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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

‘My form of Zionism’: Jerusalem nonprofit helps new olim build businesses in Israel

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • MATI Jerusalem, a nonprofit, assists new immigrants in establishing and expanding businesses in Israel.
  • The organization provides tailored support, including mentorship, to entrepreneurs from various underserved communities.
  • Mentor Michael Horesh views helping immigrants build businesses as his personal form of Zionism.

Navigating the Israeli business landscape can be daunting, a challenge often encapsulated by the local joke: "How does one make a small fortune in Israel? Come to Israel with a large one." Michael Horesh, a senior mentor at MATI Jerusalem, uses this quip to underscore the vital role his nonprofit plays in helping new immigrants succeed.

How does one make a small fortune in Israel? Come to Israel with a large one.

— Israeli jokeMichael Horesh uses this common Israeli joke to introduce the challenges faced by new entrepreneurs.

MATI Jerusalem, founded in 1991, offers specialized business support services, focusing on entrepreneurs from underserved populations. This includes new immigrants, women, Haredi business owners, and residents of East Jerusalem. The organization also supports entrepreneurs impacted by reserve army service, known as miluim.

Working in partnership with the Jerusalem Municipality and other key organizations, MATI Jerusalem's professionals provide tailored guidance. Horesh, who made aliyah in 1982, draws from his own past struggles in establishing a business. "If there's a book on how to do things wrong, I did it. I went around in circles," he recalls with a wry smile.

That's why you're here. I don't want you to be part of that joke.

— Michael HoreshHoresh addresses new immigrants during a webinar, highlighting MATI Jerusalem's mission to ensure their business success.

This personal experience fuels his passion for mentorship. "I want to be helping people create a new business in Israel. That is my form of Zionism," Horesh states. "My raison d’être is to help build up and strengthen the ecosystem in Israel." He emphasizes that a mentor's role is to prompt critical thinking, curiosity, and questioning, guiding mentees to ask the questions they might otherwise avoid.

I registered my own business. If there's a book on how to do things wrong, I did it. I went around in circles.

— Michael HoreshHoresh shares his personal experience of struggling to establish his own business before becoming a mentor.

The concept of mentorship itself is ancient, deriving from Mentor in Homer's Odyssey, a trusted guide. Horesh embodies this by helping new immigrants avoid common pitfalls and build a solid foundation for their ventures, contributing to Israel's economic fabric.

I want to be helping people create a new business in Israel. That is my form of Zionism. I know it sounds rather quaint, but it really is. My raison d’être is to help build up and strengthen the ecosystem in Israel.

— Michael HoreshHoresh explains his motivation for becoming a business mentor, viewing it as his contribution to Israel.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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