The war thrust upon Israel on October 7 has had catastrophic and multi-faceted effect on our country. While the Israel Defense Forces successfully fought Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, the Houthis in Yemen, and pro-Iran militias in Syria and Iraq, success has come at a high cost-including a heartbreaking loss of life and the emotional torment of the society at large. Amid all this suffering, Israel is also bearing the economic pain of the war. Israeli citizens are shouldering the unprecedented financial costs of war, both directly and indirectly.
One of the many exciting organizations to emerge from the war is "Fresh Start," a mentorship program-supported by JUF-for small businesses affected by the war. The program pairs struggling business owners-130 to date-with business advisors empowering them to not only get back on their feet, but to adopt healthier and smart management patterns going forward.
Before the mentorship, all of the participating business owners reported feeling anxious, stressed, and afraid of the unknown, including the stability of their jobs and their family's future.
Some admitted literally struggling to get up in the morning to go to work. Others considered closing their businesses, noting that personal and financial challenges were too overwhelming to take on. They felt that the business faced insurmountable obstacles, and some thought about switching occupations all together. One business owner even considered leaving the country.
When Fresh Start launched, things started to turn around. The program served as a lifeline for these businesses, each one buoyed by the mentorship experience and each advisor tailoring the focus of the mentorship to the specific challenges of each business. Most reported, post-mentorship, that they felt significantly better, and had greater self-confidence, self-efficacy, and well-being.
In a survey of the business owners who participated, most viewed their mentors as committed, knowledgeable, and trustworthy professionals. Thanks to the mentoring, many respondents reported that they: acquired tools to become more intentional and organized entrepreneurs; gained confidence in their products or services; and are more adept at confronting economic and financial challenges. Most of those surveyed no longer feared for their survival, and some were even planning for the future.
Of the 23 businesses surveyed by Fresh Start, 20 increased their income post-mentorship. In fact, the median monthly income of the businesses grew 18% between the three months preceding the mentorship and in the one month after. Meanwhile, their median debt decreased more than 15% over the same period.
Thanks to our community, these small businesses have been awarded a "fresh start"-one that will strengthen them, the Israeli economy and society and, thanks to JUF's support, the ties that bind Israelis with our brothers and sisters in Chicago.
Ofer Bavly is a JUF Vice President and the Director General of the JUF Israel Office.
