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Alliance Israelite Universelle is an international Jewish organization founded by prominent Jews in Paris in 1860. Following anti-Semitic events, organization members wished to provide a Jewish leadership for Jews everywhere. Alliance operated in the diplomatic realm to achieve emancipation and improve the position of Jews everywhere as well as in the educational realm, through the founding of a network of hundreds of Jewish schools.
In Israel, Alliance established "Mikve Israel", the first Jewish agricultural school, as well as schools in Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, Haifa, Tiberius and Safed.
With the establishment of the State of Israel, many Jews from the Diaspora immigrated to Israel and most of the Alliance schools abroad closed. However, Alliance continued to support Jewish schools throughout the world out of concern for the Jewish people and a desire to fight assimilation. Twelve schools currently operate under the auspices of Alliance: one in Belgium, two in Spain, two in Canada, three in Morocco and four in France. A school for Torah study, an institute for Jewish studies and one of the largest library and book archives in Europe were also established in France.
The Israeli branch of the organization, "Kol Israel Haverim", operates in the realm of Jewish education and equal opportunity. The Israeli organization supports the Kerem Institute for Teacher Training for a Humanistic-Jewish Education; 'Memizrach Shemesh" - a Center for Social Jewish Leadership; "Morasha" – a School Network for Jewish Heritage and Community Involvement; "Sha'ar" - a School Network which focuses on disadvantaged youth and includes the Historical Schools of Alliance and "Hashayara" - a program that builds educational ties between educators in Israel and in the Diaspora.
Graduates of the organization's schools are among the leaders of the Israeli society and Jewish communities throughout the world, in varied realms: Education, Economics, Science and Public Service.
Ronit Raanan
Executive Director
Kol Israel Haverim
