The Merage family launches its philanthropic activity in Israel with the establishment of the “Queen Esther Foundation” for the absorption of Iranian immigrants.
Wings assists new immigrants who have made an “Aliyah” from the time they first arrive in Israel, through their military service and until several years after their release from the IDF.
“The Iranian Immigrants’ Women Club” is established by women, for women. The social-volunteer space enables women to learn, create, network, grow, volunteer and collaborate with one another.
Founding the Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University in collaboration with Lord Alliance. The unique research center focuses on Iran’s culture and history.
Queen Esther Foundation” is officially renamed the “Merage Foundation Israel”.
Backed by the Merage Foundation, the annual InDnegev festival takes place every October and is one of the leading independent music festivals in Israel, featuring a wide range of musical genres and styles.
Over 150 young artists across the Negev are able to participate in a six-month professional workshop in the fields of music, dance and theater. Classes consist of enrichment sessions, professional lectures, rehearsals, performances and master classes with leading artists in their fields.
Known as the the largest yoga gathering in the Middle East, the Yoga Arava festival includes more than 40 yoga workshops, held by the best teachers from Israel and around the world. Guests are able to stay in over 60 different guest houses ranging from lone farms, desert suites, and pampering guest houses.
The Merage Foundation has been taking part in the “One Laptop per Child” initiative, working to guarantee that every household in Israel that can’t afford it will receive a brand new computer with WiFi as well as a training program. To this day, more than 70 families have already received a computer that they are able to enjoy for the first time in their lives.
A unique course for entrepreneurs who want to start a business in the Negev, personally mentored by professionals and exposed to potential investors.
The program encourages young Iranian immigrants to join the IDF or volunteer for National Services and accompanies recruits throughout their service.
The conference addresses health disparities in the Negev region, and raises public awareness, through a forum of policy leaders, health experts, representatives of health organizations and heads of local authorities in the Negev.
The Negev Jobs website connects between thousands of employers and job seekers across the Negev region.
The unique program for young members of the Iranian community, ages 12-14, aims to expose the teenagers to the world of medicine, rescue and health. The program spans an entire year and offers unparalleled knowledge and content from anatomy and cardiology to immunology and nutrition.
One of the most significant figures of Iranian Jewry, and Laura Merage’s grandfather, Dr. Habib Levy’s incredible book collection is now available to the general public in Tel Aviv University, as part of the Alliance Center’s activities.
The Zin Elementary School library in Midreshet Ben Gurion honors Katherine Merage.
In addition to being a home to the local cycling club, the bicycle center is a popular visitors spot for tourists visiting Yeruham from around the world.
Established in cooperation with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the program addresses various aspects of building an Israeli identity, networking and integrating into Israeli society.
In 2016, Wings received the mandate to hold a “Lone Soldier Forum” from Knesset Member, Avraham Negosa. The first-of-its-kind, the forum brings together over 17 organizations including representatives from the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption, the Ministry of Defense and the IDF in order to best assist lone soldiers.
The program provided several urban planning tools for local municipalities. In addition, an unprecedented delegation of mayors and city planners visited Germany on a four-day workshop to learn about the latest models in urban planning and city center revitalization.
The initiative supports and teaches senior citizens how to use smartphones as a means of strengthening their social and familial ties while boosting their self-confidence and sense of independence.
The program aims to build a renewed sense of community and solidarity among army reservists.
Merage Medical Center in Dimona is the second largest and most important medical center in the Negev, apart from Soroka Hospital. The large complex includes an emergency room, specialist clinics and a dialysis clinic.
DeserTech’s mission is to elevate Be’er Sheva and the Negev region into a global economic cluster, dedicated to pioneering solutions for arid environments. Our initiative is set to drive inclusive economic growth, attract investments, and create thousands of job.
Merage Fundation, in cooperation with the Ramat Negev Regional Council, led the first Ben-Gurion Conference in the Negev, with the aim of putting the emphasis on the Negev! The conference dealt with a special report that reviews the government’s actions taken in relation to the Negev in a the participation of senior and government officials, who shared and presented their actions for the Negev. The conference created an opportunity to discuss the need for government action and to promote actions for the development of the Negev.
Synergy7, Beer Sheva’s newest innovation center focus on promoting entrepreneurship, start-ups, and knowledge-intensive industries, in aim to position Beer Sheva as a key hub for medical data, autonomous robotics, and cyber defense. With advanced laboratories, staffed with top notch professionals, dedicated workspaces and incentive packages, we offer entrepreneurs access to mentors, investments, grants, and training programs. Supported by leading institutions, we are driving the growth of the southern metropolis and the entire Negev region.
The Merage Foundation during wartime, supporting the ‘710’ initiative, which was born to restore personal resilience for evacuees from the Western Negev and the North who lost their livelihoods during the war. This is achieved through active guidance committed to job placement and successful integration into organizations, provided by a multidisciplinary team addressing the needs of both evacuees and recruiting companies.
Following the “Iron Swords” war, the Merage Foundation established an emergency fund for humanitarian aid to support the injured soldiers and the kibbutzim affected by the October 7th attack and many other organizations.
Collaboration with Creation-Space, is part of the vision to transform Mitzpe Ramon into a groundbreaking space city. Creation-Space, a global innovation hub, advances Space-Earth technologies aimed at supporting sustainable human presence in space while enhancing life on Earth. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the Mirage Foundation’s vision of making the Negev a global innovation hub, connecting communities, technology, and the environment.
Founded by Merage Foundation Israel, DeserTech and Climate Innovation Center stands as a beacon for groundbreaking DeserTech and Climate initiatives, accelerating startup companies and bringing the hi-tech industry to the Negev while passionately fostering employment and abundant opportunities, cultivating a flourishing ecosystem of innovation that originates in the Negev and resonates worldwide.
The “Ben Gurion Report” Conference was held for the second time, led by the Merage Foundation Israel, with the aim of reviewing the government’s decisions regarding the development of the Negev over the past year through the presentation of the second “Ben Gurion Report.” We had the honor of hosting President Isaac Herzog, local authority leaders, senior government officials, and representatives from the third sector at the conference.