Israel’s business and political leaders attended the opening event of the Bizmax work hub, a cutting-edge center in Jerusalem open for frum Jews, on Thursday.
A opening event took place Thursday with the participation of Israel’s President, the Chief Rabbi, the Minister of Interior, Governor of the Bank of Israel, president of the Industrialists’ Association, the British ambassador, MKs, and other senior officials from the world of industry.
The event opened with a fascinating panel discussion facilitated by Jerusalem deputy mayor Yosef Deitsch, who is also the founder of the Kemach Foundation.
Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri; Shraga Brosh, president of the Industrialists’ Association; Eyal Chaimovsky, CEO of the Jerusalem Development Authority; and Michal Tzuk, the senior deputy director general at the Ministry of Economy.
Important issues related to the integration of haredim in the business world were addressed in the discussion. Deitsch presented the participants with current survey data indicating the haredi sector’s desire to enter the work world on the one hand, but the unwillingness, at times, on the part of employers to absorb haredi employees. In many instances the former are disqualified off-the-cuff due to their haredi identity, rather than for genuine reasons.
Israel’s president Reuven (Rubi) Rivlin, surprised by the data, expressed his high regard for the Kemach Foundation’s significant contribution to haredi integration in the labor force.
Rivlin remarked that light of the intense efforts invested in professional training and preparation for integration in the labor force, he certainly expects that employers across the spectrum will be willing to hire haredi employees for senior positions with high salaries, as accepted today in the haredi work world.
Dr. Karnit Flung, Governor of the Bank of Israel, addressed the difficulties involved in haredim joining the labor force since they do not study English and other subjects in school.
In the discussion that ensured on the topic, Deitsch emphasized the principles of haredi education, which have been preserved for thousands of years without change. He also mentioned that haredim generally enter the work force due to necessity and that experience proves that that they succeed at bridging the gaps in a short period of time.
Flung expressed her understanding of the haredi community’s guiding principles. She stated that the sector’s core curriculum comprises Judaic studies; other subjects are considered secondary in importance. She also said that she would continue to help streamline the integration of haredim in the labor force.
Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri related the famous tale of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, who closed down his yeshiva in light of the secular authorities’ desire to intervene in the yeshiva curriculum.
In response to the data presented relating to haredi integration in the work force, Deri preferred looking at the cup half full, noting that he remembered the data from previous years when the percentage of haredi employment was considerably less. He also expressed his admiration for the major strides the haredi sector has made in entering the labor force.
President of the Industrialists’ Association, Shraga Brosh, remarked in the discussion that he sees great value in young haredim entering the world of industry.
Today, Brosh believes that the issue is not so much haredi willingness to work, as it is employers who do not wish to hire haredi employees. In conclusion, Brosh pledged to open the industry up to the haredi population and committed to do everything in his power to eliminate the discrimination currently present in the work world.
Eyal Chaimovsky, CEO of the Jerusalem Development Authority, spoke about haredi entrepreneurship and gave his blessings to the Bizmax initiative and to the partners in the launch.
At the discussion’s conclusion, Ms. Michal Tzuk, senior deputy director general of the Ministry of Economy, was acknowledged for her extensive assistance to the Kemach Foundation from the day it was founded.
Deitsch also noted that Tzuk is the key government official intimately familiar with the complexities involved in the haredi sector’s integration in the work force, and labors intensively on the matter.
Bizmax is an innovative business venue for haredi men who are residents of Jerusalem. It is a joint initiative run by the Kemach Foundation, Achim Global, and the Jerusalem Development Authority.
Yitzik Crombie, a Lubavitcher and the initiative’s manager, explained that Bizmax operates as a community business hub that caters to the haredi population. Its goal is to develop and sophisticate business owners, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed and to help their businesses become more productive and successful.
Business owners, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed in any field are welcome to join the business hub as Bizmax members. In this way, they join an innovative business community featuring a wide variety of services vital to business operation and development.
Chief Rabbi David Lau affixed the mezuzah at the entrance of the Bizmax center. He spoke about the meaning of the verse “[…] and you shall support him” (Levit. 25:35), explaining that the highest level of charity is to empower others to stand on their own two feet and enable them to make a livelihood honorably.
Rabbi Lau remarked that he was deeply impressed with the center, which offers a quality environment on both a professional and spiritual level, tailored to the haredi sector.
Later, philanthropists Ari and Mark Shimel, Founder and President of Achim Global, affixed mezuzot as well.
R’ Mordechai Feldstein, director general of the Kemach Foundation, addressed those present at the event and partners in its launch. Feldstein remarked that today no changes need to be made in order to employ haredim, launch new initiatives, or wok with the haredi population.
It has already been proven that it is possible to manage a business without changing anything in the haredi lifestyle. In conclusion, he expressed his deep gratitude to Mr. Leo Noe, founder and president of the Kemach Foundation, and to the Shimel family for their great support for the haredi business world in general and for haredi entrepreneurs in particular.
The hundreds of participants in the event expressed their wonder and amazement with the beautiful and unique center; especially tailored to the needs of haredi entrepreneurs and businessmen and provide them with an appropriate and comprehensive work environment, giving them solid support and business stability.
A women’s hub already exists in Jerusalem in the Sha’arei Ha’ir about a 5-7 minute walk from the bus station. I’ve been there a few times for meetings. It’s a beautiful and well equipped center where women have a space to grow their business and be supported in their efforts. In case you are wondering, I don’t work for them, I was just sincerely impressed by what I saw there. Last time I was there Rabbi Dovid Elezrie was a guest speaker about what can be learned from Lubavitch that applies to and helps in business.
would be nice to have a women section as well