Kesher Yehudi bridges the divide between secular and religious Jews in Israel, unifying Israeli society by fostering mutual understanding and a connection to our shared Jewish legacy. Since 2012, the organization has paired over 17,000 Israelis in transformative chavruta partnerships, bringing together secular and religious Jews to form lasting friendships built on respect and compassion. Kesher Yehudi’s dedicated program for mechinot (pre-army academies) partners with 36 secular institutions—64% of all secular mechinot in Israel. The program empowers 2000 young Israelis annually to connect with their Jewish heritage before enlisting in the army. The organization also supports hostage families and Nova survivors, offering unwavering love, solidarity, and friendships that help them rebuild, heal, and find strength during challenging times.
In 2016, President Reuven Rivlin awarded Kesher Yehudi the prestigious Jerusalem Unity Prize “for creating a unique platform with an enormous potential for engendering true connections and increasing feelings of unity, identification, and mutuality among the Jewish nation.”