Mayor Ron Huldai and the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation staff and family mourn the loss of one of its beloved friends and supporters, Barbara Kort Z"L.

Barbara and her late husband, Fred Kort, were long-time supporters and friends of the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation in the Los Angeles area. Their devotion to the State of Israel and education was evidenced by the donation of two pre-kindergarten schools in Tel Aviv-Yafo, which now educate 140 happy children every year.

Beyond the students that attend the two Kort pre-schools, Barbara has impacted the lives of all Tel Aviv-Yafo preschoolers. When reviewing the architectural plans for the first pre-kindergarten, she insisted that the building was not spacious enough and that the facilities be enlarged. On her advice, Mayor Huldai agreed and since then all new pre-kindergarten facilities are held to the “Kort Standard” which provide 25% more learning space than the Ministry of Education guidelines.

The Korts also championed higher education in Israel, establishing a special scholarship fund at the Bar Ilan University to support 100 Chinese post-doctoral students.

Barbara’s devotion and enthusiasm for Israel and education will be sorely missed.

 Read her obituary in the LA Times.

Barbara (Z"L) and Fred Kort (Z"L)

Babara (Z"L) at the dedication of the Barbara & Fred Kort Kindergarten in 2009

Babara (Z"L) speaking to children at the Barbara & Fred Kort Kindergarten with Mayor Ron Huldai