The Partnership, as part of its Israel 15 Regional Roundtable project, has been advancing  Beit Shemesh - Mateh Yehuda as a region which promotes "wellness" or what we sometimes refer to as "the balanced life". As part of this project, a special course entitled "Creating Businesses which Work Together" was created together with MATI Kiryat Gat (MATI is the Business Development Center). The course was geared towards wellness/ alternative medicine practitioners.  In the program they learned basic business skills and also received individual hours in coaching and business consultation from the MATI staff.

Due to the large number of businesswomen in this field, two courses were opened. The first course, which started in July, had 20 participants and the second group with a similar number of women started in September. This past week they completed the first stage of the program with an exciting round of presentations by each woman on her particular business.

The second part of the course will include monthly meetings during 8 months where the two groups of practitioners will work together in creating a forum; networking, marketing and planning special events in the area of alternative medicine and wellness in cooperation with each other. The goal of the program is to aid the businesswomen in increasing their monthly income as well as branding the region as a region which promotes wellness.

We will keep you updated on their progress and are very excited about the possible programs that will emanate from this dynamic and holistic group of businesswomen.

Another course will be starting within the next few months for business women from the Haredi community. If you know of anyone who might be interested please have them contact: Brenda Ganot: brendag@jafi.org; Tel. 02-6367809.