This report was commissioned at the request of and sponsored by the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Philanthropic Foundation.
In this report, we present an overview of key social indicators and trends in Israel that underlie the choice of areas of social need described in this report. We also discuss some of the underlying factors that are influencing these trends and Israel’s unique social challenges. On the basis of this analysis, and on the basis of the analysis of the major thrust of the social policy of the government and of various philanthropic initiatives, we identify and present 6 key need areas and 37 specific possible areas of activity within these areas. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of the important ways of contributing to social needs in Israel.
The need areas are described in the context of a structured conceptual framework that can assist in making decisions on priorities. The report does not make specific recommendations but is designed to provide a more informed basis for decision-making.
The data we present provides, overall, a negative picture of the social trends in the last decade. The basic structural forces that have contributed to these negative trends are described in chapter 2 and the analysis indicates the importance of enhancing Israel’s efforts to deal with these forces. However, we want to emphasize that, the awareness of these trends and their important consequences for Israeli society has increased significantly in recent years. This has translated into a number of important initiatives by the government of Israel to address these issues. These initiatives have continued even in the current period of international economic crisis and there are plans to further expand them. Indeed, the last four years have seen a wealth of social policy initiatives for groups ranging from holocaust survivors, to children at risk, to the disabled and to the ultra-orthodox population. Moreover, there are also very significant philanthropic initiatives whether by the business sector, by foundations or by the organized Diaspora Jewish community, either in partnership with the government or more independently. Clearly, there are important opportunities to strengthen the extent and effectiveness of these much needed efforts. They represent significant prospects to make a major contribution, both as initiator and partner.
This report was prepared by an Institute-wide team that built on the broad expertise of the Institute in the major areas of social needs addressed in the report.