The Great Turning

Fred Schlomka has had a career in the business world and non-profit organizations on both sides of the Atlantic.

Fred’s family originated in Palestine and Germany, and he was born and raised in Scotland. He began returning to Israel in late 1970s, and spent about five years there during the eighties and nineties. His passion for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine led him to return there permanently with his family in 2000. From 2001-2003 he was Operations Manager at The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. In 2003 He was awarded a two-year Fellowship grant from the New York based Echoing Green and established Mosaic Communities where he served as Executive Director until 2005. In 2007 he established an online alternative travel company, toursinenglish.com, and is a partner in North Bridge Investments, a unique Israeli/Palestinian company that is developing cross border projects. He consults with businesses and NGOs that are seeking to develop operations in the country.

Fred also spent over 20 years in the USA during which he developed several businesses including American Caribbean Builders which worked with FEMA in Florida after Hurricane Andrew, American Repairs & Maintenance which serviced hundreds of fast food stores on the eastern seaboard, Amazing Husband Handyman Services which has since been franchised, and a record company, Maxemilian Productions. His US non-profit experience includes the establishment of a food cooperative, a chamber ensemble, and a Co-Housing organization.

Fred’s articles on the Israeli economy, politics, real estate & land issues, have been widely published, and he frequently travels abroad for speaking tours and lectures. He is a board member of the Traditional Karate Federation of Israel and teaches a course in business development at the American International School in Israel. Fred is also an avid juggler and a black belt in karate. He lives near Tel Aviv with his wife and two children.