Yossi Tanuri, Director General, UIAC
Yossi Tanuri is a fifth-generation Jerusalemite from a family that immigrated to Israel from Russia in 1856. His family was one of the first to leave the old city of Jerusalem and move to the new surrounding neighborhoods outside its walls.
Yossi served as a commander in an elite unit in the Israeli Defense Forces, participating in various operations throughout the country and in Lebanon. Upon the completion of his army service in 1991, he enrolled at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He continued his studies and graduated in 1998 with a Master’s degree in Communications, specializing in marketing.
From 1993 to 2001,Yossi worked for Keren Hayesod and UIA, the Jerusalem-based headquarters of the UJA / CJA worldwide, serving in many leadership positions including Missions Director, Director for Leadership Development, International Director for Young Leadership, and, his most recent position, Executive Director for Major Gifts worldwide, working with the top philanthropists and Jewish leaders around the world.
Yossi lived in Canada from 2001 to 2004 and served as Director for Major Gifts and as Emissary for the State of Israel for the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. Yossi was part of a team that led the Toronto campaign to four years of consecutive growth. His unique personality, warmth and dedication opened new opportunities and new ideas to connect and commit people to the State of Israel.
Yossi’s close relationship with the top political leadership of the State of Israel and his knowledge and understanding of North American Jewry were very instrumental in creating and strengthening the bridges between the people of Israel and its many supporters in Canada. Therefore, in January 2005, Yossi was appointed Director General of UIA Federations Canada, the youngest director the organization has had since its establishment 40 years ago.
Under Yossi’s leadership, UIAC received an award from the Prime Minister of the State of Israel for the organization’s commitment and aid to the people of the North and to the Israeli government during the Second Lebanon War.
Yossi is married to Tami, an educator, and they have three sons: Daniel, Guy and Omri