ABOUT THE UNIT

The Mandel Graduate Unit’s goal is to expand and deepen the impact of Mandel graduates on Israeli society. The Unit offers a range of learning processes, supports graduates in their work in the field, and promotes professional connections and collaborations. This helps graduates navigate complex challenges and contributes to their continued development as leaders driving change.

The Mandel graduate community numbers some 2,000 men and women, making it one of the largest and oldest graduate communities in the educational-social field in Israel. Approximately 200 new graduates join the Mandel graduate community each year.

Mandel graduates reflect the diversity of Israeli society, including its areas of consensus and of disagreement. Despite their diversity, Mandel graduates share a common desire and sense of urgency to better the world around them, and are committed to realizing their professional visions. The goal of the Mandel Graduate Unit is to support the graduates on their journeys and to help expand and deepen their impact on Israeli society.

Responsible and ethical social change stems from continued dialogue between ideas and action, and between theory and practice. Leaders who bring about meaningful change are driven by profound thinking, based on firm theoretical foundations, and constantly assess theory in light of its implementation. One of the Unit’s main purposes, accordingly, is to serve as a professional home in which graduates can continue to ask big questions, shape their professional and moral identities, stay abreast of cutting-edge research, expand their horizons, and acquire new knowledge and tools.

Alongside personal and professional development, the Mandel Graduate Unit also strives to create as many opportunities as possible for encounters and conversations between members of the graduate community, and to provide frameworks for joint study and action. The complex nature of social problems and social systems demands diverse perspectives in the search for solutions. The graduate community’s greatest strategic asset is its potential for forging connections and fostering collaborations between its members that amplify the ability to address problems. The Mandel approach to leadership and the unique Mandel language shared by all graduates is at the heart of this extensive and strong professional network, which is based on a foundation of trust and courage to face realities and to improve them.

The Mandel Graduate Unit offers graduates a wide array of opportunities for personal and professional development, and for interacting with other members of the graduate community. The program offerings range from short gatherings that take place quarterly to more demanding long-term processes, and from large-scale events for the entire community to intimate processes for small groups or individuals. This variety of options reflects the diverse needs of the community members, and the fact that graduates are all at different stages of their journey, and accordingly need different kinds of services..

About the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation

"The hallmark of our philanthropy is our commitment to invest in people with the values, ability and passion to change the world." – Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel

Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel founded the Mandel Foundation in 1953 in their hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. The work of the Foundation is grounded in the belief that exceptional leaders, inspired by powerful ideas, are key to improving society and the lives of people around the world. 

The Mandel Foundation aims to contribute to the flourishing of the United States and Israel as just, inclusive, compassionate and democratic societies, and to improve the quality of life in both countries.

The Foundation’s philanthropic work is devoted to the following five areas of engagement: leadership development, management of nonprofits, humanities, Jewish life, and urban engagement.
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