From Medicine to Startups A Year of Impact at The Kemach foundation

Graduates and Partners of Kemach,

Rosh Hashanah invites us to pause, lift our heads from the daily routine, and look back at the journey we have traveled together.

The past year was not just another page in the calendar, but a meaningful chapter in our story as a community: small steps that became great achievements, dreams that blossomed, and people who chose to break through personal and professional boundaries.

And when we count the achievements, the picture becomes clear: “לִמְנוֹת יָמֵינוּ כֵּן הוֹדַע וְנָבִא לְבַב חָכְמָה”, we are not merely counting days, but also dreams fulfilled and good deeds that left a mark.Thanks to the work of the Kemach Foundation, which leads the field of employment in the Haredi community – through an academic scholarship fund, employment guidance centers, professional training programs, innovation hubs, and entrepreneurship initiatives – tens of thousands of Haredim have received scholarships and integrated into higher education.

Men in the North built a new employment vision for themselves; women in the South became leaders and influencers; hundreds of graduates opened doors for themselves through English; young Haredi men and women entered the healthcare system; and a growing tech community is finding its place in the high-tech industry with the help of top mentors.

Out of a sense of mission and mutual responsibility “כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה” we act together, with unity and partnership, to advance every project and goal.

May the coming year continue to expand the impact of the Kemach Foundation – bringing with it dignified livelihoods, personal and communal growth, and the integration of a strong Haredi identity with professional success.

Shanah Tovah! 

Moti Feldstein,

So, what did we achieve this year?

Here’s just a taste of the projects, milestones, and initiatives that grew at Kemach this year, with you and for you:

Employment Week – The Year’s Biggest Opportunity

Over 1,500 participants filled the halls, explored job offers, training opportunities, real-time assessments, and inspiring lectures. Employment Week, and especially the Jerusalem fair, became a hotbed of professional opportunities, showing both the hunger for quality opportunities and the power of a community coming together.

“Haredim for Medicine” – Scholarships that Save Lives

Dozens of Haredi medical and healthcare students receive not only financial aid from Kemach, but also personal and community support on their journey to becoming doctors, nurses, and therapists.Our vision: to close the gaps in Israel’s healthcare system until the number of Haredi doctors and nurses truly reflects our share in society, all while proudly preserving Haredi identity. This year, the program expanded to include broader health and care professions, and signs of real change are already visible.

“Leading in the South” – Women Driving Real Change

A new community of pioneering Haredi women is emerging in southern Israel. Over 110 women participated in Leading South and laid the foundations for an active network sharing knowledge, job opportunities, and professional tips.At the same time, 30 women embarked on a unique leadership program, reporting a 30% employment upgrade and launching new community initiatives, NGOs, youth programs, and educational projects. This is just the first step toward building a strong, local female infrastructure in the South.

“Ma’aseh Yadeinu” – A New Vision for Haredi Men

In northern Israel, 150 Haredi men embarked on a unique journey built around three circles: community, group, and individual. Through content evenings, group workshops, and personal coaching sessions, each participant developed a new career vision, learned to overcome personal barriers, and built a customized career path.The outcome: a supportive community that strengthens each member, and another step toward dignified livelihoods.

Tools for Personal and Professional Growth

This year, we invested in our graduates across diverse fields – from academic training to language skills and business mentoring – helping them grow professionally and build a stable future.

Academic Scholarships

The Kemach Scholarship Fund continues to expand, supporting Haredi students in higher education. Following the war and the urgent need for healthcare professionals, we prioritized scholarships for medicine, psychology, social work, nursing, and other fields vital to Israel’s healthcare system.

English for Careers

English has become a vital skill for entering today’s job market, often serving as the key to better positions and international opportunities. This year, we ran 21 courses at different CEFR levels with over 350 participants. Beyond grammar and conversation, the courses focused on resumes, interview simulations, and professional communication, giving participants not only tools, but also the confidence to step into new career paths.

Mentoring for Mego Graduates

After a successful pilot, we launched a larger, more structured cycle with twice the participants. 23 graduates were mentored by senior industry leaders, receiving both group workshops and personal guidance, strengthening their LinkedIn profiles, resumes, interview prep, and, above all, their confidence.

Career Assessment & Guidance

Thousands of Haredim turned to Ya’ad Institute, Kemach’s academic and career counseling center. Over 4,500 received professional assessments, and about 600 completed in-depth career counseling processes. This year, we were proud to welcome Yehonatan Lamdan, a psychologist and Kemach alumnus, to the team of professionals guiding others at Ya’ad.

TheSchool – Business Education

30 Haredi entrepreneurs completed the first cycle of an eight-month journey: 200 study hours, 15 hours of personal coaching, and training in finance, marketing, and management. Inspired by leading figures in Israel’s economy, they reported revenue growth, team expansion, and new audiences. The success led us to launch registration for the second cycle.

BizLabs – The Haredi Startup Accelerator

Over the past year, BizLabs continued to support dozens of Haredi entrepreneurs with mentoring, professional workshops, and direct investor connections. Several startups that began with us have already raised funding and expanded to new markets. Right after the holidays, we are excited to launch Cohort 7, bringing forward a new generation of Haredi innovators.