Founded in 2003, Supportive Community helps women acquire the knowledge, and skills necessary to achieve economic independence as well as social and personal development. It helps 600 diverse women-entrepreneurs per year develop their own businesses.  Most of the women served live in peripheral locations in Israel, work in temporary jobs with no security, and earn less than $500 per month. It has served more than 6,400 women since its inception. Shurush, its partner and fiscal sponsor, is a microfinance organization that works to support the growth of small businesses and reduce tension between Jewish and Arab populations.

The Joint Arab-Jewish Business Development Program provides 160 Israeli Jewish and Arab women with business training and small loans to develop home-based microenterprises, move their families out of poverty, and help strengthen Israel’s economy. The 10-week training sessions are focused on basic business skills and business plan development, as well as assistance with microloan applications and guidance from banks. 

By providing business training and small loans to joint groups of Jewish and Arab women, our program is a cost-effective mechanism to foster dialogue and co-existence while also creating jobs that pull families out of poverty and strengthen Israel’s economy. The Foundation grant enhances and exudes a stamp of approval for multicultural co-existence and a prosperous reality for more women.”

Lena Gurary, executive director, Supportive Community