‘HAMANBETA’ – an accelerator for social- Jewish- Israeli entrepreneurship – is an ongoing Jerusalem collaboration between the Sapir Center and ‘RASHUT HaRABIM’ (‘The Public Sphere’) that seeks to provide a solution to the city’s social and cultural challenges by cultivating the next generation of Jewish-Israeli culture. The program aspires to create a new field of Jewish-Israeli initiatives for general Israeli and, specifically, Jerusalem society.
Jerusalem entrepreneurs active in Israeli Judaism organizations or independently are invited to take part in HAMANBETA and to develop innovative projects in the field of Jewish-Israeli culture that are tailored to the city’s needs.
In a series of ten sessions, the accelerator participants learn about entrepreneurship, communities, and Israeli-Jewish culture. At the same time, they receive guidance and professional individual mentoring in developing their own innovative initiative from HAMANBETA’s team of professional mentors.
The first group of participants began the program in the 2019-2020 academic year.The second group of new and enthusiastic entrepreneurs is currently in the middle of the program.
Two important partners joined the program during its second year of operation (2020-2021): the Jerusalem Municipality, via the ‘Gvanei Yerushalayim’ (Shades of Jerusalem) Program run by the Association of Community Centers, and ‘ Presentense’ – a non-profit organization that promotes an inclusive society of diverse populations.
. ‘Gvanei Yerushalayim’ assists the implementation of the initiatives developed at HAMANBETA in Jerusalem’s neighborhoods, and ‘Presenters’ direct some of the meetings.
Goals
- To encourage social entrepreneurs to create innovative programs in the field of Jewish-Israeli culture.
- To support innovative ways of addressing questions of Jewish-Israeli culture.
- To create an active and original community of activists that will lift the field of Jewish renewal in Jerusalem to the next level.
Target Audience
- Jerusalem entrepreneurs and organizations
- Communities and individuals in Jerusalem
Expected Results
The participants start with an idea for a project which they are expected to develop and begin experimenting with partners and funding, and to begin implementation.
The Initiatives
- “VETZAMACHTA BECHAGECHA”(“And you shall grow on your holidays”) – the initiator Moran Peled, together with the TALI Fund, is developing a Beit Midrash for personal growth which is inspired by the Jewish holidays. The project is intended for adult educators seeking to use the Jewish holidays as a foundation for personal and community growth. Moran is currently writing a book on the subject that will accompany the workshops.
- HAZEREM (The Flow)– the initiator Oren Weintraub, who works at ‘Tene Yerushalmi’ (Jerusalem Basket) has developed a platform for creating diverse meetings and events throughout the city that is aimed at youths and students with a community orientation. The project seeks to connect the participants to the city and to encourage them to engage in meaningful community activity.
- Beit Midrash addressing issues of modesty and gender– the initiator Tanya Regev has created a project that aims to facilitate discussion among educators (initially in the National-Religious education system and later, in mixed groups) on issues of Judaism and gender, with an emphasis on modesty and the attitude towards the body.
- ALIYA L’REGEL YERUKA (A Green Pilgrimage) – the initiator Merav Fishman has created a model of ‘pilgrimage’ to Jerusalem that emphasizes the connection between the city’s ancient heritage sites and familiarity with its cultural, economic, and ecological aspects.
- “This is your Ketubah” – the initiator Nataly Dahari Ben Namer seeks to create a designated website that will provide couples intending to marry with a range of possibilities for their wedding ceremony, will present different versions of the ketubah, ceremonies, and documents with additional halakhic validity, and which will allow couples to choose and design their own ketubah combining ancient Jewish heritage and their own individual values.
- Virtual Beit Midrash – together with World JCC and other ‘Public Sphere’ organizations,the initiator Noa Tal is developing online study of texts from new Hebrew culture. The project is intended for principals and educational coordinators from community centers in Jerusalem, Israel, and around the world. The online study addresses communitarianism and belonging via texts from new Hebrew culture. The project aspires to provide the participants tools for community work and a strengthened sense of belonging (both communal and national) and understanding of its importance.
In Addition: A Community Network for Israeli-Judaism Entrepreneurs
Following the completion of the first year of training in HAMANBETA, the need arose to establish a network of entrepreneurs in the field of Israeli Judaism to strengthen the innovative activity in the field of Israeli-Jewish culture.
Dozens of entrepreneurs from around Israel (and even some from overseas) joined the network. The project offers them:
- Monthly seminars in the fields of community, social entrepreneurship, and Jewish-Israeli culture
- A WhatsApp group for relevant updates
- Updates and invitations to participate in events, seminars, and other opportunities for entrepreneurs in the field
- Contact details of all the entrepreneurs and personal connections to facilitate active involvement