The Jerusalem Post - Guide to Charity & Nonprofits

The Shalom Beinenu Foundation

We, at The Shalom Beinenu Foundation, believe that we are all part of one people bound together through a common heritage and history. Our aim is to reduce tensions between the secular and religious communities in Israel but not to influence anyone's religious or political opinion.
Shalom Shalom Beinenu's main goals are:
To encourage, and develop understanding, sensitivity and mutual respect between Jewish people from different streams of thought and lifestyles. To promote and advance the study and understanding of the elements which unite the Jewish people including classical sources, Jewish history and the State of Israel. Shalom Beinenu bases its activities on the philosophy of the Lubuvitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe loved every Jew regardless of his or her ethnic background, geographical location or religious philosophy. The Rebbe taught that the essence of a person is the Jewish soul within. The biblical injunction to "Love your neighbor as yourself" refers to the essence of the soul within each of us and not to external factors or superficial concerns.

Ongoing Activities:
Advertising Campaign- Twice a year, during the High Holidays and Passover, we try to reach every Jew with a uniting and provocative billboard campaign. So far we posted two campaigns September 1999 and April 2000.
Childrens projects - Shalom Beinenu sponsored a national essay competition for children. Hundreds of children submitted essays and we awarded 16 computers to the children who wrote the best essays. We plan to sponsor this competition annually.
The Gordon elementary school was the first school to incorporate SB's theme into it's extra curricular activities in 2000.
SB plans to publish a magazine for children 5 times a year which will incorporate both activities and promote our theme of "Ahavat Yisrael".
Publications - In 1999 we published the first pamphlet (Et Le'ehov) in our series on "Ahavat Yisrael".
Future Publications include:

Anthology on "Ahavat Yisrael" from a personal viewpoint, written by community leaders from all sectors of society.

Publication of sources on "Ahavat Yisrael".

A second pamphlet in our series on "Ahavat Yisrael" targeted at the hareidi community.

A siddur for Hebrew speaking beginners, requested and sponsored by non-religious donors.
Home study groups- In 1999 SB initiated what is becoming a national network of home based study groups. We sponsored a seminar to train lecturers for these groups and have a few groups that meet monthly in various cities.
Grants - We will be awarding grants to organizations that excel in promoting "Ahavat Yisrael" in Israel. To date we have awarded a grant to Elul, a beit midrash program for religious and non-religious adults. We chose this organization because in addition to a joint study program participants are encouraged to maintain long-term personal relationships. The grant was awarded at a Knesset ceremony together with MK Avraham Burg and Minister Rabbi Melchior.
We have also awarded a grant to Ezra U'Marpeh, an organization headed by Rabbi Firer, whom voluntarily gives medical advice, referrals and other services to all Jews regardless of their religious commitment, and thus promotes the feeling of Ahavat Yisrael among all Jews.(50,000 people are assisted annually)
Additionally, we have awarded a grant to the Chabad Center in Thailand. The Center serves as a home base for the many Israeli young adults who choose to visit the Far East. It is in Thailand, far from the tense Israeli society, where Israeli youth are open to learn about and meet other Jews who are different from them. They also arrange the famous seder celebrations in the far east, including the one in Nepal, with thousands of Israeli youngsters participating. As a result of a positive experience, these youths return to Israel with a new attitude towards their fellow Jews, regardless of their orientation. (12,000 young adults visit the Center annually.)

The Shalom Beinenu Foundation

	We, at The Shalom Beinenu Foundation, believe that we are all part of one people bound together through a common heritage and history. Our aim is to reduce tensions between the secular and religious communities in Israel but not to influence anyone's religious or political opinion. Shalom Beinenu's main goals are: To encourage, and develop understanding, sensitivity and mutual respect between Jewish people from different streams of thought and lifestyles. To promote and advance the study and understanding of the elements which unite the Jewish people including classical sources, Jewish history and the State of Israel. Shalom Beinenu bases its activities on the philosophy of the Lubuvitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe loved every Jew regardless of his or her ethnic background, geographical location or religious philosophy. The Rebbe taught that the essence of a person is the Jewish soul within. The biblical injunction to "Love your neighbor as yourself" refers to the essence of the soul within each of us and not to external factors or superficial concerns. Ongoing Activities: Advertising Campaign- Twice a year, during the High Holidays and Passover, we try to reach every Jew with a uniting and provocative billboard campaign. So far we posted two campaigns September 1999 and April 2000. Childrens projects - Shalom Beinenu sponsored a national essay competition for children. Hundreds of children submitted essays and we awarded 16 computers to the children who wrote the best essays. We plan to sponsor this competition annually. The Gordon elementary school was the first school to incorporate SB's theme into it's extra curricular activities in 2000. SB plans to publish a magazine for children 5 times a year which will incorporate both activities and promote our theme of "Ahavat Yisrael". Publications - In 1999 we published the first pamphlet (Et Le'ehov) in our series on "Ahavat Yisrael". Future Publications include: Anthology on "Ahavat Yisrael" from a personal viewpoint, written by community leaders from all sectors of society. Publication of sources on "Ahavat Yisrael". A second pamphlet in our series on "Ahavat Yisrael" targeted at the hareidi community. A siddur for Hebrew speaking beginners, requested and sponsored by non-religious donors. Home study groups- In 1999 SB initiated what is becoming a national network of home based study groups. We sponsored a seminar to train lecturers for these groups and have a few groups that meet monthly in various cities. Grants - We will be awarding grants to organizations that excel in promoting "Ahavat Yisrael" in Israel. To date we have awarded a grant to Elul, a beit midrash program for religious and non-religious adults. We chose this organization because in addition to a joint study program participants are encouraged to maintain long-term personal relationships. The grant was awarded at a Knesset ceremony together with MK Avraham Burg and Minister Rabbi Melchior. We have also awarded a grant to Ezra U'Marpeh, an organization headed by Rabbi Firer, whom voluntarily gives medical advice, referrals and other services to all Jews regardless of their religious commitment, and thus promotes the feeling of Ahavat Yisrael among all Jews.(50,000 people are assisted annually) Additionally, we have awarded a grant to the Chabad Center in Thailand. The Center serves as a home base for the many Israeli young adults who choose to visit the Far East. It is in Thailand, far from the tense Israeli society, where Israeli youth are open to learn about and meet other Jews who are different from them. They also arrange the famous seder celebrations in the far east, including the one in Nepal, with thousands of Israeli youngsters participating. As a result of a positive experience, these youths return to Israel with a new attitude towards their fellow Jews, regardless of their orientation. (12,000 young adults visit the Center annually.)