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About us

Tel Aviv University Trust (TAU Trust) provides direct funding support for the educational and research goals of Tel Aviv University, Israel’s largest and most comprehensive institution of higher learning, facilitated by enhanced public awareness of the University’s achievements and programming through the development of a strong local network of support. TAU Trust is based in London, leads fundraising activities for Tel Aviv University.

TAU Trust invites TAU Professors to share their research and knowledge with British audiences to strengthen the University’s reputation in the UK, and encourages academic collaborations with TAU and UK Universities. TAU Trust hosts 15 events per year, ranging in scale from small breakfasts to large scale fundraisers. TAU Trust uses these events as a vehicle to raise awareness of Israel’s largest University as well as raising funding to support it. Over the course of the past few months we have run many high-profile events for the wider community. 

As part of a global network of friends associations TAU Trust facilitates academic and research partnerships between UK and Israel as well as establishing scholarships, supporting research, cultivating student and faculty exchanges and recruiting British students to participate in the TAU International Programmes.

TAU Trust is approved by the Fundraising Regulator. You can find out more here.


About Tel Aviv University

Tel Aviv University (TAU) – Israel’s largest and most comprehensive institution of higher learning – is home to over 30,000 students studying in nine faculties and over 125 schools and departments across the spectrum of sciences, humanities and the arts. 

Situated in Israel’s cultural, financial and technological capital, TAU shares Tel Aviv’s unshakable spirit of openness and innovation – and boasts a campus life as dynamic and pluralistic as the metropolis itself. Tel Aviv the city and Tel Aviv the university are one and the same – a thriving Mediterranean center of diversity and discovery.

Consistently ranked in the top 20 in the world in terms of scientific citations and among the top 100 universities internationally, Tel Aviv University is also Israel’s first choice for students, and its graduates are the most sought after by Israeli companies. Global in outlook and impact, TAU advances teaching and research that break down the walls between disciplines, striving to address the twenty-first century’s most pressing challenges through bold, interdisciplinary solutions.


Leadership

Mr. David Meller CBE, Chair

David Meller CBE is a prominent businessman and community leader. Meller began his career at Marks and Spencer before joining his family’s business, Julius A. Meller Holdings Plc, and today he serves as joint chairman of the company, one of the largest luxury home and beauty suppliers in the UK. Formerly Vice- Chairman of Watford Football Club from 1997 to 2006, he now concentrates on educational ventures.  David was one of a group of sponsors who, in 2005, established The Harefield Academy. Meller received a CBE in the 2018 new year’s honours list.

David serves on the boards of  the Policy Exchange and the JAFFA Institute and Greenhouse Sports & Performing Arts and is Chair of the National Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network. In 2008 David became the sole sponsor of what was to become The Bushey Academy which opened in 2009.

Meller has been involved with TAU Trust for many years and has long acted as a driving force behind the Association. In 2009, He received an Honorary Fellowship from Tel Aviv University in recognition of his standing as a prominent businessman and engaged humanitarian; his entrepreneurial success in building up the family business into a flourishing consumer products group; his widespread endeavours on behalf of children, youth, the infirm and the needy, both in Israel and the UK; and in special recognition of his valued leadership of the Tel Aviv University Trust in Great Britain and his generous support of young faculty recruitment at the University.


Ms. Susan Coller

Susan has worked for many ‘not for profit’ organisations both for UK based Jewish Charities and various British Friends of Israeli organisations developing and implementing Major Gift Campaigns to help increase their income and profile.  Since 2014, Susan has worked as  Development Director of The British Friends of Merchavim and also assists, in a voluntary capacity, as an advisor to a number of small charities.

She serves as a Governor of Tel Aviv University and also sits on its Standing Committee.


Mr. Edwin Wulfsohn

Edwin Wulfsohn, BA (University of Cape Town), MBA (Columbia University)

Worked at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, London and Johannesburg.

Former chair Stenham Ltd and Trans Zambesi Ltd.

Trustee and chair Investment Committee Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity and Caine Prize for African Writing. Director Chairmen’s Forum. Co-chair of TAU Funds and Trusts Committee


Meet the Team

Ms. Cara Case | Chief Executive

Email: cara.case@tau-trust.co.uk

Cara Grabel Case is the Chief Executive of the TAU Trust headquartered in London with responsibility for the Trust’s activities in the United Kingdom.  She has run the TAU Trust since 2008.  Once a relatively small charity, she has significantly raised the profile of Tel Aviv University in the UK by cultivating and engaging new donors, initiating a series of high profile annual events, launching marketing and fundraising campaigns, expanding its Board of Directors, nurturing collaborations with other charities, and broadening the university’s programmes for TAU alumni, women and young professionals.

Prior to working with the Trust, she lived in Hong for 10 years where she worked at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre, running their corporate membership and President’s Circle major donor program from 1998 until 2003.  Before she relocated to Hong Kong, she worked for the New York City Ballet, writing corporate grant proposals and managing major events.

Born in New Rochelle, NY, she has a BA in History of Art from the University of Michigan. She is married to Andrew Case and has 3 sons.


Ms. Russell Brody | Head of Philanthropy

Email: Russell.Brody@tau-trust.co.uk

Russell joined TAU Trust in November 2024 as Head of Philanthropy.

Russell will ensure our that supporters are kept up to date with activity at Tel Aviv University and that their gifts are applied according to their priorities. He will be a conduit for UK supporters to continue to provide the best education to the students and to also provide education from Israel to the world. TAU Trust is fortunate to be able to support many TAU students and to ensure that the research and development across TAU’s 9 faculties have the resources to continue their vital work.

Before entering the not-for-profit sector 6 years ago, Russell worked in financial services in the City for over thirty years trading UK and European equities for Asset Managers, Investment Banks, and Stockbrokers.

Russell has not ventured far from where he was born in North London and is married with two daughters.


Ms. Avril Fleishman | Legacy Manager

Email: avril.fleishman@tau-trust.co.uk

I have worked in the charity sector for over 30 years supporting Israel in my various roles.

At TAU Trust, I manage the Legacy programme which has secured many Legacies supporting things like student scholarships, medical research, the Buchmann Mehta School of Music and more.

I have taken many groups on Missions to visit TAU’s beautiful campus and always enjoy my time there seeing students and meeting faculty. 


Ms. Lilach Sonin Keshales | Marketing, Campaigns & Events

Email: lilach.soninkeshales@tau-trust.co.uk

Lilach manages the TAU Trust alumni community in the UK, as well as working on various events, campaigns, and marketing projects.  

Before working with the Trust, she co-produced American Feature film South of Heaven (Jason Sudeikis, Evangeline Lilly) written and directed by her husband, Aharon Keshales, a Filmmaker and TAU alum himself.  

Lilach’s background is in Israeli Media, where she worked for many years as a TV News anchor and presenter, an environmental reporter, and a sports journalist. 

She has a BA in Cinema & TV from Tel Aviv University

Mr. Brian Markeson | Financial administrator

Email: Brian Markeson (finance@tau-trust.co.uk)

Brian has been the Trust’s Financial Administrator for many years, coming to the Trust with a long history in the finance and charity sector. 

He is responsible for the Trust’s finances, working with the team to set its annual budget, managing accounts, preparing the Trust’s annual audit and other fiduciary responsibilities. 


MORE INFO?

If you would like to support us or have any questions, please ring our office on +44 207 446 8790 or email us: info@tau-trust.co.uk or click on the link here.

CONTACT US

Tel Aviv University Trust

Lady Ruth House, Gabriel Mews

Crewys Road, London NW2 2GD

Tel: +44 207 446 8790
Email: events@tau-trust.co.uk