Israeli society has demonstrated time and again its ability to come together in times of crisis. Since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, we have witnessed extraordinary displays of mutual responsibility, volunteerism and civic initiative. But turning that spirit of solidarity into a force capable of bringing about lasting change requires a sustained commitment that extends beyond times of emergency.
We tend to think of corporate social responsibility in terms of donations, volunteering and occasional community projects. All of these are important, and they certainly make for good publicity, but they are not enough. Businesses possess professional expertise, organizational experience and extensive networks of contacts. These are invaluable resources that can be put to work for Israeli society. A financial donation can address an immediate need, but harnessing a company's knowledge and capabilities can bring about change that lasts for years.
Kibbutz Manara, near Israel's northern border with Lebanon, is a case in point. During the war in the north, approximately 73% of the kibbutz's buildings were damaged and rendered unusable. Minrav Group, in partnership with Discount Bank, joined the reconstruction effort. Beyond our group's construction capabilities, we are working with kibbutz members to lead the professional, social and economic processes necessary for its recovery. We have also worked to establish the planning and engineering foundations needed to make that recovery possible.
The goal is not merely to rebuild structures, but to create the conditions that will allow the community to return home and rebuild its future. This is how we are putting the full range of our company's professional expertise and human resources to work in service of a civic and national mission.
The same sense of responsibility guides our efforts to integrate soldiers wounded in the war into key positions within our company. We do not see this as doing a favor for those who risked their lives to protect us. On the contrary, it is a privilege to work alongside them, learn from them and recognize them as part of Israel's next generation of leaders.
Serving a greater purpose
Businesses should not be expected to act solely out of altruism, nor should they be expected to take the place of the state. A company must operate with financial responsibility, particularly a publicly traded company that has obligations to its shareholders. But that responsibility does not conflict with the need to ask how our knowledge, experience and resources can serve goals that extend beyond immediate profits.
The possibilities are numerous: adopting a community, helping people from different backgrounds enter the workforce, supporting cultural institutions or strengthening communities along Israel's borders. Every company can identify where its particular capabilities can create genuine value, benefiting both the organization itself and the people who work there.
As a company that has been helping build Israel since 1969, this is how we understand our responsibility. Israel needs more than the resilience to overcome crises. It also needs the ability to emerge from them and build a better future. The business sector has the power, the tools and the responsibility to play a meaningful role in shaping that future.
The writer is CEO of Minrav Real Estate.
