Our Community
Avraham Yitzhak Kook (Founder)
“Generations of Israel” was established in 2012 by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook (62), with the aim of training young leaders with an academic background, to create a valuable and deep connection with young people and Jewish communities in Israel and the Diaspora. Avraham grew up in Jerusalem and later moved to Rehovot with his family, where his father served as the city's chief rabbi. In 1980 he married his wife Shani, and today they are the proud parents of nine children and dozens of grandchildren. In 1985 he founded a center for boys with special needs, and years later in 2000 he served as a head of Yeshiva for gifted students, whose goal was to train potential leaders in Jewish society. In 2012, he founded “Generations of Israel” in order to expose young people who do not come from religious backgrounds to Judaism, thus strengthening the ties of the Jewish people. The program began operating that same year at Tel Aviv University, and later expanded to Ben - Gurion University, and to graduates in the job market. Avraham has been working towards creating a conscious and Jewish identity for over 40 years, with a vision that the power is in the hands of young people, and to this day there are more than 700 “Generations of Israel” graduates.
Sivan (Recruitment)
Sivan (32), grew up in the southern town of Omer, and currently lives in Kfar Saba with her husband and children. In 2015 she completed her master’s degree in Economics, and currently works as an accountant. As a student, she was exposed to “Generations of Israel” at university and began attending meetings. That same year, she participated as a student in the organization's delegation to England, and later began leading delegations and working in promoting the organization itself. Sivan now maintains a devout relationship with the Kook family.
Shir
Shir (33) grew up in Hod HaSharon and currently lives in Rosh HaAyin with her husband. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering and Management and a Master's degree in Business Administration. Shir left the high-tech industry in favour of teaching, out of a deep sense of mission and a desire to influence the future of education for Israeli children. Shir first encountered the Generation program during her second year of university. After a full year of study, she joined a delegation to the United States. Shir fell in love with the program and decided to deepen her involvement with the organization. Over the years, Shir has taken on numerous senior roles, including recruiting and screening candidates, mentoring students, establishing and managing the alumni group, leading delegations, training delegation leaders, managing external relations, fundraising and ultimately managing the organization. Shir's motto is a well-known quote by Rabbi Kook: “Everyone must know that within them burns a candle — and that no two candles are alike, and that there is no human being without a candle. One needs to ignite one’s candle and make of it a great torch to enlighten the whole world.”
Maayan Lasri (Director of training and delegations)
Maayan (35), grew up in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, is married and the mother of five children. In the army she served as a fighter in Karkal. She completed her PhD in Education at Ben Gurion University, and currently works in the university’s administration. Maayan was exposed to “Generations of Israel” when she was offered to replace her friend in the role of managing the delegations. As she began to attend lectures and meetings, she fell in love with the idea and began to dedicate herself to the program. Until two years ago, she managed the annual training of student delegations. Maayan is involved and has a close relationship with the Kook family to this day.