Batia Ofer
- Place of Birth: Israel
- Industry: Ofer is a world-renowned art collector and philanthropist.
Early life and Education
Batia Ofer was born in Israel and then moved to South Africa, where she spent most of her childhood. When she turned 18, she returned to Israel to enlist in the IDF, where she served as a casualty officer. She earned a B.A. in business administration from York University in Toronto and today lives in London with her husband, Idan, and their children.
Batia sits on the Board of Trustees of the Royal Academy of Arts in London and on the Board of Trustees of Harvard Kennedy School. She is a member of the International Council of the British multinational art corporation Sotheby’s and of the International Board of Trustees of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation.
Philanthropy
Mrs. Ofer’s philanthropic endeavors began at the Israeli chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, following the death of her sister, Sharon, at the young age of 26. In 2013, Mrs. Ofer joined the British chapter and several years later, launched the Art of Wishes project, which galvanizes the international art community to raise money for the foundation. Once a year, Art of Wishes holds a large auction and has so far raised more than $12 million.
Idan and Batia Ofer Family Foundation
Batia heads the Idan & Batia Ofer Family Foundation, which focuses on improving society through art, education, welfare, and healthcare programs, specifically for children. The fund supports dozens of organizations and initiatives designed to contribute to the quality of children’s lives and generate social change.
Harvard Kennedy School
One of the foundation’s earliest projects was the scholarship program at Harvard Kennedy School, which is currently in its 10th year. The scholarship annually awards full study and living scholarships to Israeli Jewish and Arab Master students.