Questionnaire: Food for thought

Eran Weintrob is director of the country’s largest humanitarian aid organization, Latet.

By RUTH EGLASH
Eran Weintrob 521 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Eran Weintrob 521
(photo credit: Courtesy)
■ What gets you out of bed in the morning?
My responsibility to take care of my family, help people in need and be a part of the effort that seek to make our society a better place.
■ What keeps you up at night?
Speaking to my partner about the little moments of happiness we share in our family and planning the future together, oh, and of course, Seinfeld, basketball games and drinking with my friends at Nanuchka (in Tel Aviv).
■ What’s the most difficult professional moment you’ve faced?
I’m facing it these days – taking a decision whether to participate and reply to the government’s call for tenders to its food security initiative.
My struggle over making a decision is connected to the identity and values of Latet versus assessing the government’s genuine intentions in facing the problem and striving for a change.
■ How do you celebrate your achievements?
I take a big breath and say to myself: “You did it,” now take a day off and think how to face the next challenge.
■ If you were prime minister, what’s the first thing you would do?
Consolidate a national program to tackle poverty and inequality in Israeli society, including measurable objectives and commitments to the public not to run for a second term if I don’t meet the goals I pledge.
■ Which Israeli should have a movie made about him?
One of the pillars of Israeli culture, Arik Einstein, who represents the good “Israelism,” something nostalgic and naive. Furthermore, the fact that he has stopped performing for the past several years has made him a somewhat of a legend.
■ What would you change about Israelis if you could?
Replace the manipulativeness with tolerance and mutual responsibility.
■ BlackBerry or pen and paper?
Pen and paper.
■ If you had to write an advertisement to entice tourists to come to Israel, what would it say?
Being Israeli means giving, which is Latet’s motto: “Lihiyot Yisraeli zeh latet.”
■ The most serious problem facing the country is?
Poverty, gaps and inequality in the society.
■ How can it be solved?
Consolidate a national program to reduce poverty; allocate NIS 7 billion during 10 years and take action in the fields of employment (minimum wage, negative income tax, encourage micro-entrepreneurship), compatibility of the stipend, reduce gaps in the education system, reduce indirect taxes and increase direct taxes, provide accessibility to health services, implement the national initiative for food security, promote achievable housing for low-income people.
■ In 20 years, the country will be?
One of the most advanced countries in the world and best places to live in. The poverty rate may be close to the average among the OECD and we could have peace agreements with all of our neighbors. Can we? It all depends on us – whether we decide what really the most important things that influence our lives are and what each and every one of us is willing to do to achieve these goals.