"To embody the vision of Keren Hayesod is a privilege” – Elie Wiesel - 100 Heartbeats - Keren Hayesod

Transparency – the duty of trust to the donor and his money

Keren Hayesod donations

Keren Hayesod activity is based on transparency, as a supreme value that protects the donor’s money. Keren Hayesod enables donors to become closely acquainted with its different activities and to contribute specifically to those that are important to them. Donors contribute according to their ability and in the way they wish, and the organization has the duty of trust to show where the money goes, in complete transparency. Keren Hayesod has three fundamental principles that ensure that the duty of trust and the value of transparency are complied with – involvement and leadership, as reflected in the Board of Governors; management of finances and projects in accordance with strict criteria, regulations and guidelines; and reports to donors that include an annual review of Keren Hayesod activities along with missions to Israel to visit a different projects. Transparency has been one of Keren Hayesod’s core values since its inception, but it became even more important with the reform advanced by world chairman Avraham Avi-hai in the 1970s. Avi-hai sought to create full partnership with Jewish communities around the world and greater involvement in Keren Hayesod’s activities. The leading donors who participated in this process were businesspeople who loved Israel and supported transparency and proper management of resources. At the same time, there was greater desire on the part of the donors to know and decide how their money was invested. Avi-hai understood that it was necessary to make the conditions in the Jerusalem office more flexible. In 1978, he established the Board of Governors, with 20 members representing the 20 largest Jewish communities around the world. This changed the structure of Keren Hayesod and gave the communities greater control over how their donations were used.


Photo: Summary income report 1921-1945