Doron Kochavi
Doron Kochavi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, entrepreneur, benefactor |
| Known for | Initiator of the Tel Aviv–Los Angeles partnership; Executive Director of the Buchman Heyman Foundation |
Doron Kochavi (; born ) is an Israeli attorney, entrepreneur, and benefactor.
He is the initiator of the collaborative partnership linking Tel Aviv and Los Angeles.
Early life
Originating from Tel Aviv and descending from the notable Buchman family, Kochavi obtained a Bachelor's degree in Sociology in 1976 and completed his law degree in 1979 at Tel Aviv University. He further pursued a combined curriculum in Law and Business Administration, graduating in 1982.
Career
Kochavi's professional journey commenced with a legal internship at the Tel Aviv District Court. He subsequently focused on real estate law, commercial regulations, bankruptcy cases, and litigation, representing both private enterprises and public entities. Following his military service, he was appointed by Tel Aviv’s Mayor Shlomo "Chich" Lahat as the manager of the Hadar Yosef neighborhood. Additionally, he acted as a court-appointed trustee responsible for supervising public development projects in northern Tel Aviv and Gush Hagadol.
He served as Legal Counsel to the Alumayer Group, Israel’s leading aluminum supplier engaged in significant developments such as Ben Gurion Airport and Menora Mivtachim Arena.
In 1994, Kochavi was designated advisor to a Knesset sub-committee dedicated to streamlining market imports. He also rehabilitated more than 40 cooperative agricultural communities ("moshavim") under District Court authorization.
Acknowledged as a prominent developer within Gush HaGadol, he has been instrumental in constructing upwards of 15 buildings accommodating hundreds of stakeholders.
Kochavi holds co-ownership in "Beyond Towers," a joint venture with Tidhar Group and George Horesh. This US$1 billion initiative at the Tel Aviv–Givatayim border is poised to become Israel’s tallest commercial skyscraper. Furthermore, he is co-owner and board member of "Hi Tower," recognized as Israel’s tallest residential building located at the same site.
Philanthropy
As Executive Director of the Buchman Heyman Foundation—founded by his grandmother in 1942—Kochavi oversees efforts to aid underprivileged groups throughout Israel. The foundation supports leading cultural and educational organizations such as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Habima Theatre, Tel Aviv University, and Yad Vashem. It also provides annual scholarships to emerging artists and students.
In 1997, he co-established the Tel Aviv–Los Angeles partnership, contributing as a Steering Committee member and chairing its Education Committee until 2003. His board memberships have included the Israeli Forum; currently, he serves on the Boards of Governors for both Tel Aviv University and the Open University of Israel.
Additionally, Kochavi sits on the boards of The Herb and Sharon Glaser Foundation (Israel) and Friends of the Diaspora Museum. He acts as Trustee for The Ohela Halevy Foundation, chairs the steering committee of Friends of Mercaz HaMusica, and was founding chairman of Friends of Ghetto Fighter's House.
Personal life
Kochavi is married to Tamar Glaser Kochavi, a film producer and descendant of Max Factor Sr. They are parents to two children: Shir and Amit L. Kochavi.