Put your money where your heart is.

I first learned that phrase as it was written in white letters on a big blue heart-shaped pin gifted by some rare American guest visiting my town in central Ukraine in late 80s. I liked wearing it on my denim jacket, but I don’t think I quite understood it because the notion of investing or philanthropy were as foreign as that American guest.

But times and places change and I catch myself thinking more and more about investing money — for profit or for the idea — to where my heart is — Israel.

The white and blue Jewish state took roots in my heart about the same time as that white and blue pin found its place on my lapel. Times changed, iron gates of USSR opened, American and Israeli Jews came to us and unlocked the whole world of Jewish heritage and ancestral land many of us were barred from knowing during 70 years of Soviet rule. Israel became the magical land where we, Jews, are responsible for our own lives and future and don’t depend on the mercy of the “host” country.

That magic of Israel is still true to me today even after spending second half of my life in US and appreciating all the freedoms and possibilities this great country creates for its citizens and residents.

Israel is forever in my heart and my goal is to do everything in my capacity to help her thrive. If this resonates with you, I invite you on a journey exploring all the possibilities of putting money into Israel. As we all understand: any contribution — of time, energy, skills, passion — counts, but financial boost brings any goal closer to accomplishment.

Each post will expose one of the possibilities of channeling your/my financial resources into initiatives, businesses, programs, people that help Israel be all she can be and more. I imagine some of them will be based in Israel while others in US or other parts of the world where Jewish community and its supporters work to strengthen Israel and our connection to that promised land. If you think I should know about some investment opportunity into Israel, let me know and I will explore it.

Let the journey begin.