About the Mandel Foundation-Israel

Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel standing together and smiling at the camera

“The hallmark of our philanthropy is our commitment to invest in people with the values, ability and passion to change the world.”
– Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel

The Mandel Foundation–Israel is the Israeli operation of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, which was established in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1953 and began operating in Israel in 1990. The Foundation’s mission is to contribute to the flourishing of the United States and Israel as just, inclusive, compassionate and democratic societies, and to improve the quality of life of all citizens in both countries.

The Mandel Foundation–Israel aims to advance Israel as a Jewish and democratic state that is inclusive, just and pluralistic, in the spirit of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. In pursuit of this mission, the Foundation conducts training programs to develop visionary leaders in the fields of education, society and culture in Israel. This approach reflects the Foundation’s belief that outstanding leadership is vital for the existence of a worthy society.

The Foundation's programs are designed to develop exceptional, vision-driven leaders who are equipped with cutting-edge knowledge and tools. Program graduates come from all sectors of Israeli society, assume key leadership roles, and contribute to improving Israeli society through its educational, social and cultural systems, each applying their expertise and values within their respective fields.

Four fellows sit around a table in the Rotunda of the Mandel Foundation Israel building, smiling during a group discussion

Our Programs

The Foundation’s leadership training programs emphasize the humanities as a basis for the development of each fellow’s personal vision and reflect the belief that deep familiarity with the enduring ideas of human culture enhances a leader’s ability to imagine and build a better future. The Foundation’s programs are distinguished by a combination of practical and theoretical studies coupled with the study of the humanities, which illuminate the complex values inherent in all leadership and decision-making processes.

Alongside deepening understanding of the humanities, the Foundation’s programs enhance the fellows’ ability to analyze reality through data-driven approaches and expose fellows to developments in the fields of education, society and culture. Ongoing encounters and dialogue between fellows from diverse populations play an important role in building leadership for Israeli society and expresses the Foundation’s understanding that diversity is a positive force that contributes to society’s growth.

All Programs >

Support for Professional Practice

The Foundation invests in its graduates to expand and deepen their impact on education and society in Israel. The Mandel Graduate Unit leads various learning initiatives, offers personalized guidance for work in the field and fosters professional connections and collaborations. These processes are designed to help graduates cope with complex challenges and contribute to the graduates’ continued development as leaders and change agents.

Mandel Graduate Unit >

The donor wall at the Mandel headquarters in Jerusalem

Graduates of Mandel programs talk together

Investment in Israeli Institutions

In addition to its leadership programs, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation supports a variety of educational, cultural and social institutions in Israel. These include the Israel Museum, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and more. The Foundation also contributes to the establishment of educational, cultural and social institutions in Israel, including the Lunada Children’s Museum in Beer Sheva, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Innovation in Yeruham and others. The Foundation also responds to urgent needs during times of crisis. In recent years, it has allocated emergency relief to a wide range of organizations and initiatives in Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the wars following October 7.

Mandel Giving in Israel >

Two fellows stand facing each other, engaged in conversation during a gathering

The Foundation's Units

The Mandel Foundation–Israel operates through five training units. The Mandel School for Educational Leadership, the Mandel Leadership Institute and the Mandel Graduate Unit are based in the Mandel Foundation’s headquarters in Jerusalem, while the Mandel Center for Leadership in the Negev is located in Beer Sheva and the Mandel Center for Leadership in the North operates in Kiryat Tivon.