“I’m an Israeli, living in Tel Aviv, married with three daughters and a grandson”. For the past twelve years Dafna has been managing the Zvi & Ofra Family Fund which supports cultural and educational projects including the Israeli Opera, the Zvi Meitar center for advanced studies at the Tel Aviv University Law Faculty, the Zvi Meitar Institute for Legal Implications of Emerging Technologies at the Herzliya Interdisciplinary center, Agnon House and the Naggar school of Photography in Musrara, Jerusalem. Dafna chaired the Israeli Opera Friends’ Association for 7 years and today is a managing director at the Metropolitan opera in New York, a board member of JFN and a board member of the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center. Dafna’s latest Philanthropic initiative is the new institute for Law and Philanthropy at the Tel Aviv University law faculty. Dafna has also recently joined Committed to Give, promoting Private Israeli Philanthropy. Dafna is also the president of the Meitar Collection Ltd, a private company that owns, preserves, catalogues, and lends more than 100,000 historic photographs taken in Israel since the 1940s. From 1989 to 2006, Dafna was a partner at Meitar, Liquornik, Geva Leshem, Tal, the largest law firm in Israel, where she specialized in commercial, telecommunications and corporate law. Dafna holds a BA in political science, an LLB (Law) and an MA in political communications, all from the Tel Aviv University.
Jewish Funders Network
JFN is an international organization established in 1991 in the U.S. by a group of Jewish philanthropists, in order to encourage quality philanthropy by creating a platform for collaboration, activity and learning. Currently, the organization boasts 2,500 private funders, foundation managers and trustees from 11 countries worldwide, who have joined forces to promote significant giving and to take an active part in processes that change thought patterns and the activity of Jewish philanthropy.
JFN Israel was established in 2008, with the aim of providing Israeli funders and social investors, who constitute about one fourth of the members of the global network, a forum for sharing ideas regarding their philanthropic involvement and for expanding their circles of giving both in Israel and overseas.
Our Unique Characteristics
JFN Israel is an accessible, intimate and productive meeting place for philanthropists who are interested in taking part in and/or initiating active and effective collaborative efforts. We help members acquire the tools to bring about real social change in Israel by offering networking opportunities, conferences and programs on a variety of topics. We also help facilitate philanthropic collaborations and joint ventures. For every activity, our vision of social change is to connect people, ideas and initiatives, in order to create added value for members, based on their needs and philanthropic agenda.
OFFICERS
Dafna Meitar-Nechmad
Zvi & Ofra Meitar Family Fund
Ramat-Gan Israel
Douglas Bitonti Stewart
Secretary
Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Southfield MI
Francois Leven
Treasurer
Geneva Switzerland
Marcia Riklis
Chair
New York NY
Winnie Sandler Grinspoon
Officer
Weston MA
MEMBERS
Adam Levine
Circle of Service Foundation
Angelica Berrie
Russell Berrie Foundation
Teaneck NJ
Adina Shapiro
Jerusalem Israel
Dr. Ariel Kor
Jerusalem Israel
Cintra Pollack
The Singer Family Foundation
Denver CO
Cynthia D. Shapira
Pittsburgh PA
Dan Rueven
New York NY
Darin McKeever
William Davidson Foundation
Detroit MI
Deborah Hochberg
The Paul E. Singer Foundation
New York NY
Dorothy Tananbaum
New York NY
Eli Genauer
Mercer Island WA
Elli Booch
Edmond de Rothschild Foundation (IL)
Tel Aviv Israel
Gary E. Jacobs
Del Mar
Califfornia, USA
Georgette F. Bennett, PhD
New York NY
Irith Rappaport
Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Foundation
Tel Aviv Israel
Jeffrey Schoenfeld
New York NY
Marina Yudborovsky
Genesis Philanthropy Group
New York, NY
Michelle Rosenbloom
Lutherville MD
Orli Rinat
Los Altos Hills CA
Rafi Musher
Stax Inc
New York NY
Ruth Cummings
Jerusalem Israel
Shawna Goodman Sone
Ra’anana Israel
Shira Ruderman
Brookline MA
Steven Sim
Tucson AZ
Tina Price
Tina & Steven Price Charitable Fdn
Scarsdale NY
Vanessa Bartram
ZORA Ventures
Tel Aviv, Israel
Yoel Cheshin
Tel Aviv Israel
Zoya Raynes
New York NY
JFN IN NUMBERS
Over
Israeli families in the network
Over
Members Internationally
Over
Families and family foundations worldwide
Over
Awarded through matching grants
JFN IN NUMBERS
Over
Israeli families in the network
Over
Members Internationally
Over
Families and family foundations worldwide
Over
Awarded through matching grants
JFN IN NUMBERS
Over
Israeli families in the network
Over
Members Internationally
Over
Families and family foundations worldwide
Over
Awarded through matching grants
"JFN was an invaluable resource for us in setting up our family foundation. Their expertise and personalized support consistently reflected their reliability, professionality and wisdom."
“As a board member of JFN and a founding member of JFN Israel, I am proud of the organization's work and achievements, our contribution to the growing social discourse in Israel, and the bridge we extend to funders from all over the world. For me, JFN Israel's focus on collaboration, that are uncommon in the philanthropic world, offers added value and significantly transforms the way Israeli and international philanthropists work and give.”
“JFN is a network of friends and a resource for information and knowledge, on topics ranging from soft skills such as family dynamics, to study trips and brainstorming sessions, as well as a source of cooperation between philanthropists and foundations from Israel and abroad.
They are continuously developing and responding to emerging needs, and are in constant dialogue with us to remain current and relevant. I see the JFN as a professional, quality platform for promoting philanthropy in Israel, and an address for collaborative thinking and action in this field.”
"As co-chairman of the JFN International and as a member of the Israeli cabinet, I am proud of the organization's achievements and achievements, our part in the growing social discourse in Israel and the bridge we are making for donors from around the world. For me, JFN's focus on cooperation, which is not common in the world of philanthropy, is an added value that significantly changes the ways of giving and working to Israeli and international philanthropists."
"Without a doubt, the presence of JFN in Israel is substantial, influential, pivotal, and has opened an entirely new discourse on philanthropy. Personally, I feel privileged to be a part of this important, exciting and empowering process. Meeting with the JFN team, I always enjoy intelligent, in-depth discussion that is inspiring and “outside the box”, with good advice to help in promoting my specific goals. The attention paid by the JFN team to details small and large, for every member, whether a funder or a professional in the field, is impressive. As a mother of three daughters who are involved in our family philanthropy, I see the JFN as a partner in the process of promoting and developing the next generation, the fruits of which are already visible."
"Joining JFN put me in a new class as a philanthropist. I learned the significance of family and inter-generational giving, the important connection between giving from within and outside of the family, and how to transform a series of donations into structured and cohesive giving."
"Personally, being part of JFN, has enabled me to gain exposure and connections to colleagues in Israel and abroad, significant learning opportunities and the opportunity to influence an area that is very important to me."
"Whether it's thinking about an area of interest, knowledge about a specific social issues or philanthropic management tools, JFN is the address for me."
"JFN is a meeting place for strategic social investors; a place to meet and learn from the experience of others. Membership in JFN has given me a broader perspective on my field of philanthropic interest and the importance of relating to the ecosystem of that field, and not just to one organization."
"Personally, as the CEO of a foundation doing significant work in Israel, the professional and personal connection with the JFN staff gives me the benefit of creative thinking, working out dilemmas, and access to information. The connections with the international philanthropic world, as well as the opportunity for expansive learning, are an important and valuable resource."
"A significant step in the foundation's Israel giving was marked by the Jerusalem Renewal Matching Grant we ran through JFN in 2013-2014, an opportunity for us to enhance our impact and leverage our giving for a cause we feel passionately about."
"Every year I look forward to attending the JFN conference – it is always very well attended with a varied a crowd of individuals with the agenda of doing good. Beyond the excellent content, it is an opportunity to catch up with old friends and to meet new peers. I am looking forward to "hosting" the 2018 conference in Tel Aviv."
"JFN Israel helped us lay the groundwork for our philanthropic activities in Israel. The unique expertise of JFN Israel has led us to an extensive network of donors, fund-raising professionals and non-governmental organizations focused on education, and today our strategic partnerships have a real impact."
JFN IL
Avi Naor
In 2002 Avi Naor resigned from his post as president and CEO of Amdocs (a position he held since 1995) since then devoting most of his time to social and community activities.
Founder and chair of Or Yarok Association for safer driving in Israel and the Ran Naor Foundation (road safety research). Avi is also chair of Oran Foundation (Children and youth at risk) and the Shahaf Foundation (supporting young communities in peripheral areas).
Avi is a Board Member of the Israel Democracy Institute, Hakol Hinuch (“Everything is Education”) to the advancement of better education in Israel, Jewish Funders Network and Committed to Give.
Oudi Recanati
Alan Feld
Alan Feld is the Founder and Managing Partner of Vintage Investment Partners. Prior to founding Vintage in 2002, Alan Feld was a general partner at Israel Seed Partners and at Vertex Ventures. Prior to Vertex, Alan was the Managing Director of Evergreen Capital Markets/Robertson Stephens Israel. Before moving to Israel in 1994, Alan was at Goodman’s (Toronto), one of Canada’s leading corporate law firms.
Alan was Founding Chairman of the StartUp Jerusalem, a non-profit Israeli and Palestinian businesspeople helping to foster job growth in Jerusalem. Alan currently serves as Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Beeri project of the Hartman Institute and is also a former Member of the Board of Directors of the Israel Democracy Institute and the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Jewish Funders Network (US). Alan also served as Associate Chairman of Canadian Jewish Congress, President of the North American Jewish Students Network and a Member of the Board of the Canada Israel Committee and Kolot (Jerusalem), a pluralistic adult Jewish education program.
Alan received an MBA from York University in Toronto, an L.L.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto and a B.A. in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto.
Amir Halevy
Amir is a Senior Partner at the law firm of GKH – Gross Kleinhendler, Hodak, Halevy, Greenberg & Co.
Amir has extensive experience of technology and Venture Capital. Amir counsels family held enterprises on succession issues and advises individuals of high net worth with regards to estate and trust planning.
Amir has served as a Board Member of JFN – Jewish Funders Network between 2008-2018; He is a member of the IVN – Israel Venture Network; He is one of the founders and a board member of “Vehadarta” – Council for Advancing the Status of the Elderly.
He is a member of Committed to Give – The Initiative for Promoting Philanthropy in Israel and he is a member of Jdocu – Photographers Group who published their documentary work on Jewish Culture worldwide, and sells it for philanthropy purposes.
Benny Levin
Benny Levin served in the Israel Defense Force (IDF) Intelligence Corps and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1978 during his army service he was awarded the Chief of Intelligence Decoration for Creative Thinking.
Benny co-founded NICE Systems a worldwide leader of multimedia digital recording solutions for business interaction management, where he served as NICE’s President and Director from its inception and as Chairman and CEO from 1998 to 2001. Under Benny’s leadership the company achieved impressive growth and raised significant funds, both on NASDAQ and the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE).
From 2004 to 2012 Benny served as Chairman of the Board of dbMotion. dbMotion enables forward-looking healthcare organizations to seamlessly connect and coordinate healthcare, linking clinicians within their facilities, beyond their walls and across their networks. Since retiring from most of his business activities, Benny dedicates himself to a wide array of social and philanthropic activities. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Israel Venture Networks. IVN is a social investment organization, bridging social gaps and generating systemic change in Israel through high-impact programs and hands-on venture philanthropy for over 10 years.
Benny serves as Active Chairman of the Board of the Ben Yakir youth village, assisting youth at risk mostly from the Ethiopian community and is involved in a variety of other philanthropic activities as a member of the board of Hakol Hinuch.
Benny is the Founder of JDOCU, a group of philanthropists and photographers that use the camera as a tool for documenting the activities of Tikkun Olam (‘Repair the World’) with the partnership of JDC, making it part of a global culture with special emphasis on Israeli and Jewish culture.
Benny has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa.
Maya Natan
Founder CEO
Shmuel Bendror
Rachel Cohen
CEO, The Ted Arison Family Foundation
Rachel Cohen serves as the CEO of The Ted Arison Family Foundation, a private family foundation that operates to create meaningful social change through strategic philanthropy. She is responsible for promoting social investments in organizations that focus on the fields of education, culture, art and sports, children and youth, populations in distress, disabilities, and health.
In her capacity as CEO, Rachel also takes part in leading the extensive activities of the foundation’s seven vision projects: Essence of Life, Good Deeds Day, Goodnet, Artport, Ruach Tova, Design for Change, and Social Cohesion Program.
Prior to assuming this position, Rachel had served as Deputy CEO and CFO of The Ted Arison Family Foundation since 2006, overseeing and managing its overall financial activities that include social investments, grant making, vision venture budgeting, and operational capital management. Under her leadership, the foundation’s finance department comprised seven professionals.
Prior to joining the foundation, Rachel had served as a CPA at BDO Ziv Haft (1996-2005), one of the leading accounting firms in Israel and was also stationed at their USA office for two years.
She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and holds a BA in Economics and Accounting from Haifa University.
Igal Jusidman
Jusidman foundation
Noam Lautman
The Lautman Fund
Dafna Meitar Nechmad
Zvi and Ofra Meitar Family Fund
Irit Rappaport
Adina Shapiro
Ariel Kor
Dan Oren
Jude Yovel Recanati
Jude Yovel Recanati is a leading social activist in Israel who is committed to and strives for a stronger, healthier Israeli society.
In 2004, together with her late husband and three daughters, she established the Gandyr Family Foundation, aimed at strengthening Israeli society with special emphasis on young adults and youth movements and is one of the founders of Sheatufim, which aims to encourage a better civil society and philanthropic culture in Israel.
By connecting the next generation of the family to the philanthropic cycle, Gandyr Foundation continues a three generation tradition of Israeli philanthropy that began with Jude’s grandfather, Leon Recanati.
Jude Yovel Recanati is the co-Founder and Chairperson of NATAL: Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War, where she has been involved on a daily basis since its establishment in 1998.
Jude is an active member at the CTG (Committed to Give group), a social entrepreneurial initiative which promotes Israeli Philanthropy, she is a member at the Israel Lion of Judah, and serves on the board of several organizations that work to advance civil society.
She is the mother of three daughters and grandmother of nine.
Elli Booch
The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation (Israel)
Sigal Yaniv-Feller
Director
Reut Stoller
Head of Strategy
Sharon Dwek
Membership Director
Maya Golan
Director, Family Philanthropy
Sarit Feiler - Lior
Director of Finance and Operations
Maya Foner
Director of Programs
Amy Sorensen Ben-Dov
Head of Jerusalem Memberships & Communications, JFN Israel
Gil Yaacov
Project Manager, Green Funders Forum
Tamar Cohen
Administrative Coordinator
Elad Berger
Project Manager - "Education in Mind"- Funders' Interest Group
Anat Danis
Director of Philanthropy for regional recovery
Since the outbreak of the war, and now during “Operation Rising Lion”, we have created a designated site sharing knowledge and tools for giving during the current emergency