Ascent 2016 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT

2016 REPORT / 2017 OUTLOOK

Cover Artwork: “Ein Ode Milvado” by Tsfat artist Avraham Lowenthal “There is none else beside Him!” (Devarim, 4:35). The deep meaning of this Torah verse is discussed extensively in the Kabbalah. Ein Ode Milvado expresses the realization that nothing in life is a coincidence, that everything is happening for a Divine reason, and that even the difficulties of our lives are all ultimately hidden blessings. The verse expresses the Divine mission that we should each strive to reveal, as much as possible, the Divine essence in every thing, and minimize, to the extent that we are able, its concealment by the externalities of creation.

Avraham’s inspirational artwork can be seen and ordered at: KabbalahArt.com

CONTENTS FROM THE DIRECTOR

5

OVERVIEW 6 PROGRAM REPORTS

STUDENTS & TRAVELERS

8

EDUCATIONAL GROUPS

10

IDF & LONE SOLDIERS

12

IDF UPDATE & FUTURE PLANS

14

INTERNET OUTREACH

15

SPECIAL REPORTS

SPOTLIGHT: BIRTHRIGHT

16

SPOTLIGHT: BAYIT B’TSFAT

17

SPOTLIGHT: ACHI YISRAELI

18

SPOTLIGHT: BAR/BAT MITZVAHS 19

MORE NEWS & UPDATES

20

PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT

22

THE ASCENT TEAM

24

OUR PARTNERS

26

FISCAL REPORT

27

OUR MISSION: TO AWAKEN JEWS IN ISRAEL AND AROUND THE WORLD TO A JUDAISM THAT IS RELEVANT, PERSONAL, AND FULFILLING.

WHY

The cornerstone of what Ascent does is education with love—a love of our fellow Jew, a love of Torah, a love of the Land of Israel.

People are attracted to this authenticity. Add to that our dedication to quality programs and professionalism, and that’s the formula that makes Ascent so special.

WHAT

Ascent is a non-profit education and resource center in northern Israel, established in 1983, with a 230 bed campus in Tsfat’s Old Jewish Quarter. We serve young and old with an authentic short but focused interactive and personalized Jewish learning experience.

HOW

Ascent serves the entire spectrum of the Jewish people: IDF soldiers, English speakers, Russian and Ethiopian immigrants, Israelis, high school and college students, families and couples and tour groups from all over the world. Ascent educates and inspires more than 60,000 people a year through day and overnight programs, using a broad range of educational activities and experiences, connecting them to their Jewish heritage, bolstering Jewish identity and instilling Jewish pride.

IMPACT

The ignited sparks of interest and learning that are internalized at Ascent are taken back to communities literally all over the world and passed on to future generations to preserve and create a vibrant Jewish future.

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ASCENT TSFAT

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends & Partners, Thank you for taking the time to review Ascent’s 2016 Annual Report. The purpose of the Report is to share with you what we have accomplished together in the past year and what our plans are for the immediate future.

The Report will speak for itself. For my part, I would like to share a story with you .

As related by Mr. Uri Oholi (former Jewish Agency representative to the Ukraine Jewish community): During the summer of 2001 I received a phone call from Rabbi Meir Stambler, the headmaster of Beit Chana Women’s Seminary in Dnepropetrovsk in the Ukraine. Each summer he would send a large group of young seminary students from Dnepropetrovsk to Israel to advance their studies. He asked me to manage the program. I answered that I was very sorry but could not accept. I had fulfilled a lifetime’s dream to return to intensive Torah study and wished to continue.

I had taken the call as I was going to the library in order to review a reference in a commentary on the Talmud Yerushalmi, Tractate “Zeraim” by Rabbi S. Silv. When I found the title I noticed that it had been donated by Rabbi Yaacov Fink. As I opened the book I saw an old, yellowing paper between the pages. I unfolded and began reading it, and I felt light headed. The image of the Lubavitcher Rebbe appeared in front of me.

I was holding a letter from the Rebbe from the year 5723, written thirty nine years before. In the letter the Rebbe told the story of Rebbe Dov Ber, the Mittler Rebbe, who became the second Rebbe of Chabad. Once he was in his own apartment, so deeply engrossed in his learning that he was oblivious to what was going on around him. On the upper floor his father, Rabbi Schneur Zalman, the author of the Tanya, was sitting in his apartment also studying. Suddenly, the infant child of Rebbe Dov Ber (whose bed was in Rebbe Dov Ber’s room), fell off the bed and started crying. Rebbe Dov Ber didn’t notice this until his father, Rebbe Schneur Zalman, came down and said to his son: “Even if you are immersed in learning, you must pay attention to the cry of a Jewish child.”

Through this letter the Rebbe taught me that when there are Jewish children whose souls are crying, it is not a time for self-fulfillment and personal development. Rather, one should turn to assist them, raise them up, sustain their souls. I felt as though the Rebbe, thirty years ago, had listened in to my recent telephone call with R’ Meir, and wrote me his opinion on the matter.

In this letter, the Rebbe also writes: “A person should not be so immersed in any matter, even if it is a very exalted one, that he will not heed the crying of a little one…One must not turn a deaf ear from the crying of these Jewish children…Do not sin in your life, because of the child. Stop all you are doing to care for the child and return him to his father.” As soon as I had calmed down, I called R’ Meir and told him: “I am at your service. How can I help? The Rebbe thought about you!”

The Rebbe was certainly speaking also to me, and to all of us. Thank you for being our partner. Thank you for heeding the call of the soul of the child through your generous partnership in Ascent and all of its activities. May your generosity be repaid many, many times with nachas from children, good health, and plentiful parnassa. May the flow of blessings from Heaven continue and increase, physically and spiritually, this year and always.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Shaul Leiter Director

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

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OVERVIEW

2016 OVERVIEW

6

EFFORTS AND RESULTS

2016 ACHIEVEMENTS

2016 was a year with the right challenges. Concerted efforts by staff on every level provided effective services and programs that fulfilled the needs of our participants.

Particular credit goes to Ascent’s new Logistics Department manager, Talya Karni (see The Ascent Team, page 24), whose dedication was echoed in the successes of all departmental managers and their staff. The outcome is a significant 15% average increase in participation and positive responses in each of Ascent’s departments. Thank G‑d, we are also proud that we moved incrementally forward in 2016 on many projects.

Most important, 2016 was a year of fulfilling our mission - helping Jews, MANY Jews, progress in their spiritual and personal lives.

The Tsfat municipality awarded Ascent the contract to lead the daily tours of the Old City. (See page 20.)

Ascent has been granted the right to develop a Tsfat History and Heritage Center. The Center will be an important exhibition and attraction. (More details on page 23.)

Ascent’s Groups Department has completed a new Birthright seminar program called “Tikkun Olam”, focusing on a Jew’s responsibility to improve the world. It has been well received by Birthright management. (See page 16.)

Major changes in the IDF educational system notwithstanding, Ascent succeeded in consolidating and growing our relationship with the IDF. (See article, page 14.)

Ascent was approved as the official IDF Beit Hachayal (Soldier’s Residence) in the north of Israel. (See page 14.)

There have been positive changes in the Ascent team. Returning from maternity leave, Tali Kaplan has joined the Students and Travelers Department as Administrative Manager. She brings a wealth of skills, experience and energy to this demanding role. Yaacov ben Shabbat has joined Ascent’s staff as Director of our English Programs.

Omer BenEzra enhances the work of the Logistics Department with his competent and willing service. (See staff profiles on page 24.)

Ascent has new Partner organizations: Chayal el Chayal, Ha’aguda Lema’an Hachayal, Azvonot (the Ministry of Justice Estates Committee) and IsraelGrants. (See back cover.)

To maximize our efforts with social media, Ascent started producing and distributing weekly short videos on Torah subjects. This new initiative has succeeded in bringing waves of

ASCENT TSFAT

OVERVIEW

60,019 people participated in Ascent’s programs in 2016.

We had more than one million visitors on our websites!

TOTAL ANNUAL PARTICIPANTS 2012-2016

TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS 2016

60,000 50,000

57% Educational Groups

40,000 30,000

12% IDF

31% Students & Travelers

20,000 10,000

2012

2013

2014

new participants to our doors. Even during the quiet winter months, Ascent continues to welcome a steady stream of guests.

The Ascent library has been enlarged, restructured and documented. This will facilitate and increase usage.

Increased staffing in our Resource Development Department and new approaches and techniques to contact new and veteran donors is already showing positive results. (See page 20.)

2015

2016

LOOKING AHEAD

NOT THE LAST WORD

FUTURE INITIATIVES & DEDICATION OPPORTUNITIES provides a list of ten important capital and educational projects (page 22). We hope you will review it and consider partnering with Ascent. Each project will be a major step forward to secure our continued expansion and success in fulfilling Ascent’s holy mission.

In this Report we are pleased to share with you the results of your partnership with Ascent – through the pictures, stories and words of our participants. We are here to impact and care spiritually and physically for each individual who walks through our door, finds their Jewish soul and grows to express it in their personal life and as a part of the Jewish nation.

We honor and value your support. The positive growth of individuals coming from many countries and walks of life, who benefit from Ascent and whose lives are improved, is in your merit.

Thank you!

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

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PROGRAMS REPORT

STUDENTS & TRAVELERS C R E AT I N G A J E W I S H H O M E A W AY F R O M H O M E OTHER GUESTS 5,720

PROGRAMS OFF CAMPUS (IN ISRAEL AND ABROAD) 1,300

30%

7%

• Daily inspirational classes based on Chassidut and Kabbala.

• Meditations.

• Hikes and tours.

• Varied workshops.

• Shabbat and holiday hospitality with inspirational content on special topics.

• Jewish multimedia library.

• Personal counseling.

2016 REPORT

Ascent’s daily, weekend, and holiday programs for individuals are a lifesaver for thousands of annual visitors. These visitors are primarily college students, either from Israel or those in Israel for learning and touring sabbaticals, and travelers of all varieties. Particularly in demand are Ascent’s themed Shabbat and holiday programs where, in addition to the Shabbat experience, subjects of interest are covered in depth.

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HEBREW-SPEAKING GUESTS 5,256

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS

+25%

FROM 2015

9%

CHABAD-ON-CAMPUS STUDENTS 1,750

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS:

18,845

28%

26%

ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUESTS 4,819

Some examples are meditation, health, music, relationships. and ecology.

A very successful innovation has been the musical wine and cheese Kabbalat Shabbat, held on Ascent’s Rashbi balcony with a breathtaking view of the sunset over the surrounding mountains. This event creates a perfect, relaxed Shabbat atmosphere and ensures that the Shabbat candles are lit on time and the group can begin to coalesce before the Friday night program begins. No less popular is our musical Havdallah with Ascent’s own rock musician Nissim Benchaim.

Feedback is consistent in commending Ascent for a warm home-away-from-home welcome, total acceptance of each unique individual and the joy of meeting new faces as a diverse group blends together in a supportive environment.

These retreats are often the first contact our visitors have with their Jewish heritage and practice. In 2016, 17,545 visitors attended our Shabbat and weekday programs, a 12% increase from the previous year. Ten years ago, besides word of mouth, posters and mailings were the mainstay of Ascent’s advertising.

Today, social media is growing in its impact. Facebook is one of our most powerful advertising tools.

For peer-to-peer advertising, Ascent’s Ambassadors Program has succeeded for thirty years. Veteran Ascenters, encouraged by incentives (free or discounted program fees, books, gifts, etc.), bring their friends to our programs. This continues to be the most successful word-ofmouth technique and brings in the largest numbers to our campus.

Hundreds of Birthright students return for Shabbat and weekday programs by taking advantage of

ASCENT TSFAT

PROGRAMS REPORT

“I was inspired about everything I heard, for the first time in my life, about the depth of the Torah. I came to Ascent and loved every minute. It exceeded my expectations.

I can’t wait to come back!”

OHR’S STORY

2NIGHTS

FREE Two free weeknig hts in Tzfat for Birthright part icipants, oversea college students s and volunteers.

Reserve Now: myAscent.org 1.800.30 .40.7

Your Global Center for

2 Ha’Ari Street, Old

Ascent’s promotion of two free nights at Ascent. (See Birthright feature, page 16.)

Even after over thirty years of work in this field, not a week goes by without someone telling us the story of the positive impact Ascent has had on his or her life.

Ascent hosted three Spanish programs. A group of families came from Spain for three days and two Spanish-speaking groups came for Shabbatot.

ASCENT WILL TRAVEL

Jewish Spiritual Disco

City, Tzfat (5 min. walk

2017 PLANS • Expansion of the Ambassador Program.

• Longer in-depth retreats, especially for returning students.

• Establishing the Tsfat History and Heritage Center.

• A follow up program to make contact with our students a month after their visit. The goal is both to assess to what extent our programs influence Jewish practice and to offer support to bolster participants’ progress as fully practising Jews.

We will travel to interact with and inspire communities within Israel and internationally. In 2016 we reached 1,300 individuals. Please contact us if you would like Ascent to come to YOUR locality. From a one-time shiur to a full-blown Shabbat experience, we look forward to meeting you!

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

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very

from the bus)

Ortal has been part of Ascent’s summer staff for the last four years.

Her job is to befriend students and help them connect to Judaism. One Thursday she spotted someone sitting on the couch in Ascent’s lounge. He was 24, post-army, very tall, with shoulder-length hair and no kippa. She asked his name and if he was staying for Shabbat.

He said his name was Ohr (which means light) and that there were no beds available. Ortal asked the day manager if he could squeeze Ohr in.

He stayed for four weeks, attending every class. Each night Ohr would read another book from the library, while playing music and meditating.

After a month he decided to wear a kippa. Another month and he was keeping kosher. Ascent became Ohr’s home. One day he came to bid us farewell-he had booked a ticket to India. We made him a party and Ohr departed with a bag full of Jewish presents- tzitzit, tefillin, and tehillim.

The highlight was the tefillin. It was his heart’s desire to have tefillin and he promised to use them daily. Ohr left the next morning. We are waiting for him to return home.

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PROGRAMS REPORT

EDUCATIONAL GROUPS SHARING THE LIGHT AND WISDOM OF JUDAISM ELEMENTARY & HIGH SCHOOL 8,679

25%

34,079

ADULT GROUPS 18,002

53%

EDUCATIONAL TOURISM PARTICIPANTS

+8%

FROM 2015

TAGLIT-BIRTHRIGHT

15% 5,162 7%

BAR/BAT MITZVAH 2,236

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS: • Achi Yisraeli.

• Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.

• Chabad on Campus.

• Israeli high schools.

• Taglit-Birthright.

• Adult groups.

• Corporate outings.

• Overseas college students.

• Overseas students at Israeli universities.

2016 REPORT

Ascent’s Educational Groups Department is one whose time has arrived! Consistent annual growth from year to year under the leadership of director Rabbi Eyal Zuchman has brought tens of thousand of individuals to Ascent, literally by the busload, for quality Jewish lifechanging experiences. Some of the trends in 2016 included a massive increase in Taglit-Birthright programs (see article on page 16). Ascent’s two-

10

hour seminar, part of the educational core of the Birthright program, was the main reason for the increase.

Ascent may or may not be able to maintain the same numbers in 2017.

Ascent hosted two Achi Yisraeli groups (see article on page 18).

Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs, literally a young person’s initiation into Jewish life, are a mainstay of Israeli culture. Due to the continuing conflict in Jerusalem, Tsfat has

become the venue of choice for Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs in 2016.

Entire families join Ascent for a festive program (see complete article on page 19).

The big innovation for 2016 was Ascent’s “Program of the Season” activities. Hundreds of participants from all over Israel joined Ascent for special seasonal programs. In the summer we offered speciality tours on the following themes: Wine and

ASCENT TSFAT

PROGRAMS REPORT

“Thank you for an amazing, education-with-sweetness experience.

I know nothing about Judaism. This has been a lot of fun and I want to know more.”

THE HONG KONG CONNECTION

Cheese, the Kabbalists, and the War of Independence. During Tsfat’s famous Klezmer Festival (August), Ascent led six tours each day accompanied by Klezmer musicians. Selichot programs were held from midnight to dawn in September and October. The focus was on prayer and repentance as preparation for the High Holidays.

Lantern tours are held during Chanukah (December) for parents and children, who are guided through the streets of Tsfat at twilight, holding candle lanterns which light up the darkness!

Another important audience for Ascent is high school students. In the Israeli school system trips are mandatory and Ascent offers programs that are educational and fun. This past year 8,679 Israeli high school students came to Ascent. They enjoyed the musical activities that include historical insights, stories, and dancing.

An additional innovation this year

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

was Ascent staff ’s leadership of the Tsfat municipality tours. They take place weekly in the winter, every day in the summer, and six times a day during special festival times (see short article on page 20).

2017 PLANS • We will continue to enlarge the numbers of attendees by marketing our new Birthright Programs.

• The Groups Department is spearheading the Tsfat History and Heritage Center project. This Center will attract new audiences (e.g., bus tours of visitors from overseas) and increase the numbers of participants in existing audiences.

• Ascent will invite a group of Bnei Noach from Germany as a pilot trip.

Every Shabbat in Ascent the participants go to families for the evening meal and eat together as a group for the daytime meal. Eitan Gurion and his wife are one of a dozen couples who come for Shabbos a few times a month to host one of the daytime group meals. One week there was a group of teenagers from a Jewish school in Hong Kong. As is often the case almost half of the students were not Jewish. Their staff had asked for a class in Judaism before the meal. It is always a challenge to present Jewish concepts when there are many non-Jews in a group. Eitan decided to tell them a story which he had heard from a friend about an elderly Jew from Hong Kong who decided to become orthodox after a visit to Israel. While he was telling the story, one of the teachers jumped up, exclaiming “I don’t believe it.”

She said that this was the life-story of her grandfather! Everyone became very excited because they all knew who the story was about and they started asking many questions.The teachers accompanying the group said that Ascent was the best and most memorable and meaningful experience during their visit to Israel.

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PROGRAMS REPORT

IDF & LONE SOLDIERS B O O S T I N G T H E M O R A L E A N D M O T I VAT I O N O F O U R W A R R I O R S 7,132

OFFICERS & COMBAT SOLDIERS

+82%

500

LONE SOLDIERS FROM 21 COUNTRIES

FROM 2015

2016 REPORT

2016 has seen a great rebound in Ascent’s IDF programs. The IDF shows how much it values and respects the work of Ascent by sending increasing numbers of IDF personnel for educational programs.

We have seen this in many areas.

Reserve Units: One of the strongest departments of the IDF in times of conflict is the Reservists. Reserve officers are relied on for their knowledge and experience to win battles. Because of this, the IDF High Command invests greatly in its Reserve Units—both single soldiers and married soldiers with their spouses. Reservists’ opinions are greatly respected and we are proud of the high marks we consistently receive in their evaluations. The number of Reserve Units coming to Ascent for weekday, overnight, and weekend programs has tripled, and

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Ascent has been promised a further increase in attendees for 2017.

Yom Keif: The most popular IDF program at Ascent in 2016 was our newest program,“Yom Keif ” (Day of Fun and Learning). Combining military laser tag, music, and intellectually challenging workshops, the program was developed at the end of 2015 together with the IDF. For combat soldiers, the purpose

of the program is to alleviate the boredom and tension common among combat soldiers posted on Israel’s hostile northern borders.

Feedback on these programs has been 99% overwhelmingly positive. You can view a short film here: Selichot: Soldiers want

ASCENT TSFAT

PROGRAMS REPORT

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

to connect to G‑d. Selichot (meaning “forgiveness”) programs are planned the month before the High Holidays and during Chanukah.

They include a tour of the ancient Tsfat synagogues, a meal, and classes on prayer and repentance. Starting at 8 p.m., the programs usually end at 4 a.m. with a mass shofar-blowing event. Ascent was chosen as the main venue for IDF Selichot in the north. and more than 2,000 soldiers participated. The program was so well received that the IDF is greatly expanding it in 2017.

Lone Soldiers: Lone soldiers are young people from overseas who choose to join the Israeli IDF. The great majority have no family here and are looking for a home away from home. Ascent welcomed 10% of the IDF’s 5,000 lone soldiers as our guests for free R&R on their days off and during Shabbat and holiday periods.

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

Beit Hachayal: At the beginning of 2016 Ascent won the coveted contract of Beit Hachayal for the north of Israel.

This contract allows Ascent to feed and house IDF groups. It is now much easier to accept groups of soldiers and many more groups are planning to come. Together with the additional educational programs there is also some additional income.

Rabbi Asher Gershovitz is a teacher in a local yeshiva, and with his wife Moriah are one of Ascent’s most popular host families. They have married children and not-yet-married children and there is always a lot of action at the Shabbos table. One Friday night a couple joined them from Ascent. The younger children and the grandchildren took centerstage and the guests sat quietly, smiling and enjoying their meal. At the dessert course, Asher asked them to say something about themselves.

The young woman shared that they were engaged to be married in a few weeks. Several years ago she had come to Ascent for a Shabbaton as an IDF officer. Her experience at a family Shabbos table had made a big impact. “When I get married”, she told herself, “this is what I want my home to be like.” She had completed her army service two years previously and then met her soon-to-be husband.

Now that they had a wedding date, she had brought him to Ascent to see first-hand, how she envisioned their new life together.

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PROGRAMS REPORT

IDF UPDATE & FUTURE PLANS Since you are a valued partner in all of our work, and in particular our activities with soldiers, we want to update you on some important developments that have recently taken place in the IDF. The issue of who controls the Jewish identity education of soldiers has been controversial for several years. The conflict is between the IDF’s more secular Education Corps and the observant Military Rabbinate. For the most part, the Education Corps has had the upper hand. In an interesting twist Ascent has been one of the main suppliers for the Education Corps.

Thank G‑d, through our work with the Education Corps and without having to compromise any of our Jewish values, Ascent has been able to teach authentic Judaism to thousands of soldiers.

In August 2016 Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot decided to transfer responsibility for Jewish identity programming to the newly formed “Jewish Identity and Consciousness” Department, under the supervision of the IDF neutral AKA (Human Resources). This decision was made after ten years of infighting, partly to end the bickering and media war and partly to stop what he considered negative influence on soldiers by radical right-and left-wing organizations, who had been allowed into the program. One of the outcomes of this transfer was a clear directive to significantly reduce the number and the activities of outside organizations, with no exceptions.

Miraculously, due to our sterling reputation and our new contract with the IDF, during this period Ascent has been successful in continuing, and even expanding, our IDF activities.

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In November of 2016, a decision was made by the IDF to completely terminate working with any civilian institute. This would take effect in September/October of 2017 and continue until new operational definitions were constructed. This process could take years. IDF staff positions rotate on a nine-month basis, so Ascent would probably lose much, if not all, of the recognition and reputation that it has developed with the IDF over the past decade.

Our sources within the IDF confirmed all the above. Although we were told that there is an excellent chance that Ascent will be among the few institutes invited in the future to work with the IDF, we were eager to find an alternative to just waiting. One strong recommendation from our supporters within the IDF was to register and establish a Tsfat History and Heritage Center. As the ban is only on “civilian institutes”, not on museums or other exhibitions, this would allow Ascent to offer new programs and/or continue to operate our present IDF programs.

The Ascent Tsfat History and Heritage Center is now in initial planning stages.

Ascent has received a letter of support from the Tsfat municipality (see page 23 for further details). We hope b’e”H to complete implementation by late 2017.

4 From top to bottom: Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot IDF Chief of General Staff Brig. General (Ret.) Eli Shermeister former IDF Chief Education Officer Brigadier General Avner Paz-Zuk IDF Chief Education Officer

ASCENT TSFAT

PROGRAMS REPORT

INTERNET OUTREACH SHARING JEWISH WISDOM WITH THE WORLD ASCENTOFSAFED.COM 428,000 VISITORS

+13,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

1.1 Million VISITORS

+10% FROM 2015

KABBALAONLINE.ORG 478,000 VISITORS

2016 REPORT

Ascent’s internet-outreach initiative brings the world to a more refined and productive spiritual level through the teachings of Judaism, particularly the teachings of the Kabbalists of Tsfat and the inner dimension of Torah. The obvious advantage of the internet is its ability to reach far and distant places inaccessible to Ascent’s staff. We do this in three different ways: Through broadcasting written and video teachings; through the sale of books and other aids to Jewish learning; and through inviting the world to participate in Ascent by advertising our programs.

Torah Codes: There is a longstanding Jewish tradition that the name of everyone who has ever lived can be found in the Torah.

The Kabbalists also teach that our birthdate provides significant insight into the cosmic forces dominant at

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

the time of our birth. Using specific coding, all the information sourced from the Torah for the name and birthdate are written up, providing an individual roadmap of the unique purpose of the person’s life.

Prayers & Kaddish: We receive many requests for prayers to be recited at a variety of the holy sites in Tsfat. Ascent arranges for Kaddish (memorial prayers) to be said for people who have passed on (from all over the world) if there is no relative available to do so. The Kaddish prayer is said every day for a year.

LiveKabbalah.com LiveKabbalah.com is an online learning platform that allows students to study and grow in their learning, utilizing a clear, directed, sequential method, taught from the “capital” of Kabbalah—Tsfat, Israel. Membership subscriptions are free for Birthright

KABBALAONLINE-SHOP.COM 110,000 VISITORS ASCENT.CO.IL 54,000 VISITORS MYASCENT.ORG 18,000 VISITORS LIVEKABBALAH.COM 10,000 VISITORS

students and other international students interested in continuing or beginning their learning virtually .

2017 PLANS

• Increase our investment in KabbalaOnline and LiveKabbalah to enable them to increase their audience and impact.

• Upload new classes daily and look for ways to collaborate with other individuals and organizations to market LiveKabbalah to a wider audience.

• Grow our KabbalaOnline shop.

• Focus Ascent’s advertising efforts out of our MyAscent website.

• Integrate our websites with social media platforms to expand and raise awareness of Ascent.

• Secure funding needed to regularly update content on our largest web channel, KabbalaOnline.org.

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SPECIAL REPORTS

SPOTLIGHT: BIRTHRIGHT

In 2016 we hosted 114 groups from Taglit-Birthright. A total of 5,162 participants experienced our interactive workshop on “Ancient Wisdom, Modern Dilemmas” and viewed the hands-on display of Jewish literature spanning the Chumash to modern-day Torah responsa. These classic Jewish texts are used as source material for the workshops.

Some groups tried out—with great success—our new workshop on “Tikkun Olam.” This workshop focuses on a Jew’s responsibility to improve the world.

Birthright members are invited by Ascent to extend their trips and stay at Ascent at an attractive, reduced rate..

Many do take advantage of this, and of our new offer—two nights’ free stay at Ascent—that includes the opportunity to enjoy our activities and tours and be involved with more of our high-impact experiences of Jewish living.

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FUTURE PLANS

After fine-tuning our new program it will become a regular offering.

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Rabbi Amichai Cohen teaching our first Birthright group from Germany.

“My name is Sarah, and I recently came through Tsfat with a Birthright group from Israel Outdoors, which was the Mindfulness and Spirituality group. I was very moved by a lot of the concepts presented in the talk Rabbi Cohen gave, and I am very interested in returning to Tsfat and delving deeper into the subject of Kabbalah! I was wondering what possibilities there are to do that. Is there any sort of volunteer or work study program? Thank you so much, and I look forward to hearing from you!”

ASCENT TSFAT

SPECIAL REPORTS

SPOTLIGHT: BAYIT B’TSFAT The inner dimension of Ascent is about transforming the physical into the spiritual, turning darkness into light. In 2012, more and more IDF units demanded participation in Ascent’s Jewish identity seminars, especially over Shabbat. With limited space, Ascent had a problem. The choice was either turning away thousands of individual students and travelers in order to make room for the soldiers, or losing the IDF, an incredible new game-changing audience. Then the miracle happened. A “bare bones”, thirtyeight room former hotel right next door to Ascent was advertised for sale. Named the Tel Aviv Hotel, and in need of renovation, the half-acre property was once the residence and office of the Habsburg Prussian Consul to the Middle East.

Purchased to allow Ascent to expand all of its overnight programs, specifically the IDF, this additional property has revolutionized Ascent’s activities.

Hundreds of educational groups, students, school children, and in particular IDF officers and combat soldiers, are now on the annual schedule. To emphasize its new identity, the facility’s name was changed to Bayit b’Tsfat ( Your Home in Tsfat). The official English name is Tsfat Lodge. What was a quiet retreat for middle-aged Israeli couples is now a teeming educational center, filled with youth, in the heart of Tsfat’s Old City. Winning the tender for the Tsfat Beit Hachayal has made the acquisition even more valuable (see IDF page 14). There are thirty-

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

story telling sessions and other activities suitable for children. All have an educational component, given over in a joyful and upbeat spirit.

Innovations for 2016 were the initiation of regular classes and workshops for Bayit b’Tsfat’s guests, and renovation of one bedroom as a model for a major renovation we plan to begin in 2017.

FUTURE PLANS

eight rooms, pleasant lounges, dining rooms, lobby, courtyard, and garden, all with an awesome view of the Meron mountains. All the catering for Ascent is prepared in Bayit b’Tsfat’s commercial kitchen by its expert staff. There are an additional six rooms Ascent will be able to occupy in the future.

Besides educational groups, in 2016 5,720 guests stayed with us.

Many non-Jewish tourists as well as orthodox families are attracted to the Ascent experience and will stay at Bayit b’Tsfat. Ascent provides programs for corporate groups who prefer to stay at a hotel rather than a youth hostel.

On Shabbat there is a festive Kabbalat Shabbat celebration as well as family programs and traditional Shabbat cuisine. Ascent arranges many programs and tours for guests at the Lodge. When appropriate there are also ongoing

The most important and necessary project is renovation of all remaining rooms. New doors, windows, bathrooms, and flooring are needed. A new program in the planning stage is specifically for Bnei Noach groups, non-Jews who choose to follow the Seven Noachide Laws.

“We spent a holiday in Tsfat and are so happy that we stayed with you. The warm welcome was appreciated and all the staff were friendly and helpful. The accommodations were very comfortable and the view from our room was spectacular. The meals, especially over Shabbat, were tasty and plentiful – just like homemade. We are telling our friends and definitely coming back. And thank you for being child-friendly!”

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SPECIAL REPORTS

SPOTLIGHT: ACHI YISRAELI

The Achi Yisraeli (My Israeli Brother) program, part of the Hinam Center, is an Israeli leadership program that Ascent partnered with two years ago.

Hinam promotes tolerance in Israeli society by bringing together groups of up to thirty college and post-college-age individuals from the various and diverse backgrounds of Israeli society. These groups live together for four months in different communities. Some of the programs include Arab students. Ascent is no longer on the board of directors of Hinam because there are aspects of the program we do not support, but Ascent continues to host Achi Yisraeli groups. Achi Yisraeli and the Hinam

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Center were featured last year as a new project. The positive Jewish impact on the groups housed in Ascent continues to expand. The groups spend a month at Ascent, learning about the orthodox community, and participate in Jewish events and daily in-depth workshops and classes. This visit results in the participants’ forming an educated and positive understanding of Jewish heritage and practice from an orthodox perspective. Ascent has hosted five Achi Yisraeli groups to date. In 2016 we were honored to host three groups — one of twenty participants and the second thirty participants — a testimony to the great success of the pilot visit.

”I am an atheist. I was a female guest at an orthodox family in Tsfat. It was a great Shabbat. We slept and ate and were with the little girls, saw pictures of the ten children in the family albums, and again slept and ate. It was a terrific Shabbat with a very warm-hearted family, a family which possessed the absolute truth, but still accepted us just as we were, in pants and without the slightest knowledge of the blessings and prohibitions. This family had clear and challenging answers to my questions. I was accepted with warmth and sweetness. So, in what do I believe?

I do not know. But I leave Tsfat with the understanding that no matter what my ultimate truth will be, I wish it will give me the same meaning and joy as Judaism gives the people we met.”

ASCENT TSFAT

SPECIAL REPORTS

SPOTLIGHT: BAR/BAT MITZVAHS

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah program that began in 2015 has succeeded beyond all of our expectations. From 985 participants in 2015, this year we hosted 48 joyous celebrations with a total of 2,236 guests.

As Jerusalem’s attraction declines, due to the difficult security situation, Tsfat and Ascent are now the most popular venues for these Israeli coming-of-age events, and we look forward to assisting many more families in creating an unforgettable and unique celebration. Entire families, sometimes four generations, join together in Tsfat for a full-day experience. Programs

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

include festive family meals with entertainment, talks about tefillin, mezzuzahs and Torah scrolls, and parades through the ancient Tsfat Old City, culminating in one of Tsfat’s ancient synagogues. Boys have an aliyah to the Torah. Girls address the group with a prepared dvar Torah.

“We arranged a Bar Mitzvah celebration at Ascent for a family originally from Russia. It was a very special and touching experience. When we came to put tefillin on the Bar Mitzvah boy, we put them on the father and grandfather and the rest of the crowd too. Suddenly we saw the grandfather crying. When asked what happened, he told us that he underwent brit milah (circumcision) in a cellar in Russia, but never had a Bar Mitzvah and it is now the first time he put on tefillin. We made a Bar Mitzvah ceremony for the grandfather also, and everyone was very touched. Apparently the grandparents had not been married according to Torah, so we directed them to their local Chabad house so they could have a Jewish wedding.”

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SPECIAL REPORTS

NEWS & UPDATES

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DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

ASCENT LIBRARY EXPANDS

TOURS OF TSFAT OLD CITY

In November 2016, Mushka Krasniansky joined the Ascent team to spearhead Ascent’s first efforts to apply for funds from international foundations.

Jerrie Shlomo Colish will be supporting Mushka’s work.

We appreciate the many years of experience and expertise that he brings to this role. (See page 24.)

At the very end of 2016, Ascent chose the DonorPerfect software as our inhouse fundraising CRM database. We look forward to reporting on these new initiatives in the 2017 Annual Report.

The Ascent Library is the largest English Torah library in the north of Israel, and also provides Spanish, French, and Russian sections. It is used primarily by visitors to Ascent, but the wider Tsfat community also benefits. The library is one of Ascent’s favorite spaces for our classes and workshops. This allows our students to be inspired by the sheer number of books and also by the range and scope of the library collection in English and other languages. Apart from the main library rooms, Ascent also has full bookcases located in the lounge areas, the Synagogue, and in Bayit b’Tsfat.

Until now, none of these collections had been organized in a way that would facilitate easy use. Our cherished and devoted librarian, Rena Goldsweig, created a new, dedicated labeling system, reorganizing both Hebrew and English titles from A to Z, aleph to tof, designating which books are recommended for beginners and the appropriate location of each book within the buildings.

The 2015 Annual Report announced that Ascent had won the Tsfat Municipality tender as sole provider of guided tours of the Old City of Tsfat.

We led 41 tours from May 2016 to December 2016, which successfully served thousands of visitors. Due to demand, particularly in the summer months, the city plans to expand the program in 2017. The tours are led by Ascent staff whose professionalism, warmth, and knowledge attract many of the tourists to our programs.

This tender has resulted in many hundreds of tourists now having contact with Ascent, and the mayor’s office acknowledges Ascent’s valued contribution to the city of Tsfat.

ASCENT TSFAT

SPECIAL REPORTS

SPECIAL VISITORS

Ascent was honored to host David Bitan, Commander of the Southern District Police Force, and his staff, who visited Ascent in June. They were welcomed for a day of programs and a presentation on the work and world of Ascent.

The visitors were very positively impressed and presented us with a framed certificate expressing their appreciation and wishing us much success.

Ascent Institute has an excellent reputation with the IDF and a similar relationship is being formed with the Israel Police Force.

Ascent regularly hosts sailors and officers in training from the Israeli Navy. This year was the first visit of a senior member of the Navy Corps, Vice Admiral Ram Rutberg who was accompanied by thirty of his senior officers and their wives. The group

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

enjoyed a guided tour of Tsfat followed by a full program in Ascent which included a Jewish identity workshop followed by a musical presentation.

FUTURE PLANS To share ideas and advocate for Ascent’s educational initiatives, we aim to host police staff from other areas of the country as well as repeat visits from Commander Bitan and other officials and government leaders.

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Top: Rabbi Shaul Leiter (L), Director of Ascent, welcoming David Bitan, Commander of the Southern District Police Force.

Above: Staff of the Southern District Police Force at Ascent.

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D E D I C AT I O N O P P O R T U N I T I E S

PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT MORTGAGE DEFRAYMENT

September 2017 Defrayment of our crippling mortgage repayments would release much needed funds for our operational expenses and release funding of future projects.

FIRE SAFETY SPRINKLER SYSTEM

December 2017 Due to tragic fires in public institutions over recent years, all middle and large facilities receiving government funding are now required to install fire safety sprinkler systems.

DISABLED ACCESS

December 2017 Israeli law now requires complete access for the wheelchair bound to access both sleeping and activity spaces.

Both of these health and safety measures must be implemented in order to fulfil local and national government demands as a matter of urgency.

KITCHEN REFURBISHMENT

September 2017 Ascent’s catering premises at Bayit b’Tsfat are overdue for improvement for increased hygienic and cost effective use of the space. This would enable us to service more groups and increase our occupancy and profits.

KABBALAONLINE.ORG

September 2017 Funding for professional, high-caliber writers to produce new articles for the website. Expansion of our website and internet promotion.

JEWISH ARTIST’S EXHIBITION

September 2017 This project will showcase the work of local artists who work with Jewish and Kabbalistic themes. Not only an attractive exhibition, the artwork has educational value. An audio-visual presentation of each artist discussing his works will accompany the Exhibition, offering visitors an additional opportunity to learn about Judaism through the teachings of Kabbala.

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ASCENT TSFAT

D E D I C AT I O N O P P O R T U N I T I E S

Important projects crucial for Ascent’s future development that need to be completed in the immediate future (2017-18) TSFAT HERITAGE CENTER

Stage 1: November 2017 / Stage 2: May 2018 This Center will display a professional film and exhibits that tell the story of the historical development of Tsfat as the birthplace and center of Kabbala and Jewish spirituality. There is, as yet, no exhibition of this type in Tsfat. It will not only be an important tourist attraction but will become one of the venues for the IDF museum visits that are scheduled by the IDF Education Department.

SQUARE OF THE KABBALISTS

April 2018 Ascent, partnered with the Tsfat Municipality, will develop this space into an inspiring and educational public display that will attract more visitors to our programs. Sound-and-light shows describing various personalities from Tsfat’s Kabbalistic past will be included. This partnership plan is a further example of Ascent’s commitment to the development and enrichment of the city of Tsfat.

ROOM RENOVATIONS IN BAYIT B’TSFAT

May 2018 Necessary improvements will increase our weekday occupancy and profits.

The Tsfat Lodge will be seen as a more attractive option for the discerning visitor to Tsfat.

SYNAGOGUE/AUDITORIUM

January 2019 Ascent’s present synagogue and auditorium space is inefficient and inadequate. A new space needs to be constructed on-site. This is a needed addition to our current public spaces.

BNEI NOACH SEMINARS

Tsfat has the only historical site on the planet connected to the Bnei Noach movement, the cave of Shem and Ever, Noach’s son and great grandson, who taught there for many generations. We plan to create threeday seminars that will include classes, workshops, and tours, and will end with a presentation of certificates ceremony.

For Dedication or Partnership opportunities, please contact director@ascentofsafed.com.

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

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OUR TEAM

THE ASCENT TEAM YAKOV BEN SHABAT, Head of English-Speaking Programs, was born in Israel, worked on Shlichus in Chandler, Arizona, for five years, returned to Israel, served in the IDF, met Noam in Rosh Pina, and was convinced to come to Ascent.

Yakov’s positive attitude and enthusiasm, coupled with his dual Israeli/US citizenship and an engaging manner with people, have proved to be a winning and successful combination.

SIMCHA CHERSKY, Front Desk Manager, exudes warmth, and her smile greets many of Ascent’s guests when they first walk in. She is the matchmaker between Ascent Shabbat guests and Tsfat families.

JERRIE SHLOMO COLISH, Director of the Special Gifts Program (and Torah Codes), originally from the US, has recently moved to Israel to join his many children and grandchildren. He spent six years practicing business and tax law and thirty-three years in investment banking and capital raising, before deciding to join Ascent and contribute his expertise towards expanding our donor base.

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TALYA KARNI, Logistics Manager, joined Ascent as Logistics Manager in February 2016. Over the previous year she had been working in other Ascent departments. Before then she was the manager of an Emergency Room in a hospital. She works with all the department heads and staff to ensure that Ascent runs smoothly and looks aesthetically appealing. Talya’s sweet smile is a constant. No request is too much to ask, and it will be completed with efficiency, speed, and apparent ease.

EYAL KAROUCHI, Director of Hebrew Speaking Programs, is a former silversmith, IDF paratrooper, and manager for three years of a spiritual resort in the Far East. Eyal brings his unique life experiences, high energy, and enthusiasm to our many Hebrew-speaking participants.

RABBI SHAUL LEITER, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Ascent, is a beloved teacher and spiritual guide with an uncanny ability to communicate profound spiritual subjects to students of all backgrounds.

ASCENT TSFAT

OUR TEAM

Thank you to all of our staff, including those not mentioned here, for their dedication to Ascent. We can’t do anything without you, and we bless each of you with great success!

YAACOV LEITER, Operations Manager, is always smiling and willing to help. He oversees the daily operations of Ascent and ensures that everything runs smoothly.

RABBI MORDECHAI “BIG MO” SIEV, Director of Development, captivates audiences and warms hearts at Ascent with his humble wit and unique, down-to-earth, highly personal teaching style.

AYELET LEVY, Manager of Bookkeeping Department, has been a trusted staff member for 11 years. She is in charge of Ascent’s day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping, as well as for Ascent’s financial reporting to various government agencies.

Meticulous to the very last agura, our annual financial statement is also her handiwork. She is married to Yaakov and the dedicated mother of eleven children.

RABBI YERACHMIEL TILLES, Co-Founder of Ascent, webmaster, and the editor of KabbalaOnline. org, is a gifted teacher, author, and master storyteller who transports audiences to otherworldly realms.

TALYA SHABBAT, Bayit b’Tsfat Manager, has worked in all departments at Ascent for 16 years. She was asked to manage the newly acquired Bayit b’Tsfat. She considers Ascent her first home, as is reflected in her treatment of all guests, like her own family.

RABBI YOSEF SHAPIRA, Chief Financial Officer is originally from England, where he spent 20 years in management in the food import/ export industry. He brought his managerial expertise and efficiency to Ascent when he joined our team in 2005.

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

RABBI NOAM WOLFIN, Director of IDF and Police Programs, served in the IDF as a commander in the secret intelligence department on the Northern borders. Besides his work at Ascent he is a life coach and lecturer on marriage relationships and self awareness.

His interpersonal skills are a great asset when working with soldiers.

EYAL ZUCHMAN, Director of Educational Groups, creates and facilitates exciting, custom-designed educational experiences for groups and families from Israel and around the world.

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A S C E N T PA R T N E R S

OUR PARTNERS ON BEHALF OF ALL THOSE WHOSE LIVES ARE TRANSFORMED BY THE ASCENT EXPERIENCE, WE THANK OUR GENEROUS PARTNERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED FRIENDSHIP, VISION, AND DEDICATION TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE. MAY YOU BE BLESSED! PATRONS Keren Meromim Mr. and Mrs. Bradfield Mr. and Mrs. Chakoff Mr. and Mrs. Dabah Mr. and Mrs. Fischman Mr. and Mrs. Pikover Mr. and Mrs. Rohr Mr. and Mrs. Tokayer Rae Family (Will) BENEFACTORS Mr. and Mrs. Falic Mr. and Mrs. Fattal Mr. and Mrs. Green Mr. and Mrs. Goudis Mr. and Mrs. Gurevich Mr. and Mrs. Hutt Mr. Langdon Mr. and Mrs. Lee Dr. and Mrs. Rosenwald Dr. and Mrs. Rothschild Mr. and Mrs. Sater Mr. and Mrs. Tamman Mr. and Mrs. Sighinolfi Visco Mr. and Mrs. Weiss

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PARTNERS Mr. and Mrs. Aronow Mr. and Mrs. Ashkenazi Mr. and Mrs. Beinhaker Mrs. Bierman Mr. and Mrs. Bendahan Ms. Bernstein Mr. and Mrs. Boaz Mrs. Boxenbaum Mr. Michael & Mr. David Dangoor Mrs. Dunner Erlbaum Family Mr. Esfandi Mr. Fox Mr. and Mrs. Gertner Mr. Golish (Helping Israel Fund) Mrs. Green Rabbi Green Rabbi and Mrs. Gutnick Mr. and Mrs. Haniford Mr. and Mrs. Hegeman Dr. Herman Mr. and Mrs. Hersham Mr. Horowitz Mr. and Mrs. Hutt Dr. Katzin Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman Mr. and Mrs. Khazin Mr. and Mrs. Last Mr. and Mrs. Miller

Mrs. Morris Rabbi and Mrs. Munitz Mr. and Mrs. Ner David Mr. and Mrs. Nies Mr. and Mrs. Peck Mr. and Mrs. Penn Mr. and Mrs. Pergament Mr. and Mrs. Pomeranc Dr. and Mrs. Rosen Mr. and Mrs. Roth Mrs. Roth Mr. and Mrs. Rothschild Mr. and Mrs. Sable Mr. and Mrs. Salzhauer Mr. and Mrs. Shenkin Mr. and Mrs. Sifen Mr. and Mrs. Sragowicz Dr. and Mrs. Smith Steinberg Family Trust & Lady Beryl Mr. and Mrs. Tamman Tornek Family Mr. and Mrs. Van Der Veen Mr. and Mrs. Wachtel Mr. and Mrs. Wagman Mr. Wetanson Mr. Zeloof Mr. and Mrs. Zieleniec

ASCENT TSFAT

BUDGET 2016-2017

FISCAL REPORT 2016 2017 2016 EXPENSES

73% Program Expenses

15% Operating

EXPENSES

PROJECTED

IDF Programs

492,255

520,000

English Programs

438,284

480,000

Hebrew Programs

423,535

445,000

Groups Programs

349,557

368,000

$1,703,631

$1,813,000

65,478

200,000

208,480

205,000

Maintenace & Utilities

41,505

44,000

Administration

39,814

42,000

$355,277

$491,000

201,183

211,000

68,214

70,000

$269,397

$281,000

Total Program Expenses Capital Improvements

12% Development (Fundraising)

Financing & Interest (Mortage)

Total Operating Costs Salaries Travel & Administration

2016 FUNDING SOURCES

Total Development & Admin 2016 Payables

21% Grants 22% Fundraising

Total Expenses

INCOME

57% Programs

$64,582 $2,328,305

$2,649,582

1,322,957

1,380,000

Government Grants

273,521

200,000

Private Grants

200,000

200,000

Fundraising

508,374

Programs Income

Total Income

CURRENT LIABILITIES Mortgage

1,061,698

Private Loans

$2,304,852

$1,780,000

2017 FUNDRAISING GOAL

$870,000

152,152

Checks Payable

87,011

Accounts Payable

64,582

Total $1,365,443

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

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Become an Ascent partner and invest in a strong Jewish future.

Your Global Center for Jewish Spiritual Discovery

myAscent.org Rabbi Shaul Leiter, Executive Director US: 646-492-0812 | +972-52-677-0140 | +972-4-692-1364 x106 | director@ascentofsafed.com

Rabbi Mordechai Siev, Director of Development US: 516-304-4467 | +972-54-643-7770 | +972-4-692-1364 x129 | siev@ascentofsafed.com Contributions can be made online at myAscent.org/donate or mailed to: ISRAEL: PO Box 296, 2 Ha’Ari Street, Tsfat 13102, Israel (Non-Profit #58-006-55-9) US: 383 Kingston Ave., Rm 28, Brooklyn, NY 11213 (Tax ID #11-2879462) UK: c/o Ascent, 3 Sunny Gardens Parade, London NW4 1JA (Charity No. 328625) CANADA: c/o Beth Oloth, 32 Brookview Dr., Toronto, ON M6A 2K2 (Charity #891283145RR0001) (check payable to Beth Oloth with “for Ascent” in the note)

AUSTRALIA: c/o Mr. & Mrs. Herszberg 6 Goathlands St., East S. Kilda VIC 3183, Australia

Thank you to our collaborative and partner organizations:

C R E A T I V E