The New Fellow: Systemwide Experience and Management of National Crises
The new fellow, Yogev Gradus, joins the fellowship after five years serving as the Budget Commissioner at the Ministry of Finance — one of the most central and influential roles in the public sector. During his tenure, he led the formulation of two of the most comprehensive Arrangements Laws in Israel’s history, which included dozens of systemic reforms, and he dealt with complex economic and national crises that required rapid decision-making and the implementation of innovative solutions.
The selection of Gradus as this year’s fellow reflects the Bachar Fellowship’s focus on individuals with a proven record in leading systemwide change processes and managing complex situations. His ability to shape policy, analyze core challenges, and coordinate among governmental and public stakeholders were among the key considerations for his appointment.
As part of the fellowship year, Gradus will lead a strategic process aimed at strengthening and managing human capital in the public sector. This field, which in recent years has faced declining attractiveness, reduced public trust, and difficulty in recruiting high-quality personnel, requires in-depth work and a renewed action framework.
The work plan to be formulated will focus on identifying barriers, analyzing root causes, developing new operational mechanisms, and creating partnerships between government ministries, local authorities, civil society organizations, and additional professional bodies. Emphasis will be placed on building long-term infrastructures that will enable the public service to renew itself, improve, and provide high-quality, citizen-centered solutions.
The Bachar Fellowship views the strengthening of human capital as a core component in enhancing governmental resilience and in meeting national challenges in both routine and emergency situations.
Farewell to the Outgoing Fellows: Broad-Scale Impact in the Education and Health Systems
The ceremony at the President’s Residence also served as an opportunity to acknowledge the work of the outgoing fellows, Prof. Nachman Ash and Hila Haddad-Hamelnik, who completed an intensive and impactful year of activity.
Haddad-Hamelnik led a national initiative to integrate generative artificial intelligence into the education system, which included strategic planning, the development of policy documents, and on-the-ground implementation through initial school pilots.
Prof. Ash worked to strengthen community healthcare in the periphery, promote the involvement of local authorities in the field of health, and advance the development of specialized nursing roles — steps that have already begun to be incorporated into the Ministry of Health’s work plans and additional systemwide initiatives.
About the Bachar Fellowship
The Bachar Fellowship, named after the late Dr. Yossi Bachar, is a joint initiative of JDC-ELKA and the Bachar family.
It is designed for senior professionals with a proven record in leading large-scale policy changes across the public, social, and business sectors.
The fellowship provides its participants with a one-year platform for shaping systemwide initiatives, analyzing deep structural challenges, and developing solutions aimed at strengthening public systems and improving the quality of life in Israel.
