Yael (Julia) Poliavich
Yael (Julia) Poliavich is a philanthropist and entrepreneur whose work focuses on expanding access to high quality Jewish and general education for children around the world. Born in Kyrgyzstan and educated in economics, finance and public administration, she built a career in organizational and financial management before dedicating herself fully to philanthropy.
Her life story reflects a steady path toward service, learning and community. Through her work with the Yael Foundation, which she co-founded in 2020 together with her husband, Uri Poliavich, she supports educational institutions in dozens of countries. The foundation partners with schools, teachers, community leaders and other philanthropic organizations to create strong, modern and nurturing environments for young people.
Today Yael (Julia) Poliavich invests her time in large scale educational projects, but she also dedicates attention to personal initiatives that reflect her understanding of care. One of these is a horse and animal sanctuary in Cyprus, developed as a place for gentle rehabilitation and learning. Although these areas of work are very different, they are connected by a shared approach: compassion, empathy, and a desire to change someone’s life for the better.
Co-founder of the Yael Foundation (est. 2020)
Expertise: financial management, strategic philanthropy, educational development
Founder of the Soul Sanctuary, an equine rescue and educational eco-ranch in Cyprus
Background: Economics, Finance & Credit, Academy of Public Administration (Kyrgyzstan)
Supports schools in large and small Jewish communities worldwide
Focus areas: Jewish education, teacher development, community strengthening, child empowerment
132+ educational institutions
Schools, kindergartens, community programs, leadership networks
19,532+ students supported
Children receiving access to strengthened Jewish and general education
45 countries
Educational projects and partnerships operating across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas
Background
Yael (Julia) Poliavich was born in 1982 in Kyrgyzstan. Her mother worked as a music teacher at the M. Abdraev Republican Secondary Special Boarding Music School in Bishkek. Growing up in a home where education was not just a profession but a calling, Yael (Julia) Poliavich gained an early understanding of how learning can transform lives. This environment later influenced her interest in community work and philanthropy.
Between 1999 and 2004, she studied at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic named after Zh. Abdrakhmanov. The Academy played a central role in training public sector professionals for the newly independent country, and Yael (Julia) Poliavich graduated with a degree in Economics, Finance and Credit. Her studies introduced her to the principles of responsible governance, financial planning and the interdisciplinary nature of public administration.
After completing her education, Yael (Julia) Poliavich spent many years working as a finance professional. Her roles involved business operations, financial planning and organizational management. These years provided her with practical experience in decision making, budgeting, administration and long term strategic development. It was a grounded period that helped her understand not only how organizations function, but also what it takes to build something sustainable.
Her personal journey changed direction in 2012 when she met her husband and moved to the Republic of Moldova. This transition brought new cultural experiences, new communities and a deeper engagement with questions of identity, tradition and faith.
Core Values
Family occupies an important place in Yael (Julia) Poliavich’s life, both in a personal sense and in the way she approaches her work. In 2020, she completed the giyur, the formal process of converting to Judaism. This path involves study, personal reflection, and a sincere commitment to Jewish tradition and community. Her conversion was carried out under the supervision of Rabbi Joseph Hanoch Brodbecker, whose examinations are recognized by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
Following her conversion, she and Uri were married under a chuppah, surrounded by close family and friends. This chapter became a significant moment of clarity for Yael (Julia) Poliavich. It connected her personal life with the values that would later guide her philanthropic work. Together with Uri she co founded the Yael Foundation with a shared belief that education can open doors for children the same way guidance, structure and care had opened doors for them.
From this experience grew a set of values that continues to shape her decisions
Education as a foundation for opportunity
For Yael (Julia) Poliavich education is not a formality. It is a way to give a child confidence, identity, structure and hope. She believes that every child deserves access to a strong educational environment, regardless of geography or family circumstances.
Responsibility toward the wider community
Her philanthropic work is based on the idea that communities grow when people care for one another. The foundation’s programs reflect this belief through cooperation with educators, parents, local leaders and other philanthropic institutions.
Compassion and care
Whether through her support for children or her work with rescued animals, Yael (Julia) Poliavich emphasizes empathy and humane treatment. She sees care not as charity but as an active, everyday practice.
Integrity and long term thinking
Her background in finance taught her the importance of accountability and consistency. In her philanthropic work she applies the same principles, focusing on programs that are sustainable and transparent.
Global Jewish identity
Yael (Julia) Poliavich views Jewish education as a way for children to understand their roots, family stories and place in a broader historical tradition. This perspective guides the foundation’s work to help communities across continents build strong cultural and educational systems.
These values together form the basis of her approach to both family and philanthropy. They shape her understanding of leadership, community and the kind of world she hopes to contribute to.
ACHIEVEMENTS
The results of Yael (Julia) Poliavich’s work can be seen in the growth and reach of the Yael Foundation. Since its launch the foundation has expanded rapidly, partnering with schools, community organizations and educational leaders across continents.
Today the foundation operates in more than thirty countries and supports thousands of students. Its network includes day schools, Sunday schools, kindergartens, after school programs and informal educational initiatives. In many communities the foundation is one of the main philanthropic supporters of Jewish education, helping schools modernize classrooms, develop curricula, strengthen academic standards and build secure, welcoming environments for students.
Several achievements stand out:
- A significant increase in the number of educational projects supported each year.
- Growth of the foundation’s annual budget, allowing for more schools, more students and more comprehensive programs.
- Formation of international partnerships, including large scale collaborations with the Lauder Foundation in Rome and other European projects.
- Establishment of leadership programs for principals, teachers and community organizers.
- Successful launch and expansion of Yael Camp, with attendance doubling each year.
- Organization of annual conferences that bring together hundreds of educators, policymakers and community leaders.
- Recognition in international Jewish media for the foundation’s work on strengthening identity, supporting vulnerable communities and responding to rising antisemitism.
After completing her education, Yael (Julia) Poliavich spent many years working as a finance professional. Her roles involved business operations, financial planning and organizational management. These years provided her with practical experience in decision making, budgeting, administration and long term strategic development. It was a grounded period that helped her understand not only how organizations function, but also what it takes to build something sustainable.
Expertise
Yael (Julia) Poliavich’s expertise is rooted in a combination of academic training, professional experience and hands on work with educational initiatives around the world. Her education in economics and public administration provided her with a structured understanding of how institutions function, how programs are financed and how long term development is planned.
Her career in finance strengthened her ability to manage budgets, coordinate teams and oversee organizational processes. She worked with complex operational systems, learned how to evaluate risks, and gained a practical sense of how to build efficient and resilient structures. These skills later became essential in her philanthropic work, where large scale projects require clear planning and careful execution.
In the context of the Yael Foundation, Yael (Julia) Poliavich works with a wide range of communities and educational environments. The foundation operates across Europe, South America, Central Asia and other regions, each with its own cultural, linguistic and institutional characteristics. Her involvement in these projects has given her a deep understanding of how education systems differ, what challenges various communities face, and how to introduce improvements that respect local needs.
Another area of her expertise is strategic philanthropy. Supporting schools, teachers and leadership teams requires more than funding. It involves identifying long term community goals, strengthening local institutions, creating opportunities for professional development and building partnerships between organizations in different countries. Through the foundation’s programs, Yael (Julia) Poliavich contributes to creating networks of educators, principals and community leaders who learn from one another and share experience.
Finally, her work with the equine sanctuary in Cyprus adds a unique dimension to her skill set. Managing a rehabilitation space for animals requires patience, observation, empathy and a deep respect for nature. The same qualities often translate into her work with people and communities, where understanding individual needs is just as important as building systems.
Overall her expertise reflects a balance of strategic thinking, cultural awareness and human centered leadership.
Philanthropy
Philanthropy is the central strand of Yael (Julia) Poliavich’s work today. In 2020 she co-founded the Yael Foundation with Uri Poliavich to address a central challenge faced by Jewish communities worldwide. Many children, especially in smaller or geographically remote communities, do not have access to strong educational institutions. Others attend schools that struggle with outdated facilities, limited resources, or a lack of qualified teachers. The foundation was created to change this situation and give every Jewish child the opportunity to receive both a high quality general education and a solid understanding of Jewish history, culture and identity.
The foundation works in close cooperation with educators, administrators and local leaders. Its approach is flexible and adapts to the unique needs of each community. The programs it supports range from curriculum development and teacher training to infrastructure upgrades and security enhancements. In many cases the goal is to help schools not only survive but grow into centers that families actively choose for their children.
One of the most visible initiatives supported by the foundation is Yael Camp, an international summer program that brings together children from Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The camp gives participants a chance to connect with their Jewish heritage, make friends from other countries, and experience a warm and supportive environment. All expenses, including travel, are covered to ensure that children from any background can take part.
Another significant project is the annual Yael Foundation summit, a gathering of more than two hundred educators from dozens of countries. The summit serves as a platform for exchanging ideas, discussing challenges and building partnerships. It covers a wide range of topics, from leadership development to innovative teaching methods and the role of communities in times of crisis.
Through programs like the International Jewish School Leadership Exchange, Innovation in Education, the Jewish Academy of Excellence and the Yael Award of Excellence, the foundation works to elevate both academic and Jewish educational standards. It collaborates with other philanthropic organizations, including the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, and contributes to projects that strengthen Jewish education across Europe and beyond.
For Yael (Julia) Poliavich philanthropy is not a separate activity but a continuation of her values and identity. It is a way to support families, empower children and contribute to the future of communities around the world.
Soul Sanctuary
Beyond her work in education, Yael (Julia) Poliavich has created a personal project that holds deep meaning for her. The Soul Sanctuary is an eco ranch and equine rescue space in Cyprus, a place dedicated to healing, learning and compassionate care for animals.
Her interest in Natural Horsemanship began earlier in Ukraine, where she worked with a trainer and rescued her first horse. When she later moved to Cyprus, she brought the animal with her and created a safe environment where it could live freely and recover. As the sanctuary grew, it became a home for other rescued horses and animals, including those evacuated from Ukraine during the war.
The sanctuary is not only a shelter, but also an educational and therapeutic space. Horses respond to patience, consistency and trust, and working with them requires a calm and attentive approach. For Yael (Julia) Poliavich this environment reflects values that guide many aspects of her life: empathy, respect for living beings, and the belief that care can be transformative.
Visitors come to the ranch to learn about humane treatment of animals, to reconnect with nature and to experience a slower rhythm that encourages reflection. Some programs at the sanctuary introduce children to the basics of animal care and environmental awareness. Others are designed simply to create a peaceful space where people can observe, learn and feel grounded.
The Soul Sanctuary represents a different but complementary part of Yael (Julia) Poliavich’s work. It adds a personal dimension to her public initiatives and shows her commitment to nurturing life in all its forms. It is a reminder that meaningful change often begins with small, attentive gestures and a willingness to care for what is fragile.