User:Totorostern/sandbox
Israeli Community Europe (ICE)[edit]
Introduction[edit]
Israeli Community Europe (ICE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the Israeli immigrant communities across Europe. The organization's primary mission is to establish activity centers in European cities with substantial Israeli immigrant populations, addressing the diverse and unique needs of these communities.
ICE envisions these activity centers as welcoming hubs that cater to the community members, providing solutions tailored to their specific requirements while fostering a deeper connection to Israeli culture and Jewish identity. ICE operates in close collaboration with the local community and serves as an incubator for community-driven initiatives originating from within the community itself.
History[edit]
ICE's origins can be traced back to a wintery evening in March 2017 when Tehila and Netanel Darmon, were inspired to create a space for Israelis to connect and build meaningful relationships. The Darmon family believed in the power of creating a common ground for people from diverse backgrounds to form deep connections.
Motivated by their experiences after a shlichut in India, the Darmon family decided to embark on a new shlichut, this time in Berlin, Germany. Berlin, a city increasingly attractive to Israeli immigrants, offered a promising environment for their vision. They aimed to create a space where the local Israeli community could come together, regardless of their race, religion, gender, or political beliefs, to find common ground and nurture their shared identity and culture.
In August 2017, ICE received support from the Jewish Community "Lauder Yeshurun," enabling the Darmon family to establish their first initiative in Berlin, known as "Zusammen" meaning "together" in German. This initiative initially started with Shabbat dinners, which quickly became a popular gathering place for the Israeli community. Over time, Zusammen expanded its offerings to include cultural events, lectures, workshops, and holiday celebrations, becoming a hub for community engagement.
As ICE's activities grew, the organization officially established the "Zusammen Center" and transitioned into a non-profit organization, marking a significant milestone in its development.
Expansion Beyond Berlin[edit]
ICE's impact extended beyond Berlin. In 2021, ICE received requests from Israelis in Vienna to establish a Zusammen center for their community. Responding to this demand, ICE launched Zusammen Vienna, becoming its second community center outside Berlin, inaugurated in Rosh Hashanah 2022.
Continued Growth and Expansion[edit]
In 2022, ICE received numerous requests from both Jewish and Israeli communities across Europe to establish ICE centers in their cities. In response, ICE conducted extensive research and developed tailored programs to meet the unique needs of each community.
Athens, Greece, was selected as the third destination for ICE expansion. Collaborating with the Athenian Jewish community, ICE established its activity center, "Mazi" (meaning "together" in Greek), in Athens on the eve of Shavuot 2022.
In January 2023, ICE inaugurated its first center in Spain, Juntos Barcelona, and in December 2023, Its second center in Germany, Zusammen Frankfurt, was added to the ICE family, which was opened in cooperation with the local Jewish community.
Organization[edit]
ICE's leadership includes dedicated individuals committed to its mission:
- Netanel Darmon - Chairperson
- Tehila Darmon- CEO
- Shai Doitsh - Communities Development and Fundraising
- Keren Milman- Deputy Chairperson
- Oded Kruchik- Controller
- Adi Mischari - Member of the board
- Amit Feldman - Member of the board
- Baruch Hsyat - Member of the board
Funding[edit]
ICE's growth and activities are made possible through the generous support of individuals and philanthropists who share its vision for a united Israeli community in Europe. Major funders include:
- JDC
Community Centers and Collaboration[edit]
ICE is working to establish activity centers for the Israeli community in various cities in Europe, with high numbers of Jewish-Israeli residents. These centers serve as a home for community activities, provide support for the community's unique needs, and strengthen the connection to Israeli culture and Jewish identity. ICE collaborates with the local Israeli community and encourages community initiatives created by the community, for the benefit of the community.
ICE sees the local Israeli community as an integral part of the local Jewish community, requiring a specific and unique response and approach. In light of this, ICE works together with the Jewish community to develop the most suitable answer for the local community across Europe, serving as a bridge between the two communities and promoting a strong connection between them.
Currently, ICE operates centers in Berlin, Vienna, Frankfurt, Athens, and Barcelona, with plans for additional centers to open in the near future.