Young Jewish leaders emerged after the Six-Day War and established an elite group that eventually became Keren Hayesod’s young leadership. Young Jews from around the globe wanted to get to know each other and meet, and together, find new ways of supporting the State of Israel and the Jewish people. More and more young people, enthusiastic students who were motivated to volunteer, joined the founding group that originated in Western Europe. Local groups subsequently were formed, catching the attention of Keren Hayesod management. They understood the enormous potential and the natural connection between the young leadership groups and Keren Hayesod. The young leaders saw Keren Hayesod as a fertile field for action, meetings and donations, strengthening the bond among themselves and with the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Things developed rapidly. In 1971, Keren Hayesod’s Young Leadership Department was established to coordinate the activities of the groups of young people. At the beginning of the 1970s, there were five Young Leadership groups in Europe; by the middle of the decade there were already 50 active groups around the world.
250 young people from around the world took part in the first international young leadership conference, “Yachdav”, held in Israel in 1977. Since then, these international gatherings have become a tradition, with Julia Koschitzky, the honorary president of Keren Hayesod, generously supporting Kesher – The Julia Koschitzky Seminar for Young Leadership, which takes place every year during the World Conference. The week-long seminar gives the participants an unforgettable experience and an unmediated acquaintance with Israel, enabling them to become part of the future generation of Jewish leadership. Young Leadership departments throughout the world continue to hold annual fundraising activities that result in significant donations. Over the years, some of Keren Hayesod’s leaders and key activists around the world have emerged from Young Leadership.
Photo: Julia Koschitzky with Kesher Seminar participants