Services for
West Jerusalem
Residents
MATI Jerusalem services the entire spectrum of Jerusalem’s diverse population, including Jewish entrepreneurs who describe themselves as secular, religious and haredi, those who were born in Israel, and those who emigrated from different countries, without discrimination.
According to the Jerusalem Institute (2021 survey), the city has a Jewish population of 570,000 and is the most popular first destination for new immigrants. However, Jerusalem’s population is among the poorest in Israel, with 31% of its Jewish residents living below the poverty line, particularly among Haredi residents.
While we offer specific services for groups with additional needs, such as recent immigrants and IDF Reservists, the majority of our clients receive an inclusive package of MATI’s core services: business consultancy and financial services, access to business training and networking events, and our AutoMATI business automation consultancy.
MATI PROGRAMS IN WEST JERUSALEM
SUCCESS STORIES
Liron Ozeri
Voice Analyst Who Listens to Business Advice
Liron Ozeri, a forensic voice analysis specialist, decided after 23 of employment to open his own business in Jerusalem. Despite his expert professional knowledge, he needed business guidance so he started working with a MATI advisor Aviva Tza’ada. “Aviva’s guidance allowed me to reexamine my business direction, and conduct a structured process of thinking and organizing. Her guidance contributed significantly to building my confidence in decision-making, setting realistic goals, and advancing in a gradual and controlled manner. I want to thank MATI and Aviva for the wonderful shared journey we’ve made so far.”`
Yodfat Dagan
Turning Her Hobby into a Business
Yodfat, a mother of five, was running a small dress rental business when she noticed growing demand among religious women for stylish, comfortable headscarves. She turned to MATI to bring her vision to life. Through our consulting and mentoring, she retrained as a headscarf designer, creating unique cutting methods and building a thriving brand with a website, a studio and a store in Jerusalem. She says: “Before MATI, my business was a hobby. Thanks to their support, I can now make a decent living doing what I love, creating Israeli products that bring joy to my customers.”
A.S.
Therapist Supporting Reservists
A.S. is a therapist from Jerusalem who served 645 days in the IDF Reserves; his business essentially disappeared the moment he put on his uniform. He returned home crushed and exhausted, facing the challenge of rebuilding his destroyed business. MATI embraced him and other returning Reservists and invited him to become Community Manager for the ReStart:Hope program. As a certified PTSD therapist, he also runs the program’s hotline, providing immediate professional and emotional support. “Reservists need community support more than loans or mentors because there’s such a gap between the togetherness you feel in Reserves and the loneliness you face when trying to rebuild your business. It truly saves lives. Men kill themselves when they feel lost, when they can’t see the light. That’s the reality we’re changing.”
Yoram Levy
From Teacher to Bee Keeper
After three decades teaching in Israel’s education system, Yoram Levy discovered the world of bees. What began as a hobby quickly evolved into a calling. He became a certified biodynamic beekeeper and apitherapy practitioner, learning how bee products could be used for healing and wellness. Moving from the public sector to independent entrepreneurship was daunting. MATI Jerusalem provided comprehensive support including training courses in AI tools, marketing and financial management. He says “Thanks to MATI, what seemed like an impossible dream became an achievable reality. Thank you for your professionalism, your humanity, and for making my new path clearer and more secure”.
Orit Sedan
From Tour Guide to Hebrew Instructor
The Iron Swords War forced many tourism professionals to pivot quickly into new careers. Orit had been thinking about developing a Hebrew language conversation course for new immigrants. She turned to MATI and was assigned a business consultant to turn that idea into a business. Orit says: “What makes Ma’ayan unique is that she focuses on her clients’ success, not her own, and delivers an uplifting and empowering client experience. My first Hebrew conversation course was a tremendous success, and I look forward to developing my business further with MATI’s help.”
Shlomi Muller
Optician Focused on Success
Shlomi Muller made Aliyah from France and completed his Optometry diploma at Hadassah College in Jerusalem. He started working in an optician store in the city center, learning the craft of running an optometry practice. He decided to buy the business and asked MATI for advice. His French-speaking mentor Gilles Touati helped him to secure a business loan to fund his purchase, and also secured an important contract with the Clalit health fund, which was a game changer for bringing in more customers. Shlomi is now working with a MATI marketing consultant, because he knows that MATI always gives him the best personal attention.
A.B.
Cooking up Culinary Tours
A.B.’s company offer culinary tours of Jerusalem to groups. He is also an officer in the Paratroopers brigade, and served more than 350 days in Syria and Lebanon during the war. He has been supported by a MATI mentor since 2022, and has participated in several of our workshops and our AutoMATI program. During his deployment, business automation enabled his employee to manage the business alone and continue functioning during this challenging period. As he rebuilds his business after the war, MATI is providing end-to-end support including graphic design, advertising, client recruitment and payment processing.
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 center for adolescents and adults that would combine conventional medical diagnosis with integrative therapies, providing holistic ADHD care under one roof. Through MATI’s JIMF program, she received not only crucial startup capital but also strategic business guidance to turn her 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.
PLANS FOR 2026
Every Reservist business that we help to rescue this year will represent a victory for a soldier, his entire family, his business, and the entire ecosystem of suppliers and customers who work with him.
Our team will customize and install more AutoMATI business automation systems, helping entrepreneurs to streamline their business processes, save time, and improve their profitability.
We are launching an AI Business Diagnostic System to support MATI’s business analysis and consulting services and provide precise, data-driven insights.
2025 IMPACTS IN WEST JERUSALEM
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hours of Business Consulting
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Business Loans approved
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entrepreneurs participated in Webinars
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participants in Courses and Workshops
PROGRAM PARTNERS
Our partners are the Jerusalem Municipality, the Gilbert Foundation, the Fleischer Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Atlanta, the Rochlin Family Foundation, Checkpoint, and other foundations and private donors.
