"True leadership is empowering good people to accomplish great deeds."
Our why
In today's world, it is essential to nurture a strong sense of Jewish identity in our children. After all, today's children are tomorrow’s Jewish leaders.
The Yael Foundation is a philanthropic fund driven by the conviction that all Jewish children, irrespective of their geographic location
or community size, should have access to
high-quality Jewish and general education.
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The Yael Foundation closely collaborates with educators and community leaders worldwide
We create educational opportunities that are both accessible, and tailored to their unique landscape By empowering schools and programs with resources to enhance their Jewish and academic standards, they emerge as the preferred choice for Jewish families.
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Our guiding values serve as the compass for every action and decision we make.
Adaptive
engagement
We prioritize flexibility to meet the unique needs of every school and community, investing in programs of varied locations, sizes, cultures, and demographics.
Relationship
building
We maintain ongoing communication with grantees, showing a vested interest in their work, and cultivating a global community of like-minded leaders through enduring relationships.
Continuous
improvement
We drive school excellence and growth, offering diverse programs and grants that challenge them to evolve and better serve communities, enriching opportunities for Jewish children globally.
Uri and Yael Poliavich
are business leaders
and philanthropists
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Uri Poliavich
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Yael Poliavich
Uri and Yael Poliavich founded the Yael Foundation
with the mission of ensuring equitable access to high-quality education for every Jewish child, regardless of their location or community size. Under their auspices, the Yael Foundation has achieved remarkable success nurturing dozens of communities worldwide in just a few years.
Uri’s remarkable journey from a modest background
to becoming the Founder and CEO of Soft2Bet highlights his dedication to leveraging business success for philanthropic impact. Under the leadership of both Uri and Yael, Soft2Bet has evolved into a global powerhouse, operating in 12 countries with over 600 employees.
Together, Uri and Yael blend their expertise and shared vision to drive the Yael Foundation’s mission, providing outstanding Jewish education and creating opportunities for every Jewish child to thrive.
Team Yael
Chaya Yosovich
Chaya Yosovich
Chaya is a strategic consultant with a BA in Psychology who has served as a senior advisor to the Minister of Finance in Israel and managed a chain of Jewish day schools in the Former Soviet Union. She is an entrepreneur and social activist, involved in governmental and philanthropic projects in Israel and the Diaspora.
Naomi Kovitz
Naomi Kovitz
Naomi brings over a decade of global nonprofit consultancy experience, focusing on development, strategy, and organizational processes and has managed development initiatives across 11 countries. She holds a BA in Business Management and a MA in American Jewry and Israel relations.
Shmuel Azman
Shmuel Azman
Rabbi Shmuel Azman, founder and principal of institutions at the educational village Anatevka in Kiev, serves as an advisor for Jewish educational institutions globally. In 2022, he played a pivotal role in the evacuation of the Ukrainian-Jewish community at the onset of the Ukrainian-Russian war and founded "Mitzva Ba-Aliya," a fund aiding Jewish refugees from Ukraine in Israel.
Yael Zalta
Yael Zalta
Yael has extensive experience in Israeli advocacy through various organizations and delegations worldwide, as well as in public sector project management. In her previous role at the Bet Shemesh municipality, she led the establishment of a new neighborhood, overseeing infrastructure, marketing, and public institution creation. Now, over 1,000 families live there. Yael holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Ben-Gurion University and a Master's degree in Law from Bar-Ilan University.
Galit Podryez
Galit Podryez
Before joining the Yael Foundation, Galit served as Senior Manager at the Jewish Community of Kiev and the Jewish Community Workers Institute in Kiev. She holds an MA in Philosophy and Political Studies from International Solomon's University and is a graduate of the international program for teachers at Or Haya Institute in Jerusalem.
Elisheva Aarons
Elisheva Aarons
Elisheva brings nearly a decade of experience in digital marketing and social media strategy to the Yael Foundation. She has a proven track record of building and engaging online audiences in the millions for leading tech companies and organizations. Notably, she has played a significant role in major Israel advocacy social media campaigns such as the #ShameonBenandJerry's campaign and the #SHAMnesty campaign addressing Amnesty International’s anti-Israel bias.
Betzalel Sulay
Betzalel Sulay
Betzalel has many years of experience in community development, particularly within European Jewish communities. He played a significant role in the largest Jewish community in Ukraine, coordinating visits with politicians and oligarchs. Additionally, Betzalel has a background in the import and export industry.
Peter Kats
Peter Kats
Peter holds a B.Ed. in Physical Education with a specialization in Early Childhood. Prior to his current role, he managed programs for new immigrants and lone soldiers at Garin Tzabar, and worked as a professional and social counselor for new immigrant students at the Israel Student Authority. Peter has experience in informal education, counseling, and managing training camps and delegations worldwide with the Jewish Agency.
Eliya Kelaty
Eliya Kelaty
Eliya is a seasoned project manager with a proven track record from his tenure at Chai Lifeline Israel. He has expertly managed a range of community-focused projects and led impactful collaborations with volunteers, donors, and community partners. His notable achievements include organizing large-scale community events and retreats, bringing together over 400 families for memorable and supportive experiences.
Sara Wolfson
Sara Wolfson
Sara is a dedicated and experienced professional, bringing her expertise from managing various office needs and grant applications at the Yael Foundation. Raised in Israel, she has strong ties with other philanthropic institutions, making her well-versed in the foundation world. Sara has played a leading role in managing, coordinating, and organizing the Yael International Leadership Summer Semester, ensuring its success.
