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Who Are We?

Founded by Israeli entrepreneur and philanthropist Haim Taib, the Menomadin Foundation is an international impact fund dedicated to enhancing the social resilience of the State of Israel. Under the leadership of CEO Dr. Merav Galili, the Foundation engages in extensive activities across education, welfare, and community sectors.

The Menomadin Foundation draws on Haim Taib’s three decades of leading sustainable projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, applying the insights and expertise developed there to benefit Israeli society.

The foundation is involved in national-level collaborations, such as The State of Israel’s Strategic Welfare Plan, which was adopted by the Government of Israel in 2022. Developed over two years by senior Israeli welfare experts in various fields, the plan includes practical recommendations, some of which have already been implemented, on issues such as poverty, unemployment, people with disabilities, senior citizens, and children and youth at risk. In 2024, the foundation submitted to the Minister of Welfare a comprehensive strategic plan designed to effectively address the challenges exacerbated by warfare.

The Menomadin Foundation collaborates with local governments in the social and geographical periphery, initiating programs to enhance local government mobilization, resilience, and community empowerment. Concurrently, Menomadin leads a strategic initiative to enhance the quality of education in Israeli local authorities, with the goal of enabling all children to fully realize their potential and achieve social mobility, while also fostering a stronger connection to their communities. Following a successful pilot in two major cities, a scalable model has been developed, designed to be applicable to similar cities across the country.

Alongside its social initiatives, the Menomadin Foundation maintains an impact investment portfolio, focusing on Israeli startups dedicated to generating positive social and environmental impacts in vital sectors like agriculture, environment, health, and technology education. Menomadin co-founded the venture capital fund KMAI Capital, which specializes in identifying groundbreaking technologies in Israeli academic institutions and bringing them to market.

Beyond promoting reality-altering initiatives in Israel, the Menomadin Foundation invests in social and environmental initiatives in Africa and around the world. The foundation’s subsidiary, the Fundação Arte e Cultura operates an Arts and Culture Center in Angola, which initiates educational activities for children and youth, vocational training programs for women, social welfare programs for at-risk young adults, and various culture and art events for the benefit of the local community.

Aiming to achieve the UN’s sustainable development goals, the Menomadin Foundation’s endeavors are guided by a research-based approach, employing a structured impact management methodology and advanced impact measurement techniques.

Our Mission

Creating value-chain solutions
that bring together sectors, content worlds and stakeholders,
to ensure effective, measurable and sustainable
social, environmental and economic impact.

Our Values

Powered by Vision, Leading With Conviction

The human potential is limitless. Equipped with a crystallized approached to impact, Menomadin strives to unveil the world’s brilliance, leading by example and achieving excellence.

Nurture Partnerships, Advance With Diversity

A tightly-knit network is stronger than the sum of its parts. Menomadin harnesses the diversity of its passionate community, recognizing the collective gain of adding seats to the table.

Seek to Empower, Orchestrate With Empathy

Communities are their people are their communities. Menomadin is committed to the constant achievement of evident milestones on the journey to empower resilient societies, thoughtfully leading extraordinary projects with substantial outcomes.

Systematically Rigorous, Armed With Creativity

Scalable impact can only be accomplished by adhering to a methodological theory of change. Coupled with its effective conduct, Menomadin is ever prepared to initiate human-centered resourceful solutions, tailor-made for the specific needs of the hour.

Our People

Haim Taib

Founder and President

Guided by a strong, authentic conviction that business leaders must back their profitable endeavors with an equal contribution to the local communities in which they operate, Mr. Taib has been a prominent philanthropist for decades.

A self-made, ambitious entrepreneur, Mr. Taib has honed the ability to empathize with people around him and strives to create environments that provide equal opportunities to individuals everywhere. In particular, Mr. Taib is motivated by a moral obligation to elevate and empower vulnerable underprivileged communities. Aided by the agency of his intuitive theory of change he crafted numerous philanthropic projects in Africa, his entrepreneurial locale, in Israel, his homeland, and globally by creating cross border aid-collaborations.
More about Haim >

Merav Galili, PhD

CEO

Championing her life-long passions and devotions: advancing beneficial innovation and promoting foreign international coalitions and partnerships, Dr. Galili leads Menomadin together with Mr. Taib as the foundation’s CEO.

Her previous experiences as the Director of International Partnerships, Assistant to the CEO of Joint-Israel-Ashalim, and the decade-long term at Bar-Ilan University, which she completed as the Vice-President of Development, armed her not only with a global network of partners in academia, philanthropy, and the international impact world but also with resourcefulness, ambition and a rigorous understanding of how the space of making an impact is progressing. Dr. Galili is gearing the foundation’s future prospects and methodology towards a pragmatic, result-oriented way of action.
More about Merav >

Amir Witkon

General Counsel

Adv. Amir Witkon is an expert in international transactions, with years of experience in structuring and leading business ventures to success. He has been working with Mitrelli and the Menomadin Group for over five years, holding various senior positions in strategy, management, and overseeing legal affairs.

Prior to that, he was a senior partner at a leading law firm in Israel, specializing in international transactions and complex litigation.

Amir has an LL.B. from Brunel University and an LL.M. (cum laude) from Bar Ilan University.

Yuval Leder

Chief Financial Officer

Yuval brings over 20 years of experience in financial management, expertly balancing profitability with social responsibility. Throughout his career, he has developed substantial expertise in managing large budgets, raising capital, devising financial strategies, managing cash flow and analysing data. In his most recent role as CFO of the Mitrelli Group, Yuval led an international team and created innovative financial programs to support the development of countries in Africa. Before this, he served as Deputy CFO at Maccabi Health Services, where he managed extensive budgets to ensure quality health services were accessible to the general public.

Yuval holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and computer science from the University of Maryland and an MBA with a specialization in finance.

Tom Faruhi

VP, Strategic Philanthropy

Tom Faruhi is a social leader  with over two decades of experience in initiating, developing, and implementing regional and municipal programs.

He has extensive experience in managing and leading large-scale social initiatives.

Previously, he served as the Manager of Regional Economic Development at the Rashi Foundation, where he led significant collaborative projects with business and government bodies .

Salim Hilwy

Chief Accounting Officer Israel

Salim is an accountant with 25 years of experience, specializing in local government, tax authorities and government ministries. After running a private accounting firm, Salim served as CFO at a global company, where he specialized in international projects. He joined the Mitrelli Group in 2015 and in 2019 assisted in the establishment of Menomadin Foundation.

Salim holds a BA in Accounting and Statistics and an EMBA from Tel Aviv University.

Naama Margalit

CEO, Fundação Arte e Cultura

Naama has been leading the Fundação Arte e Cultura since 2012, currently steering the Menomadin Foundation’s social initiatives in Angola. Her adept leadership fosters impactful collaborations with local and international entities to promote and preserve Angola’s rich cultural and artistic assets. Naama manages the Luanda community center, driving projects for sustainability and personal growth, guided by the principle “teaching how to fish.” She previously managed a traveling agency and led various social initiatives as the founder of the Zimaon Association, and the personal assistant of Rona Ramon.

A graduate of management training and a certified business coach, her unwavering commitment defines her as a force in community engagement and empowerment.

Gideon Levit

Legal Advisor, Head of Impact Measurement and Management

Adv. Gideon Levit leads the Impact Measurement and Management unit. As an attorney, he specializes in commercial and corporate law, accompanying  a wide range of international transactions, primarily dealing with M&A transactions, accompanying venture capital investors and startup companies in private equity and debt financing, formation of joint ventures, supporting infrastructure projects, computing (IT), technology commercialization, etc. Prior to joining the Menomadin Foundation, Gideon was a partner in the high-tech and M&A departments of Yigal Arnon Tadmor-Levi & Co.

Gideon holds a Law degree (LL.B) from the University of Hertfordshire, England, and Master’s degree (LL.M) in International Business Law from London Metropolitan University. Gideon was admitted to the Israeli Bar in 2000.

Ido Yosef

Chief of Staff

Adv. Ido Yosef leads the operations of the Menomadin Foundation, overseeing large-scale projects in Israel and abroad. His responsibilities include managing business development initiatives, budget control, and knowledge management. With over a decade of managerial experience across diverse fields, Ido brings expertise that drives the foundation toward achieving its strategic goals. Previously, Ido served as Chief of Staff to the CEO of Mekorot, where he led strategic processes and cross-organizational projects. He also held the position of COO at a technology startup in the water sector. As an attorney, Ido handled complex cases at the Israeli Police and the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office. He holds a Bachelor of Law degree, majoring in Government and Politics, from Reichman University and a Master of Law degree from Bar-Ilan University.

Einat Paz-Frankel

Head of Brand & Marketing Communications

Einat leads marketing and communications for the Foundation, overseeing public relations, social media, and digital content, translating strategic initiatives into continuous brand awareness. A bilingual marketer and an award-winning storyteller, she has held journalism and communications positions in the U.S. and Israel, leading global communications at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and Startup Nation Central, among other organizations. Skilled in content strategy, Einat has led teams of writers, videographers, publicists, and designers to create and distribute high-quality publications across various platforms.

Einat holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Memphis and a bachelor’s degree in communications and art history from Tel Aviv University.

Shahar Bareket

Program Manager, Social Impact

Shahar Bareket develops and managed social programs. In recent years, she has been involved in developing and managing frameworks and projects in the social sector, focusing on informal education, welfare, and youth at risk, working in collaboration with municipalities and third-sector organizations. In her most recent role at the Bnei Shimon Regional Council, she established and managed the council’s youth-at-risk department, leading impactful initiatives to promote vulnerable youth populations.

Shahar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree in Educational Counseling, both from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Ofer Dotan

Impact Measurement and Management Lead

Ofer serves as the Impact Measurement and Management Lead, where she oversees internal processes for managing and measuring impact. She also provides services to organizations aiming to enhance their evaluation capacity and achieve better outcomes through data-driven decision-making. In her previous roles, she worked as a management consultant at LEAD Forward in Berlin, served as an ODI Fellow and Deputy Director of Planning at the Solomon Islands Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and advised on a $15 million World Bank-funded agricultural productivity project, where she acted as project manager. She holds a BSc in Philosophy, Politics, Law, and Economics (PPLE) from the University of Amsterdam and an MPP in Public Policy from the Hertie School in Berlin, supported by a DAAD scholarship.

Ruben Besserat

Associate Investor

Ruben serves as an Associate Investor at the Menomadin Foundation, where he leads Israeli venture capital investments in early-stage startups creating measurable social and environmental impact. Prior to joining Menomadin, he worked as an Investment Manager at Menora Mivtachim, focusing on private equity and venture capital fund investments. His experience includes primary, secondary, and direct growth opportunities, with a focus on strategic partnerships and long-term value creation. Ruben holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Entrepreneurship from Reichman University and is passionate about the role of capital in driving meaningful change through innovation.

Xavier Narciso

Director of Social Programs, Fundação Arte e Cultura

With 8 years of experience in social projects, Xavier is managing the Angolan-based foundation’s Social Activity. He coordinates the various projects and social initiatives, and serves as the Foundation’s deputy director. He joined the Mitrelli Group in 2011 as an educator and social supporter of children and youth at risk. Since 2015 he has been the curator of the Tamar Golan Gallery, a social business established by the foundation to support local artists.

Xavier attended the Catholic University of Angola and graduated the Civic Moral Education course.

Mothana Qadan

Bookkeeper

Mothana is the bookkeeper of the Menomadin Foundation, handling the financial tasks of its various units. He has 6 years of experience in a CPA firm, representing business sector clients vis-à-vis the various tax authorities and the National Insurance Institute.

Mothana holds a BA degree in business administration with a specialization in accounting from the College of Management Academic Studies.

Shoshana Zimru-Levi

Administrative Manager

Shoshana specializes in administrative management and the day-to-day operation of organizational systems. As part of her role at the Menomadin Foundation, she is responsible for supporting senior leadership, managing calendars, coordinating travel, preparing documents and presentations, and hosting guests from Israel and abroad. Shoshana oversees the smooth running of office operations, including logistics, front desk management, and internal events, ensuring functional continuity and a professional, welcoming work environment.

Shoshana holds a bachelor’s degree in English Linguistics, Sociology-Anthropology, Management, and Conflict Resolution. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Organizational Development and Consulting.

Noa Ben Shoshan

Intern

Noa is a member of the Menomadin Foundation’s Headquarters team, where she supports the organization’s daily operations. Her responsibilities include administrative management, preparation of strategic presentations, budget assistance, and coordination of cross-organizational projects. She also contributes to the planning and leadership of team-building and employee engagement initiatives.

In parallel with her role at the Foundation, Noa is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Management and Psychology at Tel Aviv University, where she has been recognized on the Dean’s List.