Zionism2000

Zionism2000 is a non-profit organization founded by Ronny Douek, a business leader and philanthropist, indeed a philanthropic leader in Israel, who is committed to developing and promoting new and expanded social investment in Israeli society. Ronny was a close personal friend of Yitzak Rabin and in response to Rabin’s assassination, Ronny realized that new efforts were needed to take Israeli society to the next level, to prevent its growing gaps in wealth, education, religious difference, political difference from overwhelming her. The mission of Zionism2000 is to create partnerships among governments, businesses and communities in order to address social needs. The specific model was generalized to create the national resource of Sheatufim. Zionism2000 has several major components. Aleh brings commitments from businesses to work in communities, such as Tirat Carmel. Another project encourages and facilitates youth volunteerism. Yet another brings businesses and individuals to support individual children at-risk. The final major project creates entrepreneurship opportunities for youth at-risk. Projects are chosen through collaborations among the social security administration, JDC, Matan, and Zionism2000, each with their target interests. For example, Arabs, haredi, girls, and communities in the periphery are a social security priority. JDC or particular companies wish to work in communities where they have offices or branches. Zionism2000 is willing to work wherever there are willing participants and the need for social activism is high. There are some projects that involve Arab youth and businesses, but there are ongoing challenges in working with the Arab population.

Ronny is a charismatic, well-spoken leader who has the vision and the resources to make a difference in the fabric of Israeli society, moving ahead in the 21rst century. He has neither the patience nor the values to enter politics, a sad commentary on the state of political life in Israel today. His response to the recurrent comment about impediments to the growth of private philanthropy—people serve for 2-3 years in the military, six weeks of reserve duty each year, they live on the front lines of a mighty struggle with hostile neighbors—was immediate, as he said, “we are a country of giving back, that's what made Israel. We have the ability to meet human needs, so that’s what we do.”