Wine on a Wednesday – or any other day – for a good cause

SUZANNE BELLING

“We were thinking about how much we enjoyed the wine and hit on the idea of using it as a type of open-source philanthropy,” Talpert told Jewish Report.”

Since January 2013, Wine Wednesday has hosted over 30 events in Israel and raised over NIS 80 000 to support local projects dealing with socio-economic issues such as women’s empowerment, micro-finance, at-risk youth, people with disabilities, educational technologies, Big Brother programmes, affordable eye care, preventing online bullying, and many more.

“Recognising that we have developed a model that ‘works’ we believe it’s time to share our simple, but fun formula for others so that they can raise money for important initiatives in their cities around the world,” says Talpert, who became co-founder with Datny of the organisation.

“This is a completely volunteer-based initiative to bring people together, to drink good wine, while raising money and awareness for grassroots organisations in Israel.”

Talpert, who was educated at King David Victory Park and is the daughter of Howard and Janet Talpert of Sandton, was both Wits and national chairman of SAUJS.

She works in Israel for a start-up company which brings technology to African and developing countries.

She stresses that Wine Wednesdays are apolitical and hold their events once a month, involving young people who are looking for something constructive to do to pass their time.

“Each participant has to bring about 40 shekels and a bottle of wine. We then cover the wine, labelling the bottles with letters of the alphabet and the guests vote on the wine of their choice.”

One hundred per cent of the proceeds go to charity, with representatives of the beneficiaries attending the event.

Wine Wednesdays are sometimes held in Moishe House in Tel Aviv, one of a number of homes throughout the world for young Jewish adults, creating an ideal Jewish communal space.

The next event is to be held on the rooftop of the Tel Aviv Municipality, with the Mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai, as the guest of honour.

Recently Wine Wednesday went global, with more than 15 events taking place around the world.

All Wine Wednesday events are now being showcased on an interactive online wine map. The objective was to raise over $20 000 around the globe in one month.

Venues confirmed around the world included Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, New York, Boston, El Salvador, Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, Lusaka, Berlin, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Madrid, Warsaw and Jerusalem, raising money for charities ranging from children with disabilities in Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum, to educational programmes in El Salvador and helping abused children in Zambia.

“I am hoping South Africa will take part in the future,” Talpert said.

The main launch event in Tel Aviv included live streaming to events worldwide, a concert and wine, while raising money for Microfy, an organisation whose mission is to help individuals from disadvantaged communities to create independent sources of income by opening and developing micro-businesses. This is done through business training, networking forums, mentorship and small loans.

* For further information, or to join and raise money for a grassroots initiative in additional cities, visit www.winewednesday.org.