David Mallach, a respected leader in the American Jewish community for more than 40 years, has been elected Chair of the American Friends of Kidum (AFK). AFK, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to building awareness and financial support for the Society for Advancement of Education, Jerusalem (SAE) in the U.S. SAE owns and runs 18 high schools and residences for talented youth from all sectors of Israeli society – secular, modern orthodox, ultra-orthodox and Arab.
“David combines a lifelong passion for and support of Israel with a deep understanding of Jewish philanthropy in America,” said Eitan Moran, Executive Director of SAE. “We look forward to working with David and the full AFK Board to continue to increase awareness of SAE’s innovative schools, residences and educational programs in Israel throughout the United States.”
David, a member of the AFK Board of Directors for three years, most recently was Executive Vice-Chairman of the United Israel Appeal, part of the Jewish Federations of North America. Previously David served as Managing Director of the Commission on Jewish People at UJA-Federation of New York for 15 years and spent 17 years in community relations and leadership positions with the United Jewish Communities of Metro West New Jersey.
Early in his varied career David worked at the Simmons Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Beer Sheva and as Director of Israel and International Concerns at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Philadelphia.
“SAE has been launching ground-breaking educational initiatives on behalf of Israeli youth for 60 years,” David said. “I look forward to working with our board, our staff and our partners at SAE to generate increased support in the U.S. for SAE’s vital mission of creating a more pluralistic and prosperous Israel by giving talented teens a chance to realize their full academic potential. Quality education, like that delivered by SAE to students from all sectors of Israeli society, not only impacts the individual, but is the key to transforming society itself.”