This is Jasmine’s successful way of bringing about economic and social change in Israel: This is the wonderful story of the two entrepreneurs, Rotem Eliyahu and Shuruk Attamana, who met in the Jasmine’s “Izun” program, teamed up and set up a joint venture to promote women’s arts and crafts businesses. Recently, they both launched their venture – the internet “Mamatzati Mall” went online featuring dozens of online stores offering local produce, all owned by entrepreneurial women

Just before diving into the results of the collaboration between the two women, it is worth noting the social achievements of the Jasmine Association, which creates, builds and encourages joint business between the sectors in general and particularly between Jewish and Arab women. “Jasmine promotes platforms for networking and forging connections between people and businesses, eradicating stereotypes and prejudices concerning the various sectors and bringing people closer together, aiming to produce joint business and social connections,” explains Baloum. “These relationships yield the creation of shared businesses, joint societies and resources, as well as economic resilience for women. Sharing and closeness is the way and this is the belief that is our beacon, leading our way in the business & social world. Above all, we believe in collaborating with other business and public sectors in the process, both nationally and internationally, with the goal of empowering operations and driving the change hand in hand. It is the extensive collaborations that bring forth quality operations and wonderful results. In the same way, we direct Jasmine’s women to engage in business collaborations, to expand the business and social cliques, to leverage diversity into one complete work of art – as seen in Rotem’s and Shuruk’s success story. ”

The common denominator behind the business venture:  A social point of view

Rotem Eliyahu of Kochav Yair and Shuruk Attamana of Baka Algarbia in the Triangle came from two different worlds, both mentally and socially, and from a completely different educational and business background, but they had one common denominator, which formed the platform for developing the joint venture – both women have a social point of view and a passionate desire to help the women’s community.

Attamana (41), a resident of Baka Algarbia, has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in medical sciences from Ben-Gurion University, is currently working in a pharmaceutical company as a product manager. Previously, Attamana served as a representative for the “Wig for All Women” in the Arab sector, was a partner in establishing affiliates of the association in hospitals in Israel, and served as a consultant on the steering committee of the health promotion department in Baka and its surroundings. Rotem Eliyahu (34), a resident of Kochav Yair, holds a master’s and doctoral degrees from Bar-Ilan University in the literature of the Jewish people and its legacy and a bachelor’s Degree in Specialized Secondary Education from Kibbutzim College in Tel Aviv. She now owns an independent business for consulting and developing educational and social ventures.

Jasmine forges and strengthens business connections and networking

As mentioned, the two women met after enrolling into the “Izun” program for training women-directors and senior executives in the economy, and from there they chose to continue together and encourage more women, alongside the implementation of the tools they received in the “Izun” program – tools that helped them integrate into significant roles and expand their areas of activity. “Jasmine’s programs are a significant platform for networking between Jewish and Arab businesswomen,” says Baloum. “I keep hearing from women who participate in our unique programs, that in our program they were exposed to connections and associations that had significantly contributed to them further down the business path, even beyond the training and professional tools we provide, and for me this is a great success, especially as the graduates of our programs do business together, with the goal of leading to socio-economic change.

Attamana adds: “Thanks to Jasmine’s “Izun” program for training women directors, I feel I can efficiently run the business, and I see Jasmine as my partner. Today, the “Mamatzati” mall operates and experiences great daily traffic, there is extensive shopping activity, connections between local businesses are forged, and most importantly there are success stories.