News

November 2023

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United for the Jewish State: Koret grantees supporting Israel and Jews worldwide

Koret stands with our grantees—both in the U.S. and abroad—who are showing up for Jews and Israel during this time of need. We are inspired by the courage and resilience of Israelis fighting for their country and, in turn, the Jewish Community. Learn more about how our grantees are helping.

September 2023

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Israeli aid groups assist Morocco in quake aftermath

Israeli humanitarian aid groups including IsraAID and NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief have dispatched teams to Morocco to help the locals in the aftermath of the deadly 6.8 magnitude earthquake.

June 2023

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Israel at 75: The Wonder of a Jewish State

The country’s 75th birthday was cause for celebration both in Israel and the U.S.—home, half a globe apart, to the world’s two largest Jewish communities. We asked several Jewish thought leaders in both countries to reflect on Israel today and their hopes for the next 75 years. Their responses, excerpted for our story, also gave us ideas as to how the Koret Foundation can expand connections between our two countries and contribute to upholding Israel as a safe homeland for the Jewish People.

April 2023

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Celebrate Israel at 75

This Yom Ha’atzmaut marks 75 years of the State of Israel, and Jewish organizations around the Bay Area have teamed up to plan a community-wide festival to celebrate.

January 2023

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IsraAID CEO Yotam Polizer wins Charles Bronfman Prize

Yotam Polizer, the CEO of Israel’s leading humanitarian aid organization, IsraAID, has been named the 2023 recipient of the Charles Bronfman Prize. The annual award is presented to a humanitarian whose work, informed by Jewish values, has significantly impacted the world.

December 2022

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Shalom Hartman Institute celebrates Bay Area Jewish peoplehood

The celebration highlighted Jewish thought and dialogue and featured an intimate conversation between Dr. Anita Friedman, President of the Koret Foundation and Executive Director of Jewish Family & Children’s Services, and Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, President of the Shalom Hartman Institute.

November 2022

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The Z3 Project returns in-person for its 2022 conference

Imagining a new Zionism for the 21st century The Z3 Project is an initiative of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, CA. Promoting a stronger relationship between Diaspora Jewry and Israel, the Z3 project is dedicated to modeling how Zionism can evolve, and how Jewish communities can come together for meaningful discussions about the […]

October 2022

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San Francisco Bay Area

Israeli Philharmonic returns to Bay Area with young, energetic maestro Lahav Shani

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) will perform on Nov. 6 at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco and again the next evening at Bing Concert Hall on the Stanford University campus, after opening the tour with four performances in Southern California starting Nov. 2.

September 2022

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Honeymoon Israel: 20 couples, 1 incredible trip, a million memories

Honeymoon Israel is more than just a romantic trip to Israel. Read our story about a nice Jewish girl who meets a nice Muslim boy. They get married, and they decide to visit Israel with a group of other interfaith couples. We chatted with Jamie Schenk and Mohammed Nagda to hear details of their courtship, the families, and their memorable trip.

July 2022

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IsraAID partners with Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska to provide trauma care

In partnership with Zelenska’s national mental health initiative, IsraAid is sending teams of Israeli trauma specialists to Ukraine for several weeks at a time. Read the full story on eJewish Philanthropy.

July 2022

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Israel

Honeymoon Israel resumes trips after two years of pandemic delays

Two Bay Area cohorts went on trips in May, with more couples going later this summer. “As an interfaith couple, this trip was important to us to learn more about what it means to be Jewish and what traditions we want to carry forward or establish with our future family,” said Tara and Alexander, a Bay Area couple who recently returned from their trip.

March 2022

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Moldova

IsraAID launches Ukraine refugee crisis response in Moldova

IsraAID’s “safe space” for mothers and families on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border provides essential hygiene supplies to refugee families, and gives children a safe place to play and be kids, which is crucial after a harrowing journey and for processing trauma. More than 97,000 refugees have crossed from Ukraine into Moldova, according to the UN Refugee Agency.