"I found a fruitful world, because my ancestors planted it for me. Likewise I am planting for my children."
-Talmud Taanit 23A
“The
righteous shall flourish like the palm tree…” Psalms 92:13
As we begin our journey together, I want to share my inspiration and purpose for starting The Palm Collective, as well as my dreams of what being in community and learning with others can mean for you, the Jewish people, Israel, and the world at large.
My involvement in the Jewish community and in particular, my experiences in Jewish philanthropy, inspired my life’s mission to build community among today’s and tomorrow’s leading Jewish funders. I have come to see how relationships, learning, and meaningful experiences are indispensable—catalyzing stronger organizations, trailblazing ideas, and more knowledgeable, committed leaders and philanthropists. It is this realization that led me to start The Palm Collective.
The Palm Collective is a community of communities: bringing together thoughtful Jewish funders, each of whom embraces the awesome responsibility to make a positive difference in this world. My north star is for Palm to be a deeply connected community; bringing together and supporting funders who are meaningfully engaged and giving generously to support Jewish life and Israel. And, though we do not yet know where this journey will lead each of us, we can appreciate that the ripple effect of our being in connection with each other has the potential to be extremely significant for ourselves and for those we strive to support.
I am inspired and excited to learn together and I am humbled to imagine what we will achieve individually and collectively.
Thank you for joining together in holy work.
With enthusiasm and gratitude,
Tamar
THE PALM COMMUNITY IS FOUNDED ON THREE CORE
PRINCIPLES
- COMMUNITY
Palm believes that community is essential to philanthropy. Meaningful relationships allow us to learn with and from one another and challenge us to understand other perspectives. Community creates possibilities to do more together than we could do on our own.
- RESPONSIBILITY
Palm upholds the importance of taking responsibility. Recognizing the humbling opportunity to make a difference, we assume ownership of our roles as leaders. We accept the individual and collective responsibility of striving to make this world a better place and ensuring Jewish life and Israel flourish.
- LEARNING
Palm values lifelong learning.
We are a community of individuals who aspire to continuous learning and who recognize the impact of knowledge on ourselves, our communities, and the world.
WHY A PALM?
The palm and its shape are symbolic for a collective—many strands coming out of one central gathering point, each pointing to its own path, but finding inspiration and grounding in one center.
The palm tree is a resonant symbol for The Palm Collective and for philanthropic leadership more broadly.
“A righteous person will flourish like a date palm. No part of the date palm is wasted: Its dates are eaten; its young branches are used for ritual blessing [of the lulav on Sukkot]; its fronds cover the Sukkah; its fibers are used to make ropes; its leaves are used for sieves; its planed trunks are used for roof beams. So too there are none worthless in Israel: Some are versed in the Bible; others know Mishnah; some are masters of Aggadah [storytelling]; others do good deeds; still others promote social equity.”
- Bamidbar Rabbah 3:1
The tree provides us with food, building materials, body care products, and ritual objects.
Leaves are used to make baskets and the scach, the covering for the holiday of Sukkot (Tabernacles), and leaf bases are used for fuel and to make rope.
Fibers are processed into packing materials.
The trunk provides timber for building and its tender core is the source of the mineral-rich hearts of palm.
Date pits are ground and used as stock feed. When roasted they are used as a caffeine-free coffee substitute. Oil extracted is used in skin, nail, and hair products.
The date fruit can be enjoyed eaten fresh, dried, and as honey (silan). Date honey is the type of honey (dvash) listed in the Torah as one of The Seven Species being special to the Land of Israel. (The full list includes: wheat, barely, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olive oil, and honey.)
The Palm’s Longevity
• Seven date palm trees have been grown from 2000-year-old seeds that were discovered in the 1960s on Masada, where King Herod built a palace in the 1st century BCE.
• Recent evidence indicates that at the cellular level palms may be the oldest living trees since their cells are not replaced with new cells, as occurs with other trees.
• Date palm trees can live as long as 150 years and each tree can produce up to 330 lbs. (150 kg) of fruit each year.
CORE PALM IDEAS
The core Palm ideas are foundational concepts to guide Palm learning and experiences. They serve as touchstones, images, and concepts to draw from. We will return to these themes time and again throughout Palm conversations and programs.
MY HERO, MY HERITAGE
WHERE DO I COME FROM?
We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us; we embody their values and carry forward their legacies. And, we examine where our own legacies advance and differ from those we have inherited.
“My grandmother Miriam is my heritage, my hero. Her life story, her love for Judaism and for learning and her values guide me forward.”
- Tamar Remz
WHAT IS MY ROLE IN THE STORY?
We are each a letter in the scroll of our people’s long and rich story. We have a sacred duty to inscribe our own story, whatever it may be, and to help others do the same.
“I am a Jew because knowing the story of my people, I hear their call to write the next chapter. I cannot be the missing letter in the scroll.”
- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l
THE CANDLE
HOW WILL I SPREAD LIGHT?
In all that we do, we strive to let our own light shine and to kindle the spark in others.
“Everyone must know and understand that within them burns a candle. No one’s candle is like their fellow’s and no one lacks their own candle. Everyone must know and understand that it is their task to work to reveal the light of that candle in the public realm. And to ignite it until it is a great flame, and to illuminate the whole world.”
- Rav Kook zt”l
“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
- Marianne Williamson
THE PALM TREE
HOW DOES COMMUNITY NOURISH ME?
HOW DO I NOURISH COMMUNITY?
The palm tree is a symbol of unity, life, growth, and vibrancy. A palm provides both shade and fruit—two forms of sustenance for those on their journeys. With one trunk and many fronds, the palm tree represents our simultaneous rootedness in community and growth along individual paths.
“Serving others is one of the pillars upon which Judaism rests.”
-Lynn Schusterman
“Just start. Start slow if you have to. Start small if you have to.
Start privately if you have to. Just start.”
- James Clear
“There is a deep link between belonging and meaning. People who feel they belong to something greater than themselves sense that their lives are more meaningful.”
- Michah Goodman
Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou near Ouarzazate in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. UNESCO World Heritage Site
“Caring for others based only on your sacrifice doesn’t last. Caring must also feed you.”
- Dalai Lama
“Leaders should never stop learning. That is how they grow and teach others to grow with them.”
- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l
“Few will have the greatness to bend history, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. And in the total of all those acts will be written the history of a generation. It is from numberless, diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped.”
- Robert F. Kennedy
“I had one idea that never changed in my mind — that you should use your wealth to help people.”
- Chuck Feeney
“Footprints on the sands of time weren’t made by sitting down.”
- Anonymous
“You don’t always get to choose the load, but you can choose how to carry it.”
- James Clear
“Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is?”
- Frank Scully
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
- Martin Buber
“A leader is one who takes responsibility. Leadership is born when we become active rather than passive, when we do not wait for someone else to act because perhaps there is no one else—at least not here not now.”
- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
-Margaret Mead
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
- Sir Winston Churchill
Inspired by the traditional Tefilat HaDerech (Traveler’s Prayer), we offer The Palm Collective Community this prayer.
On our journey of creating a community of philanthropists grounded in the values of learning, responsibility, and community:
• May our decisions, actions, and giving be blessed.
• May we harness our humbling responsibility to bring positive change in this world.
• May our endeavours bring wellness, vibrancy, peace, and growth to the Jewish people, Israel, and all humanity.
• May we be protected from those who wish to cause us harm.
• May we learn from each other and work together.
• May we build a thriving community whose impact is felt throughout the generations.
As we embark together, may we benefit from the wisdom of those before us, may we impart goodness and peace to those in the present, and may we provide a meaningful and strong foundation for those who will continue this journey in the future.
Imagine the future. Imagine what’s ahead:
For me? For Palm? For the Jewish people? For the world? The following pages are for you to fill with your thoughts and ideas...
My Hero, My Heritage
• Where do I come from? Whose shoulders am I standing on?
• What legacy am I inheriting?
• What legacy will I leave to others?
A letter in the scroll
• What is my letter in the scroll? What is my purpose?
• What change do I want to make in the world?
• To whom am I accountable?
• What are the limitations of my role and influence?
• For what am I responsible?
The Candle
• How am I a lamplighter, illuminating other candles?
• How can I use my light to dispel darkness?
• How do I wisely and effectively use my power?
The Palm Tree
• What are the values that ground me as an individual and as part of the Jewish people?
• What do I need from community?
• What does my community need?
• What can I contribute to my community?
• What are the traits of a strong, healthy, vibrant community?
T he Palm communityis foun ded on threecore principl
