Mission:  To promote and carry out educational, charitable, religious, and cultural purposes for the Israeli, Jewish community, and the greater community in Massachusetts, the remaining New England states, New York and New Jersey.

Programs:

1. HaKesher Publications

2. Jewish/Israeli Cultural Events

3. Network, Publicity, and Referral Services.

Brief History:  The organization’s activities began in 1995, when Annette led the Israeli House on a volunteer basis at Hebrew College.  There Annette developed many types of cultural events for the children and adults.  As time progressed, and to address the needs of the community (as was voiced through surveys and requests), HaKesher began producing various publication, culminating with the publishing of the first edition of SmartIsrapages in 1997.  In the following years the organization produced five more editions, each larger and more encompassing then its predecessor, and also inaugurated its website.  When the Hebrew College moved to Newton, in an effort to continue providing activities in the Brookline area, Annette relocated the Israeli House activities to various local establishments until April 2003, when the Brookline Community Center for the Arts opened its doors.  In that same year, Annette released the first edition of HaKesher magazine, which received a very enthusiastic response from the Jewish and Israeli community, and was granted sponsorships from organizations such as the JCC.  After years of providing charitable services to the community, the logical step was to incorporate as non-profit organization.  As such, HaKesher, Inc. was created in 2004, and now serves as the umbrella organization.

HaKesher has partnered with many individuals and organizations throughout its history and during the ten years prior to its incorporation, during the formative years of Annette’s operations.  For the last three years, HaKesher has partnered up with the Brookline Community Center for the Arts (BCCA), a non-profit cultural arts center, to centralize its operations, increase the frequency of events, and reach a broader section of the community.  Both organizations aspire to serve community members of all abilities and cultural/educational interests, as well as promote the professional development of artists and educators.  While HaKesher specializes in Jewish and Israeli cultural events and publications, the appeal of these programs extends beyond the Jewish community, and has drawn a variety of audiences among the members of the BCCA.  A primary example has been the International Women’s Day celebration that took place at the BCCA, featured artists/educators of many nationalities, and drew an extremely diverse crowd.  Similarly, the Middle Eastern concerts have drawn both Israeli/Jewish crowds and members of other nationalities.  In addition to the BCCA, HaKesher regularly partners with cultural and religious institutions by directly promoting their cultural and educational programs, increasing the level of interaction and awareness between the members of these organizations, and introducing and cultivating many partnerships.  A good example of such community service was the recent promotional and participatory services that HaKesher rendered in support of Salem Synagogue’s guest production of the Book of Ruth.  This interpretive musical performance presented a modern historical account that came alive to the delight of the mixed Jewish and Christian audience.  Give example of Salem Synagogue Book of Ruth.  In this fashion, and coupled with the magazine and SmartIsrapages publications, as well as its large electronic mail distribution list, HaKesher has had a broad and profound impact on the Brookline, Brighton, Allston, and Newton communities, and beyond.

Brief overview of organizational structure and size:

Board of Directors:         6 Members – President, Treasurer, Clerk, Secretary, and consultants

                                         (Business, Publicity, Development, Legal)

Number of Staff:             4 – Chief Organizer, Office Manager, Graphic Designer, Publisher

Number of Volunteers:   10

Key Programming Staff and Volunteers:

Annette Zrihen (HaKesher Founder, President and Director) – Manages the central referral services for local and newly arriving Israelis and Jews; serves as the project manager and chief editor for HaKesher magazine and the SmartIsrapages directory; Organizes and promotes the cultural/educational events and activities;

Jeffrey L. Sussman (HaKesher Co-Founder and Board Member) – Serves as the co-editor, researcher, and distributor of HaKesher magazine and SmartIsrapages; provides logistical support of all events and activities.

Dan Y. Marshall (BCCA President & Executive Artistic Director) – Serves as the audio/visual producer and stage manager, and assists in the promotion of cultural events; provides technical services for all computers; serves as a non-profit development consultant, and aids in grant writing and other writing projects (such as press releases and articles), and finances.

HaKesher wholly supports the BBJCF’s mission through its own mission, which is realized with the publications of HaKesher Magazine and the SmartIsrapages directory, the network and publicity services, and the cultural event productions.  Together these programs focus on the connecting of Israelis/Jews, local or visiting, to their roots and to each other, throughout all aspects of life, from cultural enrichment, education, and vocation, to business, leisure, and community activities.  Through the years, HaKesher has served over 22,000 Israelis/Jews, granting them a sense of continued pride and satisfaction from their culture and heritage by providing a taste of Israel in an accessible presentation that appeals to people of all ages and experiences, and strengthens their bond locally and to the State of Israel.  Its well received programs have helped shape not only the Jewish but the greater social landscape in the Boston area.  Most of the services provided are solely volunteer based, including the majority of the SmartIsrapages directory which provides a fully fledged White Pages section that helps interconnect individuals, organizers and services, social, educational and religious institutions, bringing a sense of unity and establishment.  HaKesher’s events and literary exposes serve as a lasting tribute and an example to all of Israel’s many wonderful and positive cultural aspects and contributions to society.

Each year, HaKesher provides and promotes events/activities to over 5,000 community members, distributes HaKesher magazine to 3,000, and the SmartIsrapages directory to 15,000.  HaKesher appeals to and reaches a well-balanced audience of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.  Its serves constituents come from Massachusetts (90%: 50% from Brookline/Brighton, 50% from remaining town/cities), and 10% from Connecticut/ New Hampshire/Road Island.

The majority of the funds raised support HaKesher’s magazine publications and cultural events, with a small percentage assisting the development of the website and database, as well as the SmartIsrapages directory.

Program Operations:

In addition to the key staff/volunteers previously listed, the remaining staff and volunteers assist with proofreading, editing, article research and solicitation, graphic design, distribution and mailing of publications and publicity materials, ticket sales and event promotions, logistical support for events and activities, and website updates. Marketing activities include word of month, flyer and E-Mail distribution, telemarketing, news and radio ads and promotions, news articles, and cross-marketing through outlets such as the Israeli Consulate.

HaKesher’s collaborations with other organizations and individuals, span a number of areas, each with typical modes of collaboration: 1. Cultural Events – HaKesher provides the Israeli artist, and serves as the main promoter, while the collaborating organization provides the venue, logistical support staff, technical support, and additional publicity; 2. HaKesher Publications – HaKesher serves as the publishing/design house and content editor, while the collaborating organizations and individuals provide articles, story topics, and listings, and purchase ad space; and 3. Referral/Publicity/Network Services – Through years of cultivation, HaKesher has assembled a large but tightly knit network of individuals, professionals, and organizations, that grow and evolve with the changing needs of the community and the flow of Jewish residents in the Greater Boston Area.

HaKesher activities are centered in the Brookline/Brighton area, and have been held at various locations, including the BCCA, Young Israel Synagogue, Temple Beth Zion, Ohabai Shalom, and Bnai Moshe, JCC Brighton, Pine Manor College, Veronique Ballroom, and the Brookline Police Community Room.  The SmartIsrapages directory and HaKesher magazine publications have a wide circulation base, with the largest distributions in Brookline.  The thriving Jewish population of Brookline, has been supported by the unique presence of Hebrew classes at public educational institutions such as Devotion School, and privately funded establishments such as Israeli Complementary School.  These community aspects have further steered HaKesher’s focus to Brookline.

2006 Program Timetables:

1. Referral/publicity/network services and cultural events will occur year-round;

2. HaKesher magazine will be plans to publish for June,-July September-November December-February 2007

3. SmartIsrapages directory will be published in September.

Throughout its programming, HaKesher conducts detailed telemarketing and written/electronic surveys from its constituents.  In addition, it has a broad base of consultants and advisors in the fields of education, art, technology, publishing, industry, immigration, law, and government.  The feedback and advice from these methods is substantiated through the number of magazines and directories distributed, the sponsor ads and event tickets sold, and the resulting increase in active customers/members.  HaKesher plans to upgrade its website to include a customer feedback forum as well as web visitor analysis tools.

The Israeli Consulate has pledged funds towards our upcoming concert, and may provide funding for future events.  As noted in our budget, much of the past capital was provided by our founders.  Recently we have initiated our first fundraising campaign which will include grant applications, targeting of individual donations and sponsors, HaKesher magazine memberships, and fundraising events.  To aid our strategic development, we have enlisted experienced consultants, and will use the Foundation Center software available via the BCCA.