Strengthening the connective fabric of world Jewry

As a mother of four with a son who served in Gaza for over 250 days and is now heading up North, every moment is a battle of mental endurance. Waking up requires me to push aside the fear and intrusive thoughts that creep in during the night. Each morning begins with a mental exercise in resilience, reminding myself that worrying about what’s beyond my control doesn’t help anyone.

For me, and for many Israelis, it still feels like October 7— the day that marked an ongoing tragedy in our country’s history. Though we are nearing a year since that fateful day, its shadow remains. The thought of 101 hostages still held in Gaza is unbearable, and I pray every day for their safe return.

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, it’s also a moment for reflection on the past year’s hardships and the unexpected moments of gratitude.

One thing I’m grateful for is the opportunity to do good for others, to bring hope and help small businesses in Israel receive vital financial support that they need in this crucial time. The October 7 attacks unleashed a war that has severely impacted many Israelis’ livelihoods. At SparkIL, a peer-to-peer lending platform, we are providing a direct way for individuals around the world to support these businesses, creating a tangible connection that strengthens Jewish unity during Israel’s darkest hours.

SparkIL offers a way for lenders to explore a variety of business ventures and make impactful micro loans that align with their personal values and aspirations. Once a loan is repaid, lenders have the option to reinvest in new businesses or withdraw their funds, creating a continuous ripple effect of support. They also receive updates on the progress of their loan, fostering a deeper connection between lender and borrower.

Today, SparkIL’s mission is more crucial than ever. Nearly a year into the Swords of Iron War, countless Israelis remain displaced, unable to work because their communities were either devastated or are now in the line of fire. Those who continue to run businesses face additional challenges, like staff shortages, as many Israelis have been called to reserve duty in the IDF.

Many Israelis I speak to are gripped by uncertainty. War looms over their lives, leaving them with difficult questions: Will the hostages ever be freed? Will evacuees be able to return home? Can small business owners survive another year?

At the same time, Jews around the world are grappling with their own existential questions and still asking themselves how they can help from afar to Israelis that are sacrificing so much. 

This is why, despite the challenges, I wake up each day knowing that I am working on two important missions—helping Israelis who are grappling with the impact of war, and fostering deeper connections between Jews worldwide and everyday Israelis.

A significant number of people in the Jewish world are yearning for a way to connect. We witnessed the widespread outpouring support from world Jewry to Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l, the recently murdered hostage of Hamas who was an American citizen. Jon is also one of the founders of SparkIL and is dear to our hearts. 

While efforts like the campaign to free hostages provide an emotional link to Israel, SparkIL offers a practical means of making a difference in Israelis’ daily lives. Since October 7, thousands of microlenders from across the globe have contributed around $6 million to support more than 350 Israeli businesses affected by the war. However, the heart of our mission can be seen in smaller contributions—just $25 is enough to start making a meaningful difference through our platform. We aim to make it easy and accessible for anyone to connect with Israel, whether they’re new to philanthropy or have felt distanced from the country.

In a world where skepticism is rampant, it’s natural to wonder where your money goes. With SparkIL, lenders know exactly who benefits from their loan and receive updates on the business’s progress. Our goal is to make a direct and transparent impact.

We are also focusing on engaging younger generations through initiatives in Jewish day schools, Youth Movements and Colleges to expose students to a new opportunity of philanthropy in the form of impact lending. We recently launched the SparkIL Next Gen Fund to engage 10,000 students with a $36 Gift Card supporting a small Israeli business.  

By reimagining Jewish philanthropy and fostering social entrepreneurship, SparkIL is helping to preserve and strengthen the global Jewish community’s connection to Israel. As the war continues and we prepare to face another year with difficult implications, we must find every way possible to strengthen the bonds among Jews worldwide.