For more than 30 years, Ogen, Israel’s trusted nonprofit social lender, has provided families, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits with economic stability, financial guidance, and the tools to rebuild with dignity. At the heart of this model is Ogen’s blended financial platform, which transforms donations into accessible credit. By offering interest-free and social loans to those excluded from banks, Ogen creates opportunities where traditional institutions cannot.
From Despair to Renewal
Each Ogen loan restores hope.
• When the war in Gaza broke out in 2023, farmers Maya and Sharon Cherry almost shut down their operation. With their Ogen loan they expanded their crops instead, building a greenhouse that allowed them to grow even more produce.
• Just days after the Iran attack in June, restaurateur Khier Diab almost lost his bakery when his customer base dwindled. Thanks to a quick loan and mentor provided by Ogen, he was able to revive his business.
• When residents in northern Israel were evacuated due to Hezbollah attacks, Kalphon Avraham Gee’s home was badly damaged, rendering it unlivable. An emergency Ogen loan enabled him to make needed renovations, restoring the house to a home.
• Reservist Oriel Har-Noy, a father of three from Mevo Horon, returned after 50 days of military service to find himself unable to make his final mortgage payment. A loan from Ogen allowed him to clear his mortgage and secure his family’s future.
• Entrepreneur Loti Rosenthal needed support to grow her business, but didn’t know where to turn. Ogen’s mentorship program taught her how to pivot, so she could double her income and hire new employees.
Serving All of Israel
A family avoids crushing debt. A small business protects jobs. A nonprofit serves thousands of needy clients. With loan repayment rates among the highest in the country, every donation becomes a renewable lifeline, helping not once, but again and again.
This is the ripple effect of Ogen’s blended financial model. A single loan does more than uplift one borrower. A family loan can reduce household debt by more than half, allowing parents to plan for the future. A small business loan supports not just the owner but also employees and local suppliers. Each repayment is reinvested into a new loan. Ogen’s method of financial inclusion empowers Israelis and lays the foundation for sustainable growth and opportunity nationwide.
Ogen serves all parts of Israeli society — Jewish and Arab, secular and religious, new immigrants and longtime residents. Families can access up to $14,000 in interest-free loans, businesses up to $185,000 in affordable credit, and nonprofits even more. Each loan comes with counseling and mentorship to ensure lasting stability.
By focusing on financial dignity and empowerment, Ogen builds bridges across diverse communities, strengthening Israel’s social and economic fabric.
Why Ogen, Why Now
Hardship is about more than money. It affects a family’s sense of security, a business owner’s confidence, and a community’s ability to plan for the future. By replacing anxiety with independence, Ogen helps parents focus on their children rather than on overdue bills, gives business owners the courage to invest in growth, and allows nonprofit leaders to imagine new ways of serving their communities.
Equally important is the pride borrowers take in repayment. Every payment made is a sign not of dependence but of renewal. By paying back their loans, families and businesses know they are helping create the same opportunity for someone else. This cycle of repayment and reinvestment ensures that dignity remains at the center of Ogen’s mission.
For the Cherry family in Be’er Milka, Khier in Tamra, Kalphon in Kiryat Shmona, Oriel in Mevo Horon, Loti in the Haredi sector, and tens of thousands more, Ogen has already made the difference between despair and renewal. The challenge now is scale. With support, Ogen can meet the growing need.
Together, we can rebuild Israel’s future with resilience and respect, one loan and one life at a time.
To learn more and support Israelis with dignity go to support.ogen.org.