Mendel Kaplan is the Honorary President of Keren Hayesod.

He served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency from 1987 until 1995 and as Chairman of the Jerusalem Foundation from 1996 until  2000.  He is a former National Chairman of the United Israel Appeal of South Africa.  

A lawyer by training, Mendel Kaplan holds degrees from Cape Town University and Columbia University.  He owns and operates a family business which manufactures steel, steel wire and wire products.  He divides his time between Jerusalem and South Africa.

Mendel Kaplan is a member of the Jewish Agency’s Executive and has been a member of the Board since the 70's. He Co-Chairs the Resource Development Committee.