Embedded Files
Supported by every JIMF loan is a woman with a vision. Some are new to business; some are rebuilding; some are supporting families entirely on their own. What they share is determination to succeed. JIMF and MATI give them the structure, support, and capital to turn that determination into something real. Here are some of their stories.
Mervat: East Jerusalem Mother Doubles Her Income
Mervat is a mother of four children, all under 18, and the sole income earner in her family because her husband lives with a severe disability. Her part-time salary of 2,200 NIS a month from working with disabled children at Hadassah Hospital was not enough to live on. Following a JIMF-supported vocational training course, she received a JIMF business loan of 17,500 NIS to open a small household goods business from her home in East Jerusalem. Within months, her monthly income had more than doubled to 4,700 NIS. This transformation has changed the daily reality of her entire family. She is repaying her loan in monthly installments over four years.
Rivka: Mother of Eight Rebuilds Two Jewellery Shops
Rivka: Mother of Eight Rebuilds Two Jewellery Shops
Rivka is a mother of eight who owned two small jewellery shops, both of which were running at a loss. With JIMF-funded vocational training through MATI, she gained the business skills to diagnose what wasn't working and rebuild her model from the ground up. Month by month, her profits grew alongside her confidence. The training gave her something she hadn't expected: the courage to walk into her bank, ask for what she needed, and make her case. "One of the main accomplishments from the course was gaining the courage to speak to my bank manager, knowing what to say and how to argue my case."
Dr. Maia Batash: Building an ADHD Clinic in Jerusalem
Dr. Maia Batash: Building an ADHD Clinic in Jerusalem
New York neurologist Dr. Maia Batash made Aliyah 12 years ago to work as a hospital neurologist. Noticing a critical gap in Israeli healthcare, she decided to set up a comprehensive ADHD centre for adolescents and adults that would combine conventional medical diagnosis with integrative therapies, providing holistic ADHD care under one roof. “Through JIMF and the MATI program, I received not only crucial startup capital but also strategic business guidance to turn my vision into reality.” By helping Dr. Batash, MATI has helped her to provide Jerusalemites with better care, multiplying the impact of that initial business loan.
Zissy Spitz, Bows & Toes, Jerusalem
Zissy Spitz, Bows & Toes, Jerusalem
Zissy Spitz moved from New York to Jerusalem in 2020, arriving without Hebrew, business experience, or a clear plan. She recognised a gap in the market she knew how to fill: selling quality children's hosiery, accessories, and clothing sourced overseas. She started selling from home and at pop-up events and open nights. In 2023, Nefesh B'Nefesh connected her to MATI Jerusalem and advisor Zvi Wallitzky, who helped her develop her business plan and apply for a JIMF loan. In 2026, Zissy took the leap and opened a dedicated store at the Shamgar Center, staffed by two employees, stocked with curated brands, and serving both English and Hebrew-speaking Charedi families. Now she is planning to launch a branded product line manufactured in China. For Zissy, the support she received from JIMF and MATI went beyond financing.
“JIMF and MATI gave me a chance to become part of this country and build a business here. My advisor helped me visualise my dreams and go for it. I came in unsure of every decision. Now I am 100% more confident as a businesswoman. Every season, the store becomes more popular. I get positive feedback from my customers. That means everything.”
Beit Rafaela Rehabilitation Centre
Beit Rafaela Rehabilitation Centre
Beit Rafaela is a Jerusalem-based non-profit rehabilitation centre for women recovering from cancer. They support cancer survivors and their families with the practical, emotional, and physical impacts of the disease, helping them get back on track in every area of life affected by their illness and treatment. They provide personalised, one-on-one care, building a custom treatment plan for each parent, based on her specific medical journey and needs, delivered in a warm, medically grounded setting. The Beit Rafaela team includes a nutrition counsellor, massage therapist, and hair care specialist and is led by CEO Dr. Eloise Bensch. Beit Rafaela is located on Derech Hevron in South Jerusalem and funded by donations.
JIMF has provided Beit Rafaela with financial support.
Page updated
Report abuse