Morris Kahn

Businessman and philanthropist Morris Kahn exemplifies the realization of Zionism: a Jew who came to establish his home in Israel and became one of its first entrepreneurs, helping to place Israel on the global front of high-tech and biotechnology. Mr. Kahn was born in 1930 in Benoni, South Africa, to a family of immigrants from Lithuania. Already in his youth he was honest and passionate about helping others and fighting for what is right. He also expressed true business capabilities early on.

Morris was active in a Zionist youth movement and in 1956 was able to realize his dream and immigrate to Israel with his wife Jacqueline z"l and two young sons, David and Benjamin. He wanted to raise his children in a Jewish state out of a strong sense of belonging to the State of Israel. At the beginning of his career in Israel, Morris worked in agriculture and established several industrial projects. He was a young entrepreneur motivated for success, whose goal was far beyond business.

Mr. Kahn established numerous business ventures, including a bicycle factory, a leather gloves factory and cattle breeding in the Hula Valley. Some failed, but Mr. Kahn did not give up. The turning point in his career was the publication of a tender for the launch of Israeli "Yellow Pages" in 1968. The American company ITT won the tender and appointed Morris as CEO. For Morris, this was an opportunity to gain experience working with an international giant and simultaneously face the challenge of launching a non-existing product in Israel - "Yellow Pages". Under his management and leadership, Yellow Pages became a success story and served as a significant basis for future initiatives that promoted the Israeli economy and created tens of thousands of jobs in Israel.

In 1978, together with his partner and friend Shmuel Meitar, they established the Aurec group and founded "Arutzei Zahav", the first cable company in Israel, "Kavei Zahav" for international calls and "Galgalei Zahav" for advertising. The companies were merged under the "Maximedia" group that operated under Aurec group. Morris' boldness and ability to create interpersonal relationships based on trust and decency have greatly aided the development of his business ventures with both Israeli and foreign companies. Insurance Company AIG, which began operating in Israel at the time, agreed for the first time in its history to create an equal partnership with Morris.

In 1980, "Yellow Pages" developed an advanced software system that led to the establishment of Amdocs in 1982. Morris understood the importance of databases for business and economic development, and Amdocs quickly became a global leader in its field. Today, Amdocs employs 27,000 employees worldwide, and 45% of all phone calls are made using Amdocs software.

In 1974, Morris initiated the construction of the first underwater observatory in Eilat. The project was a complex engineering challenge, but Morris did not give up. As a diver and an outdoorsman he conceived a unique way of discovering the magical underwater world. He wanted everyone, not just divers, to enjoy the amazing reefs, coral and fish.

Today, the Underwater Observatory, which is owned and operated by his son Benjamin Kahn, is one of the world's leading tourism sites and was recently chosen as the favorite attraction for families in Israel. In addition, the observatory received an award for accessibility. Morris' success in business enables him to devote much of his money and time to his true passion: philanthropy. His considerations are based on the potential for their positive influence on the citizens of Israel and on all the citizens of the world.

In 1999, he founded "Zalul", which is dedicated to protect the seas and rivers in Israel, while providing environmental education. Morris Kahn is the director of a wide range of philanthropic activities: involvement in "Time to Know" activity (in cooperation with Shmuel Meitar), established to create a better future for teachers and students by developing a unique digital teaching system, enabling effective classroom management and improved learning experience in schools; Establishment of LEAD organization for the development of young leadership in Israel; Establishment of the therapeutic riding center in Tel Mond; Contributes to "Save a child's heart" organization; Space IL - landing the first Israeli spacecraft on the Moon as part of Google's competition and encouraging youth to study science, engineering and technology. He is the Honorary President of the 20th Maccabiah, taking place this July.

Morris Kahn funded the establishment of advanced laboratories to return Israeli scientists back to Israel. Within Reichman University, he has donated scholarships to underprivileged students and financially supported building the Schools of Psychology and Economics. "My success in business granted me the opportunity to do good and meaningful things," Kahn once explained his desire to contribute and assist.