The Golden Pages telephone directory, established in 1968, served as the foundation for Morris Kahn’s entry into the telecommunications sector. Moving from South Africa to Israel in 1956, he built a diverse portfolio of companies spanning marine biology, software development, and private equity while later shifting his focus toward large-scale philanthropic initiatives in medical research and space exploration.
Early Ventures and Industrial Growth
Before his expansion into technology, Kahn managed various operations including a bicycle factory in Beit Shemesh in partnership with Kibbutz Tzora and a cattle company located in the Northern Galilee. By 1978, he partnered with Shmuel Meitar to form the Aurec Group, an equity firm that facilitated the installation of a fiber optic cable connecting Israel to Italy. This infrastructure project was pivotal in linking the Israeli market to global communication networks.
Technology and Software Development
Kahn achieved significant commercial success through the 1982 co-founding of Amdocs alongside Shmuel and Tzvi Meitar. The company became a major provider of billing software and customer relationship management systems for international telecommunications firms. By 2015, Amdocs operated with 26,000 employees and reached $3.6 billion in annual revenue. His portfolio continued to evolve through the Aurec Group, which invested in cable operators like Golden Channels and international communication providers such as Golden Lines, eventually branching into clean technology and multi-touch computer screen manufacturing.
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A former diver, Kahn established Coral World International to develop marine aquariums across several continents. These facilities were constructed in locations including Eilat, Israel; Maui, Hawaii; Perth and Manly in Australia; St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands; and Nassau in the Bahamas. Beyond marine display, his interest in water management led to the founding of Zalul, a non-profit organization dedicated to the maintenance and cleaning of water bodies within Israel.
Scientific and Medical Philanthropy
Kahn directed significant financial support toward medical and academic institutions. He funded the Morris Kahn Initiative at Tel Aviv University for 3D cancer modeling and the Morris Kahn Institute for Human Immunology. Through partnerships with the Weizman Institute and Maccabi Healthcare Services, he supported systems biology research and big data diagnostics. Additionally, he financed international volunteer projects, including eye surgery camps in Ethiopia, and provided resources for Save a Child’s Heart, an organization focused on pediatric surgeries for children regardless of their background.
Space Exploration and Final Years
In his later career, Kahn served as the primary donor for SpaceIL, the organization behind the Beresheet lunar mission. While the spacecraft crashed during its landing attempt on the Moon in April 2019, the mission was credited as a success for reaching deep space. Kahn resided in Beit Yanai until his death in the United States on 1 January 2026, at the age of 95. Throughout his final years, he received numerous honors, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Haifa in 2024 and the Bonei Zion Prize.
Fast facts
- Born: 1930, Benoni, South Africa
- Died: 1 January 2026, United States
- Education: Honorary doctorates from Tel Aviv University, Bar-Ilan University, and University of Haifa
- Key Business Founding: Amdocs (1982)
- Philanthropic Organizations: Zalul, SpaceIL, Coral World International
- Awards: Bonei Zion Prize
- Languages: English, Hebrew
- Net Worth: $1.1 billion (August 2025 estimate)
Questions readers ask
Did the Beresheet lunar mission reach the Moon?
The spacecraft successfully entered space but crashed into the Moon during its landing attempt on 11 April 2019.
What was the purpose of the Morris Kahn Initiative?
It was a $4 million program established to develop 3D cancer modeling using live tumor research at Tel Aviv University.
Achievements
- Bonei Zion Prize
