Jerusalem Foundation

The Jerusalem Foundation was founded in 1966 by the former Israeli mayor of the city Teddy Kollek. It claims to work toward 'creating an open, equitable and modern society by responding to the needs of residents and improving their quality of life' and has carried out thousands of projects - such as building community centers, sports complexes, parks, children’s playgrounds, libraries, theaters and museums - across the city including in East Jerusalem.
It works closely with the Jerusalem Municipality and regards the city as having been 'unified', stressing that Arab citizens of Jerusalem can also benefit from its projects but ignores the fact that under international law East Jerusalem is considered illegally occupied territory. The JF refers to Jerusalem as 'Israel's capital city'JERUSALEM FOUNDATION APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT, MARK SOFER, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 10 Sept 2012 - a status not recognized by the international community which regards East Jerusalem as the future capital of a Palestinian state.
==History==
In 1965 Teddy Kollek was appointed Mayor of West Jerusalem and he established the Jerusalem Foundation the following year with the aim of 'raising funds in Israel and around the world to promote the social and physical development' of Jerusalem. In 1967 Israel captured and occupied East Jerusalem and extended the city's municipal boundaries so that Kollek became de facto mayor of all Jerusalem. The foundation's logo, a tulip symbol, is reportedly 'shaped as a turret from the Old City wall'.He wants to unite Jerusalem. And you thought your job was hard, Jewish Chronicle, accessed 19 Sept 2012
Ruth Cheshin, co-founder and current President Emeritus of the JF, served as President for 45 years from its inception. The JF claims that over $1.5 billion was raised during this time. In October 2011 Mark Sofer was appointed as the new president. He was formerly Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel's Ambassador to Ireland and then to India.
 
Since being founded in Jerusalem, the foundation established international boards in the USA, UK, Austria, Canada, France (and French speaking countries), Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Brazil.
===Mitt Romney speech 2012===
On July 29 2012 the Republican American Presidential candidate Mitt Romney addressed the Jerusalem Foundation during his visit to Israel. His speech praised Israel's achievements as a 'wonder of the modern world' and pointedly called Jerusalem 'the capital of Israel', in defiance of international law and numerous UN resolutions. He did not mention Palestinians or the occupation once.Mitt Romney's Remarks to the Jerusalem Foundation, Council on Foreign Relations, accessed 10 Sept 2012
==Activities==
The Jerusalem Foundation claims it has worked on over 4000 projects and states that its work 'touches every population – Jewish, Muslim and Christian – of every social group of every age, in every neighborhood of the city'. It boasts that the 'landscape of Jerusalem has been immeasurably enriched' by its work and declares that it 'has an unmatched track record in creating and nurturing philanthropy projects in Israel'.About the Jerusalem Foundation, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 10 Sept 2012 As well as building community centers, sports complexes, parks, theaters and museums, the JF funds educational projects, support for the elderly and those with special needs and sponsors cultural activities.
In 1978, JF founder Teddy Kollek initiated the establishment of the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies (JIIS) which conducts research on three core topics: Jerusalem, conflict resolution and environmental policy.Our History, Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, 10 Sept 2012Our Mission, Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, 10 Sept 2012
Some of the JF's flagship projects have included the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens, the Naggar School of Photography, Media and New Music, the Stella and Alexander Margulies Education Center on Mount Herzl, the Max Rayne Hand in Hand School for Bilingual Education, The Sobell Oncology Unit at Hadassah Hospital, The Kraft Stadium, the Bernard M. Bloomfield Science Museum, and the Koschitzky Young Adults Center at the Morasha Community Center - all named after prominent donors to the organisation.
===Projects in Occupied East Jerusalem===
Under article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which states that an occupying power 'shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies'International Humanitarian Law - Treaties & Documents - Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949, International Committee of the Red Cross, accessed 18 Sept 2012, Israeli construction and settlement beyond the Green Line is illegal. The Jerusalem Foundation - which carries out building projects in settlements such as Gilo, Neve Ya'akov, Pisgat Ze'ev, East Talpiot and French Hill - can be seen as complicit in the Israeli state's illegal settlement activity of East Jerusalem.Corporate Complicity in Israel's Violations of International Humanitarian and International Human Rights Law: Findings of the London Session - p.26, paragraphs 5.4B.5 - 5.4B.12, Russell Tribunal on Palestine, accessed 18 Sept 2012 
The JF has also built in Palestinian neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem including Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, which have both been targeted by settlers and are seen by some commentators as areas where the Israeli authorities are carrying out a form of ethnic cleansing - the term has been used by the UN Special Rapporteur on the on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian Territories, Richard Falk, and Palestinian journalist Ahmed Moor, among othersUN official: Israel engaging in ethnic cleansing,YNet, accessed 18 Sept 2012Ahmed Moor, The front line of ethnic cleansing, Al Jazeera English, 10 Sept 2012. The JF built a medical centre and sports field in the former and a school and kindergarten in the latter. In Silwan, the JF has also 'pioneered much of the archaeological discovery and preservation projects including the City of David excavations'Annual Report 2009 Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 10 Sept 2012, a notorious dig interpreted by some commentators as a means to strengthen Israel's control of East Jerusalem.Scott Wilson, A Dig Into Jerusalem's Past Fuels Present-Day Debates, Washington Post, accessed June 6
====Funding for East Jerusalem projects====
*Three out of four of the JF's listed projects in the Palestinian neighbourhood of Shuafat were funded by Yad Hanadiv, a Rothschild family philanthropic foundation operating in Israel.About, Yad Hanadiv, accessed 17 Sept 2012
*The JF medical centre in the Palestinians neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah was built with money from a number of sources including the Berlin Municipality and British registered charities the Sobell Foundation and the Rayne Foundation.
*A sports field in Sheik Jarrah was renovated in 1996 with funds from an American organisation called the Foundation for New Era Philanthropy. It is not clear if there is any connection to the notorious Ponzi scheme of the same name which was bankrupted in 1995, or not., FBI, accessed 17 Sept 2012
*A kindergarten in the Palestinian Silwan area was funded with American money from the Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation.
*A Silwan school was provided with equipment with the help of the German state of North Rhine Westphalia.
*An adventure playground in the East Jerusalem settlement of Neve Ya’acov was in part funded by the leadership of the UK Jerusalem Foundation and the Community Development Programme in the same place by the JF’s New York leadership.
*A high school in the settlement of Pisgat Ze’ev was funded entirely by Lily Safra, widow of Edmond Safra and one of the richest women in the world.Sunday Times Rich List 2012 – UK’s Richest People, Sunday Times via therichest.org, accessed 17 Sept 2012
*Four projects in East Talpiot were carried out with the help of North America, Canadian, Swiss and Israeli money.
*A kindergarten in the French Hill settlement received donations from Germany.Interactive map - search by region, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 17 Sept 2012
==='Museum on the Seam' in the Baramki house===
The Jerusalem Foundation says that its project, the 'Museum on the Seam', established in 1999 through 'the generous support of the von Holtzbrinck family of Germany', aims to make 'a contribution to a better society in Israel and abroad' and 'calls for listening and dialogue, for acceptance of the Other in society and those different from us and for respect for human dignity and liberty'.Musuem on the Seam, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 17 Sept 2012 However, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) claims that the building is the rightful property of the Palestinian Baramki family, having been built by prominent Palestinian architect, Andoni Baramki in 1932 but appropriated by the Israeli state 'under the racist Absentees’ Property Law of 1950, which was used to pillage the property of Palestinians ethnically cleansed during the Nakba and even those who were internally displaced and declared as “present absentees.”' PACBI states that the story of the building is 'one of thousands of similar stories; but this particular case exemplifies the wider injustice' and calls for pressure to be put on Israel to return it and other properties.The Baramki House: The Absent / Present, PACBI, accessed 17 Sept 2012
===Culture as propaganda===
In its 2010 annual report, the JF that one of the aims of its cultural projects is 'impacting the city's image as a dynamic, relevant cultural center' and that its 'intensive efforts, accompanied by those of the Jerusalem Municipality and other strategic partners, are bearing noticeable and measurable results.' It describes how 'Israeli and international press covering many of the city's cultural events highlighted the richness and quality of Jerusalem's unique and varied cultural landscape' and claims that the 'significant increase in cultural activity and the positive change in the public perception were a direct result of our continued, strategic support'.Annual Report 2010, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 11 Sept 2012 In 2011, the section on cultural projects in the JF's annual report stated that one of its three overarching goals was to 'Impact the Image of the City'.Annual Report 2011, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 11 Sept 2012
====UK boycott of Jerusalem Quartet====
The Jerusalem Quartet, described by the JF as 'prestigious cultural ambassador for Jerusalem and Israel'Culture > Performing Arts > Jerusalem Quartet, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 11 Sept 2012 who requested donors provide $140,000 to sponsors their classical music tours, have been boycotted in Edinburgh2010 April 8th: “RACISM” CHARGE DROPPED AGAINST ISRAEL PROTESTORS, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, accessed 11 Sept 2012, LondonJerusalem Quartet Concert at London's Wigmore Hall is Disrupted & Radio 3's Live Broadcast is Terminated, Tony Greenstein's Blog, accessed 11 Sept 2012 and Brighton.Protesters disrupt performance by the Jerusalem Quartet in support of a boycott of Israel, Indymedia UK, accessed 11 Sept 2012
====Palestinian call for boycott of writers festival====
In February 2012 PACBI, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, issued a statement calling on writers not to take part in the International Writers' Festival, held in Mishkenot Sha'ananim, Jerusalem, May 13-18 2012. Sponsored by the Jerusalem Foundation, along with the Israeli Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Jerusalem Municipality, the Israeli President was also due to preside over the festival's opening. PACBI noted the public relations intent of the festival to 'improve the image of Jerusalem'. In their view, participation in the festival constituted a 'celebration of Apartheid' since 'Israel subjects Palestinians to a cruel system of dispossession and racial discrimination' in Jerusalem and elsewhere. They called on writers to boycott the festival and cited John Berger, Arundhati Roy, Alice Walker, Judith Butler, Iain Banks, Naomi Klein, Ahdaf Soueif and Eduardo Galeano as notable pro-boycott literary figures.Public appeal to international writers: do not partake in celebrating apartheid Jerusalem!, PACBI, accessed 11 Sept 2012
====Boycott From Within call for boycott of Israel Festival====
In 2012 Israeli citizens from 'Boycott From Within' who support the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, called on artists due to participate in the Israeli Festival, held in Jerusalem in May, not to participate. They wrote: 'Please do not whitewash segregation, racism and occupation' and stated that the call to boycott was 'all the more relevant' because the festival was sponsored by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, the Municipality of Jerusalem and the Jerusalem Foundation. The British Council and the US Embassy in Tel Aviv also sponsored the festival.Sponsors and Collaborations, Israel Festival, accessed 11 Sept 2012 They warned potential performers that 'the Israeli government will endeavor to use your name to legitimize and promote the current oppressive and racist order'.FROM ISRAELI CITIZENS TO PARTICIPANTS OF THE ISRAEL FESTIVAL - PLEASE DO NOT WHITEWASH SEGREGATION, RACISM AND OCCUPATION, Boycott From Within, accessed 11 Sept 2012
==='Stemming negative migration': playing the demographic game?===
In the foundation's 2010 annual report, President Ruth Cheshin wrote: 'Our work over the last few years has largely focused on stemming negative migration from the city'. When Mark Sofer succeeded her as President in 2011, he reiterated this concern in the 2011 annual report, describing the fact that '[m]ore and more young families are moving out of Jerusalem' as a 'challenge' and writing of an increase in residents in one neighbourhood, Kiryat HaYovel, 'defying the citywide trend and a statistic we would like to see take hold citywide'. According to the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies (JIIS) - established with the support of JF founder Teddy Kollek - migration from Jerusalem has accelerated in the last three decades and the vast majority of those choosing to leave have been Jewish residentsTable V/1 - Internal Migration to and from Jerusalem, 1980 - 2010, Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, accessed 18 Sept 2012.
While data from the Central Bureau of Statistic reportedly shows that Jewish and Arab birthrates in Jerusalem are approximately equalDemographic Revolution: Jewish, Arab Growth Equal in Jerusalem, Israel National News, accessed 18 Sept 2012, the high negative migration of Jews is contributing to a decline in Jerusalem's Jewish majority. The JIIS has compiled data charting this trendTable III/1 - Population of Israel and Jerusalem, by Population Group, 1922 - 2010, Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, accessed 18 Sept 2012 and observes:
Over the years, there has been an evident decline in the proportionate size of Jerusalem’s Jewish population, with a concomitant increase in the proportion of the Arab population. The proportion of the Jewish population fell from 74% in 1967 to 72% in 1980, to 68% in 2000, and to 64% in 2010. Simultaneously the Arab population rose from 26% in 1967 to 28% in 1980, to 32% in 2000, and to 36% in 2010'.Jerusalem: Facts and Trends 2012, p.7, Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, accessed 18 Sept 2012
Since the negative migration referred to by the JF is occurring overwhelmingly among Jewish residents and contributing to a decreasing Jewish majority in the city, it seems that the JF's focus on stemming migration may indicate a concern with demographics and the balance of Jewish and non-Jewish residents in Jerusalem. Although the population of the city is growing overall, such concerns would chime with the discourse of many Israeli politicians. Labor and Kadima officials have, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, been worried by the trend, which they term Jerusalem's 'demographic problem' and have 'advocated changing Jerusalem's jurisdiction' to counteract it.Jerusalem's Jewish population declining due to 'exodus', Haaretz, accessed 18 Sept 2012 Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert proposed partitioning Jerusalem and excluding Arab neighbourhoods in order to 'secure the Jewish majority of the city'Caroline Glick, Column One: Olmert's plan for Jerusalem, The Jerusalem Post, accessed 18 Sept 2012. Israeli journalist Nadavai Shragai has referred to 'the demographic crisis of the Jews in Jerusalem'The lies of Jerusalem, Haaretz, accessed 18 Sept 2012, while another writer has stated: 'As Jerusalem’s Arab population swells and Jewish population shrinks, Israelis are becoming increasingly concerned about the difficulty of maintaining Jerusalem’s status as the eternal capital of the Jewish State in the future.'Lisa Katz, Jerusalem's Changing Demographics, Judaism.About.com, accessed 18 Sept 2012 The New York Times reports that '[f]or four decades, Israel has pushed to build and expand Jewish neighborhoods, while trying to restrict the growth in Arab parts of the city'.Greg Myre, Israeli Riddle: Love Jerusalem, Hate Living There, New York Times, accessed 18 Sept 2012 although the allegation that Israel is trying to 'Judaize' the city is vehemently denied by some supporters.Is Jerusalem Being “Judaized”?, Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs, accessed 19 Sept 2012
Further evidence that that the JF's concern with out-migration is related to demography can be found in a Jerusalem Post article of 2007, reporting that then JF President Ruth Cheshin criticised the Israeli government's perceived inaction in the face of what she referred to as 'demographic challenges' and other problems such as poverty. She said: 'History will surely judge all those who stood at the helm of the government and did not bother to save and cultivate Jerusalem'. The Post reported that her criticism came 'on the heels of a series of 'surveys and statistics showing that the population of Jerusalem is becoming increasingly less Jewish, with thousands of young Israelis quitting the city in search of better jobs and affordable housing in the suburbs and nearby cities'.Etgar Lefkovits, Cheshin: History will judge those who did not bother to save and cultivate Jerusalem, Jerusalem Post, accessed 19 Sept 2012 In addition, Cheshin's successor Mark Sofer has expressed worries over '[t]he trend of certain groups and young people leaving' Jerusalem and described the city as having 'demographic problems'.
===Greenwashing===
One of the JF's strategic aims is 'greening Jerusalem' and a key goal is to 'promote Jerusalem as a national, and perhaps global, model of a Green City'Greening the City of Gold: A Comprehensive Environmental Strategy, p.2, Jerusalem Foundation 18 Sept 2012, according to its report Greening the City of Gold: A Comprehensive Environmental Strategy. It seeks to use environmental projects as a means to gloss over legitimate political grievances, stating that it is 'a neutral subject that can be shared by all Jerusalem’s populations, despite ethnic, social and political differences.' By stressing that the struggle for sustainability is an issue that affects 'all sides equally', the JF attempts to obscure the legal, social, economic and political inequalities faced by Palestinians: 'The Joint Environment, Community and Future program was developed jointly by the Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Community Development. At the center of the program is the understanding that the existing environmental issues and conflicts that exist in the Israeli–Palestinian geographical area influence all sides equally, regardless of political boundaries.' 
====Partnering with the JNF====
The JF's partner organisations reveal the highly political nature of its environmental work and its instrumentalisation as a means of promoting Israel and shifting the focus away from discrimination against Palestinians. Its work on Community Gardens, for instance, might have been innocuous were it not for the fact that it works closely with the state - the Jerusalem Municipality and the Ministry of Environmental Protection - as well as the Joint Distribution Committee and the Jewish National Fund, the latter notorious for its greenwashing activities.Stop the Jewish National Fund Greenwashing, Boycott National Committee, accessed 18 Sept 2012JNF 'greenwashing' exposed at UN Climate Change Conference, Stop the JNF, accessed 18 Sept 2012
====The other Buffer Zone====
Ironically, the JF's report, discussing the protection of animal species, uses the term 'Buffer Zone' to describe 'a natural separation area between intensive human activities and the gazelle population'. Its more common usage in Israel is to signify the military no-go area covering land and sea around the perimeter of the Gaza Strip which prevents farmers and fishermen from working and in which many Palestinians have been killed and injured by the Israeli military.PCHR Fact Sheet: the Buffer Zone in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Center for Human Rights, accessed 18 Sept 2012
===Teddy Kollek Award===
The Jerusalem Foundation gives out the Teddy Kollek Award - named after the founder of the organisation - annually to "those who have demonstrated significant contributions to the city of Jerusalem". Frequently it gives the prize to groups and individuals who have consistently donated to the Jerusalem Foundation.
*2005 winners included Simon Rothschild (Switzerland) and John C. Whitehead (United States), both donors.Annual Report 2005, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 17 Sept 2012
*2006 winners included Dr. h.c. Johannes Gerster (Germany) and The Hon. Marion and Guy Naggar (United Kingdom), both donors.Annual Report 2006, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 17 Sept 2012
*2007 winners included Mendel Kaplan (South Africa) and The Rayne Foundation (United Kingdom), both donors.Annual Report 2007, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 17 Sept 2012
*2008 winners included The Sobell Foundation (United Kingdom) and the Life Achievement Award went to Lia Van Leer (Israel), both donors.Annual Report 2008, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 11 Sept 2012
*2009 winners included BMW Group (Germany) & Marcus Margulies (United Kingdom) and a Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Lord Weidenfeld (United Kingdom); all are donors.
*2010 winners included Robert de Rothschild, a JF donor.
*2011 winners included Aleksander Gudzowaty, Poland and Fred Worms, United Kingdom and Israel, both donors.
===Public Relations===
According to the client list of Finn Partners Israel, formerly called Ruder Finn Israel, the company has worked for Jerusalem Foundation as well as a series of government agencies and Israeli lobby groups and NGOs.Past Clients - NGO/NPO, Finn Partners Israel, accessed 10 Sept 2012
==Affiliations==
*Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace
*Hebrew University of Jerusalem
*Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies
*Jerusalem Municipality
*Jewish National Fund
*Joint Distribution Committee
==People==
===Israel===
Jerusalem Foundation
Leadership
Teddy Kollek- founder (deceased)
Mark Sofer - President
Mayor Nir Barkat - Honorary ChairmanProfile: Nir Barkat, BBC News, accessed 17 Sept 2012 
Ruth Cheshin - Co-founder and President Emeritus
Sallai Meridor - International Chairman
Board of Directors
David Brodet - Chairman
Ronit Abramson
Zvi Agmon
Yoram Belizovsky
Tamar Ben-David
Ruth Cheshin
Ruth Diskin
Alan Hassenfeld
Stuart Hershkowitz
Prof. Meir Heth
Gary Leibler
Sallai Meridor
Harry Sapir
Dr. Yoni Shimshoni
Dan Suesskind
Yossi Vardi
Moshe Vidman
General Assembly
Yaron Angel
Avraham Asheri
Tamara Barnea
Shlomo Belkind
George Birenbaum
Amnon Eisenberg
Dr. Moshe Eliash 
Michael Federmann
Prof. Ruth Gavison
Ralph Goldman
Ruth Gorenstein
David Hacohen
Nechama Hillman
Richard Hirsch
Ya'acov Hirsch
Julia Koschitzky
Amos Mar-Haim
Lewis G. Mitz
Raphael Molcho
Shlomit Molho
Jacob Ner-David
Doron Rechlevsky
Yaron Sadan
George Saman
Micha Shagrir 
Imad Telhami
Ran Tuttnauer
Prof. Menachem Ya'ari
Staff
Daniel Mimran - General Director
Alan Freeman - Vice President, Major Gifts & U.S. Desk Head
Hedva Foguel - Legal Advisor
David Kindler - Chief Financial Officer
Ariella Bernstein - Chief of Staff
Nadim Shiban - Projects
Eyal Sher - Arts and Culture
Sagit Avitan - Personnel
Daniel Feuchtwanger - Asset Management and Maintenance
Haim Barimboim - Project Construction
Roi Singer - Architect
Liat Rosner - Marketing Communications
Nomi Yeshua - Director of Overseas Development and Coordination
Steve Solomon - Canada Desk
Neil Greenbaum - U.K. Desk
Irene Pollak-Rein - German Speaking Desk
Gabriele Appel - National Director in Germany
Arie Zahavi - Spanish Speaking Desk
Tamar Millo - Italian Desk
Nurit Braun - French Speaking Desk
Ariella Bernstein - Communications and Publications
Israel Board of Directors, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 10 Sept 2012Staff, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 10 Sept 2012
===International===
===USA===
The Jerusalem Foundation, Inc., 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1645, New York, NY 10170. In 2010 the organisation reported a revenue of $11,445,904.The Jerusalem Foundation, Charity Navigator, accessed 10 Sept 2012
====Leadership====
Moshe Fogel - Executive Director | Alan G. Hassenfeld - Chairman | Kenneth J. Bialkin - Vice Chairman | Mark Sofer - International President | Stephen R. Reiner - Secretary/Treasurer | Nahum Bernstein (deceased) - Founding Chairman | Alvin Einbender - Honorary Chairman | Ambassador Max M. Kampelman - Honorary Chairman | Sallai Meridor - International Chairman | Harvey Rothenberg - Founding Secretary/Treasurer | Steven Scheinfeld - General Counsel |
====Directors====
Isaac Appelbaum | David N. Bottoms, Jr. | Daniel Crown | Lester Crown | Neal Goldman | Linda Jesselson | Jordan Kassalow | Robert Kraft | Nathan Leight | Isidore Mayrock | Theodore Mirvis | Allen Model | Ambassador Lyndon Olson, Jr. | Bernard M. Plum | Bernard Rapoport | David Recanati | Craig Reicher | John Shapiro | Herbert Wander | Leonard A. Wilf | Honorable John C. Whitehead - Director Emeritus |The Jerusalem Foundation, Inc. (USA), Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 10 Sept 2012
===UK===
The Jerusalem Foundation in the UK (registered charity number: 258306) is administered by Prism the Gift Fund ((Number: 1099682), registered to 20 Gloucester Place,London, W1U 8HA. In 2010 the JF's UK arm reported an income of £1,196,030.The Jerusalem Foundation, Charity Commission, accessed 10 Sept 2012Prism the Gift Fund,Charity Commission, accessed 10 Sept 2012.
====Leadership====
Peter Halban, CBE - Chairman of Board of Directors | Leslie Paisner- Founder (deceased) | Lois Sieff, OBE - Chairman Emeritus | Peter Sheldon OBE - Treasurer | Howard Leigh - Executive (appointed chairman January 2016) | Guy Naggar Executive |
====Trustees====
Janet Wolfson de Botton | Dame Vivien Clore Duffield, CBE | Jack Livingstone,OBE | Lord Moser | Martin Paisner CBE | Ninette Perahia | Lady Jane Rayne | The Hon. Robert Rayne | Anthony Rosenfelder | Mak Sofer | Lord Weidenfeld | Lord Woolf | Michael Ziff
=====Former=====
Lord Bernstein - former President of the UK Board | Nurit Gordon - former UK Desk Head in Jerusalem | Michael Phillips - former Excutive | Fred Worms, OBE - former Executive | Anthony Bloom - former Executive | Jane Biran- former trustee | Ruth Cheshin - former trustee | Sir Harry Djanogly, CBE- former trustee | David Pannick, QC - former trustee | Lord Stone of Blackheath - former trustee | Sheila Ford - former Administrator| UK Board of Directors, accessed 10 Sept 2012
===Other overseas branches===
The Jerusalem Foundation also has boards internationally in the following countries:
*Austria
*Canada
*France and French speaking countries.
*Germany
*Italy
*Switzerland
*Spain
*Brazil.Israel and International Boards, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 10 Sept 2012
In February 2012 a new Jerusalem Foundation office was opened in Geneva.Jerusalem Foundation Opens Geneva Office, Jerusalem Foundation, accessed 17 Sept 2012
Formerly the Jerusalem Foundation had a presence in the Netherlands (circa 2005), in Australia (2005-6), and in the Principality of Lichenstein (2005-2008).
==Funding==
Since 2003, the JF has had a regular annual income averaging more than $25 million. Its 2011 annual report puts its income that year at $26.8 million. Of this, 39.8% was raised in the United States, 9.9% in Israel itself, 9.4% in the UK and the rest from other international sources. Private donors contributed 75% of this income, foundations provided 18% and 'Governments and Public Support' 6.6%.
===Declining American contributions===
Donations from North America seem to have decreased in recent years. In its earliest available annual report from 2005, the JF reports that its USA arm contributed 53% of its overall income and in 2006 this rose to 57%. However in 2007, the proportion dropped to under half of the total, with 49.8%, and the following year the figure was 44.4%. By 2009 contributions from the USA had shrunk to 28.7% though this ratio has risen again in recent years - but remained under 40%. In 2010 the USA contributed 37.8% and then 39.8% in 2011.
The trend of declining income for American 'Friends of' Israeli organisation is reportedly widespread. Some view the impact of recession as the main factors but Steven Cohen of the Hebrew Union College has claimed that the acquisition of younger supporters is becoming difficult for such groups and that 'the increase in intermarriage is correlated with a decrease in attachment to Israel'. A growing population of Orthodox Jews could offset that reluctance, he claims.For ‘Friends’ Groups, A New Normal, The Jewish Week, accessed 11 Sept 2012
JF America's national director in 2011, James Gurland, has said that new, younger supporters are being sought because the average age of the group's top 20 donors is 65 - and they account for '60 to 70 percent of the organization’s gifts'. Efforts to woo new supporters have included hosting its first gala in 10 years in December 2011 'in the hope that the event will lure new donors'. The foundation also reportedly sponsored a group of fellows on behalf of a social entrepreneurship ideas incubator called PresenTense 'to strengthen its connections to emerging philanthropists and leaders'.For ‘Friends’ Groups, A New Normal, The Jewish Week, accessed 11 Sept 2012
===Donors===
Donors to the Jerusalem Foundation listed in its annual reports have included several branches of the Israeli government, a number of European state sources, private sector donors - including an arms company, Excalibur Systems Ltd - and a series of well-known Zionist organisations and individuals.
Donors
Israeli Government
Jerusalem Municipality
Ministry of Education - Israel
Bituach Leumi (National Insurance Institute, Israel)
Ministry of Culture
The Joint Distribution Committee - Israel
Ministry of Culture and Sport
Ministry of Tourism
Other governments
National Bank of Austria
Swiss Government (DEZA — Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation)
Austrian Chancellery
Austrian Embassy
Austrian Ministry of Education and Science
Geneva Municipality
Liechtenstein Principality
Ministero degli Esteri (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Italy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain
Austrian Ministry of Education, Art and Culture
French Embassy
Province of Rome
Delegation of the EU
Corporate Donors
B.M.W. Group
Daimler-Chrysler
Glencore Foundation for Education and Welfare
Bank of Jerusalem
Excalibur Systems Ltd
Coca Cola Israel
GivingExpress Program of AMEX
Goldman Sachs & Company
News Corporation Foundation
Novartis International
UBS, Jersey
Israel Chemicals Ltd
Sotheby’s (USA)
Private donors
Groups
Bnai Brith Leo Baeck (London)
Canadian Christians for Israel
Axel Springer Foundation
Jewish Agency
Manchester Friends of the Jerusalem Foundation in Conjunction with Machester J.I.A
UK Board of Trustees & Friends of the Jerusalem Foundation
Lewis Family Charitable Trust
Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
Keren Hayesod Canada
Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies
Jewish National Fund - Canada
Jewish National Fund - USA
Bialkin Family Foundation, see Kenneth Bialkin.
World Zionist Organization (WZO)
Ronson Foundation, see Gerald Ronson
Wolfensohn Family Foundation, see James Wolfensohn
Individuals
Nir Barkat - Jerusalem Mayor and JF Honorary Chairman
Guy Naggar
Dame Vivien Duffield DBE, through the Clore Israel Foundation
Renee and Lester Crown (2005)
Pierre Besnainou - French businessman
Charles Bronfman
Della and Fred Worms
Sir Trevor Chinn
Sir Ronald Cohen
Dame Shirley Porter - disgraced former leader of Westminster Council
Ruth Cheshin - former JF President
Lord Weidenfield & Lady Weidenfield
Robert De Rothschild
Kurt Rothschild
Simon Rothschild
Righteous Persons Foundation - film director Steven Spielberg’s charityAmelia Hill, Steven Spielberg was target of Arab League boycott, WikiLeaks cables show, The Guardian, accessed 17 Sept 2012
Ronald Lauder
Judy and Michael Steinhardt - co-founder of Taglit-Birthright
Dan Meridor - Likud Minister
Aleksander Gudzowaty - Polish billionaire
Richard Desmond - British newspaper owner
Gil Troy & Linda Adams
Clive Marks OBE
Lord Bernstein CBE
Sir Harry Djanogly & Lady Carol Djanogly
Robert Kraft & Myra Kraft (Kraft food group)
Max M. Kampelman - American diplomat
==Publications==
*Community Empowerment at the Abna Al-Quds (Spafford) Community Center, January 2010
*Greening the City of Gold: A Comprehensive Environmental Strategy, May 2011
*Report on Coexistence and East Jerusalem Community Development Activities, 2011
==Contact==
:Address: 11 Rivka Street, P.O.B. 10185 Jerusalem, 91101 Israel
:Tel: 972 - 2 - 675 1711
:Fax: 972 -2 - 673 4462
:Email: info@jfjlm.org
:Website: www.jerusalemfoundation.org
==Notes==
Category:Israel Lobby