Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) - Boston Haifa Connection

The Boston-Haifa Connection has been changing lives and opening hearts since it was established by Combined Jewish Philanthropies and the City of Haifa in 1989. The Connection builds "living bridges" between the sister cities and strengthens the social fabric of both societies. As Israel's third-largest city and a center for pluralism and coexistence, Haifa makes an ideal sister city for Boston. At the heart of the Connection are person-to-person relationships that have evolved for almost two decades through visits, phone calls, e-mails and videoconferencing. Haifaim and Bostonians recognize each other as friends, colleagues and individuals pursuing the highest Jewish values through their work together. Click here to visit the site.

The Council for Volunteers (CVO)

The ultimate vision for the Council is that it will operate as an umbrella organization for NGOs in Haifa that will coordinate the activities of civil society organizations, empower NGOs and their volunteers, and increase the connection between Boston and Haifa NGOs.  Specifically, the Council will strengthen NGOs by helping the organizations to network and coordinate activities with one another.  At the same time, the Council will provide resources to individual NGOs such as advice regarding media access, fundraising techniques and volunteer management.  Finally, the Council will empower volunteers by providing placement services with volunteer organizations within Haifa.  The Council is currently engaged in reviewing their institutional design and activities.  We have asked the Council to comment on how their institutionalized structure will best facilitate their ability to acheive the aforementioned goals and to suggest specific programs that will bolster their effectiveness.

McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at UMASS

The Center for Social Policy (CSP) provides expertise on policies and practices that reduce social and economic inequities in Massachusetts and the nation. Through active community engagement, CSP takes a critical look at the structural causes for low wages, housing affordability problems and the unequal distribution of resources. In the family centered approach to research, they use innovative and pragmatic ways to reshape policies to promote solutions that address the root causes of poverty; this work is carried out by collaborating with multiple stakeholders, including people from communities most affected by state and federal social welfare policies, as well as service providers, policymakers, employers, labor unions, and philanthropic organizations. Click here to visit the site

Shatil

The New Israel Fund's Empowerment and Training Center for Social Change Organizations in Israel, was established in 1982 to strengthen civil society efforts and promote democracy, tolerance, and social justice in Israel. Each year, Shatil provides close to 1,400 nonprofit organizations with consulting, training, coalition-building assistance and other services. In addition, Shatil reaches out to disadvantaged populations - like new immigrants, Arab Israelis and residents of development towns - to help them realize their rights and play an active role in determining the policies that affect their lives. Click here to visit the site.