My $100 Million Idea …Israel for Everyone.©

If we are to renew and reignite American Jews’ notion of klal yisrael, Jewish peoplehood, in the new millennium, we need to broaden and deepen our relationship with Israel. Traditionally and generally speaking, the American-Israeli relationship has been inspired by religious observance or marked by patronage in turn for identity. The new American-Israeli relationship must be based not only on shared understanding and pride in our heritage but personal relationships, common interests and a commitment to excellence and innovativeness.

To that end, ‘Israel for Everyone’ is a life-spanning approach for American Jews to develop and strengthen their connection with, knowledge about and passion for Israel and to be inspired by her spirit and inventiveness. The imagined concept provides multiple opportunities for learning about Israel and engagement between American Jews and Israelis.

‘Israel for Everyone’ is a scalable and replicable concept with limitless potential and would vary by community depending upon existing programs and interests.

Here is a sample idea of programs that could be funded and incorporated into existing Jewish organizational, educational and synagogue offerings or could be stand alone perhaps some taking place in a Bayit Shel Israel (Israel House) where a sheliach (emissary) lives with their family and had meeting space(s).

Babies and preschool age children: Israeli music and dance classes that incorporate Hebrew; birthday parties on Yom Ha’atzmaut

Elementary School: Israeli dancing; Krav Maga (Israeli self-defense); sister school program and Israeli email-pals [Note: These programs can carry through high school.]

Middle School: Israel-bowl where students have annual community-wide contest about the land, history, people and modern achievements of Israel; joint science fairs with sister schools; resources and incentive grants for families planning bar/bat mitzvah trips to Israel

High School: Israel desk to promote information about high school study programs and administer scholarships and/or subsidies; Israel advocacy training tailored to prepare high school students for college campuses
In select cities such as Boston and Palo Alto, I dream of founding secular Israeli private high schools with an emphasis on math, science and entrepreneurship. The students would study Israeli history. Culture and Hebrew would be offered in addition to other languages. These high schools would attract those seeking an excellent, cutting edge education that will prepare them for the hottest fields of 21st century and intimately link them to Israel and her boundless energy, drive and initiative.
Faculty from Israeli schools and universities as well as business leaders from Israel would be teachers. Students would travel to Israel during the course of their studies and host Israeli high school students as well. These secular Israeli high schools would be an ideal partnership between Israeli and American universities, day schools, businesses, the organized Jewish community and the government of Israel.

College: Israel desk would provide information about study-abroad and post-college programs in Israel and would administer scholarships and/or subsidies

Professionals: Provide business connections/networking opportunities with Israelis in the U.S. and abroad; advocacy training; Israel desk to encourage travel to and time-share and/or second home purchases in Israel

Adults: Volunteer and travel opportunities in Israel; ulpan; cultural events (films, artist in residence, cooking, music); Israel desk to encourage travel to and retirement options in Israel

For the entire community provide funding for: shlichim; scholars-in-residence; Israeli dancing; advocacy training; Yom HaZikaron commemorations and Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations

Nanette Fridman is president of Fridman Strategies, a consulting firm for mission-driven organizations. She earned her BA in political science from Tufts University and her MPP and JD from Georgetown University. Nanette attended Alexander Muss High School in Israel and spent her junior year at the Rothberg School for Oversees Students at Hebrew University. She blogs athttp://nanettefridman.wordpress.com/ and can be reached at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).