אל על | אטמוספירה

Magazine I Circle of Impact | By Stefan Oberman

Small Businesses, Big Dreams: how you can be part of Israel’s economic revival The Western Galilee tourist information center I Photo by the Jewish National Fund-USA

When you fly EL AL, you’re not just traveling; you’re becoming part of a nation’s story. It is a tale of innovation and resilience with just the right amount of “chutzpah”. It is an attitude perhaps best symbolized by Israeli small businesses. Even in the best of times, running a small business is tough. Add to the mix a multifront conflict and a sudden lack of tourists and you have a recipe for disaster. In these trying times, Jewish National Fund-USA has stepped up. Through its Small Business Association, they provide vital assistance, helping businesses stay afloat through networking and shared resources and fostering economic resilience across the nation (jnf.org/wgn). Know that as you explore Israel, every purchase you make from a local artisan, every meal you enjoy at a family-run eatery, and every souvenir you take home contributes to the

nation’s recovery. Over the years, countless Americans have traveled to Israel with Jewish National Fund-USA (jnf.org/travel). Read what one small art gallery owner who was recently visited by a Jewish National Fund-USA tourist group had to say: “It warms my heart so much to meet everyone who comes with such love (forget about sales for a moment) in their eyes and hearts. I don’t have words big enough to express what my heart feels. Thank you is such a small word. May you all, the team, be blessed for the wonderful work you’re doing for all of us, during such a terrible time. May we have easier days ahead and good news”. After your trip, Jewish National Fund USA’s Online Mitzvah Marketplace offers a platform to continue to purchase Israeli goods from small businesses. Explore the diverse offerings at jnf.org/store and bring

a piece of Israel into your home and share the magic of Israeli small businesses with others. Everything Jewish National Fund USA does is focused on attracting 800,000 new residents to Israel’s north and south. In what the organization refers to as its “Circle of Impact”, every program, project, and initiative creates a ripple effect. By supporting small businesses on Israel’s frontiers, you’re helping to create more jobs, more amenities, economic growth, and ultimately, increase the overall quality of life in these regions. Psst – a quick travel tip If you happen to find yourself in the ancient northern city of Acre (Akko), be sure to visit the Western Galilee Tourist Information Center to receive expert local tips on what to see, who to visit, and most importantly, where to eat! Visit westgalil.org.il. ˆ

30 ATMOSPHERE MAY 2025