Eitan Wertheimer
Eitan Wertheimer was born and raised in Israel. He has dedicated the past decades of his life to the advancement of industry and settlement in the Galilee. His leadership lent a driving force and great contribution to Israel's technological development and firm position in the world market of cutting tools and compressor blades for jet engines.
In 1976, Mr. Wertheimer founded two companies, Microdent and Plan "A". Additionally he has established several joint ventures: between Pratt & Whitney and Blades Technology Ltd; between Rolls Royce and Tecjet and in China - XAT for the production of compressor blades for jet engines.
In education, Mr. Wertheimer has also had significant impact.
As the co-founder of Erez College in Shlomi and the Atidim program, he has helped to minimize socio-economic inequalities, specifically in the fields of engineering and exact sciences. In addition he is credited for establishing the Experimental School at Tefen, for children ages 3 - 12.
Some of his currently held positions are: Chairman of the Board of Directors of Iscar, Ltd., President of BTI Blades Technology International, Member of the Board of Directors for joint venture with Pratt & Whitney, Chairman of the Board for joint ventures with Rolls Royce PLC, Chairman of the Board of Atidim, Chairman of the Board of KMR Inc. (Rambam Hospital Medical School and Research Institute), and Chairman of the Board of Daroma Regional Development Organization.
Mr. Wertheimer resides in Israel with his wife Ariela and five children.
Leanor Segal, ph.d. (Honoris Causa)
Co- Chairperson, International Board, Atidim
Born in Montreal Canada, Leanor Midvidy Segal has made an indelible mark on her city, her country and Israel. Not only has she held top leadership positions in major Jewish organizations but she also has championed, popularized and supported the Atidim program, which supports promising young Israelis from disadvantaged communities, and with industrialist Eitan Wertheimer has enabled the program to reach new heights.
Personable, charming and with a good sense of humor, Segal works easily with people from various backgrounds and disciplines. The Montreal Jewish community quickly recognized Leanor’s skills, and in 2001 she was named General Chair of the Federation CJA campaign, a position traditionally held by men. Her success led to significant increases in all areas of support in a community renowned for its commitment to Israel and the Diaspora. In 2003, she was the State of Israel Bonds honoree and in 2007 she received Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s highest honor, an Honorary Doctorate.
While deeply involved in the CJA Campaign, Segal led an endowment fund for the Jewish Studies Program at McGill University and then rescued McGill’s struggling Jewish Teacher Training Program. The Leanor Segal Chair of Jewish Studies was also created.
Segal supported the Rabin Trauma Center at the Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, one of the largest hospitals in the country. In 2004 the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital was initiated and its eight floors officially were opened in 2006.
Leanor's unwavering commitment to Atidim has led to the expansion of the International Board. She deeply believes that for talented young people who grew up under difficult circumstances going to college is not a given, despite their excellent grades and burning motivation. Atidim gives them the chance to get a higher education, and puts them on track to a successful future.
The Jewish Agency for Israel
The Jewish Agency was founded in 1929 as the implementing arm of the World Zionist Organization; it is the world’s major global Jewish partnership organization, committed to assuring the future of the Jewish people with a strong Israeli at its center.
In the first years of the state, the Jewish Agency established settlements throughout the country, and companies for the development of the cultural infrastructure and the economy of the country. For example: El-Al, the national airline company, “Mekorot”, the national water company, Bank Leumi, Habimah Theater, museums and more.
Over the last few years, the Jewish Agency through the Israel Department and the Youth Futures Division, has been working towards reducing the socio-economic gaps between the periphery and the center of the country. Today, there is widespread belief in the Jewish Agency that reducing these gaps is only possible through investing in education and encouraging higher education. Based on this approach, the Jewish Agency in 2005 signed a cooperation agreement with the Friends of Atidim; today Atidim is one of the leading organizations in Israel promoting education for excellence and higher education for the periphery.
Cooperation between the Jewish Agency and the Friends of Atidim is expressed in many ways; from the financial support provided by the Jewish Agency for Atidim and marketing and exposure of Atidim programs to potential donors, to joint projects and activities at all levels and for all Atidim programs.
It is through this cooperation that the Jewish Agency is realizing its social objectives while at the same time providing Atidim participants with added value; programming in the areas of Zionism, leadership, relationships with Diaspora Jewry, love for the land of Israel and developing community initiatives.
http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Home
Bank Leumi
Even since its founding, Leumi has focused on realizing the creation, development and prosperity of the Zionist vision and the State of Israel, through supporting the Jewish community. Leumi has a long tradition of contributing to institutions and organizations for the benefit of society, culture, the arts, sports and healthcare.
In 2002, in order to commemorate 100 years of Leumi, and in the spirit in which Leumi was founded, the Executive Management of the Bank decided to create a special society for the community – “Leumi Follow Me- the Centennial Fund for Tomorrow’s Generation” – a registered non-profit organization which invests in the advancement of different educational initiatives for teenagers in order to assist them in improving their school grades and educational achievements. The Society also supports youth in achieving their goals of higher education, increasing their motivation and confidence.
In parallel, The Society also plays a role in dealing with economic difficulties, which affect hundreds of thousands of families in Israel, by supporting them with a welfare program.
In early 2005, Leumi’s Board of Directors and Executive Management decided to increase community donations significantly. Consequently, “Leumi Follow Me - the Centennial Fund for Tomorrow’s Generation” partnered with Atidim – a national program for realizing the potential of teenagers throughout the country, designed to promote excellence, reinforce the educational infrastructure and increase human capital in the periphery.
The strategic partnership between Leumi and Atidim is expressed in Leumi’s support for the Pre-Atidim program. As part of this partnership, Leumi branches in the periphery “adopt” the participants in the Pre-Atidim program, expose them to the world of banking and lead the subject of volunteering in the community.
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