PHILANTHROPY
The Kahn Foundation formally established in 1999 by Mr. Morris Kahn is an independent private philanthropic foundation.
Mr. Kahn is dedicated on making the world a better place. From the depths of the ocean - to the boundless limits of outer space, humanity, science, medicine, the environment and culture - all have been greatly advanced by The Morris Kahn imprint of leadership.
“I tend to support projects that are in their beginning stages, it inspires me to be involved in the process and to see how they grow. I don’t just write the check.”
SpaceIL
A modern race to the Moon
SpaceIL is a not-for-profit association which was established to encourage Israel’s next generation to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and to seek a professional future in these fields, in order to secure Israel’s position as a technological powerhouse, and to inspire Jewish children around the world. The association has been supported since its inception by Morris Kahn, who serves as its president, and is its main donor. SpaceIL aims to achieve this mission by undertaking an ambitious and extremely challenging project: to land the first Israeli spacecraft on the moon. To date, only the four global powers – the USA, Russia and China, with their infinitely greater resources, have accomplished such a feat. By joining them as the fourth country to do so, SpaceIL also aims to support the development of a civilian space industry in Israel.
LEAD
Youth leadership development
(R.A)
Founded by Mr.Kahn In 1999 - LEAD, a program which goal is to develop and advance the young generation of leaders in Israel by providing them with unique training, tools and gaudiness. Out of 5,000 candidates only 120 tenth grade students are admitted to the program each year. LEAD is a non-political and a not-for-profit organization, which received international recognition. "Youth have an enormous potential and we provide them with the tools to be leaders. First and foremost, I expect them to be good citizens. I want them to enter our public, political and social life, and make an impact." (Morris Kahn)
Zalul
Environmental association (R.A)
Zalul ("clear", in Hebrew), one of Israel's leading environmental NGOs, dedicated to protecting the seas and rivers of Israel. It was founded in 1999 by Benjie and Morris Kahn, who recognized the imperative need for environmental activism and advocacy in Israel.
Zalul accomplishes its mission through conservation, activism, research, awareness-raising and education. It holds municipalities, corporations and the government responsible for their negligence and for the harm caused to the marine environment. Zalul is responsible for some leading campaigns for water protection in Israel: the preservation of the coral reef in the Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba) and the struggle to remove the polluting fish cages from the Red Sea, in the shutdown of Haifa Chemicals’ massive ammonia tank, and in the definition of environmental regulations for offshore oil and gas drilling. It also deals with the issue of plastic pollution of the marine environment. The Zalul team is comprised of experts in environmental science, law, academia and public relations, as well as lobbyists, volunteers and concerned citizens.
KSM
Kahn Sagol Maccabi Healthtech Research and Innovation Center
KSM, the Maccabi Research and Innovation Center, was founded in 2016 in cooperation with Morris Kahn and Sami Sagol.
KSM is leading advanced global health improvements by partnering with well-known scientists, researchers, academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, startups, and tech companies to create and expedite medical breakthroughs.
KSM has unique access to Maccabi’s professional abilities and wealth of medical knowledge, including a large database of 2.5 million members with 30 years of data collection.
Our co-operations within the global health ecosystem allow us to deliver groundbreaking discoveries and solutions - shaping the future of health.
SACH
Save a Child’s Heart
Save a Child’s Heart is an Israel-based international NGO with the mission of improving the quality of pediatric cardiac care for children in developing countries and creating centers of competence in these countries. To this day they have saved 5,000 lives.
Mr.Kahn was one of the first to realize the potential of Save a child's heart.His conviction became there reality, and enabled them to raise awareness and funds. "It’s the epitome of doing good, when you save a life you have done something- this project showcases the beautiful face of Israel" (Morris Kahn)
TRCI
Therapeutic Riding & Canine Institute (R.A)
For almost two decades Morris Kahn (in collaboration with the Koffler Family) has been supporting and escorting the Therapeutic Riding Center in Israel, a unique rehabilitation center, located in Tel-Mond one of its kind in Israel. The Center specializes in therapeutic riding in addition to treatment and rehabilitation with the help of dogs, provides student training and offers treatment to thousands of persons with special needs each year. Under this roof miracles happen. Persons with severe head injuries succeed, regardless of their paralyses, to get on to a horse and ride it almost like healthy persons. The Center offers its services to a variety of populations including children and adults from all sectors, suffering from physical, cognitive and mental disabilities, congenital problems, or persons who were injured in accidents or in the battlefield.
In addition to the physical rehabilitation, therapeutic riding enhances the patients' faith in them-selves and improves their emotional well-being, self-confidence and self-esteem.
Eye Surgery Delegations to Ethiopia (Eye-Camp)
A multi-year project to establish the first locally managed eye care clinic in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley. Over the past few years, Israeli ophthalmologists have been conducting eye surgeries and training local professionals, with the ultimate goal that the local team will independently run the clinic and care for the diverse and widespread population. In addition they visit the local schools for "screening" of the eyes – every child who needs glasses will be provided with a pair.
In the year of 2000 ophthalmologist Dr. Itay Ben-Zion and photographer Allon Hanania informed Morris Kahn that many residents of Jinka and the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia suffer from debilitating eye diseases such as cataracts and trachoma. The rate of blindness from cataracts in this region is among the worlds highest. Morris was amazed to learn that a relatively simple medical procedure was able to restore a person’s eyesight.
In honor of his 80th birthday, Kahn gave himself a very special gift: He decided to establish an eye clinic in Jinka, which will ensure the continuing of surgeries in Ethiopia.
Kahn joins the delegation once a year: “When you restore a person’s sight, you are saving two lives – the life of the person who regained their sight and the life of the person who helped them survive.” (Morris Kahn)
Jordan River Village
The only facility of its kind in the Middle East, the Village enriches the lives of seriously ill Jewish and Arab children from Israel and neighboring countries. At the 61-acre Village, the children enjoy free, fun-filled empowering camp experiences that are medically sound and safe.
Morris Kahn Marine Research Station
Together with The Haifa University Morris established- The Morris Kahn Marin Research Station
The station research projects which include: deep exploration technology (soft arm robotics for efficient collection in deep sea); marine pathogens (discovery and tackling antibiotic-resistant pathogens); natural sunscreen compounds in macroalga; heterogeneous expression of symbiont-DNA is used to reveal novel compounds (natural products).
8400 THE HEALTH NETWORK
8400 aims to become Israel’s globally connected network of Israeli HealthTech ecosystem leaders, who learn and act across silos to accelerate cures globally and advance Israel as a HealthTech powerhouse. Engaging HealthTech leaders from industry, venture capital, HMOs, government and academia, 8400 provides training, networking and actual project opportunities designed to leverage the country’s intellectual, digital and human capital assets to accelerate wellbeing and cures for critical global health challenges, while building a powerful growth engine for Israel.
Being a non-government, non-profit organization, 8400 relies on external support. Based on his endorsement of 8400 mission and goals, Mr. Morris Kahn has joined forces with other prominent business leaders such as Mr. Marius Nacht and Mr. Sami Sagol in support of this visionary initiative.
Genesis
The Genesis Prize honors individuals who have attained international renown in their chosen professional fields, have made a significant contribution to improving the world, are proud of their Jewish heritage, and inspire young Jews through their dedication to philanthropy and social justice.
Since Morris is a true believer in equal rights in 2018 he decided to gift $1 million to the Genesis Prize Foundation in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who received the Life time achievement award.
His gift doubled the 2018 Genesis Prize Award Fund to $2 million.
The funds were granted to 37 organizations dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of women.
Inclu - special for all
Morris Kahn has a long time relationship with the Founder of Mechilim –Adi Altchuler. Morris met Adi when she was only 16 back when Adi was a LEAD alumni.
Morris spotted Adi's potential from the beginning, he supported Adi financially and by mentoring her when she decided to found "Knafim shel Krembo".
Her new initiative- which Morris supports is building schools Based on an innovative educational approach - integrating students with disabilities into regular classes, with the understanding that each child is different and has his or her own needs.With 27 students in the classroom, medical treatments and connecting children from different backgrounds, education is trying to adapt itself to the 21st century.
FIRST ISRAEL
"For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology" – An international program that involves young people in sports-like robotic competitions to inspire them to become science and technology leaders. Exciting mentor-based programs build science, engineering and technology skills, inspire innovation and foster life capabilities like self-confidence, communication, and leadership.