"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.
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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.
Rabbi Shmuel Azman
Rabbi 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 Shukrun Zalta
Yael Shukrun 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.
Simmy Allen
Simmy Allen
With over 20 years in public relations, Simmy served as the Director of the International Media Section at Yad Vashem for ten years, overseeing global communication and media content across print, digital, and broadcast platforms. He organized media coverage for high-profile visits and led campaigns for major events such as the 5th World Holocaust Forum and the inauguration of the Book of Names at the United Nations. Simmy previously worked as Foreign Press Assistant to the Mayor of Jerusalem and International Relations Coordinator for the Herzliya Conference.
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.
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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.
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.
Eliya Kelaty
Eliya Kelaty
With seven years in camp programming, Eliya has led campers and staff on numerous international trips, overseeing recruitment, training, program development, and logistics. A skilled organizer and mentor, he collaborates with program directors to deliver dynamic, impactful experiences that leave a lasting impression on every child.
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.
Jackie Rosenwald
Jackie Rosenwald
With five years of experience working with global communities, including as a shaliach for Torah MiTzion in Germany, Jackie has served on the Executive Committee of the Zionist General Council and worked as a personal assistant at the World Zionist Organization. He also brings expertise in marketing and advertising, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, International Relations, and Communication.
Hodaya Nechemia
Hodaya Nechemia
Hodaya brings nearly 15 years of experience working with Jewish communities, particularly in Latin America, where she managed educational initiatives and developed programs focused on Jewish identity and educational tourism to Israel. She has extensive expertise in assessing and selecting candidates for Jewish Agency emissary roles, matching candidates to the needs of communities worldwide. Hodaya holds a BA in Political Science.
Nathalie Blau
Nathalie Blau
Nathalie worked as a freelance journalist before serving as the chief editor of the French edition of the Jerusalem Post for 10 years. She joined Yad Vashem in 2018, coordinating French content for the website, social media, and French Desk of International Relations, and later headed the Sales Department for publications. Nathalie holds a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences.
David Schenkler
David Schenkler
David has nearly a decade of experience improving process efficiency by 60% and managing projects in 26 languages. He has also served as CEO of a non-profit football organization in Israel and led business development at two AMZ agency companies. David holds a BA in Biology and a Certification in SQL.
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.
