Investing in Israel with Brian Mumbert

Still, the fundamentals are strong. Israel’s unemployment and inflation rates remain low, and the U.S. continues to be a committed ally.

Israel has earned the nickname “Startup Nation” for good reason. Its high-tech sector employs 12% of the workforce and generates 20% of the country’s GDP.

Many Israeli companies don’t become household names because giants like Apple, Google, and Amazon acquire them. Notable examples include:

• Mobileye—A leader in automotive safety tech.
• Waze—The crowd-sourced navigation app developed to navigate Jerusalem’s winding roads.
• Cherry Tomatoes—Yes, even innovations in agriculture like drip irrigation and cherry tomatoes can be traced back to Israeli ingenuity.

The government’s support of tech innovation has made Israel the third-largest tech hub globally by capital raised—just behind Silicon Valley and New York.

While tech leads the way, Israel’s financial sector is also strong due to the cultural avoidance of debt. This contrasts sharply with many Western nations. Innovations in agriculture (like drip irrigation) and strong export activity also contribute to Israel’s economic resilience.

Over 50% of Israel’s exports are tech-related; major U.S. companies like Apple have invested heavily in Israeli startups, demonstrating the global demand for their innovations.

Israel’s global relationships are improving, with normalization efforts such as the Abraham Accords expanding diplomatic and trade ties across the Middle East.

Venture capital is thriving, too. Israel boasts over 270 active VC funds, and from 2014 to 2018, investment in Israeli startups grew by 140%—more than double the rate in the U.S. during the same period.

The Timothy Plan’s Israel Common Values Fund

• Actively managed—Fund managers respond in real time to geopolitical developments.
• Focused exposure—At least 80% of companies in the portfolio are domiciled in Israel.
• Faith-based screening—Just like all Timothy Plan funds, this one avoids investments in companies involved in abortion, pornography, and other areas contrary to Christian values.

The fund performed very well last year as the Israeli Stock Exchange closed the year up over 20%, with most of that growth coming in the second half.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I just sold my home with $200,000 in profit. Where's the best place to put this money to earn more interest while keeping it ready for my next home purchase in 6-9 months?
• As a veteran with limited funds, can I set up a Christian investment account to tithe $100 monthly and distribute it to ministry programs after my death?
• I'm considering buying a rental property for passive income, but I would like to know if it is wiser to meet with a financial advisor and invest in the stock market instead. I'm single, planning for the future, and want to avoid the time-consuming aspects of managing a rental property.

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine
• Timothy Plan | Israel Common Values Mutual Fund
• Bankrate.com
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App