What do you think are the important Jewish issues that could be significantly influenced by philanthropic intervention if the Jewish community could devote sufficient resources on a large scale? What types of interventions would be most effective?

Dr. Nachman Shai was elected to the 18th Knesset in February 2009. In his capacity as a Knesset Member on behalf of the Kadima party, he is a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee; the Economic Affairs Committee and the Committee on the Status of Women. Nachman also serves as the Chairman of the Knesset Delegation to the European Parliament and chairs the Israel-United Kingdom Parliamentary Friendship Group, the Israel-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, the Israel-Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Lobby for the Promotion of Israel's Public Diplomacy. Immediately prior to his entry into the world of politics, Nachman held the position of Senior Vice President and Director General, External Affairs of the United Jewish Communities (UJC), Israel .

Nachman has held diverse positions in the military, the media, the diplomatic and the public arenas. These include: Director General of the Ministry of Science, Culture and Sport; Israel Defense Force Spokesperson, with the rank of Brigadier General; Communications Advisor to the Minister of Defense; Director General of the Second Television and Radio Authority; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Channel 2 News Company and Chairman of the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA).

Israel is at a very important juncture regarding its internal affairs – namely, the struggle for democracy and the continually deepening social crisis. As for democracy, the general public's inclination toward the religious right has brought heavy pressure on democratic institutions - the Supreme Court, the Knesset, the Media to conform with the political majority, and in this way, to harm the democratic foundations of the State.

This is achieved by the absence of a constitution and by the relative ease with which laws can be changed, preventing various rights and restricting the movements of the Supreme Court. The second topic, which is of critical importance to the future of the State and partially related to the first matter, is the increased gaps in Israeli society, growing poverty and marginalization of various sectors. This arises from a market which is allegedly free but which in practice is very focused on preventing any free competition and on making the middle class carry it on its back, with increasing difficulties. This is the background to the protest of last summer, which highlighted the frustration of those who give much and receive little, and those who give little or don't give but receive a lot in comparison.

I am of the opinion that JFNA, by means of the Jewish Agency and JDC cannot ignore such phenomena. Our anxiety for the future of the State of Israel is not only for its national security. It also depends on the strength and health of society and its ability to preserve the basic values, which the Jewish communities in the U.S. support, despite the fact that in the past, the key Jewish organizations feared "political intervention". The time has come to jump into the deep end and act boldly, with, of course, both sensitivity and an accurate analysis of the situation and responses to this activity.

I suggest therefore that JFNA request programs from its partners, according to the following guidelines - strengthening Israel's democracy, including its various branches and institutions, a struggle for equality between different sectors and genders in society and vigorous action to minimize social gaps. I recognize that many such programs already exist, particularly at JDC, but also at the Jewish Agency. Now, when the Jewish Agency is setting a new agenda, this is its chance to do new things.

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