In Ascent to Excellence, we found a natural and meaningful alignment with these values. We were especially impressed to learn that scholarship recipients are selected only after demonstrating strong academic ability and outstanding achievements in ultra-Orthodox pre-academic preparatory programs, alongside perseverance, dedication, and a genuine commitment to excellence.
The dedication of Prof. Gabi Barbash to this mission, together with the leadership and personal commitment of Judy Shalev—herself a member of the community these students come from—gave us confidence and inspiration to become partners in this important endeavor.
We hope that everyone involved in this initiative, and especially the students themselves, will experience a deep sense of achievement, fulfillment, and purpose. It is our sincere wish that our support will help them realize their full potential and build meaningful, successful futures.
We wished to support young individuals who, despite significant challenges, chose to step outside their comfort zone—leaving behind a protective community and supportive family environment in order to pursue modern life, acquire knowledge, and develop the skills needed to thrive in today’s world. Initially, we supported organizations and universities that assist outstanding students from disadvantaged backgrounds, as excellence and education have always been values we hold dear.
The desire to give back to society has always been an integral part of our worldview. Over the years, after supporting a variety of social initiatives, we found ourselves increasingly drawn to projects in education and academic advancement. We firmly believe that education is the most powerful and sustainable path to strengthening and improving our society.
We were deeply troubled by the reality that many Haredi youngsters do not receive a basic core education during their elementary and high school years. This led us to take a special interest in young people who possess the curiosity to learn, the determination to grow, and the courage to break free from circumstances of limited opportunity.
The Ascent to Excellence Foundation team works every day to enable young men and women who are former members of the ultra-Orthodox society to achieve academic and professional excellence.
With a deep commitment to excellence, social responsibility, and personal guidance, we have created a management infrastructure that allows students build an academic trajectory and life path that is stable and fulfilling.
Founder
Founder
Director, Administrative Team
Social worker and medical student
Works at Ascent to Excellence as the director of the orientation program and works at the foundation as a student support provider.
The Ascent to Excellence program is managed by Prof. Gabi Barbash and Judi Shalev.
The foundation is made possible thanks to the generous support of Daniela and Daniel Steinmetz, partners in our journey and vision. Their contribution constitutes a cornerstone of the foundation’s activities and enables the realization of its goals and long-term impact.
We invite philanthropic partners to share our vision of education as a long-term social investment, one that creates profound change in the lives of individuals and contributes to the resilience and growth of Israeli society.
Together, through generosity and partnership, we are building a new generation of excellence, leadership, and lasting impact in Israeli society.
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