New Israel Fund Canada - - 2013 Annual Report · 2019-02-21 · Annual Report 2013 | New Israel Fund of Canada 3 Ask our staff and volunteers at New Israel Fund of Canada what drives

2013 Annual Report

2 New Israel Fund of Canada | Annual Report 2013

Board of Directors

Efrim BoritzIsser DubinskyHugh Furneaux

Joan GarsonMark GuttmanNorm Hanson

Naomi LightmanJosh ScheinertMerrill Shulman

achievements. Many of these achievements were internal and served to strengthenthe board, staff and volunteers for the tasks which will face us and our supporters inthe future.

I want to thank Orit, her staff and the Board for their untiring commitment over thisyear of transition and internal achievement.

2013 was a year of outward-facing accomplishments: the year with our largest fundraising total ever. Thedebt of thanks we owe to our supporters, which we hope is repaid in achievements on the ground inIsrael, continues to grow. On behalf of the activists whom we’ve empowered to do wonderful work on theground, please accept our thanks.

This past year we expanded our programming. Our community outreach continued in Montreal, Ottawa,

Toronto and we continued to focus time and talent on supporting that growth. We were rewarded withincreased generosity.

This vital work in Israel resulted from the partnership of New Israel Fund of Canada: staff, lay leaders,supporters and generous donors, with the activists whom we support together.

My profound thanks and appreciation to everyone who contributed to our success in 2013.

Sincerely,

Joan GarsonPresidentNew Israel Fund of Canada

Annual Report 2013 | New Israel Fund of Canada 3

Ask our staff and volunteers at New Israel Fund of Canada what drives us.Invariably, the response is preceded by a long pause. It’s not for a lack of reasons,but, rather, the diversity of motivations behind nearly thirty years of dedicated supportfor Israel.

Equality for all Israelis. The Israel true to its founding ideals. Faith in Israel’s future.Urgency to make a difference now. A Canadian community based on shared values.

The projects NIFC funds in Israel and the education across Canada offer an unparalleled approach toIsrael’s future. We work directly with grassroots leaders in Israel, everyone from social workers integratingnew immigrants into society to civil rights lawyers arguing before the High Court. And, in response to theneeds they express to us, a community of support is built in Canada.

Your contributions make a direct difference on the ground in villages across Israel – everyday. We do notfund brick-and-mortar projects. We fund people projects. And, because of our close ties with activistsacross Israel, our funding shifts to meet the needs of today’s Israel – and tomorrow’s.

I joined New Israel Fund of Canada at the brink of unprecedented growth. Awareness of domestic socialissues in Israel is growing in Canada. Support for projects in every area we fund has never been as high– or as widespread. Our events across Canada are creating a sustainable community dedicated to Israel’svision as expressed in its Declaration of Independence: To “ensure complete equality of social and politicalrights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.”

I can’t wait to share with you the kind of activities your support made possible in 2013. It’s extraordinary!Our funding recipients describe it best in the following pages. After reading through this summary ofactivities, tell me what you think. I’m at [email protected].

Lastly, thank you. Thank you from me, the hundreds of Israeli charities who could not do their work without

Sincerely,

Orit Sarfaty, Executive DirectorNew Israel Fund of Canada


About New Israel Fund of Canada

their progressive values. Today thousands of Canadians and Israelis have joined us for that reason. Webelieve in an Israel where individuals can achieve self-determination in their homeland and where everyoneparticipates in a shared and just society.

Supporters of the New Israel Fund of Canada believe in working at a grassroots level. We support localprojects spearheaded by individuals from the same community they are trying to assist, creating safeenvironment for those seeking help.

NIFC focuses its funding on 5 major impact areas: Women’s Rights, Civil and Human Rights, ReligiousPluralism and Tolerance, Social and Economic Justice, and Canadian Outreach and Education.

Top left to right: Ottawa, Symposium, September 2013; Vancouver, Symposium, September 2013Bottom left to right: Montreal, Symposium, September 2013; Toronto, Saying Yes to Social Change in Israel, June 2013


Women’s Rights

Women in Israel face several challenges when it comes to protectingtheir rights. Some of these challenges are similar to those Canadianwomen face, including the gender wage gap, and workplace sexualharassment. Others are more unique to Israel in their attempt tobalance religious and democratic freedom. These include theexclusion of women in public spaces or on images, civil marriage/

gender problems in communities across Israel.

Success Story: ChallengingJob Discrimination

A precedent-setting ruling on behalf of a 41-year-old single mother constitutes

from her position at a religious institution for becoming pregnant without being

Employment of Women.

NIFC-funded Kolech successfully presented a halakhic (Jewish legal) ruling of Rabbi Yuval Cherlow,showing that there is no prohibition on unmarried women becoming pregnant.

Opportunities, the Law of Human Dignity and Liberty, and the Law of Freedom of Occupation.

mothers. This ruling will have a positive effect on unmarried Israeli women working in religiousinstitutions who, until now, have had to choose between having children and keeping their job.


Success Story: Fighting Prejudice Together

More than 200 activists came together last October for the sold-out Strategiesfor Fighting Racism Conference. The Arab-Hebrew Theater in Old Jaffa was

In recent years, Israel has seen a disturbing rise in racist activities andthe increasing passage of racist legislation and rhetoric by public leaders.In response, NIFC-funded SHATIL and dozens of other partners

this phenomenon.

With activists meeting in forums like this, Israel is taking a step in the right direction. NIFC fundsSHATIL because we understand that racism is a product of fear. To combat that fear, bringingtogether citizens from many communities opens dialogue and increase understanding and tolerance.

Civil and Human Rights

NIFC works to help Israel live up to its founders’ vision of completesocial and political equality for all its inhabitants regardless ofreligion, race or gender. This work is at the core of our identity asa cutting-edge organization tackling the most dif�cult issues.From lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender rights, questioning(LGBTQ) and minority rights to equality for housing, education andemployment, NIFC funds and trains organizations in Israel toachieve this vision.


Religious Pluralism and Tolerance

NIFC believes that freedom of – and from – religion are crucial tothe survival of a just and democratic Israel. We oppose the exclusivecontrol religious leaders hold over women and families in matters ofdivorce and marriage. NIFC also believes Israelis should have theright to marry whomever they choose through civil marriages. NIFCunderstands that a religiously tolerant Israel will lead to a more justand cohesive society.

Success Story: ChoosingUnderstanding over Violence

Baladna works to reduce violence and create a safe and positive atmosphere

NIFC assisted Baladna in 2013 because we believe this project increases awareness of violence inschools and empowers students, teachers, and parents to work together to implement alternative

of democracy and gender equality, foster pluralism and tolerance, and enable discussion and debateabout Arab-Palestinian history, grievances and culture.


Success Story: Closing the Gender Wage Gap

institute on economic equity, Finance Minister Yair Lapid appointed aspecial committee charged with examining the state budget from a gender-based perspective.

“This has real potential for increasing gender equality; not only for women as a single group but also looking at women from different communities.”

- Barbara Swirski, Adva Centre Executive Director

NIFC funded the Adva Centre because we believe that greater economic equality for Israeli womenwill not only improve conditions for women and their families, but also strengthen Israel’s economyleading to a more prosperous country for everyone.

Social and Economic Justice

Through grassroots community-led projects, we aim to empowerIsrael’s most disadvantaged citizens including single parents, IsraeliArabs, refugees, Holocaust survivors, the elderly and the under/

of poverty, working within communities to provide them with the toolsthey need to succeed.


Canadian Outreach and Education

NIFC hosts events throughout the year to raise awareness amongCanadians about our work overseas. Our events encourage honestdiscussion and welcome all points of view. We aim to strengthen theconnection young Jewish Canadians have with Israel and also withintheir own communities. NIFC gives Canadians, both within andoutside the Jewish community, a place to discuss the challengesIsrael faces today.

I appreciate how close-knit and accepting NIFC’s eventsare. I learn a lot and feel a kinship in those rooms that Ioften do not feel at other Jewish events in this city.

- Mark, Vancouver resident, 58

It’s always eye-opening. I learn about a different Israelthan what I experienced when I was younger like withBirthright and studying there.

- Jonathan, Ottawa resident, 27

I go to NIFC events because it gives me a chance tohave an open conversation about some of the challengesIsrael’s democracy faces, in a safe setting with others whoare interested in the hard-to-ask questions.

- Sara, Montreal resident, 38

Our Participants:


Muna, Mother and Volunteer

Muna walked into NIFC-funded Mahapach Taghir, a free tutoring centre inmainly Bedouin communities, with her child and a plate of cookies. Munaapproached a tutor about the cost of tutoring. Muna explained that she had

However, she said, “I have nothing to offer. I am only a mother.”

The tutor told Muna that there was no payment required. Instead, the centreasks parents to volunteer with the program. After a wary start, Muna agreed tovolunteer at the centre. And with the support she received there, Muna soon returned to school andearned a university degree four years later.

Today, Muna is a community leader in her town, encouraging parents and their children to return toschool and pursue higher education. Her child continues her education, and feels her future is bright.

Raya Meiler, NIFC Law Fellow

Raya Meiler is an attorney for The Hotline for Migrant Workers which protectsthe workers in Israel, addressing employment violations through individualassistance, advocacy and outreach. As an NIFC Law Fellow in 2013, sherecently won two important legal victories in Israel’s courts.

Raya was born in Moldova. In 1999, her family made Aliyah, settling in Be’erSheva. She worked as a medic in the army, and later attended Tel Aviv University Law program.

Raya found a home at NIFC’s Civil Liberties Law Program, which offers two years of academic andprofessional experience to Israeli lawyers specializing in civil rights advocacy.

Raya Meiler continues to have an impact on Israeli society because of the fellowship NIFC helpedfund. First, the High Court accepted her petition arguing that torture represented grounds for

released from jail.

In the Field


Projects Funded in 2013 by Impact Area:Women’s Rights • Community Action in the Periphery with

Mahapach-Taghir• Equalizing Wages in Israel’s Workforce

with SHATIL• The Palestinian Women’s Forum in Lod

with SHATIL• “A House of Our Own”, a Project of the Feminist

Forum at Sapir Academic College with The Dafna Fund

Social and Economic Justice• Public Education on Democracy in Israel with

Beit Hillel• Trainings and Workshops: Strengthening

with SHATIL• Outreach to Disadvantaged Citizens in the

North and South with Social Economic Academy

• Public Education for Access to Social and Economic Rights with Adva Centre

Civil and Human Rights• Combating Violence Among Arab Youth

with Baladna• Civil Liberties Law Fellows Program with New

Israel Fund/Washington College of Law• Upgrading SHATIL’s Capacity to Strengthen

with SHATIL• Public Education for Human Rights with the

Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI)• Leadership for a Shared Society with SHATIL

Religious Pluralism and Tolerance• Life Cycle Centre and Kehillat Shirat HaYam

Carmel with Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism

• Educational Activities with BINA Secular Yeshiva

• Memizrach Shemesh Democratic Leadership Training from a Traditional Mizrachi Perspective with Kol Yisrael Haverim (KIAH)

Education in Canada• Progressive Portraits

Featuring A. Daniel Roth and Samara Carroll in Israel (virtual)

• Perceptions vs. Reality (New Generations Canada) Featuring Natasha Greenblatt, Matt Gordner, Jenny Isaacs, Benjamin Langer, Gillian Murphy and Aaron Levy

• Careers in Social Change (New Generations Canada) Featuring Yossi Beilin, Shira Ben-Sasson Furstenberg and Samara Carroll

• Saying Yes to Social Change in Israel Today Featuring Yossi Beilin, Shira Ben-Sasson Furstenberg

• Meeting the Challenge: Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State Featuring Hagai El-Ad, Sara Horowitz, Dan Avnon, and Mira Sucharov

• Make the Case (New Generations Canada)Featuring Hagai El-Ad

• Minorities and the State in Canada and Israel Featuring Hagai El-Ad, Craig Scott and Cara Faith Zwibel

• Tackling the Toughest Questions Featuring Daniel Sokatch

• Israeli TV Night Featuring episodes of Avoda Arvit (Arab Labour)


Thanks to our 2013 Contributors$51,000 +

Efrim Boritz and Naomi Fromstein

Sharon Weintraub and ShaRna Foundation

The Kahanoff Foundation

$25,000-$49,999

David Baskin and Joan Garson

Shayna and Merrill Shulman

Anonymous (1)

$10,000-$24,999

Joanne M. Bargman

Beverley Chernos

Dr. Isser Dubinsky and Dr. Antoinette Wertman

Robert and Ellen Eisenberg

Emerald Foundation

Hugh Furneaux and Penny Fine

Glenn Davis Group Inc.

Debra Grobstein Campbell and Barry Campbell

Mark Guttman and Lesley Simpson

Norman and Roberta Hanson

Gary and Anndrea Lewis

Dan Rissin

Joyce and Fred Zemans

Anonymous (1)

$5,000-$9,999

Rabbi Bernard Baskin

First Narayever Congregation

Roz and Stan Labow

Naomi Loeb

Edna and David Magder

Lillian Mauer

Miriam Roland

Soryl and Gibby Rosenberg

Julie Shugarman and Ilan Gewurz

Elaine and Jim Slater

Norman Rosenblum and Anita Small

Gaye and Andrew Stein

Judith Teller Foundation

Alan and Susie Tenenhouse

Denise Zarn and Jim Shenkman

Anonymous (7)

$2,500-$4,999

A Legacy from Gil Levine

Daniel Barer and Sheila Bailin


Mitzi and Hillel Becker

Dr. Robert Besner

Nani and Austin Beutel

Nora Gold and David Weiss

Maurice and Kathy Green

Janice Gross Stein

Judith Hans

Lyle Kanee and Pamela Chapman

Michael Kanter and Karen Robbins

Charles King and Wendy Wulff

Florence Minz

NA Taylor Foundation

George A. Rabb

Donna Riback

Lawrence Yanover and Frances Cohen

Bernard Zelechow

Anonymous (6)

$1,000-$2,499

Naomi Alboim and David Kaufman

Cantor Heather Batchelor and Steven Winkelmen

Stanley and Barbara Beck

Frank and Ellen Bialystok

Paula Blackstien-Hirsch and Steve Hirsch

Harvey Brownstone

Ben and Rhona Carniol

Sylvia and Jack Chetner

Phyllis and Jack Chisvin

Jim Davis and Anna Korteweg

Mrs. Constance Demb

Phyllis and Jeff Denaburg

Rabbi Lawrence and Cheryl Englander

Jane Enkin and Justin Jaron Lewis

The Esther and Bernard Besner Family Foundation

Bernard Fishbein

Allan Fox and Suanne Kelman

Patricia Gill and John Fuerst

Yonatan Gordis and Robbie Chesick

Ruth Grunzweig Roth and J. Lipa Roth

Linda Hershkovitz and Marvin Zuchowski

Francis Landy

Dr. Jacob Langer and Ferne Sherkin-Langer

Mariam Leitman and Craig Perkins

Michael D. Levin and Ruth Mann

Sheldon Levitt and Dr. Maureen Shandling

Jules Lewy and Joanna Slone

Joel Lexchin

Jill Magen-Lichtblau and Gary Lichtblau


Fredzia and Dow Marmur

Eric and Lillian Mendelsohn

Dr. Karen Mock

Phil and Linda Lee Palter

Frank and Netta Phillet

Sam Rabinovitch and Shelley Hornstein

Nancy Richler

Toby Rose and Les Klein

Brian Rothberg

Laurel and Mitchell Rothman

Harry Schachter

Dr. Eric Schloss

Gina Shochat-Rakoff and Vivian Rakoff

Suzanne Silk Klein

Valerie and Leon Sloman

Elaine and Joseph Steiner

Sara and Irwin Tauben

Chana Thau and Michael Eleff

Sandra Trehub Matthews

Nan and Jack Wiseman

Wendy Wright and Nir Bareket

Anonymous (28)

$500-$9,999

In Memory of Norman Beiles

Rabbi Ron Aigen

Gail Asper,O.C.,O.M.,LL.D.

Lewis Auerbach

Syd Baumel

Toby and David Brooks

Robert Brym and Rhonda Lenton

Martin Chisvin

Andrew Cohen

Annette Duvdevani and Eli Fleischmann

Eileen and Ralph Garber

Bryna Goldberg

Corin and Mark Greenberg

The Henry and Berenice Kaufmann Foundation

Mark Hundert

Avrum Jacobson and Christel Kleitsch

Paul Kay and Temma Gentles

Rona Kosansky

Betty Lang

Dr. Gary Levy and Rabbi Karen Levy

Mark and Judy Libman

Ernie Lightman

Israel Lyon and Nan Weiner


David A. McKee

Shari Novick

Saul and Linda Paton

Elizabeth and Darrel Pink

Stephen Rotman and Minna Shulman

Kenny Rubin

Orit Sarfaty and Jason Plaks

Drs. Brynah and Clive Schneider-Friedman

Stan Shabason

Trudy Shecter

Linda and Jerry Silver

Geoffrey Singer and Tamar Satov-Singer

Abigail Slater, Morry Guttman and Family

Daniel Tre�er

Dr Elaine Todres

Sam Znaimer

Anonymous (31)

$250-$499

Rick Archbold

Rickey and Herb Belman

Micki Bregman

Yael Brotman

Linda and Ed Calnitsky

Steve Garmaise and Sue Rebick

Esther and Benjamin Geva

Nathan Gilbert

Charles and Helen Heller

Ron Kanter

Patti Kirk

The Lazzam Family

Rabbi Aaron Levy and Miriam Kramer

Naomi Lightman

Rabbi Miriam Margles

Anne Matlow

Myra Palmer

Delores and Harry Rosen

Galia Shaked and Paul Milgram

Professor Arthur Sheps

Brian and Bonnie Smith

Rabbi Michael and Celia Stroh

Roz Tobias

Ellen Waxman

Nancy Werk and Saul Schwartz

Alisa Weyman

Anonymous (38)

$249 and under

Ms Helen Adam

Howard Adelman


Robert Allingham

Phyllis Angel and Joel Greenberg

Dr. Frederick R. Ball

Bruce and Elaine Berman

S.Binder

Sam Blatt and Ronnee Jaeger

Tobe Blumenstein

Elizabeth Bohnen

Dr. D. Brecher

Fredelle Brief

Irwin and Fenja Brodo

Michael Brown

Neil Caplan

Tish Carnat

Harold and Mary Chapman

Mary Chiasson

Sharon Chisvin

Irene Cohen

Sharon Dembo

Celia Denov

Atarah and Chad Derrick

Norman Epstein

Shoshana Fainsilber

Dr. K L Farkas

Frieda Forman

Gideon Forman

Chris and Rhoda Friedrichs

Kathy Glazier

Jack and Bluma Goldberg

Dr. and Mrs. Victor C. Goldbloom

Mark Golden

Nomi Goodman

Deborah Gorham

Barry Greenspan and Sandra Maygard

Barbara Haskel

Jonathan Hellmann

Teena and Walter Hendelman

Suzanne Hersh and Mark Cassidy

Ilene Hyman

Jenny Isaacs

Susan Joanis

Ellen Kelner

Michael and Bonnie Klein

Jacques and Mona Kornberg

Debbie and Danny Kornhauser

Joyce Kruskal

Miggie Lampe

Carol Libman

Leanore Lieblein


Lorraine and Donald Loeb

Cantor and Mrs. Benjamin Maissner

Lorne Mallin

Deena Mandell

Eric and Ruth Miller

Arthur Milner

Rabbi David Mivasair

David Moscovitch and Leora Schaefer

Charles and Myra Novogrodsky

Nessa Olshansky-Ashtar

Toni Perl

Joseph Podemski

Elizabeth Porter

Gail Posen

Adele Reinhartz

Gladys R. Rose

Dawn and Sam Rosen

Dorothy Goldin Rosenberg MES, PhD.

Michael Rosenstock

Robert Ruderman

Henry and Velma Ruschin

David H. Sandler

Diane Sasson

Rabbi Shalom Schachter

Myra Schiff

Eda and Marvin Schiff

Stuart and Suzanne Selby

Susan Shamash

Corey Shefman

Melvin Shipman

Peter Shizgal

Ian Silver

Andrew and Monika Simon

Pat and Pekka Sinervo

T.L. Sourkes

Alena Strauss

Carol and Charles Tator

Edward Trapunski and Ellen Roseman

Anthony Usher

Matthew and Rebecca van der Giessen

Fern Waterman

Ms Annette Werk

Sheila Whitzman

Ken Wise

D. Wolfson

Racheli Wolfson

Jonathan and Judith Wouk

Roel and Miriam Wyman


Natalie Zemon Davis and Chandler Davis

Avi Zer-Aviv

Alvin Zipursky

Debby Zweig

Anonymous (377)

Unspeci�ed Amount

Endowment Funds

Arthur Minden Endowment Fund

Berenstein-Levy Fund

E. Raicus Endowment Fund

Morris A. Gross Endowment Fund

Nathan Micay Endowment Fund


Orit SarfatyExecutive Director

Atarah DerrickNational Outreach Associate

Lara RoccataniFundraising Associate

Alicia BaumExecutive Assistant

Our StaffFinancial Information

23% Charitable Activities

Fundraising

Other Administrative Costs

84%

13%

3%

Create Your Lasting Legacy

Your support for NIFC has helped thousands of Israelis lead lives of promise.

We know you want that work to continue.

By including a gift to New Israel Fund of Canada in your will, you are creating a lasting legacy for Israel.

NIFC has been a voice for equality and justice in Israel by supporting hundreds of Israeli grassroots organizations.

Please consider making a gift to the New Israel Fund of Canada in your will and ensure that your dreams for Israel are protected into the future.

For more information on all the ways you can leave a legacy gift, call our of�ce at 416-781-4322 or email us at [email protected].

Contact Us:

801 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 401Toronto, Ontario M5N 1E5

Tel: 416-781-4322Toll Free: 1-855-781-4322

Email: [email protected]

Documents

New Israel Fund Canada - - 2013 Annual Report · 2019-02-21 · Annual Report 2013 | New Israel Fund of Canada 3 Ask our staff and volunteers at New Israel Fund of Canada what drives