As part of CJP's Boston-Haifa Partnership, the Boston-Haifa Social Justice & Civil Society Committee is chaired by Jane Matlaw in Boston and Avi Shitzer and Nitsa Shelef in Haifa.

Background of the Boston-Haifa Social Justice & Civil Society Committee

The Boston-Haifa Social Justice and Civil Society Committee is committed to its mission.  In particular, this Committee's work has been and continues to focus on closing the social and economic gaps that exist among the diverse populations in Haifa and in helping to make it a model city of a civil society for all of Israel.

The challenges in achieving this mission are not small given the alarming growth of poverty and other economic challenges in Haifa and throughout Israel in general.  There is significantly uneven social and economic development among varying disadvantaged populations in Haifa.  The demand for collaboration and involvement with social justice organizations has never been greater given the government's significant challenges in meeting the social and economic needs of its most vulnerable individuals and populations. 

The Boston-Haifa Social Justice and Civil Society Committee is committed to: serving as an agent for positive social change; making the city's Council of Volunteer Organizations into a strong organizational resource and convener; acting on our responsibility to reduce inequality alienation and social injustice; and creating a model for bridging and closing the social and economic gaps in Haifa that can serve as an example for the rest of the nation.

Mission Statement:

The Boston-Haifa Social Justice & Civil Society Committee strives to reduce social and economic gaps in Haifa.  The Committee serves as an agent to initiate, support, sustain and empower processes, relationships, and organizations involved with social change and the development of a civil society. 

Current Projects of the Social Justice & Civil Society Committee:

Haifa and Boston NGO leaders participate in an activity at The City School, one of the Learning Exchange Research Project participating organizations.

Boston-Haifa NGO Learning Exchange & Network

In cooperation with the Haifa-Boston Steering Committee in Haifa, the JCRC committee includes efforts to empower NGO leaders and strengthen the third sector in Haifa through the Boston-Haifa NGO Leaders Network. 

In Boston, Jewish and non-Jewish community leaders and involved lay leaders participate in this project.  The Committee seeks to expand the network of involved Boston NGO leaders to others who are interested in connecting with Israel by sharing their skills and connections in the area of nonprofit leadership to address economic and social justice issues in Haifa. 

The Boston-Haifa NGO Learning Exchange Research Project brought together 10 NGOs in 2007 to support the growth of the organizations and NGO sectors and to empower NGO leaders.  The participating organizations, listed in Haifa-Boston matches, are Yedid and the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization; Hiyot and Centro Presente; Yeladeinu Betnufa and The City School; Kayan and Project Hope; and the Council of Volunteer Organizations and JCRC.  Sixteen (16) Boston and Haifa NGO leaders, plus staff and Jenny Cohen and Donna Haig Friedman as researchers were involved in the Learning Exchange Research Project. 

The Network will convene in Boston September 14-18, 2008 for a seminar.  Click here to read more about the Network.

"I have gained a lot of strength from this experience while simultaneously experiencing the challenges of leadership.  By learning with and from women that lead NGOs, I have received power of what it means to be a leader, and look forward to continuing to grow the Network."  ~ Learning exchange participant