"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.
Mordechai Katsevman
Mordechai Katsevman
Mordechai is a Certified Public Accountant with extensive experience in both the United States and Israel. A graduate of the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College (CUNY), New York, he has led complex financial operations, audits, and strategic planning for nonprofit and corporate entities. Combining technical expertise with cross-border financial insight, Mordechai is dedicated to leveraging his professional skills to strengthen and give back to the global Jewish community through his work at the Yael Foundation.
Danit Feldstern
Danit Feldstern
Danit is a seasoned professional with over 16 years of experience across the nonprofit and private sectors. With a background in social work, she brings a deep understanding of people, community dynamics, and organizational development to her work, combining empathy with strategic vision to drive meaningful social impact.
Bilana Shakhar
Bilana Shakhar
Bilana joined the Yael Foundation in 2025 as Head of Grants, bringing over two decades of leadership experience in education and community development. Before joining the Foundation, she led the Jewish Agency Delegation to the Former Soviet Union, advancing large-scale educational initiatives and partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide. A former officer in the IDF Education and Youth Corps, she completed her service with the rank of Major. Bilana is driven by a deep belief in the power of education to strengthen Jewish identity and connection to Israel.
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.
Benjamin Lankin
Benjamin Lankin
Benjy is a corporate and nonprofit lawyer with expertise in venture finance, M&A, and strategic operations. Before joining the Yael Foundation, he practiced at Arnon, Tadmor-Levy, advising startups, investors, and mission-driven organizations on complex transactions and governance. He holds an LL.M. from Cardozo School of Law, and LL.B. and B.A. degrees in Business Administration from the College of Law and Business. Benjy is admitted to practice law in Israel and serves as a sergeant in the IDF Golani reserves, including active duty during the Iron Swords War.
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.
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.
Ariella Goldstein
Ariella Goldstein
Ariella Goldstein is an accomplished educational leader with a decade of experience in schools, camps, and community organizations. Her roles as Assistant Principal, Camp Director, and Program Director highlight her strength in building teams and elevating program quality. She brings strategic vision, warmth, and a child-centered approach to every initiative.
David Schenkler
David Schenkler
David brings a decade of experience driving clarity and impact across global projects, youth education, and nonprofit leadership. With a background spanning 26 languages and roles in both community and business development, he blends operational insight with mission-driven focus. As a monday.com Ambassador, he supports the Yael Foundation’s innovative educational vision through effective project management and collaboration.
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.
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.
Goldie Sternbuch
Goldie Sternbuch
Goldie brings over two decades of experience in nonprofit management and strategic philanthropy. Originally from Belgium, she made aliyah nearly three decades ago and lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with her family. Before joining the Yael Foundation, Goldie founded and led innovative social enterprises that empowered vulnerable communities and promoted sustainable growth within Israeli society. At the Foundation, she heads PRIME, its global platform for school transformation—advancing educational quality, leadership development, and infrastructure in Jewish schools worldwide.
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.
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.
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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Tehila Magenheim
Tehila Magenheim
Tehila has 15 years of global experience developing Jewish identity and Israel-engagement programs with The Jewish Agency, Jewish Journey, and Birthright. A certified tour guide with a B.A. in Social Work, she specializes in educational tourism and experiential learning. She is committed to fostering meaningful, lasting Jewish connections.
Shmuel Alloul
Shmuel Alloul
Shmuel brings over eight years of Jewish community leadership across Europe. A Bnei Akiva alumnus, he spent eight years leading Birthright programs and two years as Deputy Director of the Jewish Agency in France. He is dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity and engagement throughout European communities.
Eva Benkin
Eva Benkin
Eva brings over a decade of experience working with Jewish communities in France and across Europe. At Masa and the Jewish Agency, she managed scholarship programs and guided candidates through the grant process, fostering educational and professional engagement with Israel. She is passionate about building cross-cultural connections and holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism.
