FSJU Israël
The Unified Jewish Social Fund (FSJU) is an association created in 1950 to promote the reconstruction of the French Jewish community after the Holocaust. The FSJU and Israel have maintained an inseparable tie since the creation of the country. The welfare of Israelis is logically listed among the various missions of the institution.
The office of the FSJU In Israel began as a branch in 2002 and became a legally registered association (amouta), FSJU Israel, in January of 2016. This legal structure guarantees that funds will be monitored and controlled. It was recognized by the Prime Minister, Benyamin Netanyahu in 2016.
The institution was created to rebuild the French Jewish community after the Holocaust but quickly the Israeli situation was added to the agenda, especially during the various wars.
While the balance may have changed and Israel is a strong country today, the link that unites the FSJU with the country has never stopped getting stronger and takes the form of numerous projects.
Through FSJU Israel, the FSJU also supports in Israel programs of charitable, social and educational associations involved in the daily fight against poverty, social exclusion, isolation, disease and discrimination against the handicapped.
FSJU Israel plays a vital role in initiating and supporting the development of innovative programs that meet the needs of the excluded, families facing difficulties, youth, senior citizens, Holocaust survivors and the handicapped, to name only some.
The activity of FSJU in Israel is through programs with a measurable impact in line with the priorities of our donors, applying synergies and partnerships to reduce costs. It is also a center of advice, information and guidance for associations, French and Israeli public authorities, schools and psychological counseling services.
It manages the individual needs of families with social or integration difficulties.
In 2019, FSJU Israel created a federation of 11 associations that work in the fields of social justice, culture, youth, handicapped people and humanitarian work.
Basic missions
Working in close collaboration with the various directors, departments and regional delegations of the FSJU and the member associations of the FSJU is also part of its task. It also provides assistance to the member associations of the FSJU. It liaises with French institutions: the French embassy, the consulates, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the French Institutes, etc. The association represents the institution in contacts with the Israeli leaders, partners, public authorities, political leaders, the Knesset and the media. Acting as an “ambassador” of the FSJU in Israel, it transmits the values of the institution to the Francophone community and Israeli society.
The partnerships
The Israeli association monitors relations with our local partners, the major associations that conduct the social and educational programs supported by Israel FSJU. Beyond its responsibility for tracking and ensuring the proper usage of funds by its partners and beneficiaries of grants, the association makes sure that the supported activity is properly run.
International relations
The main international Jewish institutions have their main offices in Israel.
The association works with numerous partners, including the following:
JCC (Jewish Community Centers/World Federation of Jewish Community Centers), the Joint, the World Zionist Organization (WZO), the Israel Jewish Congress (IJC), the General Consulate of France, the French Embassy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc.
An interface for the delegations in France:
Working in close collaboration with the various directors, departments and regional delegations of the FSJU and the member associations of the FSJU for the achievement of specific programs and connecting with the program partners are also part of its task as is the organization of trips, missions and visits.
Needs and transparency
France has very strict tax laws in regard to financing through donations in a foreign country. FSJU Israel works with recognized Israeli associations that are themselves subject to the strong regulations in terms of transparency, auditing and activity assessment.
Even if employment numbers have reached a historic high with official unemployment rates at their lowest in years, leading to an increase in the average income, inequalities and social gaps remain among the highest in the OECD. Unfortunately, Israel is among the top three! The numbers are telling: 2,345.000 people live below the poverty line, of which 1 million are children.
These numbers leave us no choice but to strengthen our commitment to solidarity with Israel and Franco-Israeli society through our supports of partners in the field, each with experience in the fields of intervention of the FSJU.
The activity of FSJU in Israel is through programs with a measurable impact in line with the priorities of our donors, applying synergies and partnerships to reduce costs. It is also a center of advice, information and guidance for associations, French and Israeli public authorities, schools and psychological counseling services.
It manages the individual needs of families with social or integration difficulties.