Yitzchak Shavit z”l: An Enduring
Legacy for Generations



Yitzchak Shavit z”l, Senior VP of Communal Advancement, Jewish Federations of
North America, and the Executive Vice Chairman of the United Israel Appeal, passed
away February 20, 2011, at age 67. A generous philanthropist and devoted champion of
the Jewish people, Shavit led North American fundraising for the Israel Education Fund
and donor-directed overseas philanthropy for JFNA.

Before joining JFNA in 1994 as Vice-President of Israel Education Fund, Shavit worked
at the Jewish Agency as the Deputy Director-General for Rural and Urban Development, where one of his many successful initiatives was Project Renewal. This pioneering joint venture between the Government of Israel and worldwide Jewish communities renovated distressed neighborhoods throughout Israel.

Over the past sixteen years, under Yitzchak’s leadership, the accomplishments of Overseas Supplemental Giving/Israel Education Fund have been nothing short of remarkable.By any measure. Close to $500,000,000 distributed for critical unmet capital and social service needs throughout the Jewish world. One in every six Israelis isimpacted.

Through his vision, tenacity and consummate skills building relationships and forging partnerships, Yitzchak Shavit was at the vanguard of donor-directed philanthropy through the federation movement. One relationship, one project at a time, his impact has yet to be fully measured.

Return to IEF UPDATE»

For more information on how you can be a partner in securing Israel's future,
contact: Overseas Supplemental Giving/IEF at 212 284-6621
or supplemental.giving@JewishFederations.org

The donor-centered mission of JFNA Overseas Supplemental Giving/Israel Education Fund is to provide personalized, named opportunities that directly align with specific philanthropic objectives of donors in the Jewish Federations family.