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(left to right) Haifa's Giora Meuchas and Eitan Adres, and Boston's Michael Frieze, were the founders of the Haifa Boston Connection in 1989. They are still very much involved in the Connection giving moral and financial support.
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An ad-hoc group of Haifa and Boston business leaders founded the Haifa-Boston Connection in 1989, with the goal of helping the City of Haifa absorb large waves of immigration from the FSU.
Projects initially focused on job creation, including establishment of the Haifa Small Business Development Center and two technological incubators.
Personal connections between Haifa residents and members of the Boston Jewish community gradually developed over the course of the years, with hundreds of people presently involved in the Connection.
Haifa - Boston Connection partners include the Jewish Agency for Israel, the JDC, Haifa University, the Technion Institute of Technology, the Haifa Foundation, the Haifa Municipality, and dozens of associations and government agencies operating in Haifa.
Haifa - Boston Connection Institutions
Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston
: The Federation appoints the chair of its steering steering committee, along with members of the steering and sub-committees. The Federation funds Haifa - Boston Connection activities.
Founders Committee (Israel)
: Appoints Connection chairperson and chairs of sub-committees. Ratifies goals of Connection.
Joint Steering Committee
: The steering committee is composed of 70 members, half from Haifa and Half from Boston. It has co-chairs from Haifa and Boston. The committee convenes in March in Boston, and in November in Haifa. It approves Connection budget and activities.
Subcommittees
: The steering committee establishes thematic subcommittees and appoints members. The subcommittees convene at least three times per year and approve projects in their respective realms.
Israel Emergency Campaign
The Boston Jewish Community has sent nearly $2 million to help Israel deal with the present "Matzav" of terror attacks and economic crisis. Allocations include:
Patrol Vehicles for Haifa Kindergartens
Summer Camps for At-Risk Youth
Soup Kitchens
Holiday Packages for Disadvantaged Families
Zaka
Israel Magen David Adom
Amcha - Holocaust Survivors
Equipment for Haifa Hospitals
Tishrei 5764 - October 2003