Early Life
Morris Kahn was born in Benoni, South Africa, on March 5, 1930, to Jewish parents. He immigrated to Israel in 1956 with his wife Jacqueline (Jackie) Maloon, and their two sons, David and Benjamin. The family moved to Israel with limited resources, driven by Zionist ideals and a desire to contribute to the young State of Israel.
Rise to Success
Kahn's business career in Israel began with ventures like a bicycle factory and a cattle company. His breakthrough came in 1968 when he founded the Golden Pages telephone directory, which became a successful venture in Israel. In 1978, he co-founded the Aurec Group, which invested in cable and telecom sectors. This led to the founding of Israel's first cable company (Golden Channels) and international communications company (Golden Lines), and facilitated the entry of global corporations like AT&T and AIG into the Israeli market.
In 1982, Kahn co-founded Amdocs with Shmuel and Tzvi Meitar, a company that provides customer relationship management and billing software for telecommunications firms. Amdocs' success propelled Kahn to significant financial heights. He sold his shares for approximately $1 billion in 1998. Kahn is also known for founding Coral World International, which operates aquariums worldwide.
Key Business Strategies
Kahn's business strategies have included identifying opportunities in emerging sectors, forming partnerships, and a keen understanding of the Israeli market. His focus on technology and telecommunications, particularly Amdocs, proved to be a pivotal move. His ventures in the cable industry, under Aurec Group, further expanded his business footprint. Kahn's ability to build relationships, create innovative solutions, and adapt to market changes contributed to his success.
Philanthropy
Morris Kahn is widely recognized for his extensive philanthropic work. His initiatives include supporting cancer research through the Morris Kahn Initiative at Tel Aviv University and the Morris Kahn & Maccabi Health Data Science Institute. He also supports projects like Save a Child's Heart and the SpaceIL lunar mission. Kahn's philanthropy is focused on science, education, health, and social welfare. He has invested approximately $200 million in philanthropic endeavors. He initiated a $4 million program for pioneering cancer research at Tel Aviv University.
