Merits of strategic spending
Elran Tsabag thinks worldwide Jewish community should spend its money with greater efficacy
After having worked in the Jewish community for a number of years, I continue to question our strategic planning. More than 60 years later, I wonder how it is that the Jewish community has not accomplished greater strides with the oversaturated resources, organizations, and funding.
Like the Energizer bunny, the Jewish community keeps giving and giving and giving, without demanding results in return. Don’t get me wrong. I am proud to be a part of a community that invests in itself as well as in external ventures. No other people have reciprocated their wealth as much as those in Jewish community.
Still, Jewish money is not strategically spent.
For the past few decades, much effort has gone into attempting to understand the dynamic between Jews and their community; the Diaspora’s relationship to Israel; various Jewish communities worldwide, and their relationships with each other; along with various other similar topics that have gained attention in the Jewish community and drawn Jewish funding.
However, only during the current financial crisis has the Jewish community withdrawn into brainstorming sessions on how to spend their money with greater efficacy.
It is my observation of all of this over the years that led me to believe that many (not all) Jewish benefactors do not request substantial return on their investments. Perhaps it is the fault of the Jewish community for not emphasizing results as a precondition for continued mass funding. Wherever the blame should lie, the fact remains that Jewish money is seemingly not turning over great results.
Spinning our wheels?
My experience as a young professional in the Israel advocacy arena was greatly defined by the amount of funding being invested in the conflict on university campuses. Where tens of thousands of dollars (hard earned, I assume) were being thrown into the long-standing effort to support pro-Israel university students, not much was being accomplished.Year after year, the same tactics were being employed, without great triumph. Yearly, millions of dollars are spent on figuring out how to raise more funding for the future.
It is time that we look at the future through different eyes – ones not painted with dollar signs, but instead focused on strategically accomplishing the goals that we have set out for years.
It is time for them to put their money where their mouth is. Benefactors must demand better results for their money. There is far greater work that can be done with that funding.
How can our funding, resources, and time be used to a greater effect? Why, after so many years, has the Jewish community still not accomplished vast strides in their goals? Furthermore, how can all of this effort be directed to accomplish more, sooner?
It’s easy to say that I would do more than Jewish donors had I made their money. It’s always easier on this side.
I don’t have money, but I do have my education, skills, and experiences to contribute back to my communities. No distinction made between those of the Diaspora and Israel.
Elran Tsabag is an MA student in Middle Eastern History at Tel Aviv University who recently made Aliyah
