Asia, Israel and the Jewish World

As Co-Chair of The Jewish Funders Network, I have the pleasure of being part of a philanthropic circle of peers who practice the art of giving. Generosity is our calling card and our reward is meeting inspiring people on this lifelong learning journey.

back – l-r, Debbie Dadon, Simone Szalmuk-Singer, Tracie Olcha, Belinda Bardas
front – Sam Lipski, Angelica Berrie, Solina Chau (Executive Director,
Li Ka Shing Foundation), Andres Spokoiny

The Jewish Funders Network Asia conference in Hongkong, organized by the Australian Jewish Funders and the Pratt Foundation, focused on “Asia, Israel and the Jewish World.”

Asian philanthropy has a long history in Hongkong and two of its most prominent Foundations were our guest speakers - Ronnie Chan of the Morningside Foundation and Solina Chau, Director of the Li Ka Shing Foundation. 

2016 Genesis Prize Laureate Winner

I arrived in Jerusalem in time to attend a reception at Mayor Nir Barkat's home for 2016 Genesis Prize laureate winner, violinist Itzhak Perlman and celebrity emcee, Helen Mirren.

Itzhak Perlman

The Genesis Prize was founded in 2012 as a million dollar award given annually to an exceptional human being who has attained outstanding excellence and international renown in his or her chosen field, is a role model in the community and who can inspire the next generation of Jews worldwide. 

So beautiful it makes us cry

There are moments when our jaded sensibilities are reawakened by events that take us by surprise, like the family of Charleston victims who extended forgiveness to the killer of their loved ones. The power of forgiveness transmuted pain that could have erupted in rage at the injustice of brutality in a place of worship. Instead, peoples' hearts opened up in deep empathy and compassion, shifting a nation torn by racial prejudice toward a new direction. Many years from now, when we look back at this moment, we should remember the feeling of opening up to the other we never knew.