About Amalyah
A forward thinking nonprofit foundation that responds to the world’s most complex humanitarian crises with compassion, creativity, and innovation.
Born from Crisis, Built for Response
Amalyah is an American nonprofit foundation founded in 2012 by Mordechai Kahana that operates across the globe to assist with humanitarian efforts in conflicts, war zones and natural disasters. Our goal is not just to respond to crises, but to assist in creating longer term infrastructure: safe zones, schools, and the rebuilding of civil society.
Amalyah began its work during the Syrian refugee crisis when traditional aid mechanisms were overwhelmed by the scale and complexity of human suffering. Our expertise lies in complex humanitarian emergencies where traditional development approaches fall short and immediate life-saving intervention is critical.
Our Mission
To provide immediate, life-saving assistance to populations affected by complex humanitarian emergencies, including armed conflict, natural disasters, and forced displacement.
Our Reach
Operating in 10+ countries with rapid deployment capabilities to reach crisis-affected populations within 72 hours of an emergency.
Our Approach
Emergency response teams, evidence-based programming, and principled humanitarian action guided by neutrality, impartiality, and innovation.
Our Story
From personal awakening to global humanitarian response – the journey of Amalyah.
2010
While a visit to Yad Vashem, Israeli-American businessman and philanthropist Moti Kahana first realized his Romanian family was murdered by their own government of Romania, and not by the Nazis.
2012
Moti arranged the visit of Senator McCain to visit Syria and meet with opposition leaders.
2013
Kahana founded Amalyah, named after his mother, to establish a “Safe Zone” on the Israeli border, as a model for the rebuilding of Syria.
2014
Moti Kahana brought Dr. Kamal al-Labwani, one of the most prominent members of the Syrian Opposition, to Israel to attend the International Conference on Counter-Terrorism. Dr al-Labwani was one of the first to promote no-fly zones in Southern Syria.
2016
Funding his own humanitarian work for the last five years, Kahana realized he would be more effective with the help of a small team in New York. A short video about Amalyah’s efforts bringing in Syrian civilians to Israel for medical treatment went viral, garnering over 10 million views, which brought worldwide awareness to Amalyah’s work and to Israel’s efforts to help their neighbors despite their history.
Our Leadership
The dedicated leaders guiding our humanitarian mission.
Moti Kahana
Founder and Board Member
Mordechai (Moti) Kahana (born February 28, 1968, Jerusalem, Israel) is an Israeli-American businessman and philanthropist. He is most notable for his work involving refugees during the Syrian Civil War. He financed the opposition group which took senator John McCain to visit war-torn Syria, and has provided humanitarian relief for Syrian civilians. Moti became well-known for rescuing the last Jewish family from Aleppo, and recovering ancient Jewish artifacts, including Torah scrolls, in danger of destruction from synagogues in Syria. He has been called the Jewish Raoul Wallenberg for providing passports to hundreds of Syrian opposition members and their families. Moti Kahana also manages Kahana Farm located in Randolph, New Jersey.
Larry Garber
Board of Directors
Former senior official at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and served on the faculty of the National Defense University’s Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy from January 2015 to January 2017. At the Eisenhower School, he taught classes on national security strategy and policy, Africa regional studies, and fragile states and development. At USAID, Mr. Garber served as a senior manager and policy adviser for more than 15 years,he served as the agency point person for the referendum on Southern Sudan independence. Mr. Garber served as chief executive executive officer of the New Israel Fund, which aims to strengthen Israel’s democracy by supporting programs that safeguard civil and human rights. From 1982 to 1993, he worked with the National Democratic Institute, the International Human Rights Law Group, and Steptoe and Johnson law firm. He also has served as a consultant on election-related matters for the Organization of American States, United Nations, and Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Dr. Kamal Al-Labwani
Board of Directors
Dr Kamal-Al-Labwani is a prominent member of the Syrian opposition who was released from prison in 2011. He now works as a humanitarian diplomat, focusing on humanitarian needs rather than politics. Dr. Al-Labwani has praised Israeli hospitals and staff for helping Syrian refugees in need. His role on the Amalyah team is to continue humanitarian diplomacy and create relationships and engagement that foster Amalyah’s goal of providing humanitarian aid to the people of Syria.