The Rashi Foundation was established in 1984 by Gustave Leven to support the future and well-being of the Jewish people and Israel. It aims to build a strong, equal, and just Israeli society through high-impact initiatives that address the root causes of social inequality, from early childhood education to employment. Some of its key projects include a national cyber studies program, expanding early childhood education in the periphery, and establishing regional science education centers. The Foundation also partners with other philanthropies and the government to facilitate strategic giving and create effective long-term social change across Israel.

1. RASHI FOUNDATION HIGHIMPACT
CHANGE
THAT LASTS

2. “GUSTAVE LEVEN
(founder of the Rashi Foundation)
is the largest benefactor to Israel
since its founding.”
Former President of Israel Shimon Peres
Bornin1914inFrance,Gustavecamefrom
a family with deep philanthropic roots.
His grandfather, Narcisse, was one of the
initiators of the first modern international
Jewish organizations, Alliance Israelite
Universelle, over 150 years ago.
Narcisse’sphilanthropicvisionwastoprovide
access to education as the key to social
mobility, dignity and a higher standard of
living. He passed this legacy on to his son
and grandson.
Today, under the leadership of Hubert Leven, the Rashi Foundation is one of the largest
private foundations in Israel. It leads transformative national projects that bridge
educational and social gaps that threaten Israel from within.
The Rashi Foundation,
established in 1984, was the
dream of one man – Perrier
Water company founder
Gustave Leven.
Throughout his life Gustave
was deeply committed to the
future and well-being of the
Jewish people and Israel.
A LEGACY OF PHILANTHROPY
3

3. Israel has one of the lowestsocial mobility rates
among OECD countries, in light of
significant socio-economic gaps
between people in the periphery
and the center of the country.
OECD 2014 Report
Rashi’s vision is clear: to help build a strong, equal, just Israeli
society. It does this through carrying out its mission to drive
high-impact initiatives that address the root causes of social
inequality.
From birth to employment, Rashi reaches out to young people
in Israel’s underserved social and geographic periphery and
offersfar-reachingopportunityfor socialmobilityandeconomic
independence.
Rashi’s key areas of activity are:
• Strengthening equal educational opportunity for teens in the periphery
• Advancing children and youth at risk through strengthening community support
services
• Providing access to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education
as a springboard to higher education and a stronger society
• Developing and strengthening early childhood education
• Narrowing learning gaps, increasing high school graduation rates and preventing
drop-out
• Cultivating academic excellence and training next generation leaders
• Expanding housing and employment for special needs populations
Rashi is expert in developing holistic models that integrate education, social services
andhealthcomponentsinonesolutionandthataremeasurable,replicableandscalable.
SOCIAL GAME-CHANGER
Rashi is a
major player
in initiating
and leading
social change
in Israel.
5

4. Rashi Foundation was the firstorganizational recipient
of the Presidential Medal of Distinction,
Israel’s highest civilian honor, for its
outstanding contribution to Israeli society.
Inspired by its determination to create a strong, sustainable
Israeli society, Rashi brings together investors to advance bold
social initiatives.
With its finger on the pulse of social change, Rashi maps out
ambitious goals, implements innovative approaches and takes
calculated risks that bring high social return on investment. Its
abilitytobuildcollectiveimpactpartnershipswithphilanthropists,
government offices, local municipalities, businesses and NGOs
allows Rashi to implement significant large-scale projects.
Rashi’s unique strategy is to:
• Identify needs on the ground
• Provide seed funding for start-up models to test innovative and creative social
solutions
• Co-invest and recruit partners to develop these models into programs and services
that set new standards in the field
• Accompany projects throughout their entire life-cycle, from concept to completion
and evaluation
• Buildexitstrategiesthatleaditssocialprojectstoself-sufficiencyandsustainability
– many times through transfer to government bodies.
Rashihaseightsubsidiaryorganizations,eachspecializinginadifferentfieldofactivityor
region,toensureprofessionalandefficientimplementationofmanyofRashi’sprograms.
THE RASHI DIFFERENCE
The Rashi
Foundation
is on the
cutting-edge
of venture
philanthropy
in Israel.
7

5. • Magshimim National Cyber Initiative – A new cyber studies program for 8th – 12th
graders as a social-economic catalyst for outstanding teens in the periphery. A
springboard to elite cyber intelligence units in the IDF and high tech success. The
goal is to serve 5,000 participants by the 2018-19 academic year.
• National Early Childhood Education Network – To build a network of 17 holistic
municipalEarlyChildhoodCenterswith33adjacentdaycarecentersintheperiphery
to lead to the consolidation of services under one government ministry.
• RegionalScienceEducationCenters–Toadvancescienceeducationandexcellence
fromkindergartenthroughhighschoolthroughcreatingregionalscienceeducation
centers in the north and south in conjunction with universities, regional colleges,
municipalities, high tech and industry.
• FamilyEmpowerment–NoshmimL’Revacha-Anewinitiativetoassist 5,000families
in 50 low-income communities rise out of poverty and become socially mobile.
• KatzirScholarshipProgram–Auniquecombinationoffinancial,personalandsocial
support for young people from vulnerable populations to access higher education
and stimulate employment opportunities. Focus is mainly on single mothers and
graduates of youth villages and boarding schools.
NEW DIRECTIONS
“In recognition of Hubert Leven’s
vital contribution to Am Yisrael, in giving hope
to the underprivileged,
improving educational opportunities,
and fostering unity and civic pride
in every sector of Israeli society.”
Ceremony bestowing an Honorary Doctorate
upon Rashi President Hubert Leven,
Bar Ilan University
9

6. The Foundation shares its extensive on-the-ground
experience and rich professional knowledge with
other philanthropies to facilitate strategic giving
to Israel. Rashi invites partners to use its existing
infrastructure so as to make cost-effective use of
their resources.
Rashi offers leveraging opportunities, planning and
developmentexpertise,financialandlegalcontrol,risk
management, regular reporting and evaluation – all
withanemphasisontransparencyandaccountability.
Over 170 partners co-invest with Rashi in wide-ranging projects. Our partners include
individual philanthropists, family foundations, giving groups, community federations,
government, corporations and public organizations. Rashi has proven that a strategic
philanthropic coalition working in conjunction with the government is a proven model
for achieving significant long-term impact and sustainability.
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP
“Rashi’s social footprint in Israel will be
felt for generations to come.”
Itzik Turgeman, CEO, Rashi Foundation
11
Together with private,
government, public
and corporate
partners, Rashi
creates effective
systemic change in
underserved regions.

7. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Rashi Foundation
Ben Shemen Youth Village
Israel 7311200
Itzik Turgeman Director General
tel 972-8-9146601 | fax 972-8-9219404
e-mail: itzikt@rashi.org.il
Shira Ben-Or VP of Partnerships
tel 972-8-9146673 | fax 972-8-9146730
e-mail: shira@rashi.org.il
w w w . r a s h i . o r g . i l
1114B