Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute
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| Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute | |
|---|---|
| Name | Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute |
| Formation | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Jerusalem |
| Leader title | Director |
Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute The Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute is an Israeli social research and policy planning center based in Jerusalem that conducts applied research, program evaluation, and training. The institute interfaces with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, international bodies, and academic institutions to influence social policy, program design, and service delivery in areas such as aging, child welfare, disability, employment, and community care. It operates within a network of Israeli and international partners to inform decision-making, disseminate findings, and build professional capacity.
History
Founded in 1974, the institute emerged amid interactions among philanthropic, government, and international actors including the Edmond J. Safra tradition, the United Jewish Appeal movement, and Israeli social planners. Early collaborations involved municipal authorities in Jerusalem, policymaking entities in Tel Aviv, and scholars from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, and Bar-Ilan University. Over time the institute expanded links to international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, and the OECD, while engaging with foundations like the Rockefeller Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Gates Foundation. The institute’s development paralleled debates in Israeli public life involving figures connected to the Knesset, ministries like the Ministry of Health (Israel), and social service movements rooted in communities including Beersheba and Haifa. Notable external collaborations included projects with academic centers such as the London School of Economics, Columbia University, Harvard University, and University of California, Berkeley.
Mission and Governance
The institute’s mission emphasizes evidence-based policy advice, rigorous evaluation, and professional training in partnership with agencies such as the Israel National Insurance Institute, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (Israel), and municipal social services departments in municipalities like Ramat Gan and Netanya. Governance structures reflect input from philanthropic partners including the Jewish Agency for Israel, board members drawn from organizations such as American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and academic appointees associated with Weizmann Institute of Science, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, and international experts formerly of the World Bank. Its oversight has involved trustees and advisory panels with backgrounds linked to institutions such as Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sheba Medical Center, and policy bodies including the National Insurance Institute of Israel. The institute reports to stakeholders ranging from local councils to global entities like the European Commission.
Research Programs and Areas of Work
Research programs cover gerontology, child welfare, disability services, employment policy, social inclusion, and community development. Work in aging connects to studies on long-term care and links to actors such as Alzheimer's Association, International Longevity Centre, and academic units at University College London and Johns Hopkins University. Child welfare research engages with practitioners from organizations like Save the Children, UNICEF, and Israeli child protection services, while disability research intersects with networks such as Rehabilitation International and universities including University of Toronto and McGill University. Employment and labor-market projects reference partners such as the OECD, ILO, and think tanks like Brookings Institution and RAND Corporation. Community-based initiatives involve municipalities like Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut and NGOs such as Magen David Adom and Hadassah.
Major Projects and Evaluations
Major projects have included national evaluations of home care models, community nursing initiatives, and eldercare pilots coordinated with bodies including the Ministry of Health (Israel), the National Insurance Institute of Israel, and international experts from WHO Ageing and Health. Evaluations have assessed programs funded by the European Social Fund, foundations like Charles H. Revson Foundation, and bilateral donors such as USAID. The institute has carried out implementation research on child protection reforms tied to legislative changes in the Knesset and evaluated employment programs for immigrants associated with agencies like the Jewish Agency for Israel and Nefesh B'Nefesh. Comparative studies have involved data sharing with research centers at King's College London, University of Melbourne, and Sciences Po.
Education, Training and Capacity Building
Training efforts include short courses, professional development for social workers, and capacity-building workshops for managers from municipal and national agencies. Programs have been delivered in cooperation with academic partners such as Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Bar-Ilan University, and Open University of Israel, and with international capacity initiatives linked to UNICEF, ILO, and WHO. The institute offers training for staff of NGOs like Latet, Yad Sarah, and Emunah, and runs fellowships and internships involving institutions such as Wellesley College, Princeton University, and University of Chicago.
Publications and Impact
The institute publishes reports, policy briefs, and peer-reviewed articles disseminated to forums including the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research readership, conferences hosted by Gerontological Society of America, and international symposia at venues like Harvard Kennedy School and European Public Health Conference. Its evaluations have informed reforms debated in the Knesset and adopted by ministries including the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services (Israel). Citation networks show influence in literature from journals associated with Springer Nature, Elsevier, and Wiley-Blackwell, and collaborations have produced chapters in edited volumes from presses such as Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press.
Partnerships and Funding
Funding and partnerships combine government contracts with support from foundations, bilateral donors, and international agencies. Key funders historically include the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Brookdale Foundation, Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies, and international donors such as European Commission programs and USAID. Collaborative partners span academia, NGOs, municipalities, and multilateral organizations including World Bank, UNDP, and regional bodies like the Council of Europe. The institute’s project portfolio demonstrates engagement with stakeholders ranging from local councils in Petah Tikva to global research centers such as Max Planck Society and Centre for Social Policy Studies.