Shavei Israel is an Israel-based Jewish organization that encourages people who claim Jewish descent or merely wish to become Jews to strengthen their connection with Israel and the Jewish people. Founded by Michael Freund in 2002, Shavei Israel locates individuals and groups who claim to be lost Jews and who claim to belong to hidden Jewish communities, and assists them with “returning” to their real or alleged roots and, sometimes, with aliyah. The organization's team is composed of academics, educators and rabbis.