Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem Blog

In addition to my work as a business coach, one of my interests is blogging about life in Israel. This is a country full of contrasts – over eight million citizens living in an area the size of Wales. You can see snow and the lowest place on the globe in the same day. Although surrounded by geopolitical extremes, Israel has achieved a decade of high economic growth. My work brings me in contact with an array of new companies, exciting technologies and dynamic characters. Sitting back with a relaxing cup of strong tea (with milk), you realise just how much there is to appreciate in the Holyland. Large or small operations, private sector or non profit, my clients provide experiences from which others can learn and benefit.

 

Flash the word “Jerusalem” in front of somebody, and they automatically recall words like religion or Old City or conflict. Others might refer to tourism or civil servants.

The fact is that Jerusalem in 2015 is a modern city of around 800,000 and it is full of thriving commercial initiatives. It is not just that you have semi-government agencies like MATI and MAOF, providing subsidised mentoring and consultancy services. Nor do I refer to the wonderful teams like BioJerusalem encouraging the boom in the local  biotech industry. Recycling plants, venture capital groups, social ventures, etc –  Jerusalem is rapidly catching up Tel Aviv as a city which is reputed for its enterprise and innovation.

Here are just three micro examples of what I mean.

Jerusalem Business Networking Forum (JBNF) is a group that I have mentioned before. With regular monthly meetings and now a separate bio division, JBNF has spent a decade providing a mechanism for the business world of Jerusalem to meet up. Most of the events are in English, and JBNF welcomes the entire entrepreneurial com,munity – Jews, Arabs, ultraorthodox, young, old,…whomever.

It is impossible to calculate the net impact of JBNF on the economic basin of the Israeli capital. The organisers, all volunteers, reveal that as a result of the meetings dozens have secured employment, hundreds have bought and sold services, and millions have been transferred in investment partnerships. The list of achievements is impressive.

KOLI is an interesting and worthy private initiative, led by the Australian-Israel clinical psychologist, Dr. Rachel Bachner. For the first time in Jerusalem, the city is to have a one-stop shop for adults suffering from eating disorders. Open to people of all backgrounds, the experienced team provides workshops, seminars, therapies and more.

It is surprising that the city has had to wait so long for such a centre. Dr Bachner has noted that the annual cost to the economy in terms of lost work days, as well as additional medical expenses from such illnesses can be easily calculated in the tens of millions. And that does not allow for the emotional and physical suffering. Time for a change of policy.

Beer Baazar is my third offering. This is the initiative of two 30-something Israelis, whose restaurant provides customers with a choice of beers from the dozens of boutique breweries that have sprung up in the Holy Land over the past decade or so.

Could the concept work? They started out in Tel Aviv, and are now just about to open up the second branch at the back of the Machane Yehuda Vegetable market in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem in 2015 is beautiful and diverse city, full of tensions and yet thriving. You never stop discovering in this very special place.

Disclaimer: I am associated with JBNF and KOLI

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