Donate
Why?
Small businesses are the beating heart of Israel’s economy, providing the majority of Israel’s GDP, workforce and annual growth. Despite this, young small business entrepreneurs are chronically underserved, left to attempt to trade and compete in a complex economy without sufficient skills or support.
Keren Shemesh is the only organization tackling this in Israel, working to cultivate and support the next generation of small business growth, entrepreneurship and job creation.
Every year we pair 350 new young entrepreneurs, drawn from all sectors of Israeli society, with more than 600 experienced, accomplished volunteer mentors from Israel’s business community for a long term program (2 years).
Maimonides defined eight levels of charity:
“The greatest level, above which there is no greater, is to support a fellow Jew by endowing him with a gift or loan, or entering into a partnership with him, or finding employment for him, in order to strengthen his hand so that he will not need to be dependent upon others. As it is said (Leviticus 25:35) ‘Then thou shalt uphold him: as a stranger and a settler shall he live with thee’, that is to say, strengthen his hand until he does not falter or need to be dependent upon others”
(Mishne Torah, Laws of Charity 10:7)
The best way to help the poor is to empower them to develop their abilities so they no longer need to rely on charity.
Keren Shemesh provides them with the tools for success!
How Can You Help? – Adopt Entrepreneurs!
You can choose entrepreneurs based on geographic location, field of occupation, and/or sector (new immigrants, Ethiopian-Israelis, women, people with disabilities, Ultra-Orthodox, newly discharged soldiers, single parents, etc.)
The cost of sponsoring one participant is 1,250 USD.
***This does not include the participation fee paid by the entrepreneur (145 USD) or the mentor volunteer hours (approximate value 7,000 USD).
Your support will allow your entrepreneur to receive:
- Initial consultation
- Personal guidance by a mentor – monthly four hour meetings with a senior executive for two years
- Membership in the Keren Shemesh community and the Entrepreneurs Helping Entrepreneurs program.
- Promoted advertising on the Keren Shemesh site
- Discounts on networking events, lectures and seminars
- Heavily subsidized business plan and professional consultation
- Mentorship and financial assistance
