Israeli Partners
UIA Canada works in conjunction with leading business figures and companies in Israel in order to promote educational and welfare programs. We believe that active philanthropy, which brings together the different sectors in society, is an essential component of a dynamic and involved civil society.
Through these partnerships, we are playing a leading role in the development of Israeli philanthropy. Canadian philanthropists are more motivated to invest in Israeli projects when they are in no doubt that these projects are indeed worthy of investment and that continuity is assured. At the same time, Israeli businesses are given the opportunity to invest in the community and to significantly impact the lives of others.
Over the last two years, we have focused on linking businesses to the community, to the mutual benefit of both. In this context we have developed partnerships with the following companies and business figures:
Michael Strauss, Chairman of the Strauss Group
The Strauss group, Israel’s second-largest food and beverage company, has become, over the past few years, an international corporation with a steadily growing part of its business conducted outside of Israel. The group employs 11,600 people and operates nineteen production sites in sixteen countries. In the last six years, the group has consistently achieved growth that more than doubled the volume of its business during that period, generating NIS 6,245.9 million (around $1.7 billion) in turnover at the end of 2008, of which 47% came from international activities.
The group is built around three core businesses: Strauss Israel, which focuses on two major consumption trends: health & wellness and fun & indulgence; Strauss Coffee, which incorporates the coffee activity of the group and is fast becoming a significant global company; and Strauss North America, which incorporates the Mediterranean dips and spreads company Sabra, with product lines that target the health and wellness trend, and the chocolate bar chain Max Brenner which targets the fun and indulgence trend. In addition to these businesses, Strauss is engaged in the start-up H2Q water project, which has recently completed its technological development phase.
The group also collaborates with a number of leading multinationals – including Danone, PepsiCo and Lavazza -- and is traded on the Tel Aviv 25 Index, which includes the largest public companies in Israel.
The Strauss group is characterized by seventy years of caring, concern and involvement in the community.
Nochi Dankner, Chairman of IDB Group
IDB Holdings Corporation Ltd. is one of the largest and most influential holding companies in Israel with combined assets of some NIS 80 billion. Through its 74% share in IDB Development Corporation, IDB invests in a diverse range of sectors including communications, insurance and financial services, real estate, technology, industry, commerce and services. IDB Holdings is owned by the Gandan group, the Manor family (importers of Peugeot and Citroen and majority shareholder of Union Bank of Israel Ltd.) and the Livnat family (majority shareholder in Taavura Holdings Ltd.). IDB Holdings is led by Nochi Dankner (chairman) and Eliyahu Cohen (CEO).
IDB Holdings owns IDB Development Corporation, which controls the investment activities of the IDB Group. IDB Development has a controlling interest in Discount Investment Corp. Ltd., in Clal Industries & Investments Ltd. and in Clal Insurance Enterprises. Through its holding corporations, IDB has a controlling interest in a large number of companies, including Cellcom, Elron, Hadera Paper, Nesher Cement Enterprises, Koor Industries, Taavura, Makhteshim Agan Industries, Telrad, Shufersal, Golf & Co., Netvision, Given Imaging, Clal Tourism, Clal Insurance, Clal Finance, Clal Biotechnology Industries, Gav-Yam (Bayside) Land Corporation, and Property and Building Corporation.
Giving back to the community is a cornerstone of IDB’s commercial vision. It firmly believes in its responsibility to Israeli society and recognizes that business leadership and social leadership go hand in hand. Thus alongside IDB’s commitment to maximizing dividends for its shareholders is its commitment to the community.
Inspiring leadership, daring vision, bonding values
The IDB Group is Israel’s largest, top-tier, leading, diversified business group with total assets of over US$ 30 billion. Holding leading corporations in every key business sector alongside an ever-growing global presence through diverse portfolio companies and joint ventures, IDB continues to deliver a robust return on investments, increased profitability, global growth, and avid contributions to the community. IDB was recently ranked by leading international institutions as the leading diversified group in Israel. Building on its strong managerial approach, sound strategy and professional execution, IDB has developed an extensive footprint in the Israeli economy and evolved into a global powerhouse.
Embracing and maximizing value creation
Acquired in 2003 by Nochi Dankner and the Manor and Livnat families, IDB offers a proven ability to deliver superior and sustainable shareholder value by recognizing opportunities and constantly anticipating and surpassing the needs of stakeholders and communities wherever it does business. Based on excellent value creation, the presence of its subsidiaries in over 100 countries worldwide, and a total workforce of 40,000 employees, the group combines global strength with local flexibility.
Prudent, ongoing capital market activity
IDB's prudent, ongoing capital market activity is demonstrated by 25 portfolio companies, which are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE), as well as on the American, Latin American and European stock exchanges (NASDAQ, NYSE, AMEX, AIM London and BOVESPA).
David Azrieli, CEO of the Azrieli Group
The Azrieli Foundation is a Canadian philanthropy established by David Azrieli CM, CQ, M. Arch. The foundation supports educational initiatives and develops and operates programs that promote access to education and the achievement of excellence in various fields of knowledge and activity. The foundation funds programs in Canada, Israel and the United States in the following areas:
- Awarding scholarships and grants to students, especially graduate students studying architecture, education and science.
- Lowering the drop-out rate among junior high school students.
- Promoting education and excellence in architecture, music and the arts.
- Supporting scientific and medical research and education.
- Promoting education and research on the Holocaust.
- Supporting Jewish education in the Diaspora.
- Promoting quality of life and continuing education for adults with developmental disabilities.
In addition to its philanthropic activities, the Azrieli Foundation has established and operates three central programs:
- The Azrieli Institute for Educational Empowerment:
aims to lower the drop-out rate among Israeli youth-at-risk by closing educational gaps, developing social empowerment and providing support programs for parents. The program is focused on junior high school students.
- The Azrieli Fellows Program:
leadership among graduate students in Israeli universities.
- The Holocaust Survivors Memoirs Program (Canada):
auspices of the Azrieli Foundation and York University and in conjunction with Yad Vashem in Israel.
The foundation’s website: www.azrielifoundation.org
The Azrieli Group
The Azrieli group’s concept of social responsibility is inspired by the vision of the group’s founder and leader -- the Israeli-Canadian architect, entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist, David Azrieli.
As an ardent Zionist, David Azrieli is committed to promoting Israel’s social and economic strength. His commitment to the country is demonstrated by his policy of reinvesting his profits in Israeli businesses, and by his social investments which are implemented through the Azrieli Foundation.
The Azrieli group’s vision of social responsibility goes hand-in-hand with that of the foundation. The group’s activities strengthen and complement the foundation’s work in Israel in the fields of education, culture, Jewish community, and support for people with developmental disabilities by supporting and empowering families of children and teens with special needs.
The Azrieli group’s website: www.azrieli.com
Yehudit Recanati, Chairperson of NATAL and founder of the Gandyr Foundation
NATAL
NATAL: Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War is an apolitical nonprofit organization, founded by the late Dr. Yossi Hadar, M.D. who conceived and initiated the idea, and Judith Yovel Recanati who serves as chairperson. NATAL was established in 1998 with the aim of increasing public awareness of national psychotrauma caused by the Israeli-Arab conflict. This form of trauma differs from other forms, as it is the result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from national traumas.
Individuals suffering from combat stress, people injured in terrorist attacks, children who lost their parents, parents who lost their children, and brothers and sisters who lost siblings in military operations or terrorist attacks are all too common in Israel. When these individuals overcome their initial shock and return to their normal daily routines, they remain in a state of pain and suffering. These individuals will forever pay the price of the Arab-Israeli conflict and it is up to us, to extend a hand and help them overcome their tragedies.
NATAL's Vision
- To provide emotional and psychological treatment and assistance to any Israeli suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
- To train professionals and at-risk populations throughout Israel in prevention and coping mechanisms for PTSD.
- To advance awareness and knowledge about national psychotrauma and terror- and war-related PTSD in Israeli society.
The Gandyr Foundation
The Gandyr Foundation was founded as a family foundation by Yehudit Yovel Recanati in 2004. The foundation aims to strengthen Israeli society, with an emphasis on supporting civil society organizations that champion social causes and the national values of the State of Israel.
Guiding Principles
- Support that can have a substantial and qualitative effect on the foundation's fields of interest.
- Active involvement and guidance of supported programs to ensure a successful outcome, on a need–be basis.
- Collaborations with organizations of similar interests and promoting of cooperation among supported organizations. This principle is based on the foundation's strong conviction that cooperation is a mandatory step in strengthening the sector itself and increasing the probability of success.