Vered Grimboim, the new chair of The Spirit of Israel, was the CEO of the Friends of Sheba organization for 15 years, during which time she raised NIS 1 billion for the Sheba Medical Center. Grinboim has now entered a new arena, focused on resource mobilization for national projects in Israeli society.
She has a wealth of experience in leading dozens of innovative projects, such as upgrading the psychiatry and geriatric system; establishing the first national burn center in Israel and establishing a national unit for pediatric burns; expanding the rehabilitation system for war victims, purchasing orthopedic equipment and upgrading the physiotherapy system; upgrading the neurological rehabilitation department; assisting in establishing a kidney transplant center and purchasing advanced equipment; supporting the upgrading and renovation of pediatric departments; renovation and construction of maternity and gynecological oncology departments; supporting internal departments; supporting the development of innovative cancer research and other areas of research; development and upgrading of the post-trauma field; and support for physician training, and many other recruitments.
Grinboim was appointed chair of The Spirit of Israel, the resource mobilization arm of the Jewish Agency in Israel. She is engaged in directing Israeli philanthropy toward urgent national and social missions at a critical time for the country's reconstruction.
How do you see your new role, and what is your vision for The Spirit of Israel in the coming years?
When I left my position as CEO of the Friends of Sheba, I decided to take some time off to think about my next step. It was clear to me that I wanted to take part and make an impact by doing good on a national level, especially after October 7 and the upheaval that Israeli society experienced. Within a week of my departure, I was contacted by Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, whom I greatly admire, with the offer to head The Spirit of Israel. It is a subsidiary of the Jewish Agency that constitutes the agency's resource mobilization arm in Israel. Of course I agreed.
I see four main axes that stand at the center of the vision of The Spirit of Israel: (1) Strengthening social resilience by providing resources to communities and families that have been affected since the war; (2) long-term rehabilitation by accompanying communities and individuals that have been affected mentally, physically, and economically; (3) equal opportunities for the younger generation by reducing geographical and social gaps that the war deepened; and (4) strengthening and supporting lone immigrant soldiers and programs and absorption of new immigrants.
My vision is that The Spirit of Israel will be a leading body in the country that enables not only a response to crises but also the building of a future by mobilizing the necessary resources.
What areas do you plan to focus on first?
The new strategy of The Spirit of Israel is currently taking shape, but I can already outline the plans and the mobilization of resources for them (all the programs presented are from the Jewish Agency). The Wings program for lone immigrant soldiers will continue to provide immigrants with full support, from immigration to release from the IDF, which includes learning Hebrew, absorption, dealing with the army, assistance throughout the service period, and job placement after service.
The Foundation for Victims of Terrorism for victims of terrorism and families of abductees will expand its activities with psycho-social support, resilience workshops, and direct support for families.
The Youth and Immigrant Campus near Sderot, a flagship project being established in Eivim, aims to settle the Western Negev by attracting young people in order to create a new community in the area.
For the Druze society, we will provide assistance to Druze reservists by creating jobs and supporting children and youth who require help in the education system.
These are programs that have a huge impact on national resilience.
How does your experience in raising funds and leading national projects fit into the social work of The Spirit of Israel?
I see my work in The Spirit of Israel as a direct continuation of my work at Sheba, where I was focused on raising resources for health needs, which often entailed confronting national challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic and wars. After October 7, I felt that it was right for me to focus on a national social one. This is about the future of the next generation, of all of our children and grandchildren, what their lives will look like.
These are communities that have been affected and, in fact, the future of Israeli society as a whole.
The vision of The Spirit of Israel is social and national: restoration and strengthening national resilience and reducing social gaps by absorbing immigrants and reducing geographical and social gaps.
Coming from the world of health, technology, and innovation, will you bring the boundary-breaking thinking that you implemented at Sheba?
I believe that thinking creates change. I brought creative thinking to Sheba while initiating innovative and groundbreaking collaborations. Today I use my experience and bring the tools I acquired to the social world, and this time on a national scale. The work at The Spirit of Israel is much more comprehensive and large-scale, and that is the challenge.
What makes The Spirit of Israel unique within the Jewish Agency system?
The Jewish Agency traditionally relies on donations from the Jewish world. The Spirit of Israel serves as an engine that brings the Israeli public closer to the global effort. In recent years, global philanthropy expects to see Israel come under the gurney. The Spirit of Israel is the body that connects donations abroad with local donations. Only together can we face the enormous challenges of the era.
What is the most pressing social challenge in Israel today, and how can The Spirit of Israel influence it?
Resilience and reducing the gaps in Israeli society is challenge number one The war exposed and deepened these gaps, and if we don't address it now we will lose an entire generation. What we do at The Spirit of Israel is social reconstruction: mental resilience, community resilience, support for new immigrants, and reducing gaps in education, employment, and rehabilitation. That is the engine that pushes the State of Israel forward.
What have you learned about yourself in your career path, and what do you bring with you to this role?
That I am a total person when I believe in something. Responsibility, commitment, and the desire to succeed are part of me. But above all, my strength is the ability to connect with people, listen to them, and create connections that would not have happened otherwise.
I came to my current position with curiosity and a deep commitment to Israeli society. First and foremost, I bring that commitment to light in this role. Especially after October 7, I don't see it as just a job -- it's a mission.
This article was written in cooperation with The Spirit of Israel