Skilled Volunteers for Israel matches experienced professionals with volunteer opportunities at Israeli non-profits focused on issues like literacy, social services, and community development. The vision is for experts in the Jewish community to regularly volunteer in Israel and help address problems facing non-profits. Benefits include deeper understanding of Israeli society and involvement with non-profits. They aim to engage retired baby boomers and compete with secular programs by uniquely focusing on skilled Jewish volunteers. Milestones include finalizing non-profit partners, placing volunteers in Israel from March to August 2011, and assessing the pilot program.

2. Mission-VisionMissionSkilled Volunteers for Israel matches experienced professionals with meaningful skilled volunteer opportunities in Israeli non-profit organizations.Non-profits focused on issues such as:literacysocial services immigrant & human rights community developmenthungerreligious pluralismVisionThe best minds in the Jewish world regularly volunteer in Israel to contribute their expertise to solving the real problems facing the Israeli non-profit sector. Benefits to volunteers:deeper appreciation for and understanding of the problems facing Israeli societypersonal involvement with Israeli non-profit organizationsBenefits to non-profitsIncreased organizational capacityEnhanced connections and networks

3. OpportunityEngage Jewish North American Baby Boomer Generationlargest, most educated,financially secure generation in history. Connect to Post-retirement stage as a time for meaningful work and service.Compete with Secular community programs that tap the skills of boomer volunteers. Fill the gap in the marketplaceSkilled Volunteers for Israel uniquely focuses on volunteer opportunities for Jewish boomers.

4. Market: Environmental ScanCompetitors: Local/National/International Volunteer MatchingIdealist.org, Volunteer Match, SmartVolunteering.org, AJWS Volunteer Corp, United Way, Local Volunteer DatabasesComparativesChristian Friends of Israel, MASA, Volunteer Jerusalem, JCorpComplementsSar-El, Greenzionism.org, Dental Volunteers for Israel, Ivolunteer, Goeco.orgCollaborativesJCCs, Synagogues, Federations, Shatil, ElderHostels, Jewish Volunteering Network-United Kingdom

5. Achievements to DatePresenTense Global Fellowship, Summer 2010

6. Over 15 Israeli organizations have already identified or are interested in providing volunteer opportunities or partnering

7. International collaboration – connected to Jewish Volunteering Network in United Kingdom