TLDR: In this post, Advisory Board member Michael Weil introduces us to Amitim, a network of former federation CEOs from North America mentoring nonprofit leaders in Israel and across the Jewish world. Since the events of October 7, Amitim has provided support in the areas of governance, strategic planning, change management, and fundraising to struggling non-profits in Israel. In addition, Amitim has been helping some of the devastated communities in the Western Negev who are navigating the ongoing crisis. It plans to continue the work with the nonprofit sector in Israel as it expands its activities to other countries. To learn more, check out this eJewishPhilanthropy article covering the initiative.
In recent times, one of the most pressing questions in the Jewish world has been, “How can I help?” People are eager to know how they can contribute to rebuild kibbutzim and
Among those seeking to make a difference are former CEOs of intermediate and large city Jewish federations across North America. These executives, many retired or in new roles, bring decades of expertise in leadership, strategic planning, governance, and fundraising. Unfortunately, this wealth of knowledge is often underutilized once they are no longer involved in their federations.
Recognizing the untapped potential in this group, following the leadership of Mark Freedman, former exec at the San Antonio, Nashville and Broward Federations, several of us came together a few years ago to create an informal network of peers ready to leverage our skills and passion for the benefit of Jewish communities around the world.
After the events of October 7th, we formalized our network and shifted focus toward immediate urgent action by providing support to devastated communities in the Western Negev. We first urgently paired four former federation CEOs with four kibbutzim to raise awareness and funds within Jewish communities across North America.
Through our main focus, we matched eight former CEOs with eight prominent nonprofit organizations in Israel. These partnerships, shaped by the needs of the nonprofits, empowered their leaders to navigate challenges and build long-term capacity to serve their communities.
We named our initiative “Amitim,” emphasizing our mission to create synergetic collaboration between peers from federations in North America and nonprofits in Israel (called Amutot in Hebrew).
Our rapid response reinforced the power of global Jewish partnerships, showcasing our ability to mobilize support during times of crisis.
Nine months into Amitim’s core initiative, the results have been promising and inspiring. Former Federation CEOs have worked hand-in-hand with nonprofit leaders to tackle critical areas such as governance, strategic planning, change management, and fundraising strategies. Feedback from our partners has been overwhelmingly positive, with reports of stronger operations and deeper connections to the broader Jewish world. This success has led to the recruitment of a second cohort of 14 participants, and we’re already planning for a third group in the summer of 2025.
Looking ahead, Amitim is committed to expanding its impact by involving more senior professionals, thereby enhancing Jewish communities worldwide. We are planning an in-person seminar in Israel to solidify the relationships we’ve built and foster shared learning and exchange. Through collaboration and understanding, Amitim seeks to create a stronger, more unified global Jewish community dedicated to ensuring the vitality of Jewish life everywhere.
This vision aligns seamlessly with the goals of Global Jewry. Both Amitim and Global Jewry share a profound commitment to strengthening Jewish communities across the world, fostering meaningful relationships, and enhancing communal life. Our collective work is focused on ensuring the resilience of Jewish communities globally, with an emphasis on collaboration that transcends borders.
Together, and with your help and support, we believe Amitim and its mentors and mentees can play a pivotal role in shaping Jewish life today in Israel and across the globe, for years to come.
Shabbat shalom, and may this be the week that the hostages return home.
Warm regards,
Michael J. Weil
AMITIM – Founder and Director
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