The Power of Partnerships.2015 Impact Report.

Setting the standard for 2016.

STUDENTS 3

STUDENTSOUR STUDENTS’ ORIGINS SPAN THE GLOBE

“I’m a Math student. I was in a student cafeteria crunching numbers and I

saw an advert for a Shabbaton. I was curious about it and decided to go with

some friends. What a great decision. I had the most amazing time there, most importantly because of the great bond I made with cool mentors who gave me

the will, through interesting discussions, to learn more about Judaism and to discover my Jewish roots. I really felt at home. Once back in Strasbourg I

attended their classes and activities. Every time I go there I gain so much.

I’m slowly discovering more about myself and my history and building

relationships with special people that I will never forget. This chance experience

has totally changed my outlook, my knowledge, my future. My life.”

David Znati, Age 23 Strasbourg

FR

AN

CE

North America

Latin America

France

Europe

FSU and Baltics

Israel

South Africa/Australia

13,000

7,000

5,800

3,000

5,000

6,500

800

2015 STUDENT ORIGINS

Meet Daniel Brick. A Jewish Student Leader and part of our Olami network, he has created a truly

invaluable partnership for Olami. Here’s his story...While pursuing a degree at University of Missouri,

Daniel discovered the JSL (Jewish Student Leaders) Program. After graduating he became the National Director of

Programming & Leadership for AEPi and thanks to his experience with JSL, he created a partnership that allows Olami to reach

thousands of Jewish fraternity students globally.

I went to Russian boarding school until age 17. As you can imagine, my Jewish education was minimal! In fact, I was barely aware that I was Jewish. But when it came to going to university,

I didn’t like the Russian options available to me so I looked overseas. That is when I discovered the Lauder Business School. And when I remembered I am Jewish. I am thankful for that memory every day. Having never met an Olami Rabbi, I am now proud to call one my friend. We learn, we talk, we support each other. In the last year my eyes have been opened to the inspiring world of Judaism. It has changed my soul. Previously I had known that as Jews we believe in one G-d but that was the extent of my knowledge. Through being here, I have seen how it connects to me, the relevance it has to my life. It has given me stronger values to live by. I get something new each time I study. I really see my Judaism now as a blessing.

INVOLVED STUDENTS 4

Daniel Brick

David Tverikin

OUR REGULARS

26,200students attended our weekly programs

500three months or morein full time Jewish study programs

students spent

ONCE THEY STARTED, SOME OF OUR STUDENTS JUST COULDN’T STOP. FIND OUT ABOUT THEIR DEPTH OF INVOLVEMENT.

US

A

VIEN

NA

, AU

STR

IA

WEEKLY LEARNING PROGRAMSALL OF OUR PARTNERS HOLD WEEKLY CLASSES AND PROGRAMS. CHECK OUT THEIR IMPACT HERE.

200,000+Jewish classes held worldwide

The Jewish population of Madrid has dwindled to 3,000. Of these, many are aging and the younger generation

are looking to relocate to the USA, Israel and other countries. Yet every week, approximately thirty students engage with Torat Moshe, selecting from the 18 weekly

programs being offered. It’s an incredible amount of weekly programs for a seemingly small number of

students. Yet this is an intentional strategy on the part of Rav Isaac and Tamar Benzaque, Directors of Torat Moshe. “Our focus is on quality. We don’t have huge

resources therefore we chose to invest what we do have on ensuring high quality relationships, education and experience for those who attend. Most girls in our

programs attend at least three times a week, somewhat more for the boys.” Their classes range both in level, and

content, and are on weekdays as well as on Shabbat. Some classes are co-ed, some are separate gender.

SPA

IN

WEEKLY LEARNING PROGRAMS 5

TRIPSOUR PARTNERS TOOK A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO ISRAEL AND POLAND. IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.

The Poland trip was the most surreal and incredible experience I ever had. It was more than I expected. It was 8 days but felt like a lot more. I learned so much about myself and my history and what happened there. It made me realize that being Jewish is who we are and what we will always have, no matter where we are. The trip also made us all appreciate our Judaism. The rabbis were amazing. They managed to show us the beauty even as they taught us about the horrors that took place there. I learned so much from them. We were experiencing things together that are now a part of us forever.

TRIPS 6

6,000+students wenton trips last year

164,700hours of Jewishstudy on our trips

US

A

Roi AnkawaAish Penn State

“My experience on jInternship really allowed me to delve deeper into the question of what it means that we, the Jewish people, now have a modern state of Israel and

what it means for one to be a Jew living in today’s Israel. We were exposed to Jews of all religious perspectives

and upbringings who helped provide answers for these uncertain questions. Thanks to jInternship, the theological

and philosophical sense of Jewish interconnectedness remains with me today and continues to inspire me to

learn more and more about Judaism.”

Sam Apple

NOVEL PROGRAMMING 7

NO

RTH

AM

ERIC

A

NOVEL PROGRAMMINGOLAMI PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES ARE DYNAMIC AND VARIED

STAFFWE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE DEDICATION OF THE STAFF ACROSS THE GLOBE xWHO WORK TIRELESSLY WITH THEIR STUDENTS

STAFF 8

What I do here is not my job. It is my life. I don’t draw a

distinction. I was born and raised here in Moscow and I understand

what our students are experiencing in many ways. This enables me to be not only their mentor, but also their friend. Students come to our house

for Shabbat meals, for learning, for advice and for friendship. We

have become like a big family, each unique and growing in his own

way on his Jewish journey.

training conferencesUSA, Mexico, Brazil, France, Argentina and Israel

The educators that work within the network are a diverse and talented group, bringing their skills from other fields to their campus work. Among us we have pyschologists, artists, journalists, programmers, communication professionals, physicians, photographers, broadcasters, personal trainers, life coaches, system analysts and more...

people work within the Olami framework

worldwide

2,000

Sara KatzTorah MiTzion, Moscow

FSU

COUNTRIESWHY SAY SOMETHING IN ONE LANGUAGE WHEN WE CAN SAY IT IN 11?

ARGENTINA

Olami participants speak

11 different languages

between them;English, Hebrew, French, Spanish, Portugese, Russian, German, Ukrainian, Hungarian, Georgian and Italian

REGIONS/COUNTRIES 9

Olami has a presence in

27different countries

across 7 regions

GERMANY

Our first student project in Rome, Italy. Italy is a prime space for an Olami program; with one Jewish school and around 17,000 Jews, they have the infrastructure we need to launch an incredible program. Watch this space!

HUNGARY

POLAND

SPAIN

UNITED KINGDOMBELARUS

GEORGIA

RUSSIA

UKRAINE

BRAZIL

CHILE

MEXICO

URUGUAY

UNITED STATES

CANADA

NEW COUNTRY COMING IN 2016!

AUSTRIAFRANCE

PORTUGAL

ISRAEL

AUSTRALIASOUTH AFRICA

LATVIA

AZERBRAIJIAN

ESTONIA

COSTA RICA PANAMA

It’s hard to imagine Hungarian Jewish life without Tikvah. Every Hungarian Jew knows it’s a place where they can go: for kosher food, a place to pray, to learn, to meet and socialize. Tikvah’s student program is held twice each week, with over 100 students attending each session. More than 200 students celebrated Purim. Kornel, who runs the program says “It’s so beautiful to see them getting involved. When they come to us to celebrate Shabbat, they don’t just watch, they participate, they experience. Most have not seen this at home. Hungary is unique. Our community went through the Shoah and then 40 years of communism, so Jewish expression and practice was almost invisible here. But I am proud to say, that with love, hard work, faith, and the incredible support of our donors, we are embracing the young Jewish adults and ensuring that they grow up as proud and active Jews.”

REGIONS/COUNTRIES 10

COUNTRIESH

UN

GA

RY

ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGSONE ON ONE LEARNING REACHED NEW HEIGHTS IN 2015

Camila

I have Debbie Waissbluth to thank for where I am today. She is an amazing lady with whom I developed a strong

relationship in Chile. She is open minded, intelligent and warm. She

opened her house to me for Shabbat meals, we learned together, and we

laughed! She played a really significant role in my Jewish growth, introducing me

to a beautiful world that I had no idea about. I recently made Aliyah and am

about to start Ulpan. Debbie inspired my Jewish journey and I am forever grateful.

250 Chevruta programs running

ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS 11

CH

ILE

20,000students attended Shabbatonim worldwide

steaming hot bowls of chicken soup were served on Friday night in North America

2,314students decided to celebrate Shabbat each week

SHABBAT 12

SHABBAT

In the summer of 2015, we took 27 Jewish young professionals from noisy London for a peaceful Shabbaton retreat in Somerset.

It was the perfect opportunity to switch off from the busy weekday and to switch on to a fun-filled Shabbaton packed with classes,

chats and great meals. We had a two hour “Shacharit” experience where eight JLE participants presented entertaining and insightful

summaries and personal reflections on the various parts of the Parsha of the week. Amy Solomon, a trip participant said “JLE trips are always a highlight and

this was no exception. I personally felt that the opportunity to research and present a summary about the Parsha to my

peers gave me a chance to be a player not just a spectator. I was very very nervous but

so glad I did it!” Other highlights were our afternoon meditation session in the sun to find some spiritual connection and a musical

havdala. A shabbaton like this is the perfect way for us to get to know our students and for them to know our families. Phones were

put away for the duration and in such a peaceful setting we were all able to join together to celebrate the joy and beauty of Shabbat.

Rabbi Dov CowanJLE

THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF THE WEEK BROUGHT OUR PARTNERS AND STUDENTS TOGETHER FOR MEANINGFUL, INTERACTIVE SHABBATOT.

“I personally felt that the opportunity to research and

present a summary about the Parsha to my peers gave me a chance to be a player not just

a spectator. I was very very nervous but so glad I did it!”

UK

ORGANIZATIONSOLAMI NETWORK IS WORLDWIDE, AND KEEPS ON GROWING.

ORGANIZATIONS 13

320organizations within the Olami network

The following organizations engaged over 500 students per month with their programs:

ORGANIZATIONS 14

Three Olami organizations, Nefesh Yehudi from Israel, and Sucath David and Menora from Argentina, partnered for an inspiring

evening of Israeli Hasbara followed by a powerful Kabbalat Shabbat in Jerusalem. The Olami Director of Israel trips, Rabbi Rafael Sait says of the initiative “It was

such an inspiring and impactful program.

The Israeli and Argentinian students shared with each other what life is like

in their respective countries. They opened each others’ eyes to their different

experiences of being Jewish, what it means to be a supporter of Israel in their

different countries. It created new ways of thinking for both and allowed for greater

understanding of the challenges each face and how to overcome them. ”

“It was such an inspiring and impactful program. The Israeli

and Argentinian students shared with each other what life is like

in their respective countries.”

ORGANIZATIONS

ISR

AEL

/A

RG

ENTI

NA

KEY DONORS

“We have an obligation to survive and to enable the Jewish Nation to survive as well. In 1940 we were 18 million Jews, in 1945 we were down to 12 million. In 1960 we went up to 18 million Jews and in 2014 they say that we are less than 13 million Jews. Where are the children of the 18 million Jews? If the population of the world grows at 2-3% per year, we should be 60 million Jews today. Where are the missing 40-50 million Jews? They are gone. Who is responsible for them? We are! The people who are aware of the problem and the Rabbis who are responsible to teach Judaism to the Jewish people. We cannot let this happen again. This is our mission and our obligation, to help the Jewish people survive.”

Elie HornOlami International Conference

Summer 2014

KEY DONORS

$100 millionworldwide budget

15

“Olami’s Israel trips connect students from around the world to Israel and

Judaism in a rich and lasting way. The level of education, educators and

students that Olami brings each year is of the highest caliber. The Israeli

Government is proud to be a partner in supporting Olami’s programs and

sees the Israel trips as one of the most impactful programs for college students

and young professionals.”

Dvir Kahana, Director GeneralMinistry of Diaspora Affairs of the Government of Israel

NEW INITIATIVESWE HAVE IMMENSE GRATITUDE TO OUR GENEROUS FUNDERS WHO PROVIDED NOT ONLY FUNDING BUT ALSO THEIR SOUND ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

NEW INITIATIVES

“Ohrsom in South Africa joined the Olami network in 2015 and is the ‘in’ place to be for students. We have two branches; one in Johannesburg and one in Capetown, with approximately 400 students attending our programs. Our Shabbat program rocketed in popularity last year – with a service full of song and a fresh sushi kiddush break, it’s easy to see why! We also focused on our ‘Learn’n Earn program where community members come and teach different groups on a wide variety of topics. We have a host of other programs, events and activities going on, and thank God, all are popular and exciting. Thank you to Olami for this opportunity and your unwavering support.”

Rabbi Menachem Sosnovik, Director of Ohrsom

JCommunity in Berlin recently launched their e-learning initiative which is comprised of three weekly classes online. The person leading the session shares source sheets with participants, encourages group discussion and chat. Rabbi Fabian, Director of JCommunity said “The German Jewish community faces a huge challenge; we are scattered far and wide across the country in cities with little to no Jewish infrastructure or access to Jewish resources. Our e-learning initiative enables them to remain involved with us, and with Judaism throughout the year, developing their Jewish knowledge and identity in a meaningful way.”

16

“The German Jewish community faces a huge challenge; we are scattered far and wide across the country in cities with little to no Jewish infrastructure or access to Jewish resources.”

400 studentsattending our programs

SO

UTH

AFR

ICA

GER

MA

NY

NEW INITIATIVES

Olami Georgia had a busy year in 2015 with a vast range of programs including Torah classes, lectures, programs for young Jewish couples, Shabbatonim, meetings with famous Jewish people, training in management and business admin and more. In addition, there are special events that they ran for each of the chagim, trips, seminars or their monthly paper that they publish! At their Chanukah party in December, they had over 250 attendees, with the Minister of Education Mrs. Tamar Sanikidze as their guest of honor. One of their most important projects is their mission to find available kosher foods on the market and provide certification via their website. Rav Avimelech Rosenblatt is continuously checking Georgian goods and assigning them certificates if they meet the requirements of the Kashrut laws. This is of increasing importance as the number of Jewish and Israeli tourists to Georgia increases. As you can imagine, their staff is critical to their success and so Olami Georgia invests in monthly training to ensure that they are the best they can be.

The story of the Portuguese Jewish community dates back centuries. But in Porto, with just 1000 Jews remaining, the outlook seemed grim. The synagogue didn’t have weekly services and little in the way of Jewish infrastructure. All that looks set to change with the arrival in September 2015 of Yoel Zekri from France. With an increasing number of French students choosing to study in Portugal, Yoel and his wife moved there to inspire and educate the students. In the process, they have kickstarted an exciting process that is reinvigorating the entire community and igniting a spark of Judaism in Portugal. They give weekly classes to the students and the community at large, host Shabbat meals, established a weekly prayer service on Shabbat, they celebrated Chanukah with a big party, and even opened a new Jewish school. The community, so energized by their Jewish revival, purchased a new sefer torah. The students there are also excited; they recognize that they are part of a historic and momentous process and are proud of their involvement.

NEW INITIATIVES 17

“One of their most important projects is their mission to find available kosher foods on the market and provide certification via their website.”

“...they have kickstarted an exciting process that is reinvigorating the entire community and returning the Judaism to Portugal.”

Programs include:

Torah classes, lectures,

programs for young Jewish couples, Shabbatonim,

meetings with famous Jewish people, training in management

and business admin and more

GEO

RG

IA

PO

RTU

GA

L

olami.org111 John St., New York, NY 10038 | info@olami.org | +1 212 791 7354

THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF IT. WE LOOK FORWARD TO AN EVEN MORE EXCITING 2016.