Graduates

Mandel Program for Social Leadership in the North: Cohort 5

October 2021 – August 2022

Hagit Adoni

Youth Program Director, Ma’ase Center

Hagit Adoni is the youth program director at the Ma’ase Center, where she is responsible for programs in the field of social and community education that promote social engagement and encourage volunteering in the community. Her work focuses mainly on the socioeconomic margins of society, and involves Jewish, Druze, Muslim, and Christian youth. Hagit wants to develop a multicultural social space that promotes the values of social engagement, mutual responsibility, volunteering, and cultural attachment. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special education, a master’s degree in education systems management with a concentration in community leadership, and a teaching certificate, all from Oranim Academic College of Education. She also holds certificates in education systems management, organizational consulting, and group facilitation. Hagit is married and a mother of two, and lives in Migdal Ha’emek.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Dvir Alexander

Project Manager, Hiburim Laderech

Dvir Alexander is a project manager at the Hiburim Laderech non-profit organization, which supports a community of religious and secular Jews that has been active in Hazor Haglilit since 2010. Dvir was one of the founders of both the non-profit association and of the community. The projects he oversees include a national civilian service volunteering program, a community pub, student communities, residents’ activist groups to improve public education, and a campaign to combat violence against women and children. Dvir is a graduate of the Beit Yisrael pre-military academy and its beit midrash for graduates, and holds a bachelor’s degree in teaching Bible and Jewish philosophy from Herzog College. Married and a father of five, he lives in Hazor Haglilit.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Sahar Amoun

Community Social Worker, Deir al-Asad Local Council

Sahar Amoun is a community social worker for the Deir al-Asad local council, where she also serves as the coordinator of a therapeutic center for preschoolers. Sahar works to advance social projects in the community in a variety of areas, including planning and construction, public participation, volunteering, disabilities and accessibility, early childhood education and services, developing social frameworks, and more. Sahar believes that every individual can contribute and have an impact, can volunteer, and can be active in their local setting. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and policy from the University of Haifa. Married and a mother of two, Sahar lives in Deir al-Asad.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Itamar Eitam

Teacher and Social Education Coordinator, Hodayot Religious Youth Village

Itamar Eitam is a homeroom teacher and social education coordinator at the Hodayot youth village. Previously, he served as an officer and commander in the IDF for 13 years. Itamar believes that education is the deepest and most fundamental way to build and grow society and to reach and influence people. He holds master’s degrees in military and defense studies and in Talmud, both from Bar-Ilan University. Married and a father of six, he lives in Hoshaya.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Mkonet Gadamu

Head of Nitzotz Pre-Military Program, Village Way Educational Initiatives

Mkonet Gadamu was the head of the Nitzotz Yemin Orde pre-military program for youth at risk, which he founded under the auspices of the Village Way Educational Initiatives in 2018, in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Services and the National Insurance Institute’s Children and Youth Fund. Mkonet views the Galilee in general, and the Galilee Panhandle in particular, as a good place to live and grow up. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Tel-Hai College, and a master’s degree in natural resources and environmental management from the University of Haifa. Married and a father of three, he lives in Rosh Pina.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Adi Har-Tzvi

Social Activist

Adi Har-Tzvi is a co-founder and one of the leaders of Stop the Deportations, a social protest movement that has prevented the deportation of asylum seekers from Israel. She comes from the world of education and of connecting young people from different backgrounds. In recent years, Adi has focused on social activism and human rights, and is especially involved in providing legal assistance to asylum seekers and helping them protect their rights. Previously, she served as the northern region director for the Katif Yisraeli summer volunteering program for students. Adi defines herself as a feminist and believes in equal rights for all. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and lives on the Habonim moshav.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Mary Kabiya

Homeroom Teacher, Pedagogical Coordinator, and Ministry of Education Project Coordinator

Mary Kabiya is a teacher and pedagogical coordinator who is also a local coordinator for the Ministry of Education’s Uniqueness Project. She wants to create a cultural environment in schools that is based on tolerance, acceptance, love of one’s fellow humans, and love of the land and the Bedouin heritage. In particular, she focuses on developing entrepreneurial and innovative thinking, with the aim of fostering individual, social, and academic excellence and leadership among students and staff. Mary is a member of Reading Together, a community initiative designed to respond to the diverse needs of the local population in Ka’abiyye. She holds a bachelor’s degree in teaching from Oranim Academic College of Education and a master’s degree in education system management and organization from Sakhnin College. Mary is currently a student in the department of learning and instructional sciences at the University of Haifa. She is a mother of five, and lives in Ka’abiyye.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Elyah Kadish Hefetz

District and Area Coordinator of Programs for Children at Risk and Disadvantaged Families

In her most recent position, Elyah Kadish Hefetz worked for the Northern Goals Association as district coordinator of programs for children at risk and families living in poverty and social exclusion. She also led a project at the Haifa municipal administration for social services, where she developed social, professional, and organizational infrastructures that will promote social mobility. Elyah wants to advance a national process that will improve social services in Israel by means of legislation, regulation, professional approaches, and more. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a master’s degree in community and organizational development from Bar-Ilan University. Elyah is a mother of two and lives in Binyamina.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Nadav Kasher

IT Officer, Israeli Air Force

Nadav Kasher is an IT officer in the IT and communications system of the Israeli Air Force, serves at the Ramat David airbase, and flies as part of an airborne support team. He has initiated several educational and social initiatives both in the city of Beit She’an and in his work as a commander in the IDF, where his focus is on volunteer soldiers and soldiers with disabilities. Nadav wants to initiate projects that will empower the younger generation in the North, and particularly in Beit She’an, to believe in their abilities and to think big. He is interested in forging partnerships between Beit She’an and the surrounding rural communities, while maintaining the unique character of the city and its people. Nadav holds a bachelor’s degree in educational counseling from Michlalah Jerusalem College and a master’s degree in educational counseling from Bar-Ilan University. He also has certificates in practical electronic engineering and in teaching. Married and a father of six, Nadav lives in Beit She’an.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Noga Mazor-Amgar

Northern District Manager, Hebrew Scouts Youth Movement in Israel

Noga Mazor-Amgar, northern district manager of the Hebrew Scouts youth movement in Israel, lives and breathes educational, social, and community work. Noga believes in social responsibility, advocating for equal opportunity through access to knowledge, and is engaged in fostering trust between politics and people. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and media studies and a master’s degree in political science, both from the University of Haifa. Her master’s thesis examines political exclusion and the 2015 protests of Ethiopian Jews in Israel. Married and a mother of two, Noga lives in Haifa.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Leena Nassar

Social Worker, Community Security Authority, Umm al-Fahm Police Station

Leena Nassar is a social worker for the Community Security Authority at the Umm al-Fahm police station. In this capacity, she provides support to battered women who file complaints of domestic violence, tries to improve the experience of the victims, and refers them for treatment in the community. She also liaises between the police and social welfare services, serves on committees on women at risk, and is involved in community projects. Leena wants to improve the status of the Arab community in Israel. A qualified attorney, she holds a bachelor’s degree in law and in social work from the University of Haifa, a master’s degree in law from Bar-Ilan University, and a second master’s degree in social work from the University of Haifa. A mother of two, she lives in Kafr Yasif.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Elad Nevo

Educator

Elad Nevo is one of the founders of the Elchai beit midrash for IDF veterans, which combines study with preferred employment in agriculture. He is a correspondent and book critic for the Yisrael Hayom newspaper, and previously worked for Makor Rishon and Haaretz. Elad also writes scholarly articles that have been published in journals such as Hashiloach and Religia. He is the founder and editor of Sfar: A Journal of Unusual Literature, and has a blog about dreams called Rapid Eye Movement. Elad teaches at the Tal Hermon yeshiva high school, a framework for youth who have dropped out of the Haredi education system, and is a counselor at Yahad BaGalil, a hostel in the Galilee for adults with intellectual disabilities. He also lectures at festivals and literary salons, and was formerly a broadcaster on a radio station in the upper Galilee. Elad, who has become religiously observant, wants to work in the world of culture, the arts, and the intellectual arena in order to forge meaningful connections between the different sections of Israeli society. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the Orot Israel College of Education, and a master’s degree in Jewish studies from Ono Academic College, where he is a teaching assistant. Married and a father of five, Elad lives in the Golan Heights.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Hanan Sabbah

Director of the Community Security Authority, Turan Municipality

Hanan Sabbah is the director of the Community Security Authority in Turan, as well as an adviser for the advancement of the status of women. She promotes projects and programs combatting violence against women, and develops programs for women’s advancement in a range of areas. Hanan is actively promoting the idea of establishing a culture café for women and girls, and heads a fundraising initiative called Al Mashjal that is designed to help the needy. A social activist and group facilitator, Hanan was among the founders of a network for young adults in the Galilee as part of the Atudot North initiative. Hanan holds a bachelor’s degree from Tel-Hai College and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Haifa. She is a mother of three, and lives in Turan.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Olga Shimansky

Recruitment and Placement Coordinator, Maof Human Resources

Olga Shimansky, a recruitment and placement coordinator, has experience in the restaurant industry, and has managed and revived restaurants and cafés in the past. She volunteers with “Lo Omdot Me’negged,” a nonprofit organization that helps women and men who are survivors of prostitution, and is active in the organization’s “Cooking for You” project, which provides warm meals for the homeless. Olga dropped out of the education system at a young age due to difficult family circumstances and the trials of immigration, and experienced extremely hard times in her search for a safe harbor. Olga wants to promote enrichment programs in non-formal education settings for youth in crisis and at risk, in order to allow young people to discover their own uniqueness, build self-confidence, and find an anchor that will prevent them from dropping out of school. Olga holds a bachelor’s degree in management with a specialization in human resources from Western Galilee College, where she participated in the Rashi Foundation’s Maskila scholarship program for single mothers. She is a mother of two, and lives in Kiryat Yam.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Hadas Steiner

Director of Programs Unit, Branco Weiss Institute

Hadas Steiner is is the director of the programs unit of the Branco Weiss Institute. She is also the founder and director of the Institute’s graduate activities and is a member of its senior management team. Hadas is the proud leader of unique projects designed to break glass ceilings for marginalized populations. She is driven by a sense of calling and commitment to promoting social mobility, and wishes to create a fair and thriving Israeli society. Hadas’s goal is to erase the word “periphery” from Israeli discourse. She holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science from the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, a master’s degree in business administration (with a specialization in nonprofit management) from the University of Haifa, a certificate in personal coaching from the Open University, and a teaching certificate in civics from Beit Berl College. Hadas is married and a mother of three, and lives on Kibbutz Megiddo.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Sarit Sultan

Sharon-Northern District Director, Bat Ami

Sarit Sultan has worked for the Bat Ami national civilian service organization since 2008, holding a range of different positions and most recently serving as director of the Sharon-Northern district. During the same period, she also worked for the Bnei Akiva youth movement, at the Or Akiva religious high school for girls, and in the city’s state-religious education administration. Sarit founded a social activist communal group (garin) of families in Or Akiva, and recently served as the director of the “Or L’Akiva” residents’ group. She holds a bachelor’s degree in logistics and economics and a master’s degree in public administration, both from Bar-Ilan University. Sarit also has certification in group facilitation from the Group Facilitation Institute and in organizational consulting from Oranim Academic College of Education. She is a mother of five, and lives in Or Akiva.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Shaham Tamir

Former CEO of the Ma’ale Yosef Regional Council

In his most recent position, Shaham Tamir was CEO of the Ma’ale Yosef regional council and of its Economic Development Company. He is currently leading an organizational renewal process to prepare the regional council for optimal demographic development. Shaham has worked in informal education, community development, and municipal and public management in the Western Galilee for two decades, and has been involved in many community initiatives. He wants to establish a social framework that will create connections between communities and individuals in order to develop unifying resilience that transcends cultural differences. Shaham holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources and management from Bar-Ilan University and a master’s degree in business administration with a specialization in nonprofit management from the University of Haifa. He is a father of three, and lives in Mitzpe Hila in the Western Galilee.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Chen Tessler

Eighth Grade Coordinator, Mainstreaming Coordinator, and Special Education Homeroom Teacher

Chen Tessler is a special education homeroom teacher, mainstreaming coordinator, and 8th grade coordinator at the Hativa A middle school in Nesher. She wants to promote social initiatives in the formal and informal education systems that create connections between different groups and populations within the unique mosaic of Israeli society. Chen is active in several nonprofit organizations that provide aid to the needy. Her charitable work also includes being a surrogate mother to twins. Chen holds a bachelor’s degree in special education and community theater as well as a teaching certificate from the University of Haifa. She is also a certified didactic diagnostician from Oranim Academic College of Education, and holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Gordon College of Education. Chen is a mother of four, and lives in Moreshet.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Shachar Ufaz

CEO and Head of Pre-military Academies, Promoting Education in Israel–One of Us

Shachar Ufaz is the founder and CEO of Promoting Education in Israel–One of Us, a non-profit organization that aims to reduce socioeconomic gaps by providing tools to help disadvantaged young people integrate into society as equal and productive adults. He also heads the “One of Us” pre-military academies, which were among the first pre-army preparatory programs designed for vulnerable populations. Today, Promoting Education in Israel operates three pre-military preparatory programs for at-risk and marginalized youth, which include the Nitzotz academy for young women and a rehabilitation and integration program for young offenders released from Ofek prison. Shachar holds a bachelor’s degree in law and government from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya and is studying for a master’s degree in educational administration and leadership at the Kibbutzim College of Education. Married and a father of three, he lives in the Hadassah Neurim youth village. *This biography was last updated at the start of the program

About The Program

Mandel Program for Social Leadership in the North: Cohort 4

October 2020 – August 2021

Itzhak Ben Samon

Staff Officer, Israeli Air Force

As a staff officer in the Israeli Air Force, Itzhak Ben Samon is responsible for a broad range of projects that require integration across multiple areas. In recent years, he has volunteered as chair of a pre-school system with some 80 children at Machane Yehudit, a residential neighborhood for families at the Ramat David airbase. He has also led a project that brings together soldiers and people with disabilities for a variety of joint activities. Itzhak wants to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable him to work in non-formal education systems for at-risk youth. He holds a master’s degree in emergency management from the University of Haifa, is married, and is a father of four.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Ilanit Berkowitz

Educator for Youth at Risk

Ilanit Berkowitz is a teacher of at-risk youth at the Yemin Orde youth village. After holding a variety of managerial roles at a leading hi-tech company, she retrained in education out of a desire to contribute to society and the community. Ilanit is one of the leaders of Segulot, a program that provides students from the margins of Israeli society with training that enables them to serve in elite technological units in the IDF. Ilanit wants to use the experience she gained in the business world to develop a community program that will provide at-risk young adults with support after military service, until they are able to integrate fully into Israeli society. She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the Tel-Aviv Yafo Academic College, and a master’s degree (cum laude) in education from Oranim Academic College. A mother of five children (four biological and one foster), Ilanit lives in Binyamina.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Daniel Dvir

Regional Manager, KKL-JNF Scouts Movement

Daniel Dvir is a regional director for the Jewish National Fund’s Scouts Movement in Memory of Uri Maimon, and is also an advisor on environmental issues to Israel’s Water Authority. Both of these positions take him out into the field to see the country from ground level. Daniel is interested in using education to create connections between the environment, culture, and local identity. He holds a bachelor’s degree in soil and water sciences in agriculture from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Born on Kibbutz Mizra, he is married and a father of two, and now lives on Kibbutz Givat Haim.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Sari Elgad Klonsky

Educator and Theater Director

Sari Elgad Klonsky is an educator and theater director, with professional experience in facilitating empowerment groups for young women. She is one of the founders of Mitzpe Ilan, a religious community settlement, where she works to promote religious gender equality and is actively involved in various communal processes. Sari is a graduate of the theater studies department at the Emunah Appleman College of Arts and Technology and of the arts department at the David Yellin College of Education. She also holds a master’s degree in education from Tel Aviv University, where her thesis examined the clashes between different streams in Israel’s state-religious education system. She is married and a mother of four.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Uri Gur Dotan

Director, Wheels and Wings Day Center

Uri Gur Dotan, a social worker, is the director of the Wheels and Wings Day Center at the House of Wheels in Herzliya. The center provides support for young adults with complex physical disabilities and facilitates their growth and development, in order to enable them to live in the community as independently as possible. Since the age of 16, Uri has worked with people with disabilities in empowerment and advocacy settings, and he specializes in violence prevention. He believes that existing services and frameworks for people with disabilities should be improved in order to foster independence and maximal integration into the community. Uri holds a bachelor’s degree in social work, and a master’s degree in business administration, with a specialization in non-profit management. He is a father of three, and lives on Kibbutz Barkai.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Nani (Elhanan) Haneman

Director, Masar (Taking a Journey) Program

Nani Haneman is the director of the Edmond de Rothschild Partnerships’ Masar (Taking a Journey) program for Arab high school graduates. In recent years, he has been involved in training young leaders for the future, who will work to advance change in the periphery and create a better and more just society. Previously, Nani developed and directed programs for people with disabilities and youth at risk. He believes in an egalitarian and just society that offers equal opportunities for all. Nani holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a master’s degree in organizational consulting from the University of Haifa. He is a father of four, and lives in Rakefet.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Maya Haviv

Social Entrepreneur and Community Project Manager

Maya Haviv is an educational entrepreneur, educational consultant, leader of change processes within schools, and community project manager. She is the CEO of Reshit Morim Et Haderech, a non-profit organization in which education professionals volunteer in Israel’s social and geographical periphery. She also serves as a volunteer teacher for special education students and is an active member of the parent committee in her children’s school. A lawyer and qualified mediator, Maya believes that creativity, entrepreneurship, and original thinking can help the public education system rapidly adapt to the demands of the 21st century. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law and business administration from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, and a master’s degree in law from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Maya is a mother of two, and lives in Binyamina.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Ahinoam Katz

Educator and Social Activist

Ahinoam Katz is the educational director of the Aharai! youth movement, which aims to develop young leadership and social involvement among youth from Israel’s social and geographical periphery. Since 2015, she has volunteered with Hoshen, a non-profit organization working to combat stereotypes regarding the LGBTQ community, where she has served in several roles including chairperson, and has given talks on social activism at pre-military academies. Ahinoam holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a diploma in outdoors therapy. She believes that education is the main tool for creating social change, cherishes diversity, and views all people as equals.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Idit Lev

Former Director of the Social Justice Program, Rabbis for Human Rights

Rabbi Idit Lev is the former director of the social justice program of Rabbis for Human Rights. She was one of the founding members of a new Conservative congregation in Haifa and of a coalition to fight poverty in Israel. Idit is also an active member in the Standing Together movement in Haifa. Idit wants to promote activities aimed at tikkun olam (“repairing the world”) within Conservative communities by using community-organizing tools in order to increase communal resilience, connect the communities with wider society, and promote social action based on Jewish values. She holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and a master’s degree in cognitive psychology from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, as well as rabbinical ordination from the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary. Idit and her partner have three adolescent children.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Idan Lev-Ran

Chair and Founder, "Tzafon" (North) Political Party

Idan Lev-Ran is the chair and founder of the Tzafon (North) political party, which aims to unite Jewish and Arab Israelis, right-wing and left-wing Israelis, and religious and secular Israelis, in order to improve the quality of life of all residents of Northern Israel. He is an expert on local government in Israel, and in particular, on strategic planning and project management in local authorities. Idan holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Haifa. He is married and a father of four, and lives in Kfar Kisch in the Lower Galilee.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Einav Livne Ben Eliezer

NGO Resource Development Manager and Partner in Pivot Wellbeing Systems

Einav Livne Ben Eliezer is the resource development manager of Beit Amitim – Association for Children at Risk, a non-profit organization that serves children with autism, their families, and ASD professionals. She is also a partner in Pivot Wellbeing Systems, a company working to advance welfare for people in crisis, and in Pivot 2020, a system for improving the welfare and integration of low-functioning people with disabilities. Einav works to create living environments and solutions that improve the welfare and participation of people with disabilities in a variety of areas: regular and special education, mental health, geriatrics, autism, and cognitive disabilities. Over the years, she has also been involved on a volunteer basis in local and national efforts to promote mutual responsibility and provide aid for people in crisis. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology, and a master’s degree in non-profit management, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Einav is a mother of three, and lives in Kfar Yehezkel.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Gila Livni Zamir

Communications Consultant, Spokesperson, and Policy Advocate

Gila Livni Zamir is a communications consultant, spokesperson, policy advocate, and content creator for the Hefer Valley Regional Council and the Technion Faculty Association. A social activist working to promote coexistence in Hadar, her neighborhood in Haifa, Gila is one of the leaders of the Politikva (“politics and hope”) program in Haifa. She wants to create and promote a cross-sector program that will cultivate democratic and political literacy and independent understanding of social and political realities, and will help realize the power and ability of individuals to bring about social change. Gila holds a bachelor’s degree in humanities, social science, and communications from the Open University, is a graduate of the visual communications department at the NB Haifa School of Design, and is a graduate of the Heschel Center for Sustainability. Gila is a mother of three, and a grandmother of two.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Liat Malka

Director of Values-Based and Social Education, ATID

Liat Malka began her career in the public sector, working in non-formal education as the comptroller and deputy director of the Zichron Yaakov Community Center and the comptroller of the Zichron Yaakov Economic Development Company. A Mizrahi Haredi woman, she served as an advisor on educational affairs to former government minister Eli Yishai. Liat currently works for the ATID school network, where she develops and promotes educational and employment initiatives in the Haredi community, and heads the network’s non-formal education programs, applying an approach that promotes coexistence in Israeli society. Liat is a graduate of the Shaharit Institute, the Living Together initiative, and the Maoz leadership program. A social activist, she is the first Haredi woman to serve as a member of the religious council in Zichron Yaakov. She is also active in the Noar KeHalacha association, which works to eradicate racism in the Haredi community, and is involved in promoting policy reforms on technology education in the Haredi sector. Liat has also worked to strengthen ties between the non-profit sector and the Ministry of Education in the field of technology education, and to establish vocational training centers for Haredi youth. Liat is married and a mother of five, and lives in Zichron Yaakov.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Moran Meitav

Teacher and Coordinator, Leo Baeck Education Center

Moran Meitav is an elementary school homeroom teacher, Hebrew language coordinator, and cultural activities coordinator at the Leo Baeck Education Center in Haifa, where she also initiates and leads pedagogical and conceptual change and coordinates the school’s partnership with the Boston Jewish community. Moran believes in the power of words to inspire thought and bring people closer, and seeks to create discourse that focuses on personal expression and on the study of texts that reflect the diversity of Israeli society. She has examined self-identification of Jewish and Arab students as a space for dialogue or conflict and has served as the director of the City without Violence program in Haifa, where she has also led community protection programs. Moran holds a bachelor’s degree in literature and language, and a master’s degree in educational systems management, both from the University of Haifa. She is a mother of two and lives in Kiryat Haim.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Makbula Nassar

Media Personality, Social Activist, and Feminist

Makbula Nassar is a feminist and social activist, media personality, radio host, photographer, and blogger. In recent years, she was the head of the Arabic information and media program of the National Road Safety Authority. Alongside her journalistic work, Makluba has been involved for more than 15 years in leading and coordinating projects and initiatives promoting women’s rights and Palestinian rights. These include the Working Group for Equality in Personal Status Law, the Tsofen non-profit organization, which promotes hi-tech in the Arab sector as a catalyst for a shared society in Israel, and A-List, an online pool of Arab experts for the Hebrew media. Her vision is to create an equal, just, and healthy society for the benefit of all. Makbula holds a bachelor’s degree in community social work from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is single, and lives in Arraba.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Zehava Ohana

Director, Or Akiva Department of Youth Advancement

Zehava Ohana has been director of the department of youth advancement of the Or Akiva municipality since 2002. She is responsible for at-risk youth in the city and serves as the educational representative on the city’s eligibility assessment committees. Zehava is also a regional instructor for youth advancement counselors new to the field, and provides guidance about at-risk youth to the city’s parent patrols on a voluntary basis. Over the past two years, Zehava has participated in the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Min Habe’erot program for Jewish and Arab educators. She aspires to lead a nationwide training system that will equip education professionals to work effectively with at-risk youth. Zehava holds a bachelor’s degree in residential education and a teaching diploma in biblical studies from the Kibbutzim College of Education. She also holds a master’s degree in education system management from the Center for Academic Studies in Or Yehuda. Zehava is married and a mother of two, and lives in Or Akiva.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Peer Plaot

National Director of Social Involvement Programs, ORT Israel Educational Network

Peer Plaot is the national director of social involvement programs at the ORT Israel educational network, and is the co-director of "Connecting Worlds," ORT’s program for creating a shared society online. Peer mentors groups of ORT’s leading teachers and principals, and develops pedagogies aimed at improving the educational environment in schools and optimizing relations among principals, teachers, and students. Peer’s vision is to establish a binational and multicultural youth movement that will engage in educational and environmental activism in response to the climate crisis, which transcends borders and cultures. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education and science teaching from Kibbutzim College of Education, Technology and the Arts, and is currently a student at Umata, a training center based on shamanic traditions. He and his husband live in Kfar Vradim.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Roba Salem

Director of Strategy and Resource Development, Kfar Qara Local Council

Roba Salem is the director of strategy and resource development at the Kfar Qara local council, where she develops multi-year inter-departmental projects and is founding a new continuum of municipal services. Her vision is to use existing public services to promote major economic growth in the Arab community, and she considers human capital to be the most important factor in improving civil society. Roba holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Tel Aviv University, and a master’s degree in public policy and administration from the University of Haifa, and is a graduate of the first cohort of the University of Haifa's Cadets for Local Government program. Born in Yaffa an-Naseriyye, Roba is married and lives in Nazareth.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Nava Tal

Director of Therapeutic Intervention Program for At-Risk Parents in Afula

Nava Tal is the founder and director of a therapeutic program for young at-risk parents of young children and for young at-risk pregnant women. A joint project of the National Insurance Institute Funds, Yedidut Toronto, and the Afula municipality, the program is based on the idea that early intervention for at-risk children and improvement of their parents’ parenting skills will yield a solid basis for healthy child development. Nava wants to improve the treatment provided to victims of sexual assault and violence, as well as sexual offenders, in order to make Israeli society safer, more just, and more equal. She holds a bachelor’s degree in art history from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a master’s degree in special education from the University of Haifa, and is also a qualified hydrotherapist. A mother of five, Nava is a social and environmental activist and lives in Kfar Yehezkel.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Efrat (Effy) Umiel Fadida

Lawyer at Umiel Fadida Law Offices

Attorney Efrat Umiel Fadida is the owner of the Umiel Fadida law firm. A social entrepreneur and mediator, she is the chair and founder the Kol Hanashim (All Women Unite) women’s rights movement. Efrat is also the author of The Women's Inspiration Book. She served on the Misgav Regional Council's property tax appeals board, and has founded several social initiatives, including "Mashehu Mehabeten" (Something from the Gut), "A Window to my World," "Eseki-Mishpati" (Business-Legal), and the memorial day for victims of violence against women. Efrat was formerly a director on the board of directors of the Misgav industrial park. She was also one of the founders of the Kol Hanashim women’s party, running for office as number 5 in its list of candidates for the elections for the 23rd Knesset. Efrat holds a master’s degree in law and technology from the University of Haifa and is an artist and a photographer. Married and a mother of three, she lives in Avtalion.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

About The Program

Mandel Program for Social Leadership in the North:
Cohort 3

October 2019 – August 2020

Doron Avdi

CEO, Gvanim Shel Matok

Doron Avdi was one of the founders of the Pardes Hanna social-activist communal group (garin), and was its director for its first few years. Since 2015, he has been involved in social business entrepreneurship focusing on youth at risk. His vision is to integrate at-risk youth and young adults into Israeli society by developing models for skills training and work placement. Doron holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and logistics from Bar-Ilan University, and a master’s degree in business administration, with a specialization in nonprofit management, from the University of Haifa. He is married and a father of three, and lives in Pardes Hannah.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Anna Bratzlavsky

Educator

Anna Bratzlavsky is the former director and treasurer of the Pardes Center for Values Education, which holds workshops and seminars for educators, school principals, and young people on core issues relating to Israeli society. Her vision is to strengthen public responsibility for the Israeli school system and to bring Jewish society and Arab society in Israel closer together. Anna directed the youth division of the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement, and led the educational work of the Reut youth organization. A graduate of the Mandel Program for Youth Leadership, Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in Jewish history from the University of Haifa, where she is currently studying for a master’s degree in education management. She lives in an urban community in the Hadar neighborhood of Haifa.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Yousef Ibrahem

Mathematics Teacher

Yousef Ibrahem taught math at the Reineh New Comprehensive High School. He seeks to transform the order of priorities in schools such that values-based education is a top priority and schools become a place of values-based learning and training, based on the strengths and passions of each student. Yousef is one of the founders of Shabab Kabul, a non-profit organization that works to combat violence in his village by means of various social activities, and seeks to reduce racism and clan-based conflict. He wishes to lead change in his community and society and is seeking tools that will help him to do so. Yousef holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and Arabic literature from the University of Haifa. He is a father of two, and lives in Kabul, near Akko.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Hili Kagan

English Teacher, ORT Hodayot Youth Village

Hili Kagan teaches English at the Hodayot youth village, and leads a steering committee that has been working for five years to establish a unique new school in the eastern Jezreel Valley. She seeks to promote interaction and understanding between different cultures and communities, and to encourage cooperation between the five local councils in her region. Hili holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and a certificate in English teaching from Oranim Academic College of Education. She is a mother of three, and lives in Kibbutz Gazit.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Limor Kano

Co-Director of the Halutz Program and Facilitator of Change Processes in Schools

Limor Kano has been involved in initiating and leading change processes in the field of formal and informal education of marginalized populations for more than 15 years. In recent years, she has acted as a consultant on organizational change processes to schools in Israel’s social and geographic periphery. Limor is co-director of "Halutz," the Democratic Institute's Educational Pioneer Program. She seeks to bring a fresh approach to leisure activities for disadvantaged groups by making hiking and nature activities more accessible to them. Limor believes that spending time in nature can help reconnect people with themselves and their strengths, and can foster inter-personal and communal links in a healthy and beneficial environment. She holds a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Tel Aviv University, a master’s degree in nonprofit management from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a teaching certificate in Hebrew literature from the Kibbutzim College of Education. Limor is married and mother of three, and lives on Kibbutz Beit HaEmek.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Tsvika Kanot

Lieutenant Colonel (Res.), Israel Defense Forces

Tsvika Kanot served in a variety of commander and staff roles in the IDF for 24 years. A Lieutenant Colonel, he now volunteers at the Gal pre-military program as a mentor for young people who are approaching their military conscription. His vision is for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and youth at risk to be given an equal opportunity in Israeli society in general, and especially in the military. Tsvika holds a bachelor’s degree in political science. He is a father of three, and lives in Kiryat Tivon.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Dorit Katzir Itach

VP of Marketing and Business Development, Etgarim

Dorit Katzir Itach is the vice president of marketing and business development at the nonprofit organization Etgarim – Challenge, with over 15 years of management experience in startups and multinational Health Tech companies. Dorit is an active member of environmental organizations, is passionate about innovation and sustainable development, and seeks to turn the northern district of Israel into a thriving and independent economic center. Dorit holds a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from the University of Haifa, and a master's degree in management from Tel Aviv University. She is married, has three daughters, and lives on Kibbutz Sarid.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Zivit Kornblau

Former CEO, Israeli Physical Therapy Society

Zivit Kornblau is the former CEO of the Israeli Physical Therapy Society (IPTS). A physiotherapist by profession, she has been involved in community work in Binyamina for many years. She served as chair of the elementary school parents’ committee, was a candidate in the elections for the Binyamina Local Council, is involved in an initiative to establish a neighborhood bar and meeting place, and is a member of the board of the local community center. For several years, Zivit ran the physiotherapy unit at the Haifa Beit Halochem center for disabled IDF veterans. Zivit wants to set up a rehabilitation center along the lines of the Beit Halochem model, which provides sporting, social, and rehabilitative facilities for disabled IDF veterans. The new center will serve the general public, particularly in the North, and will support optimal rehabilitation and rapid return to family and community life after injury. A keen sportsperson, she also writes poetry and has published a book of poems called Mirroring (Iton 77, 2019). Zivit holds a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy from Tel-Aviv University, and a master’s degree in health management from Netanya Academic College. She is a mother of four, and lives in Binyamina.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Dr. Nida Shoughry

Researcher and Lecturer

Nida Shoughry is an academic researcher and lecturer who holds a doctorate in international politics from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Emerson College in Boston. She has led a number of research projects on media and politics, focusing mainly on the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as on social movement theory. Nida has also published a number of books and academic and journalistic articles, including her book Israeli-Arab Political Mobilization: Between Acquiescence, Participation, and Resistance. In addition, Nida has initiated and participated in a diverse range of social and public projects in Israel and abroad, with the goal of fostering partnership, mutual respect, and equality. She was one of the founders of the first municipal website in Arabic in Israel, which was created by the Jerusalem municipality. Nida was born in Kafr Yasif, and is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She returned to Israel after more than a decade of academic study and work at universities in the United States, Britain, and Turkey.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Vered Solomon

Educator, Mentor, and Leader of Processes

Vered Solomon is an educator involved in several avenues for improving teaching and schools: she trains and mentors new teachers; leads processes to help Israeli schools develop unique identities; and is involved in the implementation of the “Israeli Culture” program in the Israeli education system. She is also active on behalf of at-risk families and children. Vered seeks to promote collaborations and partnerships between all bodies involved in education, and sees equal opportunity as the foundation of an enlightened society. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from Gordon College of Education, a master’s degree in educational leadership and Land of Israel studies from the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, and is currently studying mediation in education at the Wingate Institute. She is a mother of five (including two foster daughters), and lives in Kiryat Ata.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Laila Srour

Director of Arab Volunteer Programs, Ma’ase

Laila Srour has directed the Arab sector volunteering programs of Ma'ase, a non-profit that encourages volunteering as a tool for social and economic mobility and for developing a civil society, since 2015. Her work involves helping young Arab women advance into careers and achieve self-actualization, as a means of changing mindsets and bringing about social change. She believes in the power of Arab women to effect real change via political involvement in local government. Laila holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in organizational management from the University of Haifa. She is also a graduate of the UJA-Federation of New York’s social enterprise incubator program, and is active in building bridges between Arab society and Jewish society in Israel.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

About The Program

Mandel Program for Social Leadership in the North:
Cohort 2

OCTOBER 2018 – AUGUST 2019

Zainab Abu Swaid

National Supervisor for the National Civil Service Authority

Zainab Abu Swaid is a facilitator for groups addressing the Arab-Jewish conflict and a social activist for coexistence. She is one of the founding members of the Yanabiya community for the advancement of Arab women, is a community manager, and is responsible for all external relations and partnerships. She envisions recruiting young people from Arab society to serve in a national volunteering initiative, and to help them integrate into Israeli society in general, and particularly into employment and higher education, so as to reduce socioeconomic gaps and provide a more equal starting point for all young Israelis. Zainab holds a bachelor’s degree in education and Arabic language and literature, and a master’s degree in public policy and administration from the University of Haifa. She is a mother of two, and lives in Ka’abiyye-Tabbash-Hajajre in the Galilee.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Netanel Afek

Educator

Netanel Afek is Bnei Akiva's educational director for the northern region of Israel. A former Jewish Agency emissary to the United States, he works to promote relations between Israel and the diaspora, by means of the Partnership 2000 project and by setting up a tourist center for visitors from abroad. Netanel aims to import educational models from the United States and implement them in the periphery. He holds rabbinical ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, a bachelor’s degree in education (with a concentration in Bible and Land of Israel studies) from Herzog College, and is currently studying for a master’s degree in education system management from Oranim Academic College. He is a father of three, and lives in Migdal HaEmek.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Moges Asnakew

Educator and Physical Education Instructor

Moges Asnakew is the coordinator of military preparation for schools in the Northern district, and serves as a counselor at two schools for the Magalim nonprofit organization. He is also a fitness instructor at a residential facility for people with mental and intellectual disabilities. Moges dreams of leading and being part of a major organization or government entity working to promote quality education in the Ethiopian-Israeli community, and to optimize and properly plan the use of resources allocated to this cause. He believes that education is the main driver of social change, and thus should be the main focus of resource allocation. Moges holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and is a certified physical fitness instructor.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Hila Bar-Gal Schwartz

Deputy Prison Commander

Hila Bar-Gal Schwartz worked for 22 years in the Israel Prison Service (IPS). During that time, she held roles related to prisoner rehabilitation and prisoner education, and served as deputy commander of the Hermon prison and the Damon prison. Her main focus over the years has been on social aspects of the prison system, with an emphasis on advancing disadvantaged populations. She aims to establish a framework that will reduce socioeconomic gaps by proving a multi-disciplinary response to help prisoners integrate into Israeli society optimally. Hila holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Haifa and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside. She is married and a mother of three, and lives in Shimshit in the Jezreel Valley.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Michal Ben Zaken

Educator

Michal Ben Zaken works for the Democratic Institute–Society and Education as a mentor for educational teams, and provides schools with guidance during processes of change and assistance in inculcating democratic culture. She also provides in-service teacher training on gender education. Michal is a firm believer in dialogue, respect for the individual, and emotional discourse as engines for personal and group growth. She aims to establish or lead a secular girls’ school or a major informal education institution for girls. Michal holds a bachelor’s degree in community theater and a master’s degree in gender studies, both from Tel Aviv University, and has studied group facilitation and a range of other related courses. She is a mother of three, and lives in Shlafim.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Uri Efroni

Social Entrepreneur

Uri Efroni is the director of Zionut 2000’s “City Change” program, which works to create social change for residents of the Yoseftal neighborhood in Petach Tikva. He heads a system of cross-sectorial partnerships with a unique model for setting up professional infrastructures in education, employment, and local leadership. Over the last decade, he has worked to promote social mobility and reduce socioeconomic gaps. He believes that change must happen in the political arena, and aims to establish a major political movement that will represent Israel’s periphery. Uri holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Haifa and a master’s degree in political science from Tel Aviv University. He is married and a father of two, and lives in Ya’ad in the Galilee.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Rotem Eshed-Lavi

Director of Services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Youth

Rotem Eshed-Lavi is the head of the department for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth at Kivunim: New Directions for Special Needs Youth in Israel, and leads several programs that promote integration in the community. She aims to remove the bureaucratic barriers that prevent vulnerable populations from receiving the social benefits to which they are entitled. She also works to promote visibility and tolerance for the LGBTQ community in the periphery. Rotem holds a bachelor’s degree in alternative education and special education from Tel-Hai College, a teaching certificate from Oranim Academic College, and a master’s degree in nonprofit management from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is married and a mother of two, and lives in Nahalal.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Hadas Gilboa

Educator

Hadas Gilboa is a writer and director of productions for children and youth, and is involved in developing the “LeadershipCulture” program of the Israeli Ministry of Education’s national initiative for developing cultural leadership in schools and towns. Today, she is part of the Teach First Israel community, which works to lead social change and promote equal opportunity in education in Israel’s social and geographical periphery. She is a homeroom teacher at the Branco Weiss agricultural school in Pardes Hanna–Karkur, and is involved in the implementation of the school’s multi-disciplinary learning project. Hadas believes that arts and crafts education is an educational tool that makes the world a better place, and aims to expand social-educational circles of influence and promote values of equality, tolerance, and pluralism. Hadas holds a bachelor’s degree in theater studies from Tel Aviv University, a master’s degree in literature from the University of Haifa, and a teaching diploma from Teach First Israel. She is a mother of two and lives in Zichron Yaakov.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Noa Gross

Educator

Noa Gross is director of education for Melach Ha’aretz, a nonprofit that provides outdoor adventure experiences for youth at risk. Noa has 15 years’ experience in informal education, with an emphasis on developing youth leadership groups and youth social ventures. She volunteers as part of a social cooperative that works to promote the city of Migdal Ha'emek and its residents. Noa aims to establish a center for women’s empowerment among vulnerable populations, and works to encourage American immigrants to settle in the north of Israel. Noa holds a bachelor’s degree in community social work from Bar-Ilan University, and diplomas in group facilitation and personal coaching. She is married and a mother of four, and lives in Migdal HaEmek.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Maisa Halabi Alshiech

Teacher and Mentor

Maisa Halabi Alshiech is an educator, homeroom teacher, entrepreneur, technology coordinator, and mentor for the Haifa District of the Ministry of Education. She is the founder of an initiative called “Youth Show the Way,” which raises awareness and promotes acceptance of people with disabilities in Druze society. She also founded the “Teachers Dream” Facebook page, which promotes creativity and innovation in education. Maisa works to promote higher education and make it more accessible for women in Druze society. She believes that improving the status and education of women is the key to social advancement. Maisa holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education from Gordon College of Education and the University of Haifa, respectively, and is a graduate of the Avney Rosha Institute for School Leadership. She is married and a mother of three, and lives in Isfiya.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Eti Itzhak

Social Activist

Eti Itzhak directs the “Made in Israel Student Communities” program in Kiryat Shmona, and is heavily involved in community building by means of community involvement and joint action. Eti is active in Shinuy Kivun (“change of direction”), a civic movement to promote the Galilee Panhandle, and is working to establish and grow the movement. She aims to improve the image of the periphery in Israel so that it is seen as a worthy alternative to life in the center of the country, and to promote social mobility at the local and regional level. Eti holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and economics from Tel-Hai College, and is a graduate of the Maoz public service fellowship program. She has one son, and lives on Kibbutz Neot Mordechai.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Rawan Kabya

Speech Therapist

Rawan Kabya is a speech therapist. Her thesis analyzes stories told by Bedouin women of three generations and serves as an introduction to Bedouin culture and feminine power. Rawan aims to enable Arab and Bedouin women to live more independent lives, pursue academic study, and become part of the leadership structure of their communities at a local and national level. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications disorders. She lives in Ka’abiyye-Tabbash-Hajajre in the Galilee.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Maskit Laufer

Educator and Social Activist

Maskit Laufer mentors educational therapy teams at municipal youth promotion units, on behalf of the ATID Education and Schools Network. She is a social activist who is a co-administrator of the Facebook group “Zichron Yaakov Open Platform.” Maskit was one of the founders of Keshet, the Zichron Yaakov democratic school for religious and secular students, and the Orthodox partnership minyan “Minyan Kolot.” She is guided by the principle that people are beloved because they were created in God’s image, and believes that the educational act has the power to change the world. Maskit hopes to see dialogue between the “tribes” that make up Israeli society, work for the common good, equitable distribution of resources, and investment in education from early childhood onward and in the parallel development of individuals, families, and communities. Maskit holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree (cum laude) in human services, both from the University of Haifa. She is a graduate of the Matan women’s beit midrash, and has studied cognitive behavioral therapy. She is married, a mother of three, and has a granddaughter.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Lene Mayan Martsiano

Educator and Social Activist

Lene Mayan Martsiano immigrated to Israel in 2000. She is a bridal counselor in the program for new brides run by the modern Orthodox rabbinical organization Tzohar. She facilitates women's learning and runs study programs in Yokneam for young women performing national civil service in the city. Lene is keen to learn and to acquire more tools for influencing Israeli society across all sectors via the education system. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education, and is a graduate of a teacher training program based on the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov. She is married and a mother of four, and lives in Kiryat Tivon.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Oshrat Morag

Rabbi and Community Leader

Oshrat Morag is reform rabbi and activist working for social, cultural, feminist, and spiritual change. She promotes women’s rights and gender equality within Judaism, and creates spaces for action and growth where women and men can take responsibility for their Jewish culture and identity. Oshrat studies and writes on issues of gender and liturgy, in her doctoral dissertation and in various publications. She aims to transform Israel into a model society that lives by the values of justice and morality as laid down by the Prophets, where Jewish religion and culture become a source for peace, love, and bringing people together.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Nadav Nusbaum

Educator

Nadav Nusbaum is a tenth-grade homeroom teacher and outdoor education coordinator at the Pisgat Amir High School for youth with behavioral and emotional problems. He has extensive experience in informal education systems and in work with at-risk youth and youth leadership. Nadav has been interested in values-based educational leadership for years, strongly believes that this is the way to change society, and aims to head an educational organization. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social and communal education and a master’s degree in education system management, both from Oranim Academic College. Nadav is married and a father of two, and lives in Yokneam.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Eti Oren

Social Activist

Eti Oren directed the Jewish Agency’s youth leadership efforts in the Central Galilee, where she launched a regional youth forum, led a volunteer forum that created social initiatives, and developed leadership programs for youth and adults. Eti worked to strengthen the area’s relationship with its "twin city" of Detroit, creating and leading multidisciplinary joint programs, as well as hosting delegations and visits. She aims to empower youth in Israel’s periphery, and believes that developing competence and creative thinking are the key to helping young people realize their potential and become successful adults in a changing world. Eti holds a bachelor’s degree in Land of Israel studies and history, a master’s degree in organizational development and consulting, and a teaching diploma. She is a mother of three, and a member of Kibbutz Yifat in the Jezreel Valley.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Gila Ron Saada

Social Activist

Gila Ron Saada is the coordinator of cultural activities for the Bnei Yehuda community in the Golan Heights. She creates and executes a diverse range of activities and events, together with volunteers from the community. As part of her work at the Golan Regional Library, she introduces the local younger generation to the world of books while nurturing values, social skills, and personal development using stories, activities, and conversation. Gila is the owner of “Beralleh Bashetach,” a company that provides outdoor training (ODT) activities for organizations and families. She also established a volunteer project that provides humanitarian aid for refugees in Syria by collecting donations and transferring them directly to a clinic run by an American volunteer organization on the Syrian-Israeli border. Gila also coordinates the Bnei Yehuda emergency team on a voluntary basis. She is an active member of a local leadership team working to change approaches to leisure, culture, and sport, by focusing on the needs of individuals and using resources at a regional level. She served in the IDF for 26 years as an officer in the Technology and Maintenance Corps. Gila holds a bachelor’s degree in geography and Land of Israel studies from Bar-Ilan University, and a diploma in outdoor training from the XCOOL School of Challenge Tourism at the Academic College at Wingate. She is a divorced mother of seven and lives in Bnei Yehuda.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Nir Rubin Syrkin

Educator

Nir Rubin Syrkin is director of leadership programs for the Hamahanot Ha'olim youth movement and Tikkun–A Center for Gathering, Education and Social Change. He promotes social pioneering – the 21st-century version of Zionist pioneering – by creating groups of young educators who settle in the country’s geo-social periphery and lead social change. Nir is one of the founders of Kibbutz Mishol, an educators’ kibbutz, in Upper Nazareth, and of the National Movement of Educators’ Kibbutzim, an offshoot of Hamahanot Ha'olim. He aims to build an equal and democratic Israeli society and plans to build a joint Jewish-Arab community in Upper Nazareth that will transform the city into a mixed city that can serve as a model for the entire country. Nir holds a bachelor’s degree in education and history from the Kibbutzim College of Education. He is a father of three, and lives in Nazareth Illit.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Itzik Shalem-Kaminsky

Educator

Itzik Shalem-Kaminsky teaches media studies at the Ironi Hey High School in Haifa, where he has taught Mabar classes that prepare low-performing students for matriculation, as well as dropout-prevention classes. He has also served as an advisor for the student council and as the coordinator of all classes in one grade, and has run an educational bakery at the school. Itzhik is also a lecturer in the teacher-training program at Oranim Academic College and is a pedagogical advisor for students doing fieldwork in education. Previously, he volunteered for the Israel Gay Youth movement (IGY) and for Hoshen, the education and information center of the LGBTQ community in Israel, where he helped the community to which he belongs in its fight for equal rights and in its efforts to promote the value of accepting others by getting to know them better. Itzik holds a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate in informal education and communication from Oranim Academic College, and has a master’s degree in education for marginalized youth. He aims to lead efforts within the education system that will make schools into safe and secure spaces for LGBTQ youth and faculty members, and to establish an alternative educational institution for youth at risk. He is married and a father of twins.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

About The Program

Mandel Program for Social Leadership in the North: Cohort 1

OCTOBER 2017 – JULY 2018

Dikla Bar

Science Educator

Dikla Bar is a faculty member at three schools for gifted students in the north of Israel, where she creates and teaches courses in astrophysics, particle physics, science fiction, and encryption. She has prepared and accompanied delegations of gifted students to space camps in Israel and abroad, and to the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, Switzerland. Dikla wants to advance and improve higher order thinking skills among students in all educational institutions and sectors of Israeli society, by designing challenging and unconventional learning environments. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology engineering, cum laude, from the Technion, and a master’s degree in genetics from the faculty of medicine at Tel Aviv University. She is also a graduate of the Avney Rosha training program for school principals. Dikla is married and a mother of three, and lives in the Golan Heights.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Niva Begin Ben-Ari

Local Council Member and Parenting Coach

Niva Begin Ben-Ari is the director of the Parenthood Learning Center of the Pardes Hanna–Karkur local council, where she facilitates parents’ groups. She also is a member of the Binyamina–Givat Ada local council, where she holds the education portfolio. Niva believes that education begins at home, and that local government has a responsibility to strengthen parents, the family unit, and children, and to encourage cooperation between the home and educational institutions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social science and communications (cum laude) from the Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, and a diploma in family and group facilitation from the Alfred Adler Institute.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Yael Ben Moyal

Educator

Yael Ben Moyal worked with Garin Tzameret, a gap-year program of volunteer service before army service, and well as a “garin” (social-activist communal group) of volunteer youth coordinators from the Bnei Akiva youth movement. She herself served as a Bnei Akiva youth group coordinator in Ramle during her national service. Yael holds a bachelor’s degree in education and society from the Ono Academic College. She is married and a mother of three, and lives in Meron.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Avi Chapnick

School Principal

Avi Chapnick is principal of the Honi Hame’agel experimental elementary school in Hazor Haglilit. He is also one of the founders of the educational “garin” (social-activist communal group) in Hazor and served as its coordinator in its early years. He is also the town’s coordinator of volunteers. Avi wants to transform the Israeli education system into an international beacon for values-based education, by introducing a future-oriented approach that will make the best possible use of Israel’s unique qualities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Bible and Jewish studies, and a master’s degree in education that included a thesis on teaching Bible, from Touro College. He is currently studying at the Ono Academic College for a second master’s degree in organizational consulting for education systems. Avi is a father of nine and has one granddaughter, and lives in Hazor Haglilit.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Tali Cohen

Video Editor

Tali Cohen is a video editor for investigative programs that highlight social issues. These include The Source with Raviv Drucker, Magazine with Oshrat Kotler, and various documentaries and current affairs programs broadcast on Channel 10 and Channel 2. Tali was a member of the development team for Family in the Red, a socially-oriented television series that sought to help people manage their family budget. She holds a bachelor’s degree in film studies and Middle East history (cum laude) from Tel Aviv University, and is currently completing her master’s thesis on Iranian cinema, at the University of Haifa. Tali is a mother of three, and lives in Haifa.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Barak Dasta

Police Officer, Israel Police

Barak Dasta was born in Ethiopia and made aliya to Israel in 1982. A graduate of the Yemin Orde youth village, Barak wants to foster social integration among youth and, in particular, to strengthen the sense of belonging among Ethiopian-Israeli youth. He holds a bachelor’s degree in multi-disciplinary studies and a master’s degree in Israel studies and contemporary Judaism, both from the University of Haifa. Barak is married and a father of three girls, and lives in Modi’in.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Tehila Karo

Bibliotherapist and Group Facilitator

In recent years, Tehila Karo has worked with families of people with mental health disabilities under the auspices of MILAM Family Counseling Services in Haifa. She has also directed the social engagement department of the national secretariat of the Bnei Akiva youth movement, which nurtures leadership among the movement’s members in Israel’s social and geographic periphery. Tehila seeks to develop and promote culturally-sensitive mental health services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and literature from Bar-Ilan University, and a master’s degree and certification in bibliotherapy from the University of Haifa. A certified group facilitator, she is currently training as a family and couples therapist. Tehila is a mother of three, and lives in Sde Yaakov.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Nadia Kittany

Speech-Language Therapist and Audiologist

Over the last three years, Nadia Kittany has developed and run the Baqa al-Gharbiyye Community Child Development Unit, which serves as a regional provider of paramedical services. She was one of the founders of a rehabilitative center in Baqa al-Gharbiyye for children on the autism spectrum, and one of the founders of ALSON, a non-profit organization that provides research and training resources for Arab speech pathologists. Nadia is active in the leadership of several national and local professional forums. She wants to be involved in building a better future for Arab society in Israel by investing in early childhood development and in disadvantaged populations. Nadia holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech therapy from Tel Aviv University, and is a graduate of the Mandel Program for Local Leadership in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Itzchak Kogan

Police Officer, Israel Police

Itzchak Kogan is an intelligence officer at the Bet Shean police station. He was one of the founders of the municipal police force in Tiberias, which became a model for similar units throughout the Northern District. Itzchak holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and Middle East studies from the Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, and a master’s degree from the Jewish history department at the University of Haifa. He is father of three, and lives in Kfar Tavor.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Mayss Mansour Abu Saleh

Director of Educational Programs

For the last three years, Mayss Mansour Abu Saleh has served as the Arab society and northern region manager for the internship program “The Next Step,” founded by the Rothschild Caesarea Foundation and the Aluma non-profit organization. In this capacity, she has developed and overseen internship programs at institutions of higher education in both the Arab and Jewish sectors, with the aim of bridging the gap between academia and employment. Mayss wants to create educational programs that involve communities, families, and individuals in empowering Arab youth and helping them succeed in various areas of life in Israeli society. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and a master’s degree in organizational development and consulting, from the Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel. She lives in Isfiya.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Naveh Masad

Social-Environmental-Economic Activist

Naveh Masad is CEO of the Israeli Monetary Change Movement, and a project manager in the environmental protection division of the Jezreel Valley regional council. He is passionate about leaving the world a better place for future generations. Naveh works to bring about change in the way that money is created in Israel so that it benefits all Israelis, and promotes financial education and finance-technology education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the Open University. Naveh lives on Kibbutz Ein Dor.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

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