The Financial Resource Network - Israel (FIRN) is an exclusive group of financial service professionals working together to meet the unique needs of multi-national citizens (and businesses) living and working in Israel. Through our offices in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh, our advisors have been serving individuals, families and businesses in Israel for over 15 years. FIRN uses a holistic financial planning approach to address our clients' total financial needs, including: setting financial goals, tax planning, investment and wealth management, retirement and estate planning, and charitable giving. Budgeting often is a significant part of the package. FIRN's particular expertise is in rebalancing finances that are located in several countries and tax jurisdictions.
Our team consists of exceptional individuals who are all dedicated to serve our clients needs. With the assistance of our excellent support staff, we provide our clients with prompt and personal service.
Mark van Gelderen (B.S., MA, TEP), Founder and Branch Manager, has been involved in the investment industry as a managing partner in business, real estate and investment portfolios since 1976. ln 1980, Mark began conducting award-winning personal financial management courses in North America. For many years Mark was under contract to a large American pension fund, to provide their members with Personal Economics training. Mark moved with his family to Israel in 1987 where he founded FIRN - ISRAEL. Mark's specialties include product development, general financial counseling, and educational programs.
Baruch (Brent) Labinsky, (an MBA Honors graduate in Finance from the Schulich School of Business in Toronto, TEP, and fully licensed Israeli securities marketer and portfolio manager, joined FIRN in 1995, ). Baruch lectures on investments and home finances in Israel and he is our in-house specialist on mortgages, home finance and our unique Living Will product. He handles client's israel investment portfolios. Baruch is in charge of marketing and client relations in the greater Jerusalem area and he is available for one- on-one financial consulting.
Jean Kauffmann, graduated from a prestigious French High School, is a senior client consultant and concentrates on serving Francophone clients. Jean is a retired executive from France Telecom and the United Nations, he was the communications advisor to two French Presidents before he retired to Israel. He has been working with FIRN - ISRAEL as a Financial Planner since 1994. He is in charge of ail issues related to Traded Endowment Policy sales and account maintenance.
Debbie Sassen began her career on Wall Street, working in liability management for multi-national corporations and central banks. After moving to Israel in 1988, she worked for 18 years as an economist and portfolio manager at the Bank of Israel, before joining FIRN. Debbie specializes in financial planning for women. She is available for one--on-one consulting.
Joe Gold, an MBA with extensive banking experience, coordinates activities in the greater Tel Aviv area.
Shmuel Fedder, leads the administrative team.
Karen Poll is the FIRN office manager and financial officer.
FIRN works differently from virtually ail other financial service providers, particularly in Israel.
The Financial Resource Network - Israel (FIRN) is an exclusive group of financial service professionals working together to meet the unique needs of multi-national citizens (and businesses) living and working in Israel. Through our offices in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh, our advisors have been serving individuals, families and businesses in Israel for over 15 years. FIRN uses a holistic financial planning approach to address our clients' total financial needs, including: setting financial goals, tax planning, investment and wealth management, retirement and estate planning, and charitable giving. Budgeting often is a significant part of the package. FIRN's particular expertise is in rebalancing finances that are located in several countries and tax jurisdictions.
