Keren Hayesod

Keren haYesod – United Israel Appeal (Hebrew: קרן היסוד, literally "The Foundation Fund") is the official fundraising organization for Israel the world over (apart from the US), with campaigns in 45 countries. Its work is carried out in accordance with the Keren haYesod Law-5716, passed by the Knesset in January 1956, granting the organization a unique fundraising status. It is a registered corporation of the State of Israel.

One of Israel’s three “National Institutions”, Keren haYesod works in close coordination with the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency for Israel to further the national priorities of the State of Israel.

Keren haYesod was established at the World Zionist Conference held in London on July 7–24, 1920, to provide the Zionist movement with resources needed for the Jewish people to return to the Land of Israel. It came in response to the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which stated that “his Majesty's government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people” - turning the ages-old dream of the return to Zion into a politically feasible goal.

Keren haYesod established fundraising organizations around the world. Early leaders included Chaim Weizmann, Albert Einstein and Ze’ev Jabotinsky.

During the 1920s, Keren haYesod began to lay the groundwork for the state-on-the-way and helped raise funds to establish the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bank Hapoalim and various physical projects. In 1926, Keren haYesod relocated its headquarters from London to Jerusalem. With the establishment of the Jewish Agency in 1929, Keren haYesod became its fundraising arm while continuing its own wide-ranging activities. The effects of the worldwide economic depression of 1929 hit Keren haYesod hard, but recovery was accompanied by an unprecedented turn of events - Hitler’s rise to power in 1933. The bring German Jews to the Land of Israel, the organization helped in the development of the Haifa Bay suburbs, and as part of that effort, the establishment of the Rasco construction company (1934). Keren haYesod supported the establishment of what would later become the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (1936), to provide employment for refugee musicians, and cultural institutions.

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