“Makom adds depth to our work. The thoughtfulness by which they approach every issue, and the content-rich material they prepare, enriches our communal discourse here in New York.”
Alisa Rubin Kurshan, Senior Vice President for Strategy, UJA Federation of New York
“Few of us could have imagined just how impactful Makom’s Young Emissary Program would be when the concept was first introduced to our partner synagogues, schools and camps. This grassroots program helped create new portals of Israel and communal engagement to so many individuals and families as well as creating a new bond between Jewish Toronto’s communal institutions. These young emissaries not only inspired anew our connection to Israel, they helped us appreciate just how important is our connection to each other.”
Ted Sokolsky, President and CEO, UJA-Federation of Greater Toronto
“My participation in the Makōm Arts and Culture and Israel Travel Seminars has enhanced my ability to work with local agencies and institutions to infuse Israel content and increase Israel teen travel in our community. Being able to plan holistically in the community around Israel has deepened our engagement and increased our participation in community-wide Israel events.”
Sue Linzer, i-connect Project Director, Senior Manager of Overseas Operations, Pittsburgh Federation
“For an arts presenter it is a breath of fresh air to connect with an educational organization that understands art. Too often Israeli arts are seen as a vehicle for educational agenda, with no thought given to the quality of the performance itself. Makom gets the real power of Israeli arts, and has helped me make the case to my community, as well as connect with other like-minded people in my field.”
Mary-Louise Albert, Artistic Managing Director of Chutzpah Festival and Norman Rothstein Theatre, Vancouver
“I wanted to thank you for all you have done in your short stay here in Toronto. In just over five working days you have stimulated conversations around culture with the Koffler Center for the Arts, and the place of Israel in our developing campuses, you have presented at our Makom Young Emissary Dinner and been a key educator in our Israel Program Fellowship for camp counselors. Thank you for providing us with the conceptual and practical tools that have enriched our identity-building and Israel programming work in all of the above areas. Looking forward to the next Makom visit.”
Sarah Mali, Director of Israel Engagement, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
“Makom has been an extraordinarily important resource for our congregation’s effort to understand Israel engagement and examine ways to increase that engagement. Makom provided us with a new and sophisticated lens through which we examined the complicated nature of Israel as well as the tools needed to craft a new vision of true Israel engagement. As individuals, we have all learned much and have had our eyes opened to the complexity, beauty, and the compelling importance of Israel. As a congregation, we are well on our way to creating a new paradigm of Israel engagement for modern, liberal Jews. We could not have done so without the guidance and support of Makom.”
Michael Laufer, Lay Leader, Temple Shaaray Tefila, New York