Changing Lives Through Education

When the Azrieli Foundation launched its Empowerment Program in 2004 at a small school in Be’er Sheva, Israel, it was with a clear goal: to strengthen educational opportunities for students from underserved communities in Israel.      

Years later, it changed Itzik’s life. 

“My teacher suggested I join the program, and I am certain that it completely transformed my outlook on myself and my abilities,” says Itzik, who graduated from high school last year. 

By providing reinforcement study hours, relevant skill-building programs and professional development for teachers and principals, the Empowerment Program fosters positive learning environments to improve academic and social outcomes.  

This kind of support helped Itzik raise his grades significantly and become the first in his family to finish high school. It also helped him to develop valuable social and life skills through volunteering. 

Since 2018, the Empowerment Program has been operated by Darca Schools, a non-profit network with a record of excellence and wide reach across Israel’s geosocial periphery. Currently supporting 25,000 students per year across 45 schools, the Foundation’s 2023 commitment will expand the program to a total of 60 schools over the next five years.  

This will impact thousands more students like Itzik, who hopes to pursue higher education in engineering. 

“My teachers taught me to believe in myself and helped me narrow the educational gaps between my peers and myself,” says Itzik. “Most importantly, they taught me how to learn.”