Star for Life is an international non-profit organization founded by Swedish entrepreneur Dan Olofsson and his wife, Christine Olofsson. Through the organization and school-based programs, it promotes students’ self-worth and well-being, equipping them with the tools to make informed decisions throughout their lives.
Star for Life was launched in South Africa more than 20 years ago and now operates in seven countries. Some 600,000 children have participated in the Star for Life program over the years. The organization empowers young people to shape their futures and make a significant contribution to their communities.
Dan continues the legacy of his father, a pastor in Sweden who dedicated his life to philanthropic work for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Dan feels a personal mission and responsibility to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Star of Life was established in Israel and began operating in Jerusalem at the request of the mayor of Jerusalem, with the understanding that it could help promote and strengthen the city’s education system, especially for disadvantaged populations.
Yoav (Zimi) Zimran has served as the CEO of SFL Israel since September 2024. He leads the organization’s activities, develops new programs, and promotes the organization’s vision as a driving force for change in peripheral communities across Israel.
Zimi holds a master’s degree in education policy and leadership from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He spent ten years in the Jerusalem municipality, where his duties included head of the education administration in a city serving 350,000 students.
Before joining the municipality, he served for about 10 years as the principal of the city’s experimental school and established another school.
Alongside his professional career, Zimi has spent over 30 years volunteering to establish and promote volunteer frameworks for emergency response. He founded and commanded the “Megilot” rescue unit in the Judean Desert, and over the years has founded and led a number of missing persons search frameworks, including a special unit established after October 7.
Our Education work is organized geographically so visitors can explore participating schools, local achievements, methods, publications and emergency resources relevant to each area.
Across Israel, Star for Life works with municipalities, educational institutions, government partners, educators, community leaders, young people, and families.
Our approach is based on the understanding that sustainable change requires more than a single program. It requires connecting the systems that surround a child—formal education, informal education, local government, community organizations, employment, and families.
By combining education, social-emotional learning, resilience, leadership, and employment, we aim to give young people the tools to build their own futures while helping communities become stronger and more connected.
We believe that investing in young people today is one of the most powerful ways to build resilient communities and a stronger Israel for tomorrow.