Our mission

The Keren Hanan Aynor Foundation, Supporting Students today, Creating the Leaders of Tomorrow

Welcome to The Keren Hanan Aynor Foundation

Our mission is to address the needs of the Ethiopian Israeli community.

The Keren Hanan Aynor Foundation was founded by Sarah Aynor in 1994 in memory of her husband Hanan Aynor, the Israeli ambassador to Ethiopia. Our mission is to address the needs of the Ethiopian immigrant community by assisting talented and highly-motivated Ethiopian Israelis to acquire higher academic education and/or advanced professional degrees.

A source of pride

From student to a member of the Israeli parliament, to ambassador – Shimon Solomon a success story

Accomplishments

Over the past two decades, Keren Hanan Aynor has distributed over 5,000 scholarships to students in over 90 different fields. Much more than a financial grant, each scholarship empowers an individual student with a critical message of support and encouragement, thus inspiring them to continue to pursue their academic dreams despite their many challenges.

The foundation supports the following students

We are here for you

Contact us

The role of Keren Hanan Aynor in the lives of the students

High School

Army

University

- Financial support
-Quarterly phone calls
- Telephone support and advice
Tracking grades after each semester
-Annual ceremony in Jerusalem

Career

Stay tuned

News & Updates

Stay up to date on our latest activities and important information.

President Herzog's Greeting for the 2024 Scholarship Award Ceremony

Keren Hanan Aynor Foundation presentation in memory of the fallen soldiers from the Ethiopian community in the Swords of Iron War.

We are saddened to report that at least 30 Ethiopian Israelis have tragically fallen in the terrible terrorist attack and ensuing fighting, a number are injured, and several have been abducted to Gaza.

Keren Hanan Aynor is now turning our attention to supporting the families of our 409 current scholarship recipients, some of whom have been called up for reserve duty, and many are suffering dire economic need because of the war. At this difficult time, they are struggling to make ends meet and need money for food, medicine and rent, and have reached out to ask for our financial assistance.

To meet these emergency needs, KHA has set up a KUPA KTANA, a war response fund, and is currently soliciting donations to provide the families of our students in need with a one-time gift of 1000 NIS (about $250 US) to cover basic needs - principally food, rent, electricity, gas, and water bills.

This is an interim solution to take effect immediately, until government support is forthcoming. All funds will go directly to the families to provide for crucial needs (with zero overhead).

We would be grateful for any assistance!

Donations (with all credit cards) can be made via.

News

Keren Hanan Aynor Foundation presentation in memory of the fallen soldiers from the Ethiopian community in the Swords of Iron War

03/02/202503/02/2025

02/02/202503/02/2025

20/06/202403/02/2025

20/06/202403/02/2025

Importent videos

Scholarship information

Our scholarships

The Aynor Foundation helps talented and motivated Ethiopian Israeli students acquire an academic degree or vocational certificate. The Foundation’s goal is to increase the involvement of these adults in the Ethiopian community; to help address challenges that may arise, assist with integration into society and the workplace, and promote core leadership for the advancement of the community in Israeli society. The Foundation provides scholarships based on a wide variety of fields of study and accommodates students' skills and abilities.

We are saddened to report that at least 15 Ethiopian Israelis have tragically fallen in the terrible terrorist attack and ensuing fighting, a number are injured, and several have been abducted to Gaza.

Keren Hanan Aynor is now turning our attention to supporting the families of our 409 current scholarship recipients, some of whom have been called up for reserve duty, and many are suffering dire economic need because of the war. At this difficult time, they are struggling to make ends meet and need money for food, medicine and rent, and have reached out to ask for our financial assistance.

To meet these emergency needs, KHA has set up a KUPA KTANA, a war response fund, and is currently soliciting donations to provide the families of our students in need with a one-time gift of 1000 NIS (about $250 US) to cover basic needs - principally food, rent, electricity, gas, and water bills.

This is an interim solution to take effect immediately, until government support is forthcoming. All funds will go directly to the families to provide for crucial needs (with zero overhead).

We would be grateful for any assistance!

Donations (with all credit cards) can be made via.

0 ⁺

Years of working for the community

0 ⁺

Scholarships

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Scholarships we awarded in 2024

Our staff

Get to know us

Criteria

Requests may be submitted by students who meet the following criteria:

· Students of Ethiopian descent

· Students studying at an educational institute recognized by the Council for Higher Education

· Undergraduate students who are enrolled in a minimum of 12 academic hours a week; graduate or doctoral students; and Open University students who study at least 6 hours a week

· Students studying for a diploma in a study track authorized by the Aynor Foundation Admissions Committee

· Undergraduate students who do not receive support from the Student Administration or the Council for Higher Education

Undergraduate students who receive support from the Student Administration or the Council for Higher Education are not entitled to submit a scholarship request.
The criteria reopen every year based on that year’s scholarship budget. We therefore recommend that even those who have registered in the past and did not receive a scholarship, register again this year.
Participation in the Aynor Foundation’s annual scholarship distribution ceremony is a condition for receiving the Foundation’s scholarship.
The Aynor Foundation has several types of scholarships, each of which may have additional criteria.

It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of

Sarah Aynor scholarship

Awarded to a student in the field of theater / cinema.

The Yona Bogale Scholarship

Awarded to a student in the field of psychology.

The “Trail-Blazer” Scholarship

These scholarships are given by Keren Hanan Aynor to students who are beginning studies in a specialized field that is new to Ethiopian students.

Start-Up

Joint program with "Startup"

The Elke Aynor (z”l) Scholarship

In her memory, and to encourage Ethiopian Israeli students to study Communications (Journalism, Television, Radio, Film, etc.)

Sarah Aynor was born in Tel Aviv in 1925 and passed away in November 2016. She has dedicated her life to strengthening Jewish life in Israel and around the world. Following her graduation from Lewinsky Teachers Seminary, she spent two years in Shfea youth village as a teacher, was sent by the “mosad l’aliya Bet ” to Marseilles France to absorb children in orphanages from North Africa and Europe on their way to the newly born State of Israel. She later established the Women’s Division at Keren Hayesod. Following her marriage to Hanan Aynor and as a mother of two, she served with him at various posts in Canada, US, Africa and Mexico. Following Hanan’s death, she founded and served as the driving force in turning the dream of assisting the newly arrived Ethiopians to acquire an academic degree and successfully become full Israeli citizens. Running the organization out of her home, Sarah became a matriarch to the students: supportive and encouraging, imbued with ideas and advice, all shared with an abundance of care and love. Sarah knew each student by name, knew their families, their field of study, their strengths and where each one could use a helping hand. This was true when there were five students and as true, when there were as many as 270 students.

Dr. Tsega Melaku was born in Ethiopia and immigrated to Israel at the age of 16 in 1984. Tsega studied at Bar Ilan University where she completed a BA in Political Science and Sociology. Following this, Tsega continued in academia and was one of the first Keren Hanan Aynor scholarship recipients while completing her MA in business at the Touro College in Jerusalem. She recently completed her PHd in Political Science and Journalism from the University of Adam Mickiewicz. In 2014, Tsega authored a book entitled Not in Our School which documents the racism she faced in her effort to have her children attend a better school. Along with many volunteer committee positions in government, journalism and culture, Tsega serves on Board of the Public Counsel of the Menachem Begin Legacy Centre. Tsega has had an active career in journalism for three decades and has served in various capacities including working for the Israeli Broadcasting Authority both in radio and on television. Tsega is particularly well known for having been both the first woman as well as the first Ethiopian to have directed the popular Israeli Hebrew radio station, Reshet Alef. Tsega has been involved in helping to promote the Ethiopian Israeli community for many years, and among her many projects, has served as the Chief Editor of Fana, an Ethiopian Israeli newspaper which is published in both Amharic and Hebrew. A strong believer in the importance of higher education in order to promote the Ethiopian community in Israel, Tsega has served on the board of directors of Keren Hanan Aynor since 1994, and began her position as Board Chairperson in 2008. Tsega is the mother of two sons, Emmanuel and Yonatan.

Board of Directors

Pnina Agenyahu is Senior Shlicha of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington in partnership with The Jewish Agency. She previously served as director of the Hillel Center at Tel Aviv University, and has extensive experience in public speaking and teaching. In 2014, as Israel marked 66 years of independence with a tribute to women, Pnina was named by Haaretz as one of ‘66 influential Israeli women you should know’.

As a child of a diplomat, educated in the US and with extensive managerial experience, Amos has broad international connections in Europe, Central, South and North America and is fluent in multiple languages. In 1982, Amos established and served as the CEO of ON-AIR Ltd, one of Israel’s largest broadcast-equipment rental companies, specializing in camera, sound, editing and satellite services for foreign and local TV production companies. He also worked with government offices and private companies to design and produce large commercial, reality, documentary and feature-films media projects. Amos was responsible for successfully managing extensive projects (up to $3 million annually) and has broad knowledge and experience in budgeting, operations, monthly and annual reports and achieving target goals.

Holds the position of Excellence Programs Coordinator for at the Civil Service Cadets Department in the Civil Service Commission
Former director of social and economic development unit coordinating the Government Program for Integration of Citizens of Ethiopian Origins in the Prime Minister’s office
held a number of positions at the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption, including knowledge officer for the budgeting and research division.
She was awarded the Director’s Prize for Excellence at the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption.
she is married and the mother of two children. Live in Jerusalem.

Mr. Zeev Kaso, attorney at law is the Head of the Program for the Advancement of Students of Ethiopian Descent in Higher Education and the Development of Social Leadership that was founded 17 years ago at the Ono Academic College. The program was developed to create significant change among Israelis of Ethiopian descent. The over arching goal is the investment in academic education in an effort to assist in their full integration into the Israeli workforce by developing a core leadership in the community and in Israeli society as a whole.

Dr Avi Yitzhak was born in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia in 1973. He immigrated to Israel at the age of 19, and studied medicine at the University of Ben-Gurion in Beersheva.
He is married to Genet and they have four children, the eldest of which is 25 and the youngest 15.
He likes to read history and is an amateur chef in his spare time. Avi runs long-distance, both in Israel and abroad for pleasure, and is a marathonist.
Dr Yitzhak is the CMO of Assuta Medical Center in Beersheva, starting from December 2022. Before then he served as the Surgeon General of the Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services (IFRS) for two years. In that capacity Avi was instrumental in creating the force build-up plan for the medical services in the IFRS, including operational medicine, preventive medicine, trauma medicine, etc.
As a Colonel in the IDF, Avi’s last post was the Medical Commander of the Southern Command. Before then, Avi had served as head of IDF’s Trauma and Combat Medicine Branch (TCMB). Avi had also served in various capacities, from a physician in the 101 paratrooper’s battalion up to head of medicine of the Gaza Division during operations “Pillar of Defence” and “Operation Protective Edge”. Avi was also involved in IDF’s field hospitals, both as a surgeon and as a commander, after the humanitarian crises in the aftermath of earthquakes in Haiti (2010) and Nepal (2015).
Dr Yitzhak was chosen to light the Torch of Independence at the ceremony for the 62nd Independence of Israel at Mt Herzl.

News anchor and radio presenter on Kan Radio Reka in Amharic. Ethiopian Israel Community activist in the framework of the Ethiopian Jewish Association in Israel and later in other organizations such as the Public Council for Ethiopian Jews.

Zvi is a Senior Hi Tech executive with over 30 years of experience. He held business management positions in the Israeli Government (Finance Ministry) and private companies (Intel, Numonyx and Micron Technology) with focus on Commercial, Financial and Strategic responsibilities both local and worldwide. Currently serves as Co Founder and Chairman of CorrActions – a neuroscience technology company developing leading edge capabilities to detec human cognitive state using motion monitoring. Zvi is active in volunteering serving as the Chairman of ALYN Hospital in Jerusalem focusing on pediatric and adolescent rehabilitation treatment and care. Zvi joined the Keren Hanan Aynor Board of Directors in 2011. Zvi holds a BA in Economics and an MBA both from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is married with 3 children and currently lives in Mevasseret Zion, Israel.

VP, CEO and Director at high-tech companies for 20 years. He established and managed complex projects valued at tens of millions in third world countries. In 1989, he was Israel’s emissary to Ethiopia. He was involved in the political efforts to renew the relations between Israel and Ethiopia, help the Jews of Ethiopia immigrate to Israel and establish the embassy in 1990. In 1991, he took part in the planning and implementation of Operation Solomon. Afterward, he helped lay the foundation for relations with the new government. Between 1994-1997, Confino was the regional representative responsible for Ethiopia, among other areas. He assisted the embassies with immigration issues. In 2003, as part of his position at a high-tech company, he founded the Ethiopian passport project for the Ethiopian Ministry of Immigration and managed the connection with this customer on an ongoing basis until 2016. Confino is married, has 4 children and 7 grandchildren.

Yosef I. Abramowitz has worked on behalf of Ethiopian aliya and klita for over 30 years, helped create the Ethiopian students association, organized the first activist conferences for the aliya, was held at gunpoint in northern Ethiopia, and served as #3 on the Atid Ehad Ethiopian Knesset list. He, along with D’vora Greisman, worked closely with Amb. Aynor in designing the global activist campaign that eventually led up to Operation Solomon. Yossi accompanied the Prime Minister on his recent visit to Ethiopia in his role as co founder of the solar industries in Israel and East Africa. Named by CNN as one of the top six Green Pioneers worldwide, Yossi won Israel’s Green Globe award in the Knesset and serves as CEO of Energiya Global, a solar developer. He is married to Rabbi Susan Silverman and they have five children, two of whom are Ethiopian. He can be followed at @Kaptainsunshine

Kobi Bendaluk is a Colonel in the Israeli Defence Forces and holds a Bachelors degree in social sciences and a Masters degree in Law. Kobi is the founder of Reshef, a company of the Migdal Insurance Agency which specialises in special risk insurance policies. Today, Kobi is the Executive Director of InsurTechIsrael . In previous years, Kobi served as a municipal board member of the Shoham Council, as the director of the Municipal committee and board member of the Planning and Building Committes. He also serves on the board of the NGO “Derech Eretz” a preparatory program for youth entering the IDF.

Haggai Erlich is professor emeritus at Tel Aviv University and an academic adviser at the Open University of Israel where he is the head of Middle Eastern History studies. He is the Landau Prize recipient for 2010 in African Studies.

Graduate of Bar Ilan University, with a BA in Sociology and Anthropology and an MA in Israel Studies. Mr. Pinchas holds an additional undergraduate degree in Sephardic Judaism in Islamic Countries. He worked at Bar Ilan University as Director of the Exam Department and as a research assistant and speaks Amharic, English, Yiddish, Italian, and of course – Hebrew.

I was born in the Federation of Gondar, a region of Ethiopia (Vagra Dawat), and immigrated to Israel in December of 1984 at the age of 14, through Operation Moses. I studied at the Bnei Akiva Meron yeshiva, and after graduating high school enlisted in the Border Police for compulsory service, after which I signed on for an additional two years. After discharge, I began working at Israel Aerospace Industries and then attended Ariel University to improve my matriculation grades and study Behavioral Science and Education. I have three sons and work at Ariel University as the Dean of Students’ Student Coordinator.

Since 1970 Micha Feldmann has worked on immigration and absorption, and since 1982 he has devoted his life to bringing the Ethiopian Jews to Israel, and help them in their absorption into Israeli society. Prior to “Operation Salomon” Micha was the head of the Jewish Agency mission to Ethiopia and the Israeli consul there. He took part in “Operation Salomon” that in 1991 succeeded in bringing out of besieged Addis Ababa in one weekend 14,310 Ethiopian Jews. Micha speaks Amharic fluently and knows virtually every Ethiopian family in Israel. He is therefore known as “Abba Micha”. Currently Micha serves as the director of the Ethiopian department within SELAH – the Israel Crisis Management Center, an organization that takes care of New Immigrants from Ethiopia and the FSU, who were stricken by tragedy.

Founder and CEO of the “Yerus” project. The project works for the development and strengthening of the Ethiopian community in Be’er Sheva and Israel, and enables the community to reveal its narrative and cultural treasures through it. As part of the project, Naftali holds lectures, tours and workshops in Israel as well as study tours in Ethiopia. He also volunteers for Elderly within the welfare department of the municipality of Beer Sheva. Previously managed educational programs at the “Branco Weiss” Institute and served as a member of the “Council for Child Peace” in Beer Sheva. Has a bachelor’s degree in politics and government and the Middle East from Ben Gurion University of the Negev. Lives in Beer Sheva
In April 2024 I was selected as one of the 48 Israelis who are making social change in Israel and the world.
In October 2024, I was chosen by the Jerusalem Post as one of the 25 most influential Zionists in the world.

Staff

We are a digital advertising agency passionate about bringing people together. With expertise in promoting organizations and businesses in the digital world, we provide comprehensive digital services tailored to meet the unique needs of both businesses and non-profits.

Keren served 26 years in the Prime Minister’s Office in a variety of positions. Took early retirement and chose to work in the social field. Joined the Hanan Aynor Foundation in March 2023 as a project coordinator.

Keren has 3 children and lives in Ramat Hasharon.

Ono academy college Graduated.
A bachelor degree in Social sciences and Education.
And a master degree in Business administration with a specialty in Human resources management.
Working as a coordinator and accompanies students at Hanan Aynor Foundation.

Let's be a part of their success!70% of our scholarship recipients are women96% of our scholarship recipients are Ethiopian born85% of our scholarship recipients are parents59 % of our scholarship recipients are studying a bachelor's degree26% of our scholarship recipients are studying a master's degree13% of our scholarship recipients are studying in a certificate program or other professional program38% of our scholarship recipients are in the education/teaching certificate/ social work fields17% of our scholarship recipients studied the social sciences/humanities12% of our scholarship recipients studied medicine/nursing96% of our scholarship recipients are currently employedOur dropout rates are significantly lower than the national dropout rates amongst students in institutions of academic study throughout the country

66% of student’s requests are being refused by KHA each year due to lack of funds. Be a part of their success!

Our donors

Donors

Over $ 25,000

קרן דליה ואלי הורוביץ

לב למען ישראל

לאומי

Friends of Ethopian Jews

הפדרציה היהודית של סיאטל

JDC - ג'וינט ישראל

UJA ניו-יורק

The Richard & Susan Master Family Foundation, Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

Harry Louis Yanoff and Jeannette Master Yanoff Charitable Fund of the Cumberland Community Foundation

Glencore Society for Education and Welfare

קרן משפחת ארקין

Susan & Robert Weiss

קרן משפחת גודמן

Los Angeles Jewish Fund

Lillian and Larry Goodman Foundations

מרסל פייג

רוברט ורבקה ביטרמן

$ 15,000 to $ 25,000

מובילאיי

הפדרציה של מטרו-ווסט

KENNEDY LEIGH Charitable Trust

ננסי גודמן

קרן צדקה מרטין והילדה לוי היילברון

$ 10,000 to $ 15,000

The Good People Fund

משפחת שוורץ

נתן גולדמן

Up to $ 10,000

ארומה

דיסקונט בנק

ישראל הצעירה של מערב המפסטד

לאומי MAX

צ'ק פוינט

קרן אברט

קרן הצלת חיים

קרן פאול ופרל קסלו

רדימיקס

Lewis Charitable Fundation

Our mission

The Keren Hanan Aynor Foundation, Supporting Students today, Creating the Leaders of Tomorrow

Welcome to The Keren Hanan Aynor Foundation

Our mission is to address the needs of the Ethiopian Israeli community.

A source of pride

Accomplishments

The foundation supports the following students

We are here for you

Contact us

The role of Keren Hanan Aynor in the lives of the students

High School

Army

University

Career

Stay tuned

News & Updates

President Herzog's Greeting for the 2024 Scholarship Award Ceremony

Keren Hanan Aynor Foundation presentation in memory of the fallen soldiers from the Ethiopian community in the Swords of Iron War.

News

Importent videos

Scholarship information

Our scholarships

Years of working for the community

Scholarships

Scholarships we awarded in 2024

Our staff

Get to know us

Criteria

Requests may be submitted by students who meet the following criteria:

It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of

Sarah Aynor scholarship

The Yona Bogale Scholarship

The “Trail-Blazer” Scholarship

Start-Up

The Elke Aynor (z”l) Scholarship

Sarah Aynor of Blessed Memory

Tsega Melaku

Board of Directors

Pnina Agenyahu

Amos Aynor

Kasaey Damoza Frantzman

Tzippy (Tzippora) Ron

Zeev Kaso

Dr Avi Yitzhak

Rachamin Elazar

Zvi Ginosar

Haim Confino

Yosef I. Abramowitz

Kobi Bendaluk

Haggai Erlich

Harel Pinhas

Galia Tzabar

Aveva (Avi) Wodajea

Micha Feldman

Naftali Aklum

Staff

UBIZ - Web Management

Our donors

Donors

Over $ 25,000

$ 15,000 to $ 25,000

$ 10,000 to $ 15,000

Up to $ 10,000

הרשמה לניוזלטר

ניווט מהיר

לינקים שימושיים

יצירת קשר

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"Startup"

Scholarships for Communications Studies – Elke Aynor