FELLOWS

Mandel Program for Social Leadership in the North: Cohort 7

October 2023 – August 2024

Sawsan Abu Hmid

Principal, Sajur Elementary School

Sawsan Abu Hmid has been principal of the elementary school in Sajur since 2018. Under her leadership, the school has undergone extensive organizational changes and has secured partners to carry out these changes and fulfill the school’s vision, which is based on human and democratic values, including respect for and acceptance of others. She aspires to be in a position in which she can lead significant change in society and create a better future for our children. Sawsan holds a multidisciplinary bachelor’s degree in history from Bar-Ilan University and a master’s degree in Jewish history from the University of Haifa, as well as a diploma in organizational consulting from Oranim College. She was also certified by Oranim College to serve as an organizational consultant using the chaos-order method. Sawsan lives in Kisra-Sumei, is married, and is a mother of two.

Rotem Agnon Harlev

Founder, Director and Group Facilitator, Sichat Banot

Rotem Agnon Harlev is the founder of Sichat Banot (“Girls’ Talk”), a program for gender and sex education. She facilitates youth discussion groups, provides support to educational teams, and runs women’s discussion circles. Rotem is the chair of the education committee and the community development committee in her home community of Shekhanya. She aspires to use women’s discussion groups to create a space for women from all sectors to meet and engage in joint activities, and seeks to include a required course in teacher-training programs that will provide participants with tools for gender education. Rotem holds a bachelor’s degree in education as well as a teaching certificate from Kibbutzim College, and a master’s degree in group facilitation from the University of Haifa. She is also a graduate of courses in participatory group facilitation and in facilitation of listening groups for women. A resident of Shekhanya, Rotem is married and a mother of two.

Ester Amar Kuperstoch

Project and Entrepreneurship Manager, Tayarut BeOfek Hadash

Ester Amar Kuperstoch is the manager of the internal tourism division at the tourism company Tayarut BeOfek Hadash, where she develops and leads new tourism projects. She also volunteers on the culture committee in Hoshaya, where she lives. Previously, she worked in education and as a coordinator of community-social education. Ester has worked in both local and incoming tourism and has led groups under the auspices of I Belong Israel (Masa Yisraeli) and Taglit-Birthright Israel. She was also the vice president of the Psagot winery. Ester aspires to advance educational tourism initiatives with the goal of influencing development and change processes in Israeli society. Ester holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in leadership and management of education systems from Bar-Ilan University, as part of its program for outstanding students. She is also a graduate of the Israel Ministry of Tourism tour guide course, courses in community-social education, and more. Married and a mother of four, she lives in Hoshaya.

Udi Ben Shushan

Principal, Meir Educational Campus for Sciences and Arts, Beit Shean

Udi Ben Shushan is the principal of the Meir Educational Campus for Sciences and Arts in Beit Shean. Previously, he founded and directed the northern district’s program of Chinuch L’Psagot (Educating for Excellence), a non-profit organization that works to reduce inequality, promote social mobility, and foster excellence by providing equal opportunities to talented children from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. Udi wants to develop a national program in the Israeli education system called “Parents as Mentors, which will strengthen the three-way relationship between parents, students, and educational institutions. Udi holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in Bible studies from the University of Haifa. A qualified tour guide, he lives on Moshav Keshet in the Golan Heights, and is married and a father of four.

Haim Dil

Rabbi, Educator, and Coordinator, Yeshivat Or Akiva

Haim Dil is a rabbi and educator at the pre-military yeshiva program at the hesder yeshiva in Or Akiva, where he is also the coordinator of first-year students and of student recruitment. Haim helps students prepare for meaningful military service, supporting them through their service itself, and assisting them with their return to civilian life afterward and in their early stages of married life. Until recently, he was a member of the secretariat of the “garin torani” (religious cooperative community) in Or Akiva, and was the coordinator of its educational projects. Haim is the rabbi of the Mizug Galuyot synagogue in Or Akiva, and is chairman of the synagogue’s nonprofit association. He aspires to build bridges between non-formal educational initiatives and the formal education system and the municipality. Haim holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Lifshitz College of Education and rabbinical ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and has completed studies in financial counseling and in couples and sexual counseling. He is currently studying marital and family therapy at YNR College. A father of six, he lives in Or Akiva.

Noa Eshkol

Director of Projects and Entrepreneurship, Department of Education, Megiddo Regional Council

Noa Eshkol, an education and community professional, is the director of projects and entrepreneurship in the education department of the Megiddo regional council. She believes in encounters between people and in the ability of people to work together for the common good while acknowledging each other’s differences and what they share. Noa is the creator of “Bishvil Megiddo,” a community-educational-environmental initiative centered around a hiking route that is designed to advance a common narrative and create connections between educational institutions and the community. She is also leading a strategic plan to promote biospheric education and technology education. Noa holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Derby branch in Haifa and a master’s degree in education systems management from the Center for Academic Studies in Or Yehuda. She is also a qualified group facilitator. Noa lives on Kibbutz Sarid and is a mother of four.

Perach Forst

Educator and History Teacher

Perach Forst has held various roles in educational-therapeutic youth villages for marginalized youth, including as a homeroom teacher, subject teacher, social coordinator, pedagogical coordinator, and member of the administration. She was a homeroom teacher at the Darca network’s Nofey Golan High School. She also participated in the Ministry for the Development of the Periphery, the Negev and the Galilee’s Mekomi leadership program – a national program that develops volunteer community leaders who represent the diversity of the region’s population and are committed to social action, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Perach aspires to create educational communities in the social periphery and advance social mobility by promoting an abundance mindset, offering diverse educational opportunities, providing support for graduates, and more. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Jewish history and youth work, a master’s degree in education and teaching at-risk youth, and a teaching certificate and diploma in therapeutic education, all from Oranim College of Education. She is also certified as a low intensity CBT emotional therapist from Levinsky-Wingate Academic College. Married and a mother of three, she lives on Moshav Avnei Eitan in the Golan Heights.

Sameeha Idres

Social Activist and Entrepreneur

Sameeha Idres is an expert in working with local authorities in Israel, especially those in the Arab sector. In the past, she served as the director of digitization and innovation in the Beit Hakerem regional cluster, in which capacity she led projects in various fields, including digitization, innovation, employment, industry 4.0, STEM, and health. She also headed the establishment of an information center and a variety of societal and communal initiatives. Sameeha is a member of the board of directors of the Bar Lev industrial park, as a public representative on behalf of the Majd al-Krum local council. A social activist and entrepreneur, she is one of the founders of AWE, the forum for Arab women entrepreneurs. She has also served as chair of the local parents’ committee for the last two years and as the chair of the early childhood parents’ committee, and is a member of the women’s community council of Majd al-Krum. Sameeha holds a master’s degree (cum laude) in business administration from Netanya Academic College. She lives in Majd al-Krum and is a mother of four.

Eiran Keis

Government Relations Manager, Co-Impact

Eiran Keis is the government relations manager for Co-Impact, a social enterprise that promotes employment in Arab society in Israel. He is a member of the Druze Youth Congress and serves on its education and higher education team. Eiran was involved in founding Le Druze, a social initiative designed to make mentoring services accessible in Druze society. He also served as a strategic analyst for the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute. His vision is to create equality in social mobility in Israel, and to do away with the concept of affirmative action. Eiran holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from the Open University, and is studying for a master’s degree in international relations and maritime strategy at the University of Haifa. He is married and a father of one.

Ayala Lapid

Social Activist

Ayala Lapid served for six years as the coordinator for newly discharged soldiers and national service alumni at the Tiberias municipality’s center for young adults. She also established a volunteer-run social enterprise called Mifgashim (“Encounters”), which provides social activities for children on the autistic spectrum, as a platform for making friends and gaining communication and social skills through play, and serves as a shared space for parents. The need for services of this kind has increased in Israel’s northern periphery in recent years due to the rise in the number of children diagnosed with autism. Ayala holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Western Galilee College in Akko, and has also studied group facilitation and biographical counseling. She lives on Kibbutz Hamadia in the Emek Hama’ayanot Regional Council and is a mother of two.

Shalom Levital

Management Information Systems Analyst, Camtek Ltd

Shalom Levital is a social entrepreneur and activist who works as a management information systems analyst at Camtek, a high-tech company in Migdal Ha’emek. Shalom’s social activism is based on a desire to remove barriers, and he is involved in connecting different communities and population groups. Among other activities, Shalom founded and leads a group for residents of Beit Shean and Nir David that is designed to address the Asi River controversy, and he organizes joint demonstrations that bring together Jews and Arabs, secular and religious citizens, and residents of Beit Shean and the surrounding kibbutzim under the banner of strengthening Israeli democracy. Shalom is guided by a humanistic vision that puts people at the center. He is married and a father of four and lives in Kfar Ruppin.

Fathiyya Naamneh-Husein

Former Office Manager and HR Coordinator, Adalah

Fathiyya Naamneh-Husein worked as an office manager, public relations coordinator, and human resources coordinator for more than 20 years for Adalah—The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel. During this period, she gained extensive experience in human resource management and in fundraising from donors in Israel and abroad. Fathiyya believes in promoting equality based on the principles of distributive justice. She aspires to develop human capital and build a support system for Arab civil society organizations in Israel’s northern region. Fathiyya holds a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies from the University of Haifa, is a qualified senior bookkeeper and payroll officer, and is studying human resource management. Married and a mother of three, she lives in Kaukab Abu al-Hija.

Ester Riska

Branch Manager, Gal Leadership Academy, Merkaz Ma’ase

Ester Riska is the Kiryat Bialik branch manager of the Gal Leadership Academy, a pre-military leadership program. Her educational work with young people promotes social activism and an egalitarian view of Israeli society, and is based on her belief in the importance of each individual’s personal and cultural identity. Ester believes in the power of words and their impact on how people see themselves and their future. In the past, she worked in youth education at a boarding school. Ester seeks to promote egalitarian education in Israel’s periphery, while developing educational professionals who grew up in the periphery and serve as an example for their students. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and criminology and a master’s degree in educational counseling, both from the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College. She lives in Migdal HaEmek.

Michael Shachar

Head of the Education Department, Haifa Municipality

Michael Shachar has served as head of the education department at the Haifa municipality since 2018, after serving as the principal of an elementary school in the city. He began working in education after holding two significant managerial positions in the civil service and private sectors, at Israel Railways and Bank Hapoalim. Michael believes that education requires a combination of education system professionals, supportive emotional services, and children and their families, and aspires to advance holistic social initiatives that will bring together all these elements to meet the needs of children and families. He is married and a father of two.

Gal Shalom

Employment and Internship Programs Manager, Aluma

Gal Shalom manages the internship programs at the Aluma nonprofit, where she established the organization’s employment department. She has worked in program development and management in the social sector for many years, particularly in the areas of employment, higher education, young adults, and women. Among other achievements, Gal founded and directed “The Next Step,” an internship initiative; directed the Ayalim Student Village in Kiryat Shmona; and was the southern region director of Eshet Hayil, a women’s employment initiative. Gal seeks to advance social mobility, reduce social inequality, and promote a shared society in Israel. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from Tel Aviv University and a master’s degree in conflict management and resolution from Bar-Ilan University. A lesbian, she lives in Tivon with her partner and their twins.

Liat Spivak

Head of Training and Development, Ma’ase Center

Liat Spivak is the head of training and development at the Ma’ase Center, where she creates educational content and designs training programs for diverse professional positions in the field of non-formal education. Previously, she lectured in social education at the University of Haifa. A resident of Haifa, she is a social, feminist, and political activist. Liat holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences and a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy with a specialization in non-formal education, both from the University of Haifa. She believes in the power of education to create social change.

Liron Adi Stolero

District Manager, Department of Community Development, Golan Heights Regional Council

Liron Adi Stolero is the manager of the southern Golan cluster in the department of community development of the Golan Heights regional council. In this capacity, she supports and advises the leadership of the various communities in the region on a range of issues (social, organizational, and community-based), and assists in professional training and leadership development for elected committees and community heads. She also coordinates cross-cutting issues (in the southern Golan and the Golan Heights as a whole), promotes public participation, and creates regional forums. Liron volunteers on the education committee of her home community of Kidmat Tzvi, and is active in the Fourth Quarter movement. She is married and a mother of four.

Michael Eshetu Trunec

Truant Officer, Katzrin Local Council

Michael Eshetu Trunec is a truant officer for the Katzrin local council. In this capacity, he works with students who have lost touch with formal education frameworks, from kindergarten through high school, and helps them return to school, in partnership with school staff. His work includes creating treatment plans for children who are in the process of dropping out of school, whether overtly or covertly. Michael also volunteers with an organization in Kiryat Shmona dedicated to the memory of Yoel Lhanghal, which organizes volunteers to patrol the city’s streets to prevent late-night youth violence and delinquency. In addition, he helps distribute food to needy families in the region ahead of Jewish holidays through the SAHI nonprofit organization. Michael has a vision of a diverse society and community that lives in fraternity and peace, while exhibiting respect and empathy for those who are different, in order to provide a safe environment for the next generation. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in social and community education and Jewish history from Oranim College. He is married and a father of two.

Yekutiel Haim Wecker

Director of Educational Content, Yemin Orde Youth Village

Yekutiel Haim Wecker is the director of non-formal educational content at the Yemin Orde youth village, where he mentors and supports the staff of the institution’s educational programs. Previously, he worked for three years as the director of the northern branch of Kav Lachayim, a nonprofit organization that provides solutions for children with complex disabilities and rare syndromes. Yekutiel is dedicated to integrating and advancing marginalized youth, and wants to ensure equal opportunities for marginalized populations in Israeli society. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social community education and communications from Oranim College, and a master’s degree in management, leadership and education from Tel Aviv University. A father of three, he lives in Yemin Orde.

About The Program

Mandel Program for Regional Leadership in the North: Cohort 8

October 2023 – August 2024

Meir Abikasis

Boarding School Director, Ramat Hadassah Szold Youth Village

Meir Abikasis is the director of the boarding school at the Alexander and Imbi Kofkin Ramat Hadassah Szold Youth village. He believes in a collaborative management style both within and between organizations, and sees planning for the future and creating dreams as necessary for strengthening the present. Meir directed educational teams in boarding schools and aspires to improve the abilities of his students and increase their self-esteem by means of personal excellence programs and by repairing the world through care for the environment. Meir holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral studies from The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College and a master’s degree in educational systems management from the University of Haifa, and has certification to teach psychology from Oranim College. He is also a graduate of various coaching courses and of a course for boarding-school directors. A father of four, he lives in Kiryat Tivon.

Ahmad Amer

Lawyer Specializing in Energy Law

Ahmad Amer is a private practice attorney, an expert in the field of energy law, and a legal consultant for corporations. He is co-founder of The Fourth Quarter, a civil mass movement of Israelis working to create circles of influence on Israel’s political and democratic system, and is one of the founders of the Madad Foundation, which aims to strengthen the third sector in Arab society in order to foster better integration in Israeli society. Amir strives for a more tolerant and less polarized Israeli society, in which people will accept the other and be enriched by the diversity that exists in Israel. Married and a father of three, he lives in Julis.

Rami Arfaia

Principal, Mosherfa Elementary School

Rami Arfaia is the principal of Mosherfa Elementary School, where he has led many educational and social initiatives that have completely transformed the school. Rami aspires to bring about social and educational change within his village and local authority through the educational system. He holds a bachelor’s degree in the social sciences from the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College and a master’s degree in organizational and educational systems management from Kibbutzim College. A father of four, he lives in Ma’ale Iron.

Moran Efroni

Deputy District Director, 360° National Program for Children and Youth at Risk

Moran Efroni is the deputy district director of Northern District B in Israel’s 360° National Program for Children and Youth at Risk. In this capacity, she provides support and direction to administrations and authorities enrolled in the program. Moran leads and promotes interdisciplinary work in order to create a common language, foster a holistic and system-wide vision, and provide responses for at-risk children and youth in the district. Moran chairs her community’s education committee and is a member of the community safety committee. She also facilitates groups using a participatory approach. Moran aspires to promote interfaces and partnership between education and welfare, in order to better meet the needs of children, youth, and parents. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ariel University and a master’s degree in public policy management from the University of Haifa. Married and a mother of five, she lives in Yonatan, a moshav in the Golan Heights.

Chaya Friedman

Lecturer, Teacher, and Educator

Chaya Friedman is a high-school teacher and a lecturer in education at Shaanan College and at Beit Rivka College. She emphasizes inclusive practicum in her work with at-risk students in Shaanan College. Chaya is one of the founders of the Chabad community in Pardes Hanna, and is involved in the community’s management and in fostering social connections within the community. Chaya holds a master’s degree in education from Oranim College, with a specialization in work with at-risk and marginalized students. She is about to begin a doctoral program in order to continue her research on education in religious-Haredi society and to impact Haredi society from within. Married and a mother of five, she lives in Pardes Hanna.

Jenya Gashinov

Project Manager at ZioNet; Educational and Community Mediator

Jenya Gashinov is a project manager at ZioNet, a software company that trains and employs new immigrants and residents of Israel’s periphery. Jenya manages work teams and processes and accompanies juniors in their process of personal development for the world of employment. She also runs a group for 24 new immigrants from the former Soviet Union who recently immigrated to Israel, underwent training, and are now integrating into Israeli hi-tech projects. As a volunteer educational and community mediator, she is on the core team of the Or Akiva Community Mediation Center, mediates conflicts in the city, works in clubs for the elderly and Holocaust survivors, and is engaged in dialogue with the authorities and with parents’ leadership. Jenya also mediates and leads mediation workshops in the education system and works as a mediator in small claims court. She is a member of the Israeli Chamber of Mediators and the National Multicultural Mediation Committee. Jenya served in the Israeli Navy for 25 years and now serves in the reserves in the Magshimim Unit, which supports young women and men who have difficulty in the enlistment process. Jenya volunteers with the Ministry of Education’s Hoshen Project, and recently joined the team that is writing the ministry’s code of ethics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences and a master’s degree in logistics management from Bar-Ilan University, and is a graduate of various mediation courses and a course in project management.

Gal Greenberg

Organizational Consultant

Gal Greenberg is a self-employed organizational consultant and partner in Be.RedY, a crisis-management company. He is active in both the business world and in non-formal education, and is an active reservist in the Air Force after 23-years of service in the career army. Gal serves as a volunteer consultant involved in several projects in pre-military academies. He also leads teams in his regional council that are planning for the future and creating an emergency drone system. Gal wants to be part of a meaningful organization that contributes to society, with emphasis on Israel’s northern periphery. He is also promoting the establishment of a unique pre-military academy based on a model of community entrepreneurship and relationship-building, in which retired people will serve as mentors. Gal holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and Middle Eastern studies from Reichman University, a diploma in organizational consulting from Oranim College, and certification as a mediator from the Gome Israeli Center for Mediation, and has been certified as a teaching assistant by Kibbutzim College. Married and a father of four, he lives in Kibbutz Nir David in the Emek HaMa’ayanot Regional Council.

Fida Hussen Humood

Guidance and Content Development, Shalom Hartman Institute

Fida Hussen Humood trains educational staff in intercultural competence, and coordinates staff development at the Shalom Hartman Institute. She also heads training and content development for the Joint Distribution Committee’s preparation for retirement program, which is offered to people in Arab society. During the last decade, she directed a variety of social and educational programs. Currently, she works as a consultant and lecturer in career development and integration into the labor market and facilitates groups and teams from various and diverse populations, and focuses on topics such as education, parenting, and empowerment. Fida believes that partnering and pooling community resources leads to success and social prosperity. She aspires to help young people in Arab society fulfill their potential by promoting social leadership, helping them choose a meaningful profession, and empowering them personally and socially. Fida holds a master’s degree in management and organization of educational systems, with a specialization in community leadership.

Gili Krishek Nasim

Regional Manager and Director of LGBT Program, Misgav Community Center

Gili Krishek Nasim works in the department of community-building in the Misgav Community Center, where she is the manager of the southern cluster and director of the LGBT program. She works to strengthen community resilience in the outlying communities in the Misgav Regional Council by creating and developing a new community space that is based on clusters. She also leads the government program for the LGBT community in Misgav. Gili seeks to promote a society that narrows social gaps and builds bridges between communities. She is active in three non-profit associations working to strengthen co-existence among Jews and Arabs in Israel’s northern region: the Association for Joint Israeli Leadership, Standing Together, and Spirit of the Galilee. Gili holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and management from the College of Management Academic Studies and a master’s degree in public policy from Tel Aviv University. A mother of two, she lives in Hararit in the Misgav Regional Council.

Najlaa Mahajne

Regional Coordinator of Empowerment Program, Northern Goals

Najlaa Mahajne is a social worker and the regional coordinator of the empowerment and welfare programs of the Northern Goals non-profit association, which aim to improve the socioeconomic situation of families and individuals living in poverty and exclusion. Najlaa is also a district employment liaison for the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs. She has many years of experience in managing social projects and programs at both the district and national levels, and aspires to have a positive impact on social processes, especially in the lives of people who live in poverty and hardship. Najlaa holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an executive master’s degree in public administration from the University of Haifa. She is also certified in group facilitation from Haifa University and is a professional mediator. Married and a mother of three, she lives in Umm al-Fahm.

Mervat Odeh

Lawyer, Image and Sustainability Consultant

Attorney Mervat Odeh is an entrepreneur and social activist in the field of ecology and sustainability. She established Dolab (“cupboard”), the first vintage shop in the Arab sector, which aims to introduce the idea of second-hand clothing into Arab society through the back door. Mervat also founded Mandil (“headscarf”), a non-profit organization that seeks to raise awareness of the fast-fashion industry’s contribution to pollution and the climate crisis, to change patterns of clothing consumption, and to make alternatives accessible in Arab society. Mervat conducts workshops on topics such as women’s empowerment, styling, fashion, and environmental responsibility, and promotes awareness of these topics by holding public and private events, parlor meetings, and bazaars. She also promotes environmental awareness on social media and television, conveying her personal credo: “wear the change” and influencing people to change their consumption habits. A lawyer by training, Mervat holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Netanya Academic College and a master’s degree in political studies from the University of Haifa. She was named one of the top environmentalists of 2023 by the Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences. Married and a mother of three, she lives in Kafr Kanna.

Yirat Ozeri Samin

Head of Leadership Development, Odem Program for Leadership in the Technological Arena

Yirat Ozeri Samin is the head of leadership development of the Odem Program for Leadership in the Technological Arena. She believes that education is the major tool for effecting change and contributing to social mobility. Yirat holds a bachelor’s degree in law, is a licensed attorney, and is a certified mediator. Married with two children, she lives in Katzrin.

Dr. Zohar Porshyan

Faculty Member, Oranim College

Dr. Zohar Porshyan is a faculty member in the faculty of education and the faculty of social sciences and humanities at Oranim College. He has worked in the world of education for 20 years. Zohar was instrumental in establishing branches of the Hillel student organization in Silicon Valley, California, under the auspices of the Jewish Agency. Currently, he is a lecturer and pedagogical instructor in a program for training post-primary school teachers in the department of education of Oranim College, where he is also a lecturer in the department of general history. Zohar also teaches history and geography at the Emek HaMaravi comprehensive high school, where he previously served as a homeroom teacher, grade coordinator, and manager of community ecological projects. Self-employed as a personal trainer, group facilitator, and organizational consultant, Zohar is also a composer and arranger, choir leader, DJ, and facilitator of bonding workshops in nature. He also lectures on travel in time and space, ancient cultures and civilizations, and far-flung places on Earth. Zohar holds a doctorate in Mesoamerican history from the University of Haifa. He aspires to promote interactions and to build inter-community bridges in the north, emphasizing the importance of the intercultural dimension. Married and a father of three, he lives in Migdal HaEmek.

Yishai Rechnitz

Pedagogical Director, Amit High School for Boys, Tzfat

Yishai Rechnitz is the pedagogical director of the Amit yeshiva high school for boys in Tzfat. He has more than 20 years of experience in education in Israel’s northern and southern periphery, in both state schools and state religious schools. Prior to moving to Hispin in the Golan Heights over a decade ago, Yishai was one of the founders of Sansana, a community in the northern Negev. In the Golan, Yishai served as a community chairman and is currently a member of the board of the community’s cooperative association. He continues to volunteer in various capacities, both inside and outside his community. Yishai aspires to transform Israel’s northern region in general, and the Golan Heights in particular, into an educational, cultural, and economic center by making significant changes in the consciousness of the young generation and encouraging migration to the region from all over Israel. Yishai holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Herzog College and a master’s degree in Jewish philosophy from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He is also a graduate of Shaanan College’s program for principals, which is conducted under the auspices of Avney Rosha, a non-profit organization that works to advance education in Israel and to empower school principals to serve as leading community professionals. A father of eight and grandfather of two, he lives in Hispin.

Gome Sheffer

Head of Education Department, Ramat Hanadiv

Gome Sheffer is the head of the education department in Ramat Hanadiv. He develops and promotes innovative projects in environmental education in Israel’s northern region, under the auspices of a research and development center devoted to education for sustainability that he established in 2022. Gome’s vision is to cultivate inherent respect for the environment and promote sustainable conduct in all streams of the Israeli educational system. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and international relations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a master’s degree in educational management and leadership from Tel Aviv University, and certification in organizational consulting from Oranim College. Married and a father of three, he lives in Kibbutz Mishmarot.

Ekhlas Zabit

Social Worker, Kafr Manda Local Council Welfare Department

Ekhlas Zabit is a social worker who has worked for many years in the Kafr Manda Local Council welfare department. She also chairs the committee for the treatment, planning, and evaluation of children aged 0–18, which evaluates the situation of children and their families and formulates intervention plans tailored to their needs, while involving the children and families in the discussion and recommendations. Ekhlas is also involved in the non-profit association that promotes higher education and schooling in Kafr Manda, where she lives. She believes in people and their ability to effect change and aspires to promote justice in Israeli society. Ekhlas holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a master’s degree with a specialization in early childhood education from the Center for Academic Studies. She is married and the mother of three.

Shir Zentner

Educator, Therapist, and Manager

Shir Zentner works for OTI–The Israeli Association for Autism, where she is a member of the professional staff, director of the occupational therapy section, and head of learning and training. She also heads the self-management and executive functions program, serves as a member of the management team, and works as an occupational therapist at Beit Ekstein’s high school for students with learning disabilities in Gan Shmuel. Shir is an expert in advancing individuals with special needs and integrating them naturally into the community. She sees her journey of professional development as a manager as a means to broaden her influence, develop initiatives, and implement organizational processes that will promote education in general and special education in particular, and optimize the advancement of children and youth. Shir sees occupational therapy as a tool that enables building a system-wide perspective from an individual’s point of view, and believes in integrating her fields of expertise and interest in order to promote diverse populations. Shir is also the manager of “Colors of Dance,” the representative dance troupe of the Hadera municipality. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in occupational therapy from the University of Haifa, and is also a certified group instructor and facilitator. Married and a mother of two, she lives in Karkur.

Zvika Zinger

Educator and project leader, Alexander and Imbi Kofkin Ramat Hadassah Szold Youth Village

Zvi Zinger is an educator, coordinator, and project leader at the Alexander and Imbi Kofkin Ramat Hadassah Szold Youth Village, an educational framework for youth at risk, where he previously served as principal of the middle school. Before his work in education, Zvika worked in the medical industry in Israel’s northern region. Zvika believes in the power of education and its potential for impact. He also believes in integration and partnership between different sectors in Israeli society. Zvika aspires to create an initiative that will reduce hostility between Arabs and Jews. He received a bachelor’s degree in machine engineering from the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, retrained as a teacher, and completed a master’s degree in education from Oranim College. Married and a father of four, Zvika lives in Eshhar, a mixed religious and non-religious community in the Galilee.

About The Program

Mandel Program for Leadership for Public Service in the North: Cohort 4

October 2022 – August 2023

Bracha Amar

Head of Strategy Department, Israel Prison Service

Bracha Amar is head of the strategy department of the Israel Prison Service (IPS). In this capacity, she plays a leadership role in promoting the vision and values of the service, with the aim of inculcating ethical discourse among commanders and officers, and ensuring that they strive for ethical conduct in practice. Most of Bracha’s professional experience has been in treating prisoners who have a history of addiction, violent behavior, and sexual criminality. Bracha is currently dealing with a recurrence of breast cancer, which has motivated her to help other women with cancer. She wants to establish a multidisciplinary helpline for cancer patients and their families in the Gaza border region. Bracha holds a bachelor’s degree from Bar-Ilan University, a master’s degree in social work from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and certification in coaching. She is married and a mother of five, and lives in Kfar Maimon, in the Gaza border region.

Tal Avraham

Public Defender, Ministry of Justice

Tal Avraham is the public defender of the Northern district and Nazareth for the Ministry of Justice. In this capacity, she is responsible for providing representation to defendants in criminal proceedings who are eligible for public defense. Tal wants to promote equality and justice in the legal system, with an emphasis on vulnerable and at-risk populations, such as people with disabilities, young people, and more. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a master’s degree in law from Bar-Ilan University. A mother of three, she lives in Avital, a moshav in northern Israel.

Yossef Ben Yossef

CEO, Yavne’el Local Council

Yossef Ben Yossef has been CEO of the Yavne’el local council since 2020. Previously, he served for 30 years in the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority, where he held a variety of positions, the last of which was commander of the Tiberias regional fire station. Yossef works to promote interaction and partnerships between Jewish and Arab residents of northern Israel, in order to improve the region and make it more secure, and the unique demographic model of northern Israel provides fertile ground for these efforts. Yossef holds a bachelor’s degree in social science and humanities from the Open University, and a master’s degree from the department of geography and environmental studies at the University of Haifa (focusing on responses in disaster areas). He is married and a father of five, and lives in the Hanaton communal settlement.

Michael Dian

Head of the Operations Department, Intelligence Division, Israel Prison Service

Michael Dian is the head of intelligence operations and deputy head of the intelligence division of the Israel Prison Service (IPS). He directly commands 30 staff members, most of them officers, and oversees all the members of the Service’s intelligence operations nationally. Michael is responsible for classified intelligence communications on the national level, and for operational coordination with the various IPS districts and field units. He is leading two unique projects within the intelligence division that are in line with his vision: integrating people with special needs, including people on the autistic spectrum, and members of the Haredi community into core roles in intelligence. For the last three years, he has been part of a team that recruits minorities into military and defense service. Michael holds a bachelor's degree in criminology from the Open University (combined track with Beit Berl College) and a master's degree in Jewish studies and Middle Eastern studies from Ono Academic College, and has recently completed the course for directors of public companies. He is married and a father of three, and lives on Kibbutz Tlalim.

Revital Ezov

Child Protection Social Worker and District Supervisor, Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs

Revital Ezov is a district supervisor for the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs in Israel’s North, who works in the division for families, children, and youth in the community. She oversees the work of social services departments in local authorities in the areas of prevention, protection, and legal treatment of children and youth in situations of crisis and danger. Revital is the quality assurance supervisor of an out-of-home framework for pre-school children who have been removed from their homes following abuse or neglect, in Northern Israel. She also supervises a child protection center in Haifa that provides multidisciplinary services for minors who have suffered abuse. Revital’s goal is to ensure that children and families in the North have equal access to maximum opportunities in different aspects of life, so that they can develop and fulfill their potential and ambitions. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Haifa, and completed studies in family and couples therapy. She is married, a mother of four, and lives in Yokne’am Illit.

Tali Frid

President, District Military Court, IDF Northern Command and the Israeli Navy

Tali Frid is the president of the District Military Court of the IDF Northern Command and the Israeli Navy, president of the IDF’s Special Military Court, and commander of the Military Justice Campus of the IDF Military Courts Unit. She also serves in several quasi-judicial roles, including chair of the Sentencing Review Board and chair of the Prisoner Transfer Committee. In addition, Tali is chair of the steering committee for the Integrative Military Court initiative, an innovative program that seeks to reintegrate AWOL soldiers into normative military service as a rehabilitative alternative to criminal proceedings, using tools and approaches based on a holistic view. She wants to promote multidisciplinary collaborations that will improve social mobility via rehabilitation and advancement of vulnerable populations and criminal populations. Tali holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law from the University of Haifa, and is a graduate of the IDF’s Command and Staff College. She is married and a mother of four, and lives in Moshav Tzippori.

Meir Gabay

Deputy Director, Northern District, Ministry of Education

Meir Gabay is the deputy director of the Ministry of Education's northern district. Before joining the Ministry, he served as an officer in the IDF, holding various command, training, and headquarters positions over a 25-year career that included his last role as chief training and instruction officer for the IDF Northern Command. In his current position, Meir is responsible for various areas of operation, and in particular for leading the system that supports the operation of educational institutions for all ages, the hiring of teaching staff, and professional development for teachers. Meir aims to improve the education system in the North in an egalitarian manner, by improving the quality of teaching staff it employs. He holds a bachelor's degree from Max Stern Yezreel Valley College and a master's degree in political science from the University of Haifa. Meir is married and a father of three and lives in Kibbutz Afik in the Golan Heights.

Renana Galpaz Mokady

Judge, Nazareth District Court

Renana Galpaz Mokady is a judge in the Nazareth District Court. Prior to her appointment, she held various positions in the IDF Military Advocate General Corps, attaining the rank of major. Previously, she served as head of the psychotechnics department in the IDF’s Draft Administration, where she managed a large staff and led important processes in the field. Renana was active in the initial development of Shimshit, and was a member of its formative audit committee. She is currently a member of the parents’ committee of the Re’im school in Shimshit, lectures in various forums and is responsible for ethics training in courts throughout the northern district. Renana sees her participation as a fellow in the Mandel Program for Leadership for Public Service in the North as an opportunity for growth and aspires to develop educational fields related to her current work and in other fields as well. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law (cum laude) from the University of Haifa and a master’s degree in law and business administration from Tel Aviv University, and is certified in mediation. A mother of three, she lives in Shimshit with her husband and three children.

Maya Kaski

Head of Fire Safety Department, Hof District, Israel Fire and Rescue Authority

Maya Kaski is head of the fire safety department in the Hof District of the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority. She plays a key role in the Authority's fire prevention efforts. Her work to improve the service provided to the public and enhance fire safety includes public awareness campaigns, as a reflection of her belief that greater awareness about the importance of installing and maintaining safety equipment can significantly reduce the incidence of fires. Maya has been instrumental in female representation in the Authority, paving the way for more women to take on similar roles. She holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Ariel University and a master's degree in infrastructure systems engineering from Afeka Academic College of Engineering. She is married and a mother of three.

Ofer Keren

VP, Head of Senior Staff and HR Section, Israel Electric Corporation

Ofer Keren is vice president, head of the national human resources section, and head of career and training and management of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion of the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC). He is responsible for the caeer pathways of workers and managers from hiring to retirement. He is also a senior participant in discussions about reforms to the electric corporation and the energy sector in Israel. Ofer has led the issue of workforce diversity at the IEC over the last decade, striving to raise awareness of this issue throughout Israel's labor market. In this context, he has developed innovative models for the integration of disadvantaged groups, such as members of Arab society and Haredi society, Ethiopian Israelis, youth at risk, and new immigrants, which have been adopted by many companies. Ofer created the Nitzan Or model, which has led the IEC to employ some 500 people with disabilities. He believes in the importance of education to promote the inclusion of disadvantaged populations in companies and organizations, not just as a humanitarian issue but also as a key to economic growth. Ofer holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and an executive master’s degree in public administration from the University of Haifa. A major in the IDF reserves, he lives in Kiryat Ata.

Yaara Lev Yirmiyahu

Senior Deputy of Civil Cases, Northern District Attorney’s Office

Yaara Lev Yirmiyahu is a senior deputy for civil cases at the Northern District Attorney’s Office in the Ministry of Justice. She heads the team that represents the Ministry of Defense in cases involving soldiers and members of the security forces who are injured during their service. Yaara is also a volunteer board member of Misgav Hagalil, the nonprofit organization that operates the Misgav Community Center, and volunteers as a judge in disciplinary hearings at the Israel Bar Association. Her goal is to reduce inequalities between Israel's periphery and center, and to remove barriers that prevent residents of the periphery from reaching senior positions in the civil service. Yaara holds a bachelor's degree in law from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a master's degree in public law from Tel Aviv University and Northwestern University. She is a mother of three and lives in Manof, a community in the Misgav Regional Council.

Wisam Nabwani

Mayor of the Julis Local Council

Advocate Wisam Nabwani has been mayor of the Julis Local Council since the end of 2018. He served in the IDF’s Military Advocate General Corps, reaching the rank of major, and worked as a lawyer for two decades. Wisam is a graduate of the “Leaders of Local Government” program of the World Zionist Organization and the Kolot Association. His leadership is based on a systemic vision that is reflected in annual workplans that bring about social, cultural, and educational change with broad impact throughout the local council’s system. Wisam holds a bachelor’s degree from the faculty of law at Tel Aviv University, and a master’s degree from the University of Haifa. He is married and a father of four, and lives in Julis.

Nisreen Salameh

Director of the Arab Society Division, Public Defender's Office

Nisreen Salameh is the director of the Arab society division of the Public Defender’s Office of the Ministry of Justice, and is the first person to hold this position. As part of her work, she leads the national forum on Arab society, which is designed to help the Public Defender’s Office deal with the need for increased law enforcement in Arab society in Israel. Previously, Nisreen worked for 15 years as a lawyer in the Public Defender's Office in the Haifa district, where she successfully initiated and led several district-wide projects, while also serving as a public defender in criminal cases and working in the department that oversees the quality of representation. Nisreen headed a particularly noteworthy project concerning the representation of people arrested for being in Israel without a permit. She was also the regional head of gender equality in the Haifa and Northern regions, and was a member of the Office's gender committee. Nisreen aims to increase the number of Arabs in influential positions in the civil service. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Haifa, is a mother of two and lives in Nazareth.

Dr. Yoni Shapira

Investigations and Intelligence Officer, Israel Police

Dr. Yoni Shapira is an investigations and intelligence officer for the Carmel region and Hof district of the Israel Police. He operates methodically in a variety of sectors with diverse characteristics in order to strengthen the public’s sense of security and trust. Yoni has conducted academic research on patterns of conduct of the Arab population of the Galilee in the pre-state era. He wants to establish a combined Jewish-Arab educational-social network for the Galilee region, which will help establish healthy coexistence in the area. A graduate of the police command and staff training course, Yoni holds a bachelor’s degree in Jewish philosophy and Oriental studies from Bar-Ilan University, a master’s degree in Jewish history from the University of Haifa, and a doctorate in Oriental studies from Bar-Ilan University. He is married and a father of four, and lives in Hoshaya.

Dr. Rana Shibli

Deputy District Health Officer, Haifa

Dr. Rana Shibli is the deputy district health officer at the Haifa District Health Office. She implements public health policy throughout the Haifa region and supervises the delivery of necessary services She also teaches epidemiology at the Technion’s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, and heads and participates in several research projects aimed at improving public health. Rana’s goal is to lead changes that will improve the public health system, advance the health of all populations in Israel, and reduce inequalities between the populations. In her work, she emphasizes preventive medicine. Rana holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Haifa and a doctorate in medicine from the Technion. She is married, a mother of three, and lives in Haifa.

Yitzhak Shriki

Deputy Commander of the Ramon Prison, Israel Prison Service

Yitzhak Shriki is the deputy commander of Ramon Prison. In this capacity, he is responsible for building the force, managing and leading the staff’s work, managing the value resources of the prison, developing empowered leadership, and promoting efficiency. Yitzhak wants to lead initiatives that will strengthen ties within the community – both between the staff members and toward relevant prisoners. Strengthening ties between staff members is part of his work fostering moral competence and staff development, while strengthening ties with prisoners is part of the acquisition of corrective tools that will enable the optimal integration of prisoners into the community after their release. Yitzhak holds a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in public policy from the executive program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is a father of four and lives in Jerusalem.

Dr. Nadine Simaan Barhoum

Pediatrician and Regional Medical Director, Meuhedet Health Fund

Dr. Nadine Simaan Barhoum is a pediatrician for the Meuhedet health fund in two regions: Galillee-Golan, where she works in the Arab sector, and Haifa and the Krayot, where she works in the Jewish sector. She is also the regional medical director of the Meuhedet’s northern district, who supervises pediatric referrals for further treatment. Nadine aims to improve the quality of public medicine in the North, especially, by recruiting high-quality personnel, and throughout Israel, through improved cooperation between health funds and hospitals, increased investment in preventive medicine (especially in the Arab and religious sectors), and advancing hybrid medical care. Nadine is certified by the American Heart Association as an instructor in advanced resuscitation for children and newborns. She is married to Dr. Wisam Barhoum (an eye surgeon) and is a mother of two. She lives in Shfar'am.

David Turgeman

Deputy Commander, Border Police Northern Unit, Israel Police

David Turgeman is deputy commander of the Border Police in Northern Israel. In this capacity, he plays an influential role in intelligence, in operational policing, and in community work to promote change. David’s vision is to create expanding ripples of impact by means of collaborative leadership, with the aim of forging multidimensional change. As part of his current role, David is leading an enforcement initiative to combat harmful intrusions into state lands, nature reserves, and private land, using a mediation approach and in collaboration with other state enforcement agencies. He views the opportunity to advance projects that improve Israeli society as an added bonus of his work. David holds a multidisciplinary bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Jewish history from the University of Haifa. He is in a relationship, has three children, and lives in Sde Nahum.

Eyal Uzman

Commander, Rehovot Fire Station, Israel Fire and Rescue Authority

Eyal Uzman is the commander of the Rehovot Fire Station. In this capacity, he is responsible for a region covering some 180,000 square kilometers that is home to around 330,000 residents. Eyal’s vision is to lead his officers and staff to provide high-quality operational services, including firefighting and rescue services and public education on fire safety. He is currently working on a project to promote the installation of smoke detectors in the homes of older people, which has been proven to save lives. He is also spearheading the inclusion of young people with disabilities in the work of the station as part of their national service, in order to promote equal opportunities. Eyal holds a bachelor’s degree in social science and humanities from the Open University. He has three daughters and one grandson, and lives in Be’er Ya’akov.

Razia Zehavi

Northern District Planner, Israel Nature and Parks Authority

Razia Zehavi is the northern district planner of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. She develops plans for areas that the state will declare as national parks and nature reserves. Razia manages a team of six workers who work with government agencies and private institutions to resolve short- and long-term planning conflicts regarding development and construction on undeveloped lands. These include matters related to expanding existing towns and industrial areas, installing wind turbines and other renewable energy facilities, extending Route 6 in the North, rehabilitating streams and valleys, and more. Razia coordinates a multidisciplinary district planning team of representatives of the Authority who specialize in ecology, infrastructure, development of public access, and environmental planning, to formulate the Authority’s positions and present them to state planning agencies. Her vision is to implement a balanced environmental planning approach in all government ministries involved in national planning, in order to protect Israel's nature, heritage, and unique landscapes. Razia wants the next generation of Israel, which is expected to have a population of around 16 million by 2040, to enjoy a good quality of life while respecting the natural environment. Razia holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the Technion. She is married, a mother of three, and lives in Yuvalim.

Navot Ziso-Goldwyn

Director, Community Development Division, Misgav Regional Council

Navot Ziso-Goldwyn is the director of the community development division of the Misgav Regional Council. He is responsible for improving relations and work processes between the council and its member localities. He is also a member of the council's management team, oversees the management of the council’s Bedouin localities, and works in the mayor’s office. He also volunteers with the Pa'amonim nonprofit organization, helping families manage their finances and overcome debt. Navot’s goals are to promote moderation, non-partisanship, and collaborations among different individuals and groups and establish mutual aid mechanisms, including in his own community. He holds a master's degree in public administration and policy from the University of Haifa and is a graduate of the Ministry of Interior's local government cadet program. Navot is a father of two and lives in Kibbutz Ginegar in the Jezreel Valley.

Aldo Zolfi

Chief Financial Officer, Beit Hakerem Haglili Regional Cluster

Aldo Zolfi is the chief financial officer of the Beit Hakerem Haglili Regional Cluster of Municipal Associations. In this capacity, he oversees a budget of around NIS 80 million and aims to reduce inequality between different populations in the region. Aldo raises and allocates resources that enable the implementation of engineering, environmental, and social projects and support of vulnerable populations, in order to narrow gaps, promote equal opportunity, and develop Israel’s north. He also works on programs to foster community, with the aim of improving quality of life in his region. Aldo believes in promoting multiculturalism, and creating new economic, environmental, and social opportunities for the benefit of the area’s residents. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from the Ruppin Academic Center. Aldo is married and a father of two, and lives in Karmiel.

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