Raya Strauss Bendror

Raya Strauss Bendror, Co-President of Strauss Investment Company, is a leading social activist in Israel, with dozens of social organizations benefitting from her boundless energy and dedicated support. She works to promote Israeli society on all levels, from concern for the individual through to empowering the people and the country as a whole.

Ms. Strauss Bendror was born in Nahariya, where she remains a resident to this day. She grew up learning the love of the land and people of Israel from her parents Hilda and Dr. Richard Strauss, Nahariya city founders, who came to Israel during the fifth wave of Aliyah and went on to establish a dairy farm that became a central pillar of the Strauss conglomerate. Her core values continued to guide her during the period in which she served at the head the family-owned company. Since her retirement from Strauss in 2005, she dedicates her time and energy in three main arenas whose common denominator is community contribution.

With a goal of creating equal opportunities for all youth, Raya supports Beit HaShanti, a home for youth at risk. Her reputation precedes her in her leadership of the Acharai - Youth Leading Change program, which prepares boys and girls from the periphery for important roles in the IDF and for academic achievement. Her contribution to the Rabin Leadership Program at Reichman University trains students to be value leaders, helping to shape the greatness of Israeli society.

In her activities to develop the Galilee region, Raya promotes the Acre Region and Mateh Asher Regional Council, supports the OR movement for the development of the Negev and Galilee, and serves as president of Friends of Nahariya Hospital for the Western Galilee. She also contributes to cultural development in the region, including her adoption of the world renowned Kibbutz Dance Company and the Keshet Eilon project which brings young violinists from around the world into contact with leading international artists via master classes.

Ms. Strauss Bendror is highly committed to the future of the State of Israel. She works tirelessly at unifying the Jewish people and at empowering Israel and its international image. She supports the Reut Institute, which drives the Israel 15 Vision project that aims to make Israel one of the 15 leading countries in quality of life. Raya serves as chairperson of the Jewish Agency’s "Partnership 2000" program, which preserves and strengthens ties between Israel and the Diaspora by forming ties between 46 Israeli communities and over 550 Jewish communities throughout the world. Raya paved the way for major Israeli donors, to lead the Partnership 2000 project. Under her encouragement and leadership, Israeli philanthropists have become a leading and meaningful factor at the Jewish Agency.

She also supports the Midot association to promote non-profit agencies in Israel, the Light My Candle association promoting unity among the Jewish people, and her support and influence is also felt in many additional organizations.

In recognition of her daily contributions to Israeli society, her unwavering and energetic drive to bring hearts together and improve quality of life, and her service as an ambassador of our nation demonstrating Israel at its most beautiful, and for her contribution to Reichman University, Raya Strauss Bendror is hereby named an Honorary Fellow of Reichman University.