Fellows

The Mandel Program for Leadership in Jewish Culture: Cohort 3

October 2019 – July 2020

Adi Arbel

Jerusalem | Director of the Israel Civil Society Forum

Adi Arbel is the director of the Civil Society Forum, which was founded to help social entrepreneurs in Israel increase their influence. Born in Holon, he lives in Jerusalem, and moved from hi-tech into public policy and social entrepreneurship around a decade ago. Adi has been involved in the founding of the Beit Midrash for Zionist Thought; the human rights movement Blue & White Human Rights; a Jerusalem restaurant blog; Sun Free Hiking, a nighttime hiking group; the Jerusalem Daily Recommendation Facebook page; the Midrash Mischakim theater workshop; the satirical group The Elevator; and This is Jerusalem, which provides geopolitical tours of Israel’s capital.

Chen Artzi Sror

Mazkeret Batya | Journalist and Yediot Aharonot Columnist

Chen Artzi Sror is a journalist who focuses on Israeli society, Jewish culture, women’s rights, and religion and state. She completed her military service at Galei Tzahal, the IDF radio station, and now holds managerial, writing, and editing positions at Yediot Aharonot. Chen's Hebrew book The New Religious Women: When Religious Feminism Meets Social Media, published by Yediot Books, presents stories of Orthodox feminist women and their trailblazing online activities within the religious Zionist community. She is a graduate of the Ofakim Program at Tel Aviv University, a teacher-training program for outstanding students, where she specialized in teaching Jewish philosophy. She is also a teacher and lecturer, and a mother of three.

Omer Ben Rubi

Jaffa | Media Professional and Broadcaster

Omer Ben Rubi is a media professional and manager, and a radio editor and broadcaster. He edits and presents the Israeli Songshelf radio show on the Kan Reshet Gimmel radio station. Omer founded the Kan Reshet Bet radio station and was its director for three years. Previously, he served as chief news editor, presenter, and director of the broadcast department of the IDF's Galei Tzahal radio station, and was a member of the playlist committee and deputy director of the IDF's Galgalatz radio station. He has also worked as the cultural correspondent for Channel 10 television. Omer often serves as MC at conferences and events, and lectures on Jewish and Israeli culture.

Inbar Bluzer Shalem

Jerusalem | Rabbi and Director of Rashut Ha’Rabim–The Jerusalem Forum for Jewish Renaissance Organizations

Inbar Bluzer Shalem is one of the founders and the director of Rashut Ha’Rabim – The Jerusalem Forum for Jewish Renaissance Organizations. She has been active in Jewish renaissance since attending a Gesher seminar during high school. Over the years, she has studied at eight pluralistic beit midrash programs in Israel, received rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College, and completed a master’s degree in pluralistic Jewish education. Inbar founded Beit Rashut HaRabim - the House of Nonprofits for Israeli Judaism, which provides a space for working, training, entrepreneurship, tourism, and content development. She has served as a Jewish renaissance emissary in the United States and London, working with students and young people, and founded and directed the Haifa Hillel. Inbar lives in Jerusalem, and is married with three children.

Yonatan Dubov

Rehovot | Founder of the Gula Cultural Center

Yonatan Dubov is the founder and director of the Gula Cultural Center, which promotes young Jewish creativity in a variety of artistic fields. The founder of Uri, an organization for artists named in memory of MK Uri Urbach, he writes a popular column in the Matzav Haruach newspaper, and presents a weekly program on the Galey Israel radio station. Yonatan is the chairperson of Young Bayit Yehudi, a forum for the youth of the Jewish Home party, and was a Jewish Home candidate in the elections for the 21st and 22nd Knesset. He is also a member of the presidium of the Zionist General Council. Born in the Soviet Union, Yonatan is a graduate of the Otniel hesder yeshiva, served as a training officer in the Nativ conversion program for IDF soldiers, and is a lawyer by profession. He was included in a list of the most influential figures in Israeli culture by the Makor Rishon newspaper. Yonatan is one of the leaders of the “transparent artists” protest, and works to advance the integration of immigrants from the former Soviet Union into Jewish and religious life in Israel.

Lior Elefant

Tel Aviv | Chairwoman of the Israeli Women in Film and Television Forum

Lior Elefant is an activist, feminist, lesbian, granddaughter, and daughter. She is the chairwoman of the Israeli Women in Film and Television Forum, and one of the founders and leaders of “Politically Corret” (P.See), an online feminist media project. Lior is also the director of “Lethal Lesbian,” an Israeli film festival dedicated to lesbian content. Lior holds a master’s degree (with distinction) in gender studies from Tel Aviv University, and is currently a PhD candidate in the Sociology and Anthropology department at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. She is a serial volunteer.

Neta Elkayam

Jerusalem | Multidisciplinary Artist and Musician

Neta Elkayam is a multidisciplinary artist and musician who writes, reinvents, and performs North African music. She is the creator and artistic director of Abiyadi, a show paying tribute to Zohra al-Fassia, the diva of Moroccan Jewry, and recently released Arénas, a visual-musical showcase inspired by music of the women of the Atlas Mountains recorded in transit camps. In her music, Neta combines Andalusian, Berber, and Mediterranean influences with rock, pop, and piyut, and is the winner of the ACUM prize for 2017. She is also a plastic artist, who holds a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) from Kaye Academic College of Education. Her artwork, which includes paintings, sketches, fabrics, animation, sculpture, and video art, has been shown in solo exhibitions and many group exhibitions and festivals.

Michal Froman

Tekoa | Architect and Founder of “Good Neighbors”

Michal Froman is an architect and yoga instructor. She is the founder of “Good Neighbors” – a forum for peace-seeking Israeli settlers who work to promote good relations with their Palestinian neighbors in Judea and Samaria. Michal is a member of "Women Wage Peace" and "A Land for All," and pursues every possible avenue to create encounters and dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis. A firm believer in God and in human beings, she is 35 and a mother of five.

Saar Gamzo

Tel Aviv | Radio Broadcaster and Music Critic

Saar Gamzo is a broadcaster for Israel's biggest music radio station glgltz and is a music critic for the Israel Hayom daily newspaper. He is also the director of digital projects and member of the artistic direction team of "Mekudeshet" – the Jerusalem Sacred Music Festival. Saar holds a bachelor’s degree in media studies and management from the College of Management, and is involved in introducing alternative Middle Eastern music into both new and traditional media platforms. Saar provides online marketing services for cultural organizations such as the Fresh Paint Contemporary Art Fair and the DocAviv film festival, and is the initiator and director of the musical project “A Tribe of Brothers and Sisters” ("Shevet Achim Ve'achayot").

Inbal Gasit

Tel Aviv | Culture Editor at the IDF's Galei Tzahal Radio Station

Inbal Gasit is culture editor and deputy director of the programming department of Galei Tzahal, the IDF radio station. She has been involved in broadcasts of Israel's army radio for more than 20 years, during which time she has served as culture correspondent and senior broadcaster. Inbal received the Galei Tzahal Commander’s Prize in 2012 for the program Night Birds with Shahar Segal and Roy Bar-Natan. She was involved in the recent redesign of Galei Tzahal’s program schedule, and has developed radio programs on subjects such as tradition, family, knowledge, economics, humor, and satire. Inbal headed the station’s journalism training program in 2015, and runs workshops on content development as part of that program to this day. She has developed, edited, and hosted the radio programs Status Quo and Gilui Da'at alongside Itai Hermann, and has edited Odeya Koren and Natan Datner’s talk show since its debut in 2007 – all while managing the station’s culture desk, which includes training and mentoring younger correspondents and producers.

Leor Grady

Tel Aviv | Multidisciplinary Artist

Leor Grady is a multidisciplinary artist, lecturer at the arts department of Minshar School of Art and a curatorial consultant at The Lobby Art Space in Tel Aviv. His conceptual works in various media – sculpture, video, and drawing – explore identity politics and tradition by means of repositioning everyday objects and familiar imagery and imbuing them with poetic meaning. His work has been shown at solo and group exhibitions, including at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC, the Haifa Museum of Art, the Ashdod Museum of Art, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Le MAGASIN – National Centre for Contemporary Art in Grenoble FR, Rush Arts, Exit Art, Y Gallery and The Center for Book Arts in New York City, as well as in public and private collections, as well as in public and private collections. Natural Worker, his first artist's book, was recently published by Sternthal Books.

Yair Harel

Jerusalem | Musician and Founder of "An Invitation to Piyut"

Yair Harel is a musician, artist, and artistic director, whose main focus is on traditional Jewish poetry, classical Oriental music, contemporary music, and the combination of all three. Yair has had the privilege of learning from and working with teachers of great stature, including Roger Ychai, André Hajdu, Peretz Eliyahu, Rabbi Meir Atiya, and Rabbi Chaim Lock. He is the founder of the website "An Invitation to Piyut," and has been behind many projects that have brought the world of piyut into the cultural and social mainstream in Israel and around the world. He is the artistic director of the Piyut Ensemble of the Ben-Zvi Institute, founded and managed the Jerusalem Piyut Festival in its decade of existence (2008-2017), and is currently the artistic director "Within the Secret of Many Voices," a festival of piyut, prayer, and Jewish music held at Israel's National Library. He teaches piyut and prayer throughout Israel and around the world.

Avigayil Heilbronn

Jerusalem | Social Activist in the Haredi Sector and Founder of “Lo Tishtok”

Avigayil Heilbronn is a social activist in the Haredi sector who formerly worked in hi-tech. She is the founder of “Lo Tishtok” ("Thou shalt not be silent"), an organization that helps victims of rape and sexual assault in the Haredi community and works to raise awareness of the issue. Avigayil is involved in a number of projects in the “new Haredi” community, including organizing an ultra-Orthodox ceremony to mark the Memorial Day for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers. She is currently working as a media and strategy consultant for social activist organizations and Jewish history organizations, and teaches halakha and philosophy in the Haredi community. Avigayil is studying sociology and political science at the Open University. She is 30, and a mother of two.

Ariel Horowitz

Tel Aviv | Musician and Creator of the Israeli Music App “Shiri”

Ariel Horowitz is an Israeli musician and songwriter, whose hits include Renée, 20,000 People, and Cyclamen between the Rocks. His song Love is Dead, written for his wife, singer Tamar Giladi, won the ACUM Prize for Song of the Year 2000. He has released seven solo albums and has written songs for other performers, including Chava Alberstein, Arkadi Duchin, and more. Ariel is the founder, creator, and CEO of the Israeli music app “Shiri” – a collaborative project with the Israel National Library that is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Sport – which is designed to make all forms of Israeli music more accessible to the public. Previously, he founded "The Other Me," a collaborative project between the Rimon School of Music and Enosh – The Israeli Mental Health Association. He was the artistic director of the project, which was recognized by GAMIAN-Europe as the Best Rehabilitation Project in Europe in 2013 – for around a decade. Ariel teaches at Rimon, at the Mizmor School of Music, and at ALMA – Home for Hebrew Culture. He is 49, married, and a father of three.

Einat Levi

Haifa | Founder of the Project for Digital Documentation of Moroccan Jewish Heritage

Einat Levi is an entrepreneur and researcher who divides her time between Israel and Morocco, working to develop collaborations and social tourism between the two countries, and leading missions and study tours. Einat is a research fellow at The Forum for Regional Thinking and researcher at Mitvim–The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, where she specializes in civil collaborations, Morocco, and Israeli-Moroccan relations. In 2016, she launched a project for the digital documentation of Moroccan Jewish heritage via social media platforms and virtual reality, and now runs a number of documentation communities. Einat also has extensive experience in developing training and learning technologies for education systems, having worked at the Center for Educational Technology to develop and implement courses on Jewish peoplehood and Israel-diaspora relations for students, teachers, and principals. Einat holds a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern studies and international relations, and a master’s degree in conflict research, management, and resolution, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is also a graduate of the ISEF Foundation's program for reducing gaps in Israeli society.

Alexandra Mandelbaum

Tekoa | Researcher and Writer on Jewish Culture and Soviet Culture

Alexandra Mandelbaum is a doctoral student at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, where she is researching the development of Breslov Hasidism. She is a fellow scholar in the 'Maskilot' program in Shalom Hartman Institute. In addition, she has written audience-participation plays that have been performed at the Cultural Brigade's festival of Soviet culture in Israel. Alexandra teaches Hasidism, kabbala, and subjects related to Israeli and Russian identity. Previously, she directed Gvanei Yerushalayim, a program promoting Israeli Judaism in Jerusalem neighborhoods. Alexandra holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Bar-Ilan University, and a master’s degree in Jewish philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Orly Portal

Hadera | Dance Artist and Movement Researcher

Orly Portal is a choreographer; dancer; movement and voice researcher; the creator of a unique dance language based on ancient tribal Moroccan folklore; developer and mentor of distinct learning methods – Connecting to the Root of Movement through Belly Dancing, and Awareness Through Dance; founder and director of The Orly Portal Dance Company; participant lecturer and moderator in dance conferences and seminars; and leading various artistic collaborations. Born in 1969, Orly graduated from the department of dance studies at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. She began her professional career as a dancer and soloist for the Kol Demama Dance Company and the Batsheva Dance Company. Over the years, Orly engaged in extensive study of Arabic folklore, spending two years studying Arabic music at Bar-Ilan University, and traveling to Morocco to learn the traditional dances of the Gnawa and Berber tribes first-hand. Her dance creations reflect insights from her research reintroducing ancient dance through contemporary expression that captivates audiences worldwide. Winner of the 2018 Yithak Navon prize to promote and preserve the diverse culture of Israel.

Porat Salomon

Bat Ayin | Artist and Founder of the Pardes School of Art

Porat Salomon is an artist and the founder of the Pardes School of Art. He is a graduate of the yeshiva programs in Otniel and Tekoa, and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art from Bezalel Academy. Porat works in a range of media, mainly in painting and video installations, and has received the Presser Award for a Young Israeli Artist, as well as the Ministry of Culture's Young Artist Prize. He is the curator of the interdisciplinary project “Between Heaven and Earth,” which brings together a group of artists for joint study and artistic work in a beit midrash setting, culminating in a group exhibition. He also founded and teaches in the gifted art students’ track at the Haleli religious girls’ school for the arts, and teaches in the regional arts track for yeshiva students in Gush Etzion.

Mor Shimonie

Tel Aviv | Community Leader, Educator, Social entrepreneur

Mor Shimonie is a social and community entrepreneur, master of ceremonies, and producer of Jewish cultural events, as well as a teacher of Bible and Jewish philosophy. In 2015, she founded the BINA House in India, an open house for secular Judaism located in Dharamshala. Every year, the house introduces thousands of Israeli backpackers to Jewish culture and to opportunities for engaging with it and creating it, via learning, community activity, and social action. Mor holds a bachelor’s degree in Jewish philosophy from the Ofakim Program, Tel Aviv University's teacher-training program for outstanding students.

Orian Shukrun

Ma’alot-Tarshiha | Conductor and Musical Director of the Al-Mughrabia Andalusian Orchestra

Orian Shukrun is a multidisciplinary musician, pianist, composer, conductor, singer-songwriter and producer, whose work bridges between Ma’alot-Tarshiha and Jerusalem. The conductor and musical director of the Al-Mughrabia Andalusian Orchestra, Orian is also a teaching artist in the Kol Yotzer Culture Lab. He holds a master’s degree in composition and conducting from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, and was the recipient of the 2017 "Presidential Award" of the Jerusalem Academy or Music and Dance. Orian teaches and performs in Europe, the United States, and Africa, and his compositions are performed at festivals throughout Israel and around the world.

Karen Weiss

Tzur Hadassah | Deputy Director of the AVI CHAI Foundation

Karen Weiss is deputy director of the AVI CHAI Foundation Israel, and a project officer for the Foundation. One of the pioneers of the field of local Israeli-Jewish community development in Israel, she is the chairperson of Nitzanim–Jewish Israeli Identity and Zionism. Previously, Karen directed the Philip Laon Community Center in Jerusalem. For several years, she produced content-related events for the Israel Festival and for the nonprofit Shorashim. Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the Wingate Institute, and a master’s degree in organizational consulting for social organizations and businesses from Ono Academic College. She is a former competitive athlete.

About The Program

Mandel Program for Academic Leadership: Cohort 1

February 2019 – July 2020

Dr. Nira Al-Dor

Teacher of Eshkol-Wachman Movement Notation, School of Dance Arts at Kibbutzim College of Education

Nira Al-Dor coordinates the multidisciplinary pedagogy instruction in the faculty of the arts at the Kibbutzim College of Education. She developed a multidisciplinary program for the School of Arts, Arison Campus in Tel Aviv, in which the school's teachers teach their curricula in line with periodic themes. Nira holds a doctorate from the faculty of education and the arts at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest, and a teaching diploma in dance from the dance and movement track of the Kibbutzim College of Education. She lives in Tel Aviv.

Dr. Aviva Bar Nir

Head of the Special Education Track and Coordinator of Practical Training, David Yellin College of Education

Aviva Bar Nir is a member of the management team at David Yellin College, where she represents the heads of the different study tracks. Previously, she coordinated instruction for third-year students of special education, and coordinated the retraining of academics for careers in special education. An initiative that she led within the practical training offered by the College led to the creation of a series of educational games for elementary school students in special education frameworks. Aviva holds a doctorate in philosophy, with a concentration in special education, from the school of education of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She lives in Har Adar.

Dr. Cilla Choresh

Lecturer at the Tel Aviv University School of Education

Cilla Choresh is a high-school physics teacher and coordinator of physics studies. She lectures at Tel Aviv University in the physics teaching diploma program, and specializes in science teaching. Cilla is one of the leaders of in-service training for teachers that focuses on curricula and the development of thinking skills, and in particular on learning styles, meta-cognition, reflection, and argumentation. She holds a doctorate from Bar-Ilan University's school of education, and a master’s degree in education with a concentration in developing thinking skills in technological education, also from Bar-Ilan University.

Professor Nitza Davidovitch

Head of the Teacher Training Program at Ariel University

Nitza Davidovitch is the chair of the Forum for the Advancement of Teaching in Israel and Professor of Education at Ariel University, where she is the head of quality assessment and academic instruction, and heads the teacher training program. Her work focuses on teaching and learning in higher education, and she leads teacher training programs that are based on research knowledge that can address future needs. Nitza holds a doctorate in education from Ariel University. She lives in Yakir in the Shomron.

Dr. Orit Dror Levi

Head of Department and Program in Early Childhood Education, Oranim Academic College of Education

Orit Dror Levi is the co-coordinator of the early childhood forum at the MOFET Institute, is a member of the Council of Higher Education's committee for guidelines for teacher training, and is a member of the steering committee for the social nonprofit ANU – Education from Birth. She has served as a pedagogy instructor and lecturer in the early childhood education department at Oranim College. Previously, she worked as an occupational therapist and as a homeroom teacher. Orit holds a master’s degree in educational counseling from Tel Aviv University, and a doctorate in education from the University of Haifa. She lives in Yokneam.

Dr. Tsafrir Goldberg

Head of the Teaching Diploma and Bachelor's Degree Program, University of Haifa

Tsafrir Goldberg is the head of the bachelor's degree program and the teaching diploma program in the University of Haifa's Department of Learning, Instruction, and Teacher Education. Previously, he was a teacher at the Givat Gonen school. He mentors teachers and works as a pedagogic advisor, providing guidance to students regarding formal didactic instruction, serving as a personal mentor, and facilitating an education “beit midrash,” as part of the Revivim program for Jewish studies teachers at the Hebrew University. Tsafrir holds a doctorate from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and his thesis examined the way in which high-school history studies serve as an arena for critical discussion between students from different identity groups. His research focuses mainly on the connection between learning and identity, on inter-group relations, and on teacher education and training in the multicultural context of Israel. Tsafrir lives in Beit Zayit.

Michal Honig

Didactic Advisor in the History Teaching Program at the Kerem Institute for Teacher Training, and at David Yellin College of Education

Michal Honig has worked as a tutor for the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Revivim program for Jewish studies teachers. She is a founder and member of the lead team of didactic tutors at the Kerem Institute, which is dedicated to analyzing and improving the Institute’s training practices. Michal holds a master’s degree in contemporary Judaism and education, and is a doctoral student in the Hebrew University’s department of education. She lives in Modi’in.

Hagit Kuperstein

Head of the Unit for Promoting Professionalism in Teaching, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Hagit Kuperstein oversees teacher training, internships, and entry into teaching, professional development, principal training, and simulations. She directed the development of training with computerized products in the IDF’s training department. Among other positions, Hagit has been an instructor, mentor, and program director for the Karev program that integrated the use of computers in teaching. She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the department of education of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and lives on Kibbutz Revadim.

Dr. Yitzhak Lev-Ran

Head of Practicums, Internships, and Professional Development, Herzog College

The former principal of the AMIT Dvir high school for boys in Beit Shemesh, Yitzhak Lev-Ran is a homeroom teacher and Bible teacher. He has mentored groups of school principals at Avney Rosha – the Israel Institute for School Leadership, and has developed a team that designed a high-quality program for meaningful practicums at Herzog College. Yitzhak holds a doctorate in Bible from Bar-Ilan University, and lives in Mazkeret Batya.

Dr. Haifaa Majadly

Head of Practicums, Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education

Haifaa Majadly is the head of the department of pedagogy at the Al-Qasemi College of Education. A former pedagogy instructor, she is involved in strengthening multicultural discourse and encouraging fruitful and constructive discussions between the different cultures in Israeli society. Her extensive fieldwork has led her to translate the considerable knowledge she has gained from academic learning and personal experience into varied lectures, workshops, and training programs for students, parents, and teachers on subjects such as promoting Arabic language, encouraging reading, and fostering motivation to excel. Haifaa's doctorate from the University of Haifa focused on language education curricula. She lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.

Dr. Smadar Mor

Pedagogy Instructor and Lecturer, Early Childhood Department, Kibbutzim College of Education

Smadar Mor is a researcher in children’s theater. She is also a pedagogy instructor, and a lecturer in the creative track of the early childhood department and in the theater teacher's program at the Kibbutzim College of Education. She is also a lecturer, pedagogical coordinator, and assistant head of the teacher-training unit at Tel Aviv University. Smadar works to develop new ideas for improving the interfaces between teacher training, education, the arts in general, and theater in particular. She holds a doctorate in education and theater from the University of Haifa, and lives in Tel Aviv.

Dr. Anat Moshe

Lecturer and Pedagogical Counselor, Special Education Track, Faculty of Education, Beit Berl College

Anat Moshe is a senior counselor in the field of learning disabilities for the Ministry of Education, and guides schools in implementing Israel's new reforms in special education. In the past, she has worked as a middle school special education teacher. Anat is interested in the unique interaction between academia and theory and the education system. She holds a doctorate in education from Constantine the Philosopher University in Slovakia, and lives in Pardes Hanna–Karkur.

Dr. Daniel Nikritin

Head of Education Department, Hemdat Hadarom Academic College of Education

An ordained rabbi, Daniel Nikritin is a homeroom teacher and literature and Talmud teacher. He has served as a consultant to numerous schools, accompanying them through pedagogical innovation processes, including the development of the GOGYA center for the AMIT school network. Daniel also has pedagogical responsibility for practical internships conducted as part of the "Academia-City" partnership initiative between Hemdat Hadarom College and the city of Netivot. He holds a doctorate in literature from Bar-Ilan University, as well as a master’s degree in educational counseling, and has also studied couples and family therapy. Daniel lives in Modi’in.

Dr. Yonit Nisim

Head of the Faculty of Education, Ohalo College in Katzrin

As part of her work as head of the faculty of education at Ohalo College, Yonit Nisim is responsible for a variety of programs and training courses, including: the Regev program for outstanding students, fieldwork, specialization, entrance into the field of education, and professional development. Yonit holds a doctorate in philosophy and history from the University of Haifa. She lives in Koranit.

Professor Michal Razer

Dean of the Faculty of Education, Oranim Academic College of Education

Michal Razer has founded various study programs focused on inclusive education. She has developed numerous programs at JDC–Israel for working with at-risk populations, and created special tracks for training teachers to work with at-risk populations in schools. Michal holds a doctorate from the faculty of education in science and technology at the Technion. She lives in Atzmon Segev.

Dr. Batia Reichman

Head of Teacher Education Program and Fieldwork, Kaye Academic College of Education

Batia Reichman is a member of the management team of Kaye College's school for teacher education. She teaches in the school’s master’s programs, and lectures in the track for teaching literature. Batia works to promote collaboration between academia and the education system and the local authorities. She also initiates and leads learning communities for faculty members at Kaye College. Batia holds a doctorate in Hebrew literature from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and lives in Beer Sheva.

Dr. Tami Reuveni

Head of the Teaching Department, Levinsky College of Education

Tami Reuveni is responsible for student fieldwork, social engagement, preparatory courses for entry into teaching, and special programs such as "Academia-Classroom" and "Leading Teachers." In the past, she served as the head of the elementary school teacher training program at the Levinsky College of Education, and was a researcher at the Authority for Research and Development. She was also an elementary school teacher and principal in Israel's public-school system. Tami holds a doctorate in education from Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest, and lives in Beit Yitzhak–Sha’ar Hefer.

Dr. Alexandra Saad

Deputy Director and Pedagogical Training Coordinator, Arabic Academic College for Education in Israel

Alexandra Saad is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Haifa. Her work includes the evaluation, adaptation, and implementation of assistive technologies in education; cultural enrichment and adaptation of educational content and programs for Arab society; and clinical instruction and professional development for education professionals. Alexandra holds a master’s degree in education, and a doctorate from the department of occupational therapy at the University of Haifa, and completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Bologna in Italy. She lives in Upper Nazareth.

Dr. Sylvia Saba-Sadi

Lecturer and Pedagogy Instructor in Early Childhood Education, Gordon College of Education

Sylvia Saba-Sadi is a lecturer in the early childhood education department of the Gordon College of Education in Haifa and is a pedagogy instructor for female Arab students in the department. She was a member of the planning team that developed social engagement programs at the MOFET Institute, as part of its "Etgarim" program for improving training of teaching professionals in the Arab sector. She was also a member of the planning team for developing early childhood language education, and designed a course that combines academic writing in Arabic with the development of curricular units to improve the language skills of young children. Sylvia holds a master’s degree from the school of education at the University of Manchester in England, and a doctorate from the school of education at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. She lives in Haifa.

Dr. Pninat Tal

Head of Department and Program in Early Childhood Training, Levinsky College of Education

Pninat Tal was the head of elementary school education for Teach First Israel's program for excellence in education. Among other roles, she has served as a researcher at the MOFET Institute, where she investigated alternative teacher-training programs, and has published a Hebrew book, From Oversight to Leadership: The Journey of a Professional Community. Pninat holds a doctorate from the department of curriculum and evaluation at Tel Aviv University, and lives in Herzliya.

Dr. Noam Topelberg

Head of the Jewish Art Teaching Track in the Teacher Training Department, Bar-Ilan University

Noam Topelberg is a lecturer in the teacher training department of Bar-Ilan University's school of education. He teaches culture and visual literacy, and is a national instructor for high school design studies in the Ministry of Education’s Computing, Technology, and Information Systems Administration. Noam also writes curricula and educational materials, and runs in-service training courses for teachers around the country. He is also the treasurer and chairman of the Nes Ziona Artists’ Committee. Noam holds a doctorate in art history from the department of Jewish art at Bar-Ilan University, and lives in Nes Ziona.

Dr. Dina Tsybulsky

Head of the Biology Teaching Track, Faculty of Education in Science and Technology, the Technion

In the past, Dina Tsybulsky has been a high school biology and chemistry teacher, homeroom teacher, and science studies coordinator. She served as a lecturer and instructor of pedagogy of science teaching at the Kibbutzim College of Education and at Achva College. She was also a senior research associate and teaching fellow at Tel Aviv University and a visiting scholar at the University of British Columbia in Canada. Dina holds a doctorate in science education from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the MOFET Institute. She lives in Beit Shemesh.

Professor Sima Zach

Lecturer, School of Education and Physical Education Teaching, Academic College at Wingate

Sima Zach is the chair of the academic committee at the Academic College at Wingate, and is the head of the College’s laboratory for the study of physical education teaching. She was formerly the head of the College's school for education and physical education teaching. Sima holds a doctorate in physical education, recreation, and dance from Temple University in Philadelphia, where she specialized in sports psychology. A tenured professor at the Academic College at Wingate, Sima lives in Hadera.

About The Program

Mandel Youth Leadership Program: Cohort 4 – Year 2

October 2018 – June 2019

Omri Arzi

Educational Director, HaShomer HaChadash Youth Organization

Omri Arzi is the educational director of the HaShomer HaChadash youth movement. Prior to this, he ran the youth division at the Yaacov Herzog Center for Jewish Studies and served as a counselor at a pre-military academy. He also founded an independent business that provides environmental education in schools, and is involved in facilitating groups on Jewish identity and Israeli society. Omri is a keen student of history, and promotes knowledge and love of the Land of Israel in his educational work. He is married and lives in Zichron Yaakov.

Yoav Braver

Director of Municipal Discourse, Cyber Education Center

Yoav Braver is in charge of municipal discourse at the Rashi Foundation’s Cyber Education Center, which is active in Israel’s social and geographical periphery. From 2016 to 2018 he was the northern director of Magshimim, Israel’s national program for cyber literacy. Previously, he worked for the Israeli Scouts Movement, serving in several positions over a period of some seven years. Yoav holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Haifa. A graduate of the Gvanim program for Jewish pluralism in Israel, he is married and a father of two, and lives in Yokneam.

Netanel Gabay

Director of Boys’ Activities, Ariel Youth Movement

Netanel Gabay is the director of activities for boys in the Ariel youth movement. Previously, he served as the head of the volunteering unit at the IDF Recruitment Center in Jerusalem, was a member of the Helkat Hasadeh center for Land of Israel studies, and chaired the Ariel youth movement’s counselors forum. A student of engineering, industry and management at the University of Ariel, Netanel believes that youth movements are the life preservers of Israel society. He is married, has two children, and lives in Alon Moreh.

Jonathan Lavy

Jerusalem District Manager, Green Horizons

Jonathan Lavy is the Jerusalem district manager for "Hugey Sayarut", KKL-JNF’s Green Horizons Outdoor Leadership School, which offers educational outdoor activities for youth in Israel. Over the years, he has worked as a hiking guide and has created experiences in nature for youth in various frameworks, including afterschool nature clubs, the High School for Environmental Studies at Midreshet Ben Gurion in Sde Boker, and Arab-Jewish encounters. Jonathan is a strong believer in unmediated encounters between people, nature, and the environment, and in the power of these encounters to cultivate abilities, responsibility, independence, friendship, cooperation, and curiosity. He holds a bachelor’s degree in archaeology and ancient Near Eastern studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and lives in Jerusalem.

Ori Lowis

Regional Coordinator, Bnei Akiva Youth Movement

Ori Lowis is a regional coordinator for the Bnei Akiva youth movement. He studied at the Ateret Kohanim yeshiva, the Shavei Hevron yeshiva, and the Bnei David yeshiva, and taught at the Beit Meir pre-military program. He has taught religious studies and prepared students emotionally for service in the IDF. Ori is interested in creating diverse communities and developing local leadership among youth in the periphery. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in government and public policy, both from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He is married and a father of five, and lives in Or Akiva, where is a member of a garin (social activism cooperative).

Monia Mansour

Director, Usfiya Neurim Program, Ma’ase Center

Monia Mansour is director of the Neurim Program's youth center at the Ma'ase Center in the Druze town of Usfiya. The center develops and promotes leadership, volunteering, excellence, and equal opportunities. Monia also works at two high schools in the Carmel region as a group facilitator for the “Next Step” program, which aims to foster leadership and volunteering, raise awareness of social issues in Israel, and increase access to the performance of a meaningful year of volunteer work. For two years, Monia was a counselor working with children with disabilities. Married and the mother of a daughter, she lives in Usfiya and is completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and education at the Open University.

Rinat Mazoz

Human Resources Director, Ezra Youth Movement

Rinat Mazoz is the human resources director for the Ezra youth movement. Previously, she worked for Ma’agalim, a national educational non-profit organization, as a counselor for female high-school students in national-civic service programs, as well as those who aspire to perform meaningful service in the IDF. She was one of the founders of a religious garin (social activism cooperative) in Yavne, which now has 30 active families and operates charitable services, a beit midrash, workshops for parents, and more. She has also run roundtable discussions in Yavne for young leaders and national service volunteers, on behalf of the Tzav Pius organization. Rinat holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the Michlalah Jerusalem College, and has studied at the Oriya women’s seminary. She lives in Jerusalem.

Marta Nassar

Director, Duroob Program, Ma’ase Center

Marta Nassar directs the Ma'ase Center's Duroob (Arabic for "Ways") program, which runs centers for female national-civic service volunteers in the Arab sector, in order to advance the status of women and improve society. She is a member of the Na’amat women’s movement, and is a social activist in Jish. Marta is currently completing a bachelor’s degree in human resource management at the Zefat Academic College. She is married and the mother of two, and lives in Jish (Gush Halav).

May Qadah

Director, Sanabal Leadership Institute

May Qadah is the director of the Sanabal Leadership Institute, a post-high school leadership training program for Arab high school graduates. She has worked in informal education for many years, and was the national coordinator of the Ajyal youth movement – the Arab division of the Hashomer Hatzair movement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in informal education and highschool history teaching from Beit Berl College. May is married and lives in Hajajra.

Roni San Werthaim

Southern Region Manager, Ezra Youth Movement

Roni San Werthaim is the manager of the southern region for the Ezra youth movement. She has held a variety of positions in Israel's Civil Service Commission and in the Ezra youth movement. She believes that educational and civil service professionals are central pillars of the country’s leadership, with major impact on the lives of all Israeli citizens and Israeli society. Roni holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from Bar-Ilan University, and is a graduate of the Midgal Oz Beit Midrash for Women of the Har Etzion Yeshiva. She is married and lives in Alon Shvut.

Shlomo Schwartz

Director, Erez Pre-Military Academy, Jerusalem

Shlomo Schwartz has worked at the Erez pre-military academy in Jerusalem – a project supported by "Aharai!" – Youth Leading Change and the Jewish Agency for Israel – since 2013, and has been the director of the academy since 2016. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and humanities from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is married and has a daughter, and lives in Jerusalem.

Maly Shany

Social Responsibility Coordinator, Israeli Scouts Movement

Maly Shany is the social responsibility coordinator for the Department for Immigrants and the Periphery in the Israeli Scouts Movement (Tzofim). She was previously a coordinator in the movement’s Hagshama (Fulfillment) Department, a young leadership coordinator for the municipal youth department of Netanya, and a homeroom teacher for fifth and sixth grades at the Yuvalim elementary school in Tzuran. Maly holds a master’s degree in migration and social integration from the Ruppin Academic Center, and was certified as a teacher through the retraining program for academic graduates at Beit Berl College. She lives in Tel Aviv.

Itamar Sluk

Head of Youth Department, Ma’ale Adumim Municipality

Itamar Sluk is a lawyer and educator who has worked in informal education for the last decade, and has headed the Ma’ale Adumim municipal youth department since 2015. Previously, he ran a residential facility for youth in Mevasseret Zion for several years, and was the CEO of the Kedar community settlement. Itamar volunteered with the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, and completed his legal internship at the office of the Israeli Patent Registrar in the Ministry of Justice. He is a great believer in informal education, and in youth movements in particular. Itamar holds a bachelor’s degree in law (cum laude) from Sha’arei Mishpat – the Academic Center for Law and Science. He is married and a father of three.

Avi Tayeb

Director, Ma’ase Banegev Pre-Military Preparatory Program

Avi Tayeb is the director of the Ma'ase Banegev pre-military academy. Previously, he directed the field activities of Hibburim, an initiative designed to strengthen the family unit. Avi has founded and directed several educational and social projects in Sderot, including a soccer school for children that taught values of "love your neighbor as yourself." For five years, Avi worked at the AMIT therapeutic-educational youth village in Petah Tikva as a coordinator of a home-group of 16 young men. He then coordinated a life skills program at the village, which combined technological studies with preparation for military service and adult life. Next, he was a member of the management team and the director of the community center at the youth village, which has some 400 residents. Avi is a member of Madrimim, an organization that promotes social, educational, and economic enterprises in the Negev. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Peres Academic Center. Married and a father of four, he lives in Shokeda, a religious moshav in southern Israel.

Tamar Zarmi

Head of Israeli Society Desk, BINA

Tamar Zarmi is the head of the Israeli Society Desk for BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change, and has been involved in developing informal education programs since 2002. She held several positions in the IDF Education and Youth Corps, and rose to the rank of captain. In the years since, she has worked for a range of educational institutions including the Yitzhak Rabin Center, the Diaspora Museum, Friends of Atidim, and ALMA – Home for Hebrew Culture. Tamar holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, anthropology, and philosophy, and a master’s degree in curricular development, both from Tel Aviv University. She is married, has two children, and lives in Ramat Gan.

About The Program