ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
The JGF promotes environmental, social, and economic sustainability in and around Jerusalem through the support of grassroots community initiatives, working with Jerusalem's diverse communities, and reaching out to lovers of Jerusalem around the world.
Read Naomi Tsur's welcome message.
Check out the JGF Board Members, our Team and JGF Founders.
JERUSALEM STAKEHOLDERS
Jerusalem Stakeholders, the core members of the JGF, constitute both the human and the financial capital of the organization. The Jerusalem Stakeholders foster public accountability through their financial commitment and civic engagement, both fundamental to the effort of transforming Jerusalem so that residents and visitors alike can take pride in the beauty and holiness of our city.
OUR GOALS
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Fund-raise for and support projects mainly in the Jerusalem region that advance social, environmental and economic sustainability; and those that promote awareness of the value of sustainable development.
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Advance environmental awareness and responsibility; conservation and integration of natural resources in sustainable development; and generate respect for the environment.
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Encourage and support businesses, organizations and institutions in the integration of policies that demonstrate environmental and social responsibility.
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Initiate and encourage interfaith dialogue and cooperation in the work of the JGF throughout the Jerusalem region and in other communities, cities, and countries.
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Initiate and produce conferences, seminars, workshops and lectures to promote environmental, social and economic responsibility and accountability.
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Compile, publish, and disseminate written and multimedia materials that advance the goals and projects supported by the JGF.
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Pursue educational, civil, and legal avenues in support of the goals of the JGF.
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Establish contact and work with individuals and institutions worldwide in pursuit of the goals of the JGF.
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THE TEAM
BATEL SPIVACK
Community Initiatives Coordinator
Batel completed her MA in Environmental Studies with a focus on urban sustainability at Tel Aviv University's Porter School and has a BA in Political Science from Stern College Yeshiva University.
She came to JGF after coordinating the Sustainability Center of Gilo, Jerusalem, where she worked with residents and elementary schools. Batel currently directs a sustainability center for the Haredi community run jointly by the JGF and the Romema Community Center. Through this center she also initiates out-reach to the wider Haredi community of Jerusalem.
Batel made aliyah in 2004 and lives in Tekoa with her husband and 4 children.
TIMNA RAZ
Projects Manager
Timna has a B.Sc in environmental science and geography and is now working on an M.A in prehistoric archaeology and natural resource management. She worked in the Society for Protection of Nature and in the Environmental Education Department in the Jerusalem Municipality. She worked at the Jerusalem Green Fund since its establishment in various projects related to urban agriculture and community sustainability.
Today she is leading three projects in JGF: the "A planter for every windowsill" in Reshit school in Kiryat Menachem, as part of the neighborhood sustainability forum which she coordinates. She managers the "Regional Partnership for the Promotion of a Biosphere Reserve in the Jerusalem Hills". She heads a civil society team working on behalf of the Sustainable Jerusalem Lobby, working on writing a mitigation and adaptation plan for climate change for Jerusalem with the municipality.
ESTHER TJON A TEN
Projects Manager
Esther made Aliyah in 1997 and has lived in Jerusalem ever since. She has worked as an environmental educator, facilitating community building with people of all ages, and from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
Previously she worked with the Society for Protection of Nature and collaborated with the Community Council in the Environmental Education Department in the Jerusalem Municipality. She joined the Jerusalem Green Fund team in 2019, working on various projects related to urban agriculture and community sustainability.
Today she manages the Bustania community garden, creating a platform for environmental education, social events and community gardening. She also co-founded and oversees the neigbourhood food saving pilot in Kiriyat Hayovel.
EILEEN STEINBERG
Local and International Outreach
Eileen has just completed her MA at Hebrew University in Nonprofit Management and Leadership in 2020, a field she has worked in Israel for over 25 years. She graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa in 1976, with BA’s in International Finance and Sociology.
In 2015, she established an internship program at Hebrew University’s Rothberg International School where she supervised, guided and taught over 110 MA Nonprofit Management and Leadership students hailing from all corners of the globe.
Eileen represented Israel abroad in different missions, first in Greece, later in Rochester, NY. She worked with the late Mayor of Jerusalem, Teddy Kollek, organizing international events for the Jerusalem Events Center. She established and served as either a chairperson, board member and/or organizational consultant for private concerns and various NPO’s, including the Australian Friends of Orr Shalom’s Children’s Homes, Hadassah Women, Association of American and Canadians in Israel (AACI) and Kehillat Yaar Ramot.
Eileen, from southern Florida, is married to Professor Doron Steinberg, Assistant Dean of the Hadassah Dental School, a 12th generation Jerusalemite. They have 4 children and 6 grandchildren all living in Israel.
YISRAEL SMITH
Admin Support
Yisrael Smith has a B.Ed in Jewish Education and an MA in Linguistics from Bar Ilan University. He has worked as a woodworker, a college lecturer, and most recently in nonprofit management running a community Beit Midrash in Jerusalem and an online women's study program for students worldwide.
Yisrael initially joined the JGF to help with administrative tasks and web management. He now works full time devoting his time to strategic planning, resource development, plus working to create a green business forum for Jerusalem.
Yisrael lives in Tekoa, Gush Etzion with his wife.