The David Schwartz Z״L Growth Fund

In memory of David Schwartz z״l, Koret Israel Economic Development Funds (KIEDF), together with Leket Israel, has established a Growth Fund to support recovery and renewal in the wake of the war. The fund provides growth loans to small businesses with annual turnover of up to ₪5 million operating in Israel’s North and South, as well as to farmers in these regions, and to reservists and their families nationwide. David, from Elazar, served as a combat soldier in the 8219th Engineering Battalion of the ״Hitzey HaEsh״ (Fire Arrows) Brigade (551) in the Combat Engineering Corps. He fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip on January 8, 2024, at the age of 26. He leaves behind his wife, parents, five siblings, and a large extended family who continue to mourn his loss. David was a man of action - combining strength with humility - who gave his life for the security of Israel and the values he believed in. Through this fund, we seek to carry forward those values by strengthening businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, and supporting economic growth in Israel. The fund provides growth loans as an expression of David’s legacy - a legacy of initiative, generosity, and mutual responsibility and solidarity. Each business that stabilizes and grows reflects continuity, rebuilding, and hope. The Growth Fund is an evolution of the Emergency Fund established in early 2024, which has supported approximately 650 war-affected businesses to date through loans totaling approximately ₪67 million, alongside targeted business guidance. Launched in January 2026, the new fund responds to the evolving needs of small andS micro businesses, enabling them to move from survival toward growth and long-term stability. We are currently working to raise ₪20 million (approximately $6.5 million) to expand access to growth loans for businesses in need of a real opportunity to move forward. We invite you to partner with us in this vital initiative. Your support will help small businesses recover, grow, and build a stable economic future for themselves and their families — strengthening Israel’s economic resilience.