Page 43 - Companies Report 2018 public

Nativ – The National Center for Jewish Studies, Identity and Conversion
(Formerly National Company for Education, Development and Absorption)

The company manages the Joint Institute for Jewish Studies and is funded by the Government of
Israel and The Jewish Agency.

The Joint Institute for Jewish Studies was established by decision of the Government of Israel in
cooperation with The Jewish Agency following the recommendations of the Neeman Commission.
The main objective of the Institute is to provide Israeli citizens who are not registered as Jewish with
a variety of frameworks for enriching their knowledge about Judaism and, for those who are
interested, assistance in the conversion process. Although the Institute’s teaching staff represents
all streams in Judaism, the Institute provides a single agreed educational program. Participants who
are approved by the official rabbinical courts for conversion receive a conversion certificate from the
State of Israel which is recognized by all Jewish streams in Israel and overseas.

There are two main tracks of study at the Institute:
1. For soldiers – Thousands of soldiers study in a wide variety of courses.
2. For the general public – Courses are run in communities around the country. Three options
exist: a ten month course consisting of two weekly meetings, a year-long course consisting of
meetings once a week, and a year-long internet course supplemented by local teachers who
connect the student to the community.

Two years ago an innovative digital system for recruiting participants to the civilian courses was
launched and has resulted in a 110% increase in numbers.

Board of Directors: The following are the company’s directors:
Binyamin Ish-Shalom (Chair), Yoel David, Michael Fainberg, Yehuda Gilad, Vera Golovensky,
Aviad Hacohen, Reuven Hammer, Gilad Kariv, Amnon Shapira, Natalie Shneiderman, Lior
Shillat.
All of the above were appointed by The Jewish Agency.

CEO: Amichay Eytam

Shares in the company are held as follows:

Share Category Shareholders Total
Shares
Issued
Jewish Jewish Agency Subsidiaries plus UIA
Agency
Regular 96 4 100

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