Shavei Israel

What Shavei Israel does

Shavei Israel is a Jerusalem-based non-profit organization founded by Michael Freund that assists descendants of Jews and members of the Lost Tribes of Israel in reconnecting with their Jewish heritage and making aliyah (immigration) to Israel. The organization operates across more than a dozen countries, including India (where it serves the Bnei Menashe community in Manipur and Mizoram), Poland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, China, Russia, Brazil, Peru, and Norway, providing services such as heritage discovery, conversion preparation, Hebrew language ulpan instruction, travel coordination, absorption support, and ongoing community integration. Its beneficiary base is segmented across multiple distinct communities — including Bnei Menashe (primary), Bnei Anousim, Hidden Jews of Poland, Kaifeng Jews, Subbotnik Jews, and Inca Jews — with Bnei Menashe representing the largest scale of activity at over 4,000 immigrants facilitated to date and 6,500 awaiting aliyah.

The organization delivers its services through a portfolio of branded programs. These include Machon Miriam (Spanish-language conversion program), Machon Milton (English-language conversion program operated in partnership with the Rabbinical Council of America), the Ma'ani Center for heritage and cultural preservation in Jerusalem (offering lectures, exhibitions, publications, and ethnic music/clothing), Hebrew ulpan classrooms, Bnei Akiva-affiliated youth leadership training, and residential absorption centers in northern Israel (including Kiryat Shemona, Nof Hagalil, Maalot, and Goren). It does not develop proprietary technology, software, or digital products; its capabilities are grounded in field operations, rabbinical and educational expertise, and a global emissary network. Its core technology is the human-mediated service delivery infrastructure spanning offices in Israel and India, partner-led programs, and a multilingual web presence in seven languages.

Shavei Israel's business model is that of a donation-funded charity: it provides services free of charge to beneficiaries and is sustained by charitable contributions from individuals, foundations, and partner organizations. There is no pricing model, no revenue-generating product, no parent company, and no institutional equity investment. Its primary strategic assets are its relationships with the Israeli Ministry of Aliya and Absorption and the Chief Rabbinate's Conversion Authority, its network of KKL-JNF, Bnei Akiva, and Rabbinical Council of America partnerships, and the reputational capital of its founder and chairman Michael Freund.

Name

Shavei Israel

Legal name

Shavei Israel

Website

https://shavei.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shavei Israel is a Jerusalem-based non-profit that helps descendants of Jews and the Lost Tribes worldwide — primarily the Bnei Menashe of northeast India — reconnect with their Jewish heritage and make aliyah to Israel through conversion programs, absorption support, and cultural preservation initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Jewish Community and Heritage Services

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Jewish Heritage & Israel Pilgrimage Travel Agencies (THAKAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Jewish Broadcasting (MPABALAF)

Keywords

• Aliyah facilitation services
• Jewish conversion programs
• Heritage preservation services
• Immigrant absorption support
• Lost Tribes outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Jerusalem

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Support: As a non-profit organization, Shavei Israel relies on donations and charitable support from individuals, foundations, and organizations to fund its operations and programs supporting aliyah and Jewish community reintegration.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Shavei Israel is a non-profit organization that assists descendants of Jews and the Lost Tribes of Israel to reconnect with their Jewish heritage and make aliyah to Israel. Its core offerings include conversion preparation programs (Machon Miriam for Spanish speakers and Machon Milton for English speakers), the Ma'ani Center for heritage preservation, Hebrew language ulpan education, youth leadership training with Bnei Akiva, and residential absorption services for new immigrants in Israel.

Product overview

Shavei Israel is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of services centered on Jewish heritage preservation and aliyah (immigration to Israel) facilitation. The organization operates conversion programs (Machon Miriam for Spanish speakers and Machon Milton for English speakers in partnership with the Rabbinical Council of America), the Ma'ani Center for heritage preservation featuring programs, exhibitions, lectures, and publications, Hebrew language ulpan education, youth leadership development through Bnei Akiva partnerships, and comprehensive absorption center services. These services work together to help Lost Tribes and hidden Jewish communities worldwide reconnect with their heritage and make aliyah to Israel.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Machon Miriam: Spanish-speaking Jewish conversion program
• Machon Milton
• Ma'ani Center

Products and services

• Machon Miriam Spanish-speaking Jewish conversion program that helps individuals through the conversion process to Judaism, including assistance with the Chief Rabbinate conversion requirements.
• Machon Milton English-speaking Jewish conversion program operated in partnership with the Rabbinical Council of America, providing comprehensive conversion course instruction and certification preparation.
• Ma'ani Center Center for the Preservation of the Heritage and Culture of the Communities of Israel, offering programs, lectures, exhibitions, cultural music, traditional clothing displays, books, articles, and recipes documenting Jewish community traditions worldwide.
• Aliyah Assistance Program Comprehensive support services facilitating immigration (aliyah) to Israel for Jewish descendants and Lost Tribes members, including travel coordination, absorption center placement, and integration assistance.
• Hebrew Ulpan Classrooms Hebrew language study centers and ulpan programs established for Bnei Menashe immigrants to facilitate proper integration and success through language acquisition.
• Bnei Akiva Youth Leadership Training Annual summer youth leadership training seminar for Bnei Menashe group leaders, conducted in partnership with the Bnei Akiva movement, focusing on building leadership skills and Jewish education.
• Absorption Center Services Residential absorption facilities (including Kfar Hasidim, Goren, and Givat Haviva) providing housing, Hebrew instruction, Jewish education, and conversion preparation for new immigrants.
• Ma'ani Center Publications and Books Publishing initiative producing prayer books, Hebrew and Bible study materials, and cultural literature for various communities including the Bnei Menashe Siddur (prayer book) and heritage documentation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,000 Bnei Menashe have made aliyah to Israel with Shavei Israel's help
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KKL-JNF (Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKKL-JNF partners with Shavei Israel in supporting Bnei Menashe communities and youth leadership training programs. KKL-JNF helps build true leadership in Bnei Menashe communities and assists in building community infrastructure.
• Bnei Akiva MovementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBnei Akiva is a major youth movement that has established branches for Bnei Menashe youth in Israel, including in Nof HaGalil, Beit She'an, Tiberias, and Ma'alot. The partnership focuses on youth leadership training and religious Zionist education.
• Ministry of Aliya and AbsorptioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Israeli government ministry works with Shavei Israel to facilitate aliyah and absorption of Jewish immigrants, including organizing flights and providing absorption support services.
• Chief Rabbinate's Conversion AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Conversion Authority conducts formal conversion processes for Bnei Menashe and other communities. Representatives make regular visits to absorption centers to meet candidates and test their Jewish knowledge and commitment.
• Rabbinical Council of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Shavei Israel on Machon Milton, an English-speaking Jewish conversion program. Rabbi Reuven Tradburks serves as director of Machon Milton.
• Indian Jewish Heritage OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperates with the Indian Jewish Heritage organization on exhibitions and events celebrating Bnei Menashe culture and traditions.
• Arbel SchoolminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Arbel school in Nof HaGalil hosts Bnei Menashe students and organizes special assemblies for prayers and community support.
• Norwegian Interest GroupsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShavei Israel has established a Norwegian branch through Arvid Bjerga to reach Hidden Jews in Scandinavia. Norwegian interest groups have made visits to Shavei Israel's Jerusalem offices.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nefesh B'Nefesh: Nefesh B'Nefesh is a direct peer organization that facilitates aliyah from North America, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries to Israel. Like Shavei Israel, it provides comprehensive immigration support services including absorption assistance, employment help, and cultural integration for Jewish immigrants.

Broad incumbents

• Orthodox Union (OU): The OU is a major American Orthodox Jewish organization supporting Jewish community services, education, and outreach globally. Its rabbinical network parallels Shavei Israel's emissary structure in engaging diaspora Jewish communities.
• International Fellowship of Christians and Jews: The IFCJ is a major donor-funded nonprofit supporting aliyah, Jewish welfare, and Israel-related humanitarian causes. It shares Shavei Israel's donation-based funding model and aliyah facilitation mission but operates at a broader scale serving all Jewish immigrants.
• B'nai B'rith International: B'nai B'rith is one of the oldest Jewish humanitarian and advocacy organizations operating globally. It shares Shavei Israel's focus on supporting Jewish communities in distress and advocating for Jewish rights and aliyah pathways.
• Chabad-Lubavitch: Chabad operates the world's largest Jewish outreach network with emissaries in over 100 countries, overlapping directly with Shavei Israel's Lost Tribes and Hidden Jews identification work. Chabad rabbis frequently serve as the on-the-ground connection that leads candidates to Shavei Israel's conversion programs.
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC): JDC is a global Jewish humanitarian organization supporting Jewish communities in over 70 countries through welfare, education, and aliyah programs. It overlaps with Shavei Israel's work in identifying and supporting at-risk Jewish communities abroad and facilitating aliyah.
• The Jewish Agency for Israel: The Jewish Agency is the world's largest Jewish nonprofit organization with a global mandate connecting Jews worldwide to Israel. As a broad incumbent, it operates overlapping aliyah, absorption, and Jewish education programs that compete and complement Shavei Israel's Lost Tribes-focused work.

Emerging players

• World ORT: World ORT is a global Jewish educational and vocational training organization operating in dozens of countries. While focused on education rather than aliyah, it serves overlapping diaspora Jewish communities and supports Jewish continuity goals similar to Shavei Israel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shaveiisrael
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ShaveiIsrael
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShaveiIsrael
• Instagraminstagram.com/shaveiisrael
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shavei-israel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Shavei Israel