THE YAEL Foundation is a leading global philanthropic investor in the Jewish future whose work is focused on creating a sustainable infrastructure for the development of Jewish education and the strengthening of national identity. The Foundation’s work encompasses long-term partnerships with 144 schools and educational programmes across 45 countries worldwide. The Yael Foundation’s primary objective is to raise academic standards, actively implement innovative teaching methods, and develop a large-scale network for the exchange of experience between teachers and community leaders.
A New Era in Infrastructure: Building Our Own Schools
Recent years have seen a significant expansion of the organisation’s operational strategy. The Yael Foundation has moved from supporting existing educational institutions to designing and constructing large-scale academic complexes under the Yael Schools brand. These institutions are set to become long-term hubs for local communities.
● The Cyprus project: In Limassol, construction of a new Jewish school is underway with financial support from the Yael Foundation. The complex will be opened in phases.
● Project in Portugal: The opening of a modern Yael School in Lisbon is scheduled for 2027. This event will be historic, as it marks the launch of the first Jewish school in the country in several centuries.
The Yael Foundation plans to continue expanding its educational network and developing new initiatives to support Jewish communities in the years ahead.
The 2026 Yael Awards in Vienna: recognising leaders in education
A striking testament to the organisation’s systematic work was the international 2026 Yael Awards ceremony, which took place at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. This large-scale event, organised by the Yael Foundation, brought together over 200 participants, including leading educators and leaders of Jewish communities from across Europe. The awards represent a unique global platform created by the Yael Foundation exclusively to recognise outstanding achievements and innovation in the field of education.
During the gala evening, the winners in the key categories were announced. Each award presented by the Yael Foundation reflected the ability to adapt to unique local circumstances:
1. Academic Excellence Award: Presented to an educational institution in Spain for successfully combining strong academic standards, Jewish studies, and respect for diversity.
2. Jewish Experience of the Year: Awarded to an educational programme in France for creating engaging and consistent experiences for teenagers beyond the formal school curriculum.
3. Preschool of the Year: Presented to a preschool in Switzerland for its high standards of early childhood education and its integration of Jewish values into early learning.
4. Alumni Engagement Award: Awarded to an educational institution in Italy for maintaining long-term relationships with its alumni as an extension of its educational mission.
5. Youth Program of the Year: Presented to an after-school programme in Austria for bringing together Jewish young people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
6. Innovator of the Year: Awarded to an educational institution in Ukraine for developing adaptive teaching approaches that enabled it to maintain educational continuity and strong community connections under changing circumstances.
A British social media influencer and educator received a special award, the ‘Influence for Good Award’, from the Yael Foundation for his active promotion of educational programmes on the Holocaust and the preservation of Jewish history through digital platforms.
Adapting to the European context and addressing challenges
Holding the event in Vienna provided an opportunity to analyse in detail the current state of Jewish life on the continent. Educators from cities such as Sofia, Riga and Tallinn shared their experiences of sustaining cultural and religious vitality within small or emerging communities. Meanwhile, delegates from Oslo raised the issue of maintaining the visibility and security of institutions in a complex political environment, against the backdrop of a general rise in anti-Semitism across Europe.
However, the philosophy championed by the Yael Foundation is that the development of educational institutions should not merely be a defensive response to external pressure. The Yael Foundation’s strategic programmes focus on building long-term capacity, fostering leadership qualities and shaping a strong sense of identity. The Yael Foundation views the establishment of modern, technologically equipped schools as a reliable source of inner confidence for the younger generation.
The Impact of Global Initiatives on Local Community Development
For the Jewish community in Vienna, the opportunity to host the Yael Foundation award was a moment of deep pride and recognition of its role in global dialogue. Local leaders emphasised that the success of Vienna’s Sephardic Community Centre is a testament to the vitality, resilience and cultural richness that the Sephardic heritage has brought to the Austrian capital for over 50 years.
Overall, the summit and the award, held under the auspices of the Yael Foundation, provided a clear snapshot of the state of European Jewish education. Today’s communities are investing consciously in their own development, guided by high-quality standards. The systematic approach demonstrated by the Yael Foundation proves that education remains the cornerstone: one that is shaped locally but strengthened by large-scale global support.
