New institute plans Jewish future

JESSICA STEINBERG
Jewish Telegraphic Agency

JERUSALEM - Dennis Ross, who served as Middle East envoy for the Clinton administration, is now handling an entirely different role with a think tank created by the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Ross was front and center when the Policy Planning Institute for the Jewish People opened its doors May 14 in Jerusalem.

The institute "will examine the challenges, threats, needs and opportunities" confronting Jews worldwide, the Jewish Agency said.

It also will "deal with formulating policy for the Jewish people by promoting professional studies" and fostering "long-term strategic thinking."

According to Ross, the newly appointed chairman of the institute's board of directors and director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, "We need to be thinking about the problems emerging down the road."

A group that includes Ross, Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor and Hebrew University political science professor Yehezkel Dror has been planning the institute for more than a year.

The group of 15 to 20 people - half from Israel, the rest from around the world - first gathered several times to talk about major issues facing the Jewish people, including Israel's changing demographics and issues of Jewish identity.

The institute was first discussed before the Palestinian intifada began in September 2000.

At the time, Jewish communal leaders were concerned with Israel's lack of long-term tools to plan strategically for the future.

"We're a nation that excels in responding minute to minute," Meridor said. "But we need to also think and plan for the future."

What emerged from the deliberations was a collective decision to create the institute, which will be funded with $1 million annually from the Jewish Agency, with additional funds expected from Jewish philanthropists.

The think tank is being structured as a public, not-for-profit company.

Issues expected to be researched first include Israel's demography, as the Arab sector grows faster than the Jewish sector; the cohesion of the Jewish people; collective action and its financing; information technology in Jewish affairs; and the Jewish nation's global standing.

Ross said he decided to work for the institute because it was the least he could do "as a member of the Jewish people."

"I wouldn't do it if I didn't think it was important," he said. "I think it will prove itself.'' - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - May 17, 2002/Sivan 6, 5762, Vol. 54, No.35