Help lift
Israeli children
out of poverty,
for good
To end Israel's poverty crisis, we must
solve it where it starts: in childhood.
Together, we can equip every underprivileged child in Israel with the
tools they need to overcome their circumstances and pursue a
healthy, productive future for themself.
Together, we can equip every underprivileged child in Israel with the tools they need to overcome their circumstances and pursue a healthy, productive future for themself.
No child
chooses a life
of poverty —
and yet they
are its biggest
victims
1/3
Nearly 1 in 3 Israeli children live
below the poverty line
9x
Children born into poverty
are 9x more likely to remain
impoverished
2x
Children born into poverty are 2x
more likely to have behavioral and
emotional problems.
The largest non-profit
solving Israel’s cycle of
poverty at its roots
The largest non-profit solving Israel’s cycle of poverty at its roots
Through a vast network of supportive programs, Shlavim
is ensuring Israel’s next generation has all the practical and
emotional support it needs to build a better future.
Through a vast network of supportive programs, Shlavim is ensuring Israel’s next generation has all the practical and emotional support it needs to build a better future.
18
years
of proven success
18
years
of proven success
254
branches
across Israel
6,528
participants
in our programs in 2023
86%
reduction
in drop-out rates for boys
5x
increase
in post-secondary education for girls
Lifting children,
at every step
Each of Shlavim’s programs fills a critical gap that may exist in an underprivileged child’s support system as they grow — from elementary age, through high school, yeshiva, and into adulthood. We are committed to stepping in for these children in any way they need, until they’re built enough to securely step forward through life on their own.
SEFER - AGES 6-12
Empowering teachers in underprivileged communities to take charge — and lead their students to success.
In underprivileged communities, there’s an even greater need for teachers who can build their students spirits and strengths. Sefer empowers teachers to step into that role and own it.
Our specialized training programs teach them how to look out for, notice and fill the gaps in their students educational, emotional, and physical needs — and just how to encourage their students to learn, thrive, and pursue a better life for themselves.
STEP UP - AGES 6-12
An English curriculum that’s fun, engaging — and works!
English is a valuable skill in Israel’s job market, but many students have few opportunities to learn, hear, or speak it in their day-to-day lives. Step-Up is an interactive curriculum that makes it easy for English teachers to get their students to speak it with confidence.
Everything teachers need is included, and Step Up has been proven effective in every classroom it’s been implemented into.
YACHDAV - AGES 9-12
After-school youth groups to build children’s character, leadership, and spirit.
In Israel, school ends at 1pm. From then ‘till dinner, children from underprivileged communities are often left to their own devices.
Twice a week, Yachdav youth groups fill those hours with invaluable character, leadership, and team-building activities. Through Yachdav, children learn to take pride in who they are, grow into their unique strengths, and undertake responsibility for themselves, their future, and those around them.
Beyond our twice-weekly groups, special events further develop Yachdav children’s connection with their parents, community, and sense of self.
MAAVARIM - AGES 13-16
Drop-out prevention program helping yeshiva boys transition from 8th grade to 9th, fearlessly.
In Israel, the leap from 8th to 9th grade is a big one. Historically, too many boys have fallen through the cracks during these pivotal years.
Maaravim’s clinically trained counselors work hand-in-hand with boys, parents, and Rosh Yeshivos all across Israel to help make this transition as positive and painless as possible.
Starting in 8th grade, our counselors help boys explore their next steps and choose the perfect-fit yeshiva. And, once Yeshiva Gedola has begun, our counselors stay connected, following alongside and offering encouragement, help, and advocacy wherever and whenever needed.
CHANOCH - AGES 17-22
Helping young men find motivation & the best path forward
Not every bachur can learn full-time. Chanoch works with Yeshivos and Mesivtos all across Israel to help these boys find a promising path that tunes into their inherent potential and integrates with their learning and values.
Through counseling, we help them set a clear plan for their future, and then support them at every step, ensuring they have the resources they need to follow through.
NETIVA - AGES 17-22
Helping underprivileged girls unfold their full potential, post-high school.
Too many Israeli girls born into poverty don’t pursue a post-secondary education. Instead of applying their gifts towards building a better life for themselves and their future families, they remain trapped in entry-level positions for life.
At Netiva, we help these young women believe in their inherent potential, tune into their strengths, and choose a career and educational program where their strengths will be a gift. Beyond guidance and counseling, we support their efforts at every step, ensuring they have the resources they need to truly succeed.
MIGDALOR - AGES 20+
Helping underprivileged families bridge the gap between surviving and thriving.
It’s hard to build towards a better future when all your energy is needed to put food on the table.
Migdal Or is a powerhouse of support for families trapped in survival mode. We help parents break out of poverty and move towards self-sufficiency by helping them step into opportunities that put their talents, strengths, and skills to their best use.
Beyond just career guidance and coaching, we offer robust educational scholarships, grants, and other key resources that allow parents to finally let go of low-opportunity positions and build themselves up to the point where they can pull their families out of poverty.
They can. Because
together, we will.
Shlavim was established in 2006 by R’ Zev Wolfson to ensure every one of Israel’s more than 850,000 underprivileged children would receive the critical support they need to overcome their circumstances and pursue a better future for themselves.
When you support Shlavim, you’re investing in a proven infrastructure of programs that are actively tackling poverty at its roots and transforming underprivileged communities, one bright future at a time.
Ilan Kosman, CEO of Shlavim at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Yachdav building in Charish.
Endorsed by leading Rabbanim
Our Partners
Meet Efrat,
computer programmer,
Netiva Graduate
Meet Efrat,
computer programmer,
Netiva Graduate
Our Team
Yisrael Shilo
Director of Sefer Boys, Yachdav, & Maavarim
Mrs. Chani Spiegel
Director of Sefer Girls, Director of Step Up, & Office Manager
Perale Dezimitrovsky
Director of Netiva
Dovi Mirmilstein
Director of Chanoch
David Ben Shushan
Director of Migdalor
Ephraim Attali
Director of Partnerships
Sarki Chachanovitz
Project Manager of Sefer Girls, Director of Ogen Girls
Kobi Tsitrenbaum
Project Manager of Yachdav and Partnerships Lead
Noah Kvetny
Regional Director of Yachdav Girls
Shmuel Cohen
Project Manager of Maavarim & Sefer Boys, Director of Ogen Boys
Racheli Kasirer
Development Coordinator, USA
Hadas Wolfson