Shai Doron was a leader himself but always believed in developing future leaders – from his early involvement in the Israeli Scouts movement to his leadership of the Neve Ya’akov Community Center before he turned 30 and then on to leading the office of then Mayor Teddy Kollek. He led the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens to the greatest achievement of most visited site in Israel and he led the Jerusalem Foundation to its greatest fundraising achievements since its establishment almost 60 years ago. These stories provide a glimpse into the role Shai played in developing young leaders.
Investing in the Leaders of the Future
“My name is Ahuva Yeshuas, I live in the Talpiot neighborhood of Jerusalem and I’m 19 years old. Shai Doron had a huge impact on my life; he dreamed up one of the most meaningful experiences I have ever had – like its name, SAHI’s Community Service Gap Year of Meaning – and he became someone I looked up to.
Let me explain. Normally, high-school graduates from my neighborhood in Jerusalem do not participate in gap-year programs – to volunteer, prepare for significant IDF or National Service, and develop leadership skills – since these programs cost money and delay eventual employment. However, Shai believed that graduates of SAHI – a program for teenagers from peripheral neighborhoods (like me) to volunteer within their own communities – not only deserved a gap year but would also contribute enormously to Jerusalem through their own special community service program.
As I said, Shai was the driving force behind SAHI’s Gap Year of Meaning. He was the one who conceived the idea, helped greatly with its budget, cared about all its details and championed its future. I was an active member of SAHI as a teen and so when I heard about its new Gap Year, I knew I wanted to join so I could continue giving back to my community and my city. My friends and I got to know Shai on his regular visits to our program, with his wide smile, nonstop support, kindness and encouragement to succeed. And then I had an amazing discovery! I found out that the person who had made a huge impact on me as a child was Shai’s son, Ira. As a community service volunteer, Ira had helped me a lot with my homework at school, was always smiling and was so nice to us as children. I felt very emotional and even honored that I had come full-circle as a community service volunteer myself.
My SAHI Community Service Gap Year of Meaning was indeed full of meaning. I got to know my own city, Jerusalem, really well, I volunteered in many different communities, I made friends for life, I developed leadership skills and I gained confidence and motivation about my future.
I am very proud that I had the opportunity to be a full-time social activist through SAHI’s Community Service Gap Year. I’m now conducting my National Service at a day-care center for at-risk infants whose parents are unable to take care of them. My dream of helping others, and becoming more fulfilled myself, has come true thanks to Shai’s belief in SAHI-niks as Jerusalem’s next generation of community leaders and activists.”
Mentoring Community Influencers
“My name is Waseem Elhag and I’m the CEO of the Beit Hanina Community Center, which was founded, and is supported, by the Jerusalem Foundation. Shai Doron was much more than a friend and colleague; he was my leader, source of inspiration and pillar of strength. Though almost thirty years older than me, Shai viewed me as his personal success story of leadership. He once told me, “I’ll help you succeed in any way possible even if it’s not connected to my work”. Shai treated me like a son – he raised me, he nurtured my career with love and patience, he spoke about me with pride and excitement, and he was thrilled each time afresh to see my projects succeed and flourish.
Shai had a pure soul and a huge heart. He knew my wife and me well, met my family and understood about where I grew up in the north of Israel. An example of his love for me, and for the city of Jerusalem, was his ‘fight’ to persuade me to move to Jerusalem, to help develop my career and to ensure that his beloved city had young, committed leaders.
On October 7th, on the very outbreak of war, Shai was the first to contact me by ‘phone and ask how I was and how he could help. I was embarrassed by the whole situation and apologized to Shai for not being the first to make that ‘phone call. Shai, of course, calmed me down with, “The main thing is for you to look after yourself and your family, and stay strong because bad times are ahead.” Shai’s unlimited love for people knew no boundaries of religion, gender or race.
Shai provided me with financial and professional backing. For every dream of mine that would help the residents of Beit Hanina, he was the first to come on board and provide help, money and support. And for every work challenge, Shai was always there to connect me with the right key players and to push things forward without my knowledge. His motto of “do more and talk less” meant that I sometimes only found out about his support afterwards.
The secret of our friendship, mutual affection and successful projects fascinated many around the world. We were photographed and interviewed by national and international media – Shai turned me into a ‘celeb’. Yet whenever he visited me at work, Shai himself was very modest and always spoke to each of my colleagues, remembered their names and asked after their welfare.
“You will succeed and go far” Shai said to me at every possible opportunity, and these words motivate me daily and will be etched in my heart forever. I have lost a friend, role model, champion and personal mentor. Shai Doron made a lifelong impact on me.”
Shai was dedicated to the next generation of Jerusalem leaders. In his memory, the Jerusalem Foundation will establish the Shai Doron Center for Leadership & the Humanities at the iconic and historic campus of Mishkenot Sha’ananim.
We will celebrate Shai’s life and mourn his passing at a special evening on February 23rd in Jerusalem.
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