‘My form of Zionism’: Jerusalem nonprofit helps new olim build businesses in Israel

In Israel, there exists a saying: "Come to Israel with a large fortune, as you'll leave with a small one." However, Michael Horesh, a senior mentor for new immigrant business owners at MATI Jerusalem, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs and small-business owners, believes that this statement is far from true. Horesh utilizes this quote during his webinars to emphasize that he aims to prevent new immigrants from experiencing the same financial struggle.

Established in 1991 by former Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek and businessman Uri Scharf, MATI Jerusalem offers specialized business support services to numerous underserved populations, including new immigrants, women entrepreneurs, haredi business owners, and residents of east Jerusalem. Additionally, the organization caters to entrepreneurs who have faced challenges due to their military service, the miluim (reserve duty).

MATI Jerusalem collaborates with various partners, such as the Jerusalem Municipality, the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, the Jewish Agency, the Jerusalem Foundation, and numerous donor organizations. The organization's professionals offer tailored support to their respective communities, leveraging their expertise in the field.

The mentor, Horesh, was born in London and immigrated to Israel in 1982. After serving in the IDF and working in both public and private sectors, he decided to become a consultant. Despite initially struggling to establish himself in the field, Horesh found his calling in mentoring new immigrant business owners.

"My raison d'être is to help build up and strengthen the ecosystem in Israel," Horesh shares. He explains that the purpose of a mentor is to prompt students to think, be curious, and ask questions. Through his mentoring, he has helped hundreds of new immigrants establish their businesses. New olim who have been living in Israel for up to 10 years can receive five hours of free business mentoring from MATI. If they successfully set up a business, they can receive an additional 15 hours of mentoring at no cost.

During their initial meeting, Horesh discusses his mentees' backgrounds, qualifications, and the potential of their business concepts. He often assists them in matching their needs, desires, financials, and market potential. Many olim possess creative ideas but lack essential financial and time management skills. For instance, one mentee's company experienced significant sales growth but overlooked VAT responsibilities, which Horesh's mentoring helped them rectify.

Horesh emphasizes that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but rather a strength. He frequently encounters individuals who think they cannot succeed, despite their competence. He also notices that some new immigrants experience impostor syndrome, which the mentors at MATI help them overcome.

MATI Jerusalem plays a crucial role in ensuring the stability of new immigrant businesses. They help mentees set realistic financial targets and guide them through the journey of establishing their businesses. Meira Herman, an aliyah consultant from New Rochelle, New York, who made aliyah in 2018, credits MATI for helping her navigate her career transitions. She initially served in the IDF, pursued university studies, and eventually transitioned into the art and dog-sitting industries, all with the support of MATI.