Since its inception as a program within the Rashi Foundation in 2001 and its establishment as an independent association in 2010, the Yecholot Association has been blessed throughout the years with the generous support of the late Gustav Leven, the Leven family, and the Foundation’s CEO, Eli Alaluf.

It was the late Gustav Leven, the Leven family, and the Rashi Foundation who enabled the program to grow, become an independent association (Yecholot), build partnerships, and reach thousands of students who needed the belief that “everyone can succeed.”

Gustav Leven (1912–2008), a French Jew and one of the founders of the premium brand Source Perrier, was the grandson of Narcisse Leven, a co-founder of the Alliance Israélite Universelle and Mikveh Israel. In 1984, Gustav Leven founded the Rashi Foundation by merging and restructuring long-standing family foundations.

The foundation is driven by the vision that a strong and sustainable society, where every individual has the opportunity to realize their full potential, will contribute to Israel’s national resilience. To achieve this, the foundation works to reduce educational, social, and economic gaps by creating high-quality infrastructure and providing personal development opportunities, particularly in Israel’s geographical and social periphery.

Gustav Leven was one of Israel’s greatest philanthropists and a leading figure in the pursuit of equality and social justice. After the establishment of the State of Israel, he contributed significantly to various projects throughout the country. In 1984, he founded the Rashi Foundation as a platform to fulfill his philanthropic goals.

Leven was known for his humility and insisted that his donations be made anonymously or through the Rashi Foundation and its affiliated associations. His contributions had a profound impact on Israeli society, improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and supporting educational and social programs, especially in underserved communities.

Despite his immense influence, few are familiar with his name or the extent of his work for the benefit of Israeli society. He was a true lover of Israel, a visionary behind the Rashi Foundation and its educational and social welfare initiatives, leaving a legacy of dedication, social justice, and unparalleled humility that continues to positively impact Israeli society to this day.

Gustav Leven was a partner in the establishment of the Yecholot Association (originally the Tafnit program) and supported its policies, methods, approach, and diverse activities across all sectors of Israeli society.

Yecholot deeply honors the memory of the late Gustav Leven and is proud to carry on his legacy by continuing to promote educational justice in Israel’s social and geographic periphery, striving for a better, fairer society for all.