Yael Foundation is a philanthropic organization that invests in Jewish education worldwide.[1] It was founded in 2020 by Uri and Yael Poliavich.[2] The organization provides funding and strategic support to Jewish schools and educational initiatives in multiple countries.[1] Its mission is to support Jewish education and strengthen Jewish identity through long-term investment in educational institutions and programs.[3]
| Formation | 2020 |
|---|---|
| Type | Philanthropic foundation |
| Purpose | Jewish education |
Region served | Worldwide |
| Website | www |
History
editActivities
editThe foundation provides grants and operational support to Jewish educational institutions, including day schools, kindergartens, and informal education programs.[4][5] Its activities also include teacher training, institutional development, and initiatives aimed at increasing school enrollment.[5]
In addition to financial support, the organization works with partner institutions to improve educational quality and long-term sustainability.[6][7] The Yael Foundation supports 100 educational projects across 45 countries, with roughly 22,500 children in 132 educational institutions, of which 120 are schools.[2][4]
Programs
editYael Foundation operates Yael Schools, a network of International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools in emerging Jewish communities. The schools combine secular IB curriculum with Jewish subjects, including Torah studies, arts programs, and entrepreneurship education. These new educational institutions - expected to accommodate a large number of students - serve the educational needs of families in these communities and are also intended to serve as models for Jewish education.[8][9][10][11]
The foundation operates a number of programs supporting formal and informal education.[12]
It also organizes an annual international conference for educators and community leaders, known as the Yael Foundation Summit.[13] The event brings together participants from multiple countries to discuss educational practices and challenges.[14]
Yael Foundation operates a summer camp program consisting of two 11-day sessions for Jewish youth from across Europe. It is an immersive program built around strengthening Jewish identity, leadership, and connection.[15]
Partnerships
editThe foundation has collaborated with other Jewish organizations and institutions on educational initiatives.[16][17] Following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, it participated in efforts to support security and infrastructure in Jewish schools.
Awards
editYael Foundation organizes an annual Yael Awards. This is a 2.5-day event featuring lectures and workshops focused on learning, sharing, and strategy development.[18] The event concludes with an awards ceremony that highlights the achievements of schools around the world.[19]
In 2026, the Yael Awards brought together finalists from more than a dozen countries across Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North America, with honorees selected by an international judging panel that included former Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky.[19]
References
edit- 1 2 Gross, Judah Ari (March 7, 2024). "With new leadership and a larger budget, Yael Foundation looks to boost Jewish education worldwide". eJewishPhilanthropy. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- 1 2 Gross, Judah Ari (February 14, 2025). "Formed in 2020 and now with a $42M budget, education-focused Yael Foundation looks to balance rapid growth with quality". eJewishPhilanthropy. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- 1 2 "Yael Foundation expected to double budget next year with big bets on Jewish education, identity". eJewishPhilanthropy. 5 February 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 Botbol, Amelie (February 9, 2026). "Building schools, building the future: Yael Foundation's global bet on Jewish education". Jewish News Syndicate. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- 1 2 "Yael Foundation Activities". Calameo. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ↑ Rosenberg, Michelle (March 21, 2024). "Yael and Lauder foundations partner to support Jewish education across Europe". Jewish News. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ↑ "Major foundations partner to support Jewish education across Europe". Jewish News Syndicate. March 21, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ↑ "Yael Foundation summit to focus on Jewish education as pillar of continuity". Jewish News Syndicate. February 3, 2026. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ↑ Global, ynet; Global, ynet (2026-02-11). "From Vienna to the Diaspora, the Yael Awards reflect a confident Jewish future". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ↑ "The future of Jewish education: Insights from the Yael Foundation summit | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2025-02-15. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ↑ "Yael Foundation's mission: Empowering Jewish education | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2026-01-28. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
- ↑ Botbol, Amelie (2026-01-28). "Yael Foundation summit to focus on Jewish education as pillar of continuity". Israel & Jewish News - JNS. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
- ↑ "Education and beyond: Yael Foundation summit gets underway in Cyprus". Jewish News Syndicate. February 4, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ↑ "Yael Foundation summit to focus on Jewish education as pillar of continuity". European Jewish Press. February 3, 2026. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ↑ "Yael Camp: Europe's premier Jewish summer experience | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2026-03-31. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
- ↑ "Investing in the Jewish Future: The Yael Foundation's work and why Belgium matters". Centrale. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ↑ Gross, Judah Ari (September 10, 2024). "Lauder, Yael foundations give $15.45 million to revamp Rome's Jewish school with more plans to invest in European Jewish education". eJewishPhilanthropy. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ↑ Writer, Staff (2026-01-30). "Yael Foundation Names 2026 Award Finalists as Jewish Education Faces Global Crossroads". Israel365 News. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- 1 2 "International Jewish educators are finalists for Yael Award | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2026-01-28. Retrieved 2026-04-08.