The Sabra Foundation is a humanitarian organization based in Israel that works to help
Holocaust survivors, children, families in need, and communities across the country.
Sabra also builds bridges between Jews and believers around the world who love the God of
Israel, the people of Israel, and the Land of Israel.
Through humanitarian work, education, prayer, and acts of kindness, Sabra seeks to strengthen
faith, friendship, and practical help for those in need.
The organization operates from Afula in the Jezreel Valley, in northern Israel, and works
together with partners and volunteers from many nations who share a love for Israel and the
Bible.
Sabra has become known as a House of Good Deeds — a place where kindness, faith, and
action meet.
About Mordechai Klimer (ben Yaakov)
Founder of the Sabra Foundation
Mordechai Ben Yaakov, founder of the Sabra Foundation, was born in Israel in 1950.
He grew up in a traditional Jewish family and belongs to the second generation of Holocaust
survivors. From an early age he was surrounded by values that shaped his life: Jewish identity,
memory, responsibility, compassion, and love for the people and the land of Israel.
After nearly twenty years of service in the Israel Defense Forces, he dedicated his life to
education and social leadership.
He served as director of youth villages and boarding schools, helping young people from diverse
backgrounds build their future.
Later he was appointed by the Jewish Agency to lead its branch in Eastern Russia.
Between 1995 and 2001, he worked extensively with Jewish communities across Siberia and
Eastern Russia, strengthening Jewish identity, teaching Jewish roots, and encouraging aliyah to
Israel.
In 2001, Mordechai Ben Yaakov founded the Sabra Foundation in Siberia.
In 2003, the Sabra Foundation was also established in Israel in the city of Afula in the Jezreel
Valley.
Since then Sabra has grown into a centre of humanitarian work, education, and acts of kindness,
serving people across Israel and building friendships with partners around the world.
Recognition and Appreciation
Over the years, the work of Sabra and its founder has received recognition for social and
humanitarian service.
In 2022, Mordechai received the “Distinguished Citizen of Afula” award from the City of
Afula, in recognition of his humanitarian work and his contribution to the residents of the city
through the activities of the Sabra Foundation.
Additional recognitions include:
A diploma from the Raul Wallenberg organization for activity in Israel and Russia assisting
Jewish communities and people in need.
A certificate of appreciation from the umbrella organization of Holocaust survivors’
associations in Israel (2014).
A certificate of appreciation from the Nova Tribe Community organization (2025) for
cooperation and assistance following the tragic events of October 7, 2023.
These recognitions reflect a path of dedication, perseverance, and genuine love for people.
The Vision of Sabra
The work of Sabra is built on several guiding principles.
A. Building a Bridge Between Jews and Christians
Sabra works to build a living bridge between Jews and believers who love the God of Israel and
the people of Israel.
This bridge is built through friendship, prayer, learning, and acts of kindness.
“Can two walk together unless they have agreed?”
Amos 3:3
B. Encouraging Aliyah to Israel
For the Jewish people, aliyah to Israel is not merely migration.
It is part of the historic return of the Jewish people to their promised homeland.
“He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel.”
Isaiah 11:12
C. Teaching the Jewish Roots
Another central part of Sabra’s work is teaching the Jewish roots of the Bible.
For Jews who have grown distant from their heritage, this helps reconnect them with their
identity.
For believers from the nations, it opens a deeper understanding of Scripture and the role of Israel
in the biblical story.
“Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it.”
Jeremiah 6:16
D. Kindness in Action
At the heart of Sabra’s work stands kindness.
The organization assists:
- Holocaust survivors
- Elderly people
- People with disabilities
- Families in distress
- Schools and boarding schools
- Communities in need
This assistance includes food, medicines, clothing, humanitarian aid, and practical support.
For Sabra, kindness is not merely a social activity.
It is faith expressed through action.
“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the poor who are cast out into your house?”
Isaiah 58:7–11
Sabra’s Jewish Calendar
One of Sabra’s unique activities is the distribution of a Jewish calendar in English to friends
and believers around the world.
The calendar includes:
- The feasts of Israel
- The weekly Torah portions
- The biblical appointed times
- Important dates connected to the Jewish year
The calendar is not for sale.
It is given freely with one simple request:
Remember Israel and the work of Sabra in your prayers.
“Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens…
and let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.”
Genesis 1:14
Through your prayers, encouragement, and friendship, you become a partner in the work of
Sabra.
Walking Together
Sabra’s work is carried out together with partners, volunteers, and believers from many nations.
- Extending a hand.
- Encouraging one another.
- Serving those in need.
So that the light of kindness may shine more and more from the Land of Israel to the world.