New Israel Fund of Canada

The New Israel Fund of Canada strives to fulfill the vision of Israel's founders of a Jewish homeland that is also democratic, pluralistic and equitable for all of its citizens. It does that extremely well through its grants to progressive Israeli NGOs and through the capacity-building work of its Shatil arm.

The NA Taylor Foundation caught a severe case of divided loyalties recently when we discovered that our UJA allocation could be supporting the settlers in the West Bank and Gaza. UJA said we could avoid this by telling them to direct our money away from the settlements but this made no sense: money is fungible, and once pooled it is all the same. How could limiting our money stop UJA from doing whatever it wanted? As long as some other contributors did not give the same direction UJA could use their dollars to fund the settlements. We were thus pleased to hear of the New Israel Fund: New Israel Fund supports progressive Israeli NGOs and carefully avoids funding the settlements. We recommend NIF to anyone concerned about the effect of the settlements on the peace process.

NIF supports organizations that reflect my Jewish values - fairness and justice, civil society, concern for the vulnerable regardless of race, culture, socio-economic background, or religion. NIF funds and offers management support for shelters for Domestic Violence for Jewish and Palestinian Israelis, law suits to redress injustice eg women who cannot get a "get" or protection from harassment at checkpoints, illegal placement of the Wall, discrimination against gays and lesbians, it supports projects to protect the environment, people with disabilities and the elderly, economic & educational programs for those from all religious backgrounds,Ethiopian Jews, Russian Jews, etc, Bedouins, Palestinian Israelis who are not given equal employment rights, etc

I am continually inspired by the work of NIFC. They are taking on important issues and approaching them with great care and innovation. Last year I had the honour of meeting one of their grantees and I was thoroughly impressed with the impact she is making on her community. The work that NIFC does made it possible for her to transform the daily conditions of the children in her community. But the work of NIFC did not stop there, because by bringing her to Toronto they inspired me to make a greater difference in my community here as well.

I have been a donor to the New Israel Fund of Canada for many years. I strongly support the work they do in trying to make Israel a society that lives its ideals, a difficult task when so many think that Israeli practicalities preclude Isreali ideals. It is also important for the New Israel Fund of Canada to continue its programs aimed at Canadians. Canadians need to understand what is happening in Israel and the challenges that NGOs like the NIF face. That understanding may help them to see the need for funding of NIF programs. I have attended many of the NIF programs in Toronto and have found them informative and helpful. Unfortunately, I sometimes find them discouraging because, too often, the message that the NIF and its grantees is conveying makes little headway either here or in Israel. That only means NIF and we must keep trying.

I have been involved with NIF since it was created 30 years ago. I was a member of the initial board. NIF is where I put my donation to Israel. Through Shatil its organizational and action arm, it works towards building a just society. It dealing with problems that affect the lives of Israelis. They develop grass roots organizations in each of the areas so that the people affected can work towards improving their lives. The people in in the leadership roles in Israel are very dedicated and creative.

One shouldn't have to choose between one's love for the land of Israel and its people on the one hand and one's commitment to upholding social justice on the other. The New Israel Fund of Canada provides a vehicle for me to do both at the same time. There's simply no other Jewish organization in Canada like it.

I've donated to the New Israel Fund for over twenty years. It's an organization that supports the kind of community based groups in Israel that I believe in helping. I have always felt that my money was being spent thoughtfully and I've always been impressed with exactly how much was accomplished by these groups, with, what seemed to me, to be modest funds. In the midst of what I often experience as despair regarding the state of the State of Israel, the New Israel Fund represents a contemporary take on the founding ideals.

When NIF Canada was established I was the president of Canadian Friends of Peace Now and welcomed with open arms the presence within our community of an organization dedicated to social justice in Israel. I saw NIF's mission and our efforts for peace in the Middle East as mutually reinforcing. (This review entered by a GreatNonprofits staff member on behalf of a user).

Put simply, NIFC is one very special organization. With great courage in an environment where even mainstream, liberal Jews have become increasingly wary of voicing any constructive criticisms about Israel, NIFC educates us about issues that threaten to compromise Israel’s vision of a Jewish and democratic state. It envisions an Israel where disempowered communities, such as Ethiopian Jews, are no longer marginalized; where disenfranchised communities, such as Israeli Arab citizens, have access to the same rights of education and security as Israeli Jews; where non-orthodox streams of Judaism flourish within an environment of religious pluralism; where all of Israel’s citizens are positioned socio-economically to contribute to her development as a beacon among nations. As a Jew, I feel strongly about fighting injustices both in Canada and in Israel. Through NIFC, I can make a positive impact in Israel and I’m very proud to support its important work.

NIF Canada is providing a valuable service to Jews who want to do more than offer financial support to the state of Israel. NIF Canada allows Jewih Canadians to support individual groups and causes within Israel. It also identifies social issues within Israel, and organizes speakers to discuss them. For those of us who don't feel sufficiently gratified by writing a cheque, NIF provides a way of becoming more involved and identified with the challenges facing Israel.

My experience has been limited to monitoring the organization's reports to donors. From those reports and its website, I am satisfied that is among the few but effective programs addressing the fissures and challenges to modern Israeli society. At a time when it appears that Israel's problems have less to do with the "peace issue" (vital though it is), than with the domestic problems of conflict and exclusion, NIF is a reason for hope and even sometimes optimism. NIFO is an important part of that response.

NIFC opens the eyes of Canadian Jews to some of the burning issues in Israeli society and to the wonderful initiatives that seek to address these issues. Enlightening Canadian Jews to these real problems and encouraging them to be part of the solution are tremendously important endeavours both for Israel and for the Jewish community in Canada. I have seen the importance of this work on the ground in Israel. A recent talk by the head of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel demonstrates the need and value of this work.

There are very few organizations that hold out such a hopeful vision while still being firmly rooted in reality. New Israel Fund of Canada is one such organization. Their courage and steadfastness is matched only by their practicality and grassroots approach. The organization is actively working toward a just Israel and I back them every step of the way.

This organization is doing good everywhere in Israel without hidden agenda. Its liberalism makes it one Israel-based organization I am willing to support with $. As a Reform Jew who recently lived in Israel for an 8-month period, I look for places to support that will not imply i am "less a Jew" or even worse "not a Jew." The Canadian branch keeps in touch regularly and sponsors good speakers. I don' t always get out with attending; but that does not minimize my belief in NIF.

I am continually impressed by NIFC's courage (in the face of disinterest and right wing opposition) and commitment to justice, peace, compassion, and helping make possible a good life for all people in Israel. It is a beacon of hope. NIFC supports in the most practical ways the democratic values most of us espouse. It seeks to educate, and it follows the biblical injunction to be especially attentive to the needs of the poor who suffer because of their ethnicity or gender or religion. It seeks to encourage these values in the government of Israeli and in all aspects of society. The Israel it wants to help build is an Israel I would like to live in!

I admire NIFC’s efforts in its fight for such simple, human causes like elementary rights to live, have home, eat, drink, love, learn and teach as you wish regardless of your tribal/racial/political affiliation. Why is it so hard to achieve now? Is history slated to remain an endless repetition of the unfortunate struggle of national states for an upper hand? Did not nomadic Jewish people already paid it dearly? My first modest donation to NIFC was to support its active approach to the problems of Israel on its path towards a modern civil state of all people living there.

I asked for help on behalf of my Sephardic friend who lives in the Kirriot near Haifa. he was being treated for cancer and could not get any benefits when he could no longer work. NIF suggested an organization geared to the needs of Sephardim which they funded. It was located in the same town. They responded to the needs of my friend and the whole family. After he died, they put his widow and kids in contact with other helpful groups also supported by NIF. NIF supports the grass roots.

I am a new donor and am inspired by the New Israel Fund of Canada’s important work. The divide between left and right shouldn't distract us from the needs of all disadvantaged Israelis. NIFC's equitable mandate is encouraging for Canadians wishing to get involved in Israel’s betterment. Keep up the good work!

I have been a donor for a number of years, pleased with the knowledge that my contributions would be directed to efforts to make Israel a more equitable place to live. My resolve was strenthened a great deal when NIF helped me to visit the Immigrant Workers Help Centre in Tel Aviv, one recipient of its grants, when I was there. What a fascinating integration of professional, advocacy and research coupled with a sophisticated use of volunteers. I was most impressed with this organizations contribution to both helping foreign workers who fill a need in Israel and to pressing for important legislative changes that will help employees and employers in this field. NIF invests wisely and strategically

I am not Jewish, but was introduced, almost ten years ago, to New Israel Fund by Rabbi Larry Englander, and subsequently have formed a friendship with the Canadian Director, Jay Brodbar. I learned, first from Larry, and then, directly, from Jay, of the extensive care NIF has for the well being of all Israeli citizens with a special focus on the marginalized and poor of the nation. NIF's method of determining areas of need and injustice, coming alongside those who are laboring to meet those needs and providing assistance and empowerment, and doing so over the complete range of society's problems is impressive to see; not to speak of their training of lawyers with a concern for social justice. I find myself thinking that every nation on earth needs such an organization working as an intelligent and prophetic voice in their midst, and working to comfort and heal those who suffer within it; and yet, to my knowledge, only Israel has such a group looking at the whole of society as its mandate. Glenn Davis

We have been members of the Jewish community in Ottawa for 41 years and have always been actively involved in the Jewish community (synagogue,Jewish Community Center,United Jewish Appeal). However, we have become increasingly disenchanted with the political direction the Israeli government has taken in recent years. Last year we attended a meeting of the New Israel Fund and when informing ourselves of their mission realized that it was more in line with our philosophy-human rights for all. We were disappointed at the turnout and the fact that almost no one in our community knows what the NIF is or does. The profile of NIF has to be raised. For the first time in our 41 years we are not donating to United Jewish Appeal. All our funds for Israel are going to the New Israel Fund.

I am now retired and so my income is limited. I want to support Israel but also want to know I am supporting peace,equality and democracy. I believe that the money I give to NIF is used to support Israelis in need regardless of faith or race. I also found on a visit to Israel that NIF supports the creation and establishment of grass roots self help organisations and then moves on.The "teach a man to fish" philosophy with which I agree completely.

It is a good feeling to know one is supporting an organization that sets politics aside in favour of doing the right thing - for Jews and Arabs alike, for religious and non-religious communities and everyone in between, for the well-to-do and those less well off, for the environment, for women and for men, for Israelis and those who have sought sanctuary in Israel. With a higher level of support perhaps the New Israel Fund could indeed become a light among the nations.

My experience with this organization has strengthened my belief in democracy and social justice. As a smaller organization that focuses on human and civil rights for all citizens of Israel, the work we do in strengthening and funding organizations in Israel that work on the ground to bring social and economic justice as well as religious tolerance and diversity to all communities has been very rewarding.

They support great causes in Israel and promote community building dialogue- and equally important- their staff in Toronto are incredible!

How does an old-fashioned Canadian-Jewish progressive support Israel? NIFC is the best one-stop donation centre I know. They have a finger in just about every social justice pie, and perhaps most importantly, they and the Israeli CSOs they support are striving to build bridges of respect, not walls of hostility between Israelis and Palestinians.

New Israel Fund of Canada is the only Canadian organization working towards developing grassroots organizations in Israel that address the real challenges of Israel's inhabitants. As Canadian Jewry, NIFC is our only option to really support the amazing people who try to improve Israel in every way possible. I am proud to be involved with this organization. I am proud of the staff here in Canada and abroad for their dedication to a strong, democratic state that truly meets the values expressed in her Declaration of Independence.

NIFC really go out of their way to involve the community and spread the word about the positive accomplishments of NIF in Israel. I experienced this when my gender and development network was able to meet up with one of NIF's board members, an Israeli Arab feminist activitist, on her visit to Canada. They support a range of organizations that are all working towards peace, social justice, and sustainability. They enable important dialogue to take place among people with a range of opinions and interests on Israel and the way forward in the Middle East.

Supporting the New Israel Fund helps me to feel like I am participating in creating true peace in Israel and in Palestine. The projects that NIF sponsors are based needs on the ground; needs identified by people who live in that place. NIF reflects my values and my priorities as a Jewish woman.

NIF is one of the organizations that gives me the most hope for our future and encouragement to make a difference in the world. I experienced New Israel Fund first over 22 years ago as we were starting a small NGO and people at NIF took the time to help us learn how to get organized and apply (successfully!) for a little funding for a project to help young people of different backgrounds learn from each other. Since that time, I have repeatedly used the work of NIF both to keep myself informed and also as an antidote to some of the discouraging news regarding situations so close to my heart.