An enterprise three years in the making to pour millions of dollars into strengthening Diaspora Jewry officially started its first project Thursday with a series of grants to three international college-campus organizations.
Mosaic United, formerly known as the Israel-Diaspora Initiative, also unveiled its new name, website and logo.
“The Jewish people really are a mosaic and there are so many different pieces that are separated,” Mosaic United CEO Amy Holtz told The Jerusalem Post, explaining the choice of name. “We\’re hoping to bring the beautiful mosaic of the Jewish people from Israel and the Diaspora together.”
The Israel-Diaspora Initiative was founded in January as the reincarnation of what was originally known as the “Government of Israel World Jewry Initiative,” which got its start with a government decision in June 2014 that set aside nearly NIS 200 million for Diaspora programming.
The initiative hit some bumps along the way, including a rift between the Diaspora Affairs Ministry – tasked as the government arm to lead the initiative – and the Jewish Agency, which eventually pulled out of the collaboration.
The ministry ultimately decided to found a non-profit corporation to serve as the umbrella organization to establish and fund programs for all Diaspora Jews, approximately eight million people around the world, with a two-fold purpose – strengthening Jewish identity and bolstering engagement between the State of Israel and Jews around the world.
Holtz is the former president of Jerusalem U, a film-based Jewish educational NGO. Joining her in bringing Mosaic’s vision to fruition is Gary Torgow, an influential and active Detroit businessman who serves as chairman of the steering committee. Other members of the steering committee are David Shapira from Pittsburgh and Karen Davidson, who is also from Detroit.