The Legacy of Sam Israel
A Long History of Philanthropy
The Samis Foundation started with a mission to support intensive, immersive Jewish education in Washington State and initiatives in Israel. Since its inception in 1994, it has fulfilled this goal by giving over $118.5 million in grants in support of over 170 different programs, organizations and initiatives.
During his lifetime, Sam Israel believed in giving back. Born in 1899 in the Sephardic community of Rhodes, then part of the Ottoman Empire, he and his family immigrated to Seattle in 1919. Sam had apprenticed as a shoemaker prior to emigrating to the US and, shortly after arriving, founded a series of successful shoe repair businesses in downtown Seattle, eventually landing a contract to repair shoes for the United States Army. Sam invested his earnings in real estate amassing a significant portfolio of properties and assets currently valued at approximately $180 million.
Before his death in 1994, Sam Israel established the Samis Foundation and appointed 18 lifetime trustees to govern the Samis Foundation. Many of the original lifetime trustees, their successors and professional staff oversee and manage the Foundation’s assets and philanthropic giving today. The Foundation continues Sam Israel’s legacy through its support of Jewish education locally, and six program areas in Israel including archaeology, aliyah and absorption, educational support, poverty and social mobility, widows and orphans, and wildlife preservation. In addition, the Foundation provides disaster relief when crises or natural disasters hit communities across the globe. The Samis Foundation is proud to preserve Sam’s legacy.
“Samis is strengthening ties to Judaism and building the Jewish community through Jewish education across Washington State, and the State of Israel.”
– Connie Kanter, Chief Executive Officer, Samis Foundation
SAMIS HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
1987
Samis gives first community grant to Seattle1990
Samis grants first $50,000 in support of the Jewish Agency's Operation Exodus for immigrants to Israel from the FSU1994
Samis begins Jewish overnight camp funding, reaching $5.5M in funding by 20192003
Samis gives first major $3.4M capital grant to SHA to recover from Nisqually earthquake2011
Samis passes the $50M in giving mark2015
Samis grants first $75,000 of $1M to Haredi college scholarship programs in Israel2018
Teen Israel Experience Pilot Program begins, increasing giving from $40,000 to $650,0002019
Samis reaches nearly $8M in capital grants to Seattle Jewish day schools2020
2021-2025 Strategic Plan for Philanthropy approved2022
Day School Affordability Initiative launched capping tuition for families earning up to $350K2022
Youth Enrichment and Engagement Initiative launched with >$1M granted over 3 years2022
$1M grant for Sephardic Archives at National Library for Israel