Fellows

CEO of a Communications and Strategy Company in Tel Aviv and married to Ofir Akunis – a veteran Knesset Member of the Likud Party. She plays an active role in the Yad VaShem Council and Lilach Organization, an organization which lobbies for end of life rights.

Aharon is regional director of the The Israeli Center for Legal Guardianship. He holds an MA in Public Policy from Hebrew University and is a Mandel Leadership Institute graduate.

Haredi Jerusalem resident. Consultant and spokesperson for Haredi organizations; lectures for the media; social activist.

Director of Experiential Jewish Education in the Be’eri Program for pluralistic Jewish-Israeli Identity Education at the Shalom Hartman Institute. Group moderator in the Gesher Leadership Course. One of the founders the “Mirkam” network of mixed communities. Chairman and Director of the Yerushalmit Movement. He holds a master’s degree in sociology.

Amichai is a Senior Media Consultant at “Rimon Cohen Sheinkman – PR, Strategic Consulting and Crisis Management.” He is a lawyer by training who holds an MBA in Marketing.

Amir serves as the Chief Military Analyst for Israel’s Channel 1 News. He was a Rifle Company commander in the Shaked Battalion of the Givati Brigade and serves in the Reserves with a rank of Major. He has LLB in Law and a B.A degree in Political Science

Amos is Founder-CEO of Meaningful and expert on Middle East Political Economies and Economic History at Tel Aviv University. He studied at the London School of Economics & Political Science.

Head of Foreign Policy desk for Makor Rishon Newspaper and NRG news site

Program Editor at “Kastina” for Anashim + Omrim Shehaya Po

Aryeh is Vice CEO of LaGa’at B’Ruach NGO, which works to strengthen the Jewish identity of college and university students in Israel, Europe, and North America.

Avi is a journalist and Director of the Current Affairs Department at the IDF radio station and is a Major in the IDF Reserves.

Avi is CEO Aleh Negev Rehabilitation Village, responsible for 500 employees and volunteers.  He is former Deputy Mayor of Beer-Sheva, MK, and Deputy Minister of Education.

Bureau chief of Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. Liaison between public and Chief Rabbi. PR, developing and executing work plans to meet goals set by Chief Rabbi, strengthening relationships with Jewish communities in the Diaspora.

Avraham is Director of S.A.H.I., an organization which transforms the lives of Israel’s disadvantaged ‘street kids’ through a unique strength-based approach helping others.

Director of the Ultra-Orthodox Centre for Professional Training in Beit Shemesh which aims to provide education for participants to become gainfully employed.  Often participants have not had the chance to receive vocational training.

Director of Programming and News at “Kol Chai” Radio

Principle of Bnot Yerushalayim, a large Ultra-orthodox Jerusalem elementary community school for girls.

Director of the Marriage Initiative and Rabbinic In-Service Training for Tzohar. Formerly the Executive Director of “Torah Mitzion– Zionist Kollelim in the Diaspora.”

A journalist for the past 15 years , he worked on two commercial TV networks , and now serves a deputy director of “reshet bet” , editor and presenter current affairs programs on public radio IBA News .

Architect on the staff of the municipal architect of the city of Jerusalem; coordinator of architectural studies at the Haredi branch of Bezalel College.

Journalist at Yediot Achronot newspaper. In addition to covering diaspora aff airs, he reports on the Ethiopian community in Israel. Auditor of Society of Ethiopian Immigrants in Israel. Initiated and produced documentary about getting Israeli governments to push for airlifting the community to
Israel and about the arduous trek in the Sudanese desert. Awarded Napoli Journalism prize for exposing corruption by building contractors who illegally sold olive trees.

Promoter of social and tourist initiatives, advisor in tourism and developer of tourism programs; Community Rabbi, with an MA in education and Jewish history people from the Hebrew University.

Senior professional consultant to the Director of the Department of Aliyah and Absorption. Head of the International Center for Public Diplomacy and Israeli Hasbara. A jurist by training and a graduate of the flagship program of the US State Department for World Leaders in International Security concerns. Formerly chairman of the Young Likud. Lives in the Galilee.

Didi is Radio presenter with a very popular daily show. He is also a TV presenter and senior media consultant. Didi is the Father of 3 lovely girls and proud grandfather. Smile- all is for the good!

Director of the “Culture Basket” of the Rishon LeTzion municipality. Responsible for arts- education for the entire municipal educational system from kindergarten through Grade 12, in government, religious, and special education schools. A lawyer with a doctorate in literature. Member of the Israel Council of Culture and Arts, Chairperson of the Department of Research and Heritage Institutions.

Ph.D. Researcher in the area of Brain Science and education and lecturer at colleges in Efrat and Jerusalem.

Editor in Chief – OnLife. She holds a BA in Political Science and Journalism

Ehud is Chief of Staff and Spokesman for the IDF Army Radio, Galei Zahal. He was a Senior Member of the “Good Deeds Day” volunteering project.

Assistant Executive Director of the digital department of the Broadcast Authority. MA in Communications and Political Science from Bar Ilan University.

Elena Lagutina is a TV presenter and journalist. She was the permanent presenter of the main nightly news program for 10 years, and continues working as a journalist in Jerusalem.

Elkana is an attorney and member of Ginot Hair Community Council in Jerusalem, involved in finding solutions for areas of conflict between the ultra-Orthodox, religious, and secular populations.

Assistant Executive Director of the Minrav Group/Engineering and Building Ltd. which trades on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Certified Director of Public Companies.

Eran is Executive Director at LATET, focusing on eradicating poverty, molding the identity and nature of Israeli society, instilling values of mutual responsibility, and leading change in national priorities.

Gal is a Jerusalem District Veterinarian under the Ministry of Health, responsible for supervising food processing plants. Gal is in contact with all population sectors, including the Arab and ultra-Orthodox.

Editor and Head of Gender Equality and Advisor to the CEO of the Israeli Broadcast Authority on women’s issues

Gavriel Cohen is an educator in the field of management and training in various parts of the ultra-Orthodox sector. He is a partner to social innovation in the field of community leadership, at-risk youth, and individual and family therapy in the ultra-Orthodox society.

Hanna Godinger (Dreyfuss) serves as the equivalent of the Rabbi of the Pelech School for Girls and Dean of the women’s beit midrash at the Jerusalem’s Midreshet Lindenbaum.

Henia Schwarz is a journalist and is currently Editor of popular international magazine Betoch HaMishpacha. She is also a parenting coach, a marriage counselor, and a cognitive behavioral therapist.

Partnership Director at the Jewish Agency for Israel, formerly Community Planner at the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, Canada. She holds an MSW from the University of British Columbia and is a lecturer in community development, poverty, values and ethics at Ariel University.

Jewish and religious affairs correspondent for Y-NET

Korin is an Israeli musician and recording artist and operates her own recording studio. Her most recent album was released in 2016.

Dean in Orot Yisrael college in Elkana in the Samarian region.  Lectures in law and Judaism.  Doctor of Philosophy.

Leor is Deputy CEO of Eden, the Jerusalem Center Development company. Leor is a Lieutenant in the IDF reserves, responsible for the city of Jerusalem in emergency situations.

State Attorney’s office in the Department of Investigation of Police Force, Ministry of Justice.  Defends complicated cases in the courts, mentoring junior lawyers.

Lt. Col. Limor Gross-Weissbuch is the Director of the Public Affairs Section of the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit. She has an MA in Political Communications from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya.

Lior works at the Prime Minister’s Office. He is married to Galit and a father of four children. He resides in the “Baka” neighborhood of Jerusalem. He is a member of “Kehilat Shira Hadasha ” – a leading egalitarian Orthodox community.

Head of the Identity and Heritage Department, Education and Youth Department in Israeli Defense Forces

Over the last 3 years Dagan has worked as News Desk Manager at Walla! News, the biggest news website in Israel. Maayan is married to Adi and father to Ziv, aged a year and 4 months. They live in Moshav Bnei Zion. Dagan hold a BA in Philosophy and Southeast Asian Studies and a Diploma in Journalism.

Marilyn Venig is a researcher, lecturer, screenwriter, and film critic. She is an Israel’s Film Critic website founder and created the Marlena scale for women’s representation in film.

Maya works for Israel’s Channel 10 News as a journalist and documentary creator. She is the mother Roi who is 10 years old.  Maya was born in Jerusalem but currently resides in Tel aviv, and has lived in France and in the US, but Israel is my home. She is always fascinated by other people’s lives and their point of view.

Founder and Director of the “Hasidic Midrasha for Boys” in Beitar Illit. Member of the Steerin Committee for Gesher Haredim. Faculty member of the Mandel Program for Leadership Development in the Haredi Community. Founder of the Haredi Preparatory University Program at the Hebrew University. M.Ed. from the Hebrew University in Public Policy.

Meni Shwartz, is ultra-Orthodox and has been involved in media affairs since the age of 16. His presentation of ultra-Orthodoxy in the year 2016 as seen publicly and in the media of the ultra-Orthodox public in Israel is titled “Liberalism Towards the Other, Conservatism and Separatism for Ourselves.”

Michael is Head of the Institute for Torah Policy and Deputy Director at Emoonim Industrial Services. He holds an MA in public policy and is a business advisor in Paamonim.

Michal Berman – Executive Director of Panim—The Association of Jewish Renewal Organizations in Israel. She holds a BA with honors in Psychology and Jewish History and an MA in Pluralistic Jewish Education, all from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Michal is a graduate of the group leadership training program at Seminar HaKibbutzim and the Fellows program at Bet Midrash “Kolot.” In the past she has worked at the International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem, and for five years she directed the Jewish Renewal department in the Ginot Ha-Ir Community Council in Jerusalem.

Michal is Pedagogical Deputy Director at Religious Education Authority in the Ministry of Education. She also does time management coaching and is a registered tour guide.

Michal is CEO of Yahel Center, specializing in sexuality in religious women. She recently rejoined the IDF reserves as a Mental Health Officer in the Jerusalem IDF induction center.

Miri is the CEO of the Institute for Zionist Strategies and a social activist. She has a BA in Economics and Political Science and an MA in Gender Studies.

Moshe is CEO of Dream Film Production and is former social activist in “B’lev Shalem” NGO to promote unity among the ultra-Orthodox and secular sectors. He holds a BA in Law.

Moshe is Deputy Mayor of the Gush Etzion Regional Council and Chairman of the Gush Etzion Foundation. He voluntarily serves as a Likud party delegate to the Jewish congress.

Moshe serves as Chairman of Triple-M Power Plants Ltd., a Trustee of Clal Insurance Ltd., and holds the appointment of Committee Chairman on Exemptions and Mergers with Israel’s Anti-Trust Authority.

Director of Public Relations at Kiryat Sanz Institutions. Businessman. Israel Police Force and Zaka volunteer.

Na’ama is a lawyer and legal advisor, providing legal aid for victims of domestic abuse. She is the Chairman of ICAR’s legal forum and serves on Kolech’s board.

Naama is head of the Metivta Midrasha for advanced Torah studies at Bar-Ilan University. She teaches Law, Jewish Law, and Jewish Studies. She received her PhD from Bar-Ilan University.

Mathematics Coordinator and Educator in the “Derech Avot” High School in Efrat, Lecturer at Herzog College in the Program for Retraining Academics to Teach Advanced Mathematics, and developer of customized evaluation tasks for High School Mathematics at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Member of “Kolech,” and of the Central Committee of the “Bayit Yehudi” party. She holds a master’s degree in Science education from the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Naomi is the Mandel Programs for Leadership Development Director. She holds an MA in Music Education from Levinsky College of Education and is a Beit-Yaakov Teachers Institute in Jerusalem graduate.

Unit for treatment of adolescents in the Jerusalem Municipality. Social worker in Yeshivat “Mevakshei Hashem” for disaffected Haredi youth. Founding partner of the Haredi Caregivers Organization. Master’s Degree in Social Work with honors and doctoral candidate at the Hebrew University.

Head Investigative Reporter for “HaMa’arechet”

Assistant Director of Development and programs at Aluma, which has been active for thirty years. Responsible for administering and developing programs, partnering between groups—with a focus on cooperation with the IDF and its decision makers—as well as administering and developing information in the organization.

Deputy Editor for Haa’retz Weekend edition

Lieutenant-Colonel IDF in charge of the Integration of Special Groups into the Army. MA in Organizational Sociology from Bar Ilan University.

Orit Wolf (Ph.D) is an acclaimed international concert pianist, senior lecturer, and expert consultant in the area of innovative thinking and leadership.

Professor Feldestein is the  Academic Secretary at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. As a Historian, his research focuses on the Zionist ideology and the Zionist Movement. Feldestein is the author of several books and numerous articles on the study of the Zionist idea, leadership and Israel-Diaspora relations

Social entrepreneur, prominent in the emerging Haredi civil society. Involved with the status of Haredi women and the integration of the Haredi community within Israeli society. Founder and director of the “Movilot” program, business leadership for outstanding academic Haredi women. Head of the Haredi section of the “Shacharit” Institute whose goal is to create a new social partnership in the State of Israel. Served as the director of the “Meir Panim” social welfare organization, a founder of “Meuravot”—coalition for Haredi Women, and a leader in the “If we can’t be elected, we won’t vote” movement which called for women’s representation in Haredi politics. BA in Communications and Sociology from the Open University. Mentor of young activists in the Haredi Community, consults on social projects, writes for the press and lectures widely about the Haredi sector and developing trends within it.

Director of the “Golden Care—Mediterranean” Medical Center for rehabilitation of chronic care and geriatric patients. MA in Business Administration from the Ariel University Center in the Shomron.

Rena is a community activist and Managing Partner at her law firm. She is involved with the Jewish Agency’s Partnership2Gether and serves as a family legal advisor through Lemaan Achai.

Member of the Beit Shemesh Municipal Council, responsible for the Torah education, health, and Torah culture portfolios.

Senior Columnist, Makor Rishon Newspaper. Social activist on behalf of women religious and ultra-Orthodox victims of violence. She holds a BA in Computer Science and Mathematics

Rivka heads the Culture Department of the Rishon LeZion municipality, where she plans, develops and implements cultural projects. She holds a Masters in Communications.

Presenter for “1 in the Afternoon” at Kol Barama Radio

Spokesperson for Yerushalmim political party.  High-school teacher in a low socio-economic level school in Jerusalem.  Responsible for informal education and also mentors new teachers.  Works to further democratic pedagogical issues in different disciplines.

Ronit is Director of Connect Jerusalem, a project dedicated to working with young immigrants.  She is also a social activist and serves as Deputy Director of her neighborhood’s Community Center.

Roy is a Writer, Translator and Playwright and works for the Gesher Theatre. Althgouh his native language is Hebrew, he also speaks Russian, English, French and some Italian. Chen has visited the Big Apple in the past and loved it. He is fascinated by the human and the divine comedy. He tries to be open to everyone and everything!

Sara is CEO of Agenda Advertising & PR agency for the religious and ultra-Orthodox sector; she also has many secular clients with whom she has built up a personal relationship.

An independent marketing and branding consultant.  Her latest project includes rebranding of BP and Texaco Gas stations in Benelux and France.  She is also the author of several children’s books including Israeli best-seller “Turtle on His Back”

Member in the Women’s Council of Beit Shemesh. Involved in real estate initiatives and childbirth support.

Parliamentary Correspondent, Channel 10 Haredim

Manager of the main branch of Bank Yahav in Jerusalem. BA in Education and MBA.

Radio Presenter on “Galei Israel”, editor of Haredi women’s magazine and UN advisor

Shany is the Culture Writer for Haaretz, served as Deputy Editor of The Marker’s Weekend Edition, and worked as a documentary-film researcher. She studied Philosophy, History, and Cinema.

Sharon is the Deputy CEO of the Judge’s Division at the Administration of Courts. She holds an MA degree in Public Policy and Administration from Tel Aviv University.

Rabbi of the “Or Yaakov” Congregation in Elad. Member of municipal and public committees, forums and think-tanks. Lecturer and Educator. Panel moderator and lecturer on Haredi society in Gesher Haredim. Studying towards advanced Torah studies—Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

Director of the Yerushalmit Movement, which unites activists from all sectors of society to transform Jerusalem into a pluralistic city, open and inclusive for all residents of Israel. Holds degrees in social work and public policy. Represents ROI in the Yeru-shalem Coalition. Married to Eyal and mother of a band of boys and a princess.

Executive Director of the Ruderman Foundation. MA in Public Policy from the Hebrew University.

News editor and economic correspondent for B’Sheva newspaper and Arutz 7 news site

Shmuel is the Chairman of the Naor Foundation for Social Investment in Israel and CEO of Or Yarok Association, Israel’s leading Road Safety non-profit.

Fellow at the Mandel Institute for Educational Leadership. Journalist, author, publicist and historian in Haredi newspapers in both Yiddish and Hebrew; formerly the editor of “HaEdah” and the secretary and the unofficial spokesman for the Badatz Edah Haredit in Jerusalem and Bet Shemesh. Ordained by the Badatz and has written halakhic works. One of the founders of the Center for Haredi Employment (“Mafteach”) in Beit Shemesh, an initiative of the Joint/Israel and the Ministry of Economy and Industry; and founding director of the Gesher-Haredim and Magen David Adom volunteer as a senior medic and ambulance driver. Founder and fellow in “Forum Hashlama,” and fellow in forums that deal with relationships in neighborhoods with diverse populations—a concern he is interested in developing in the future.

Shoshana is Israel Experience’s English Speaking Countries Division Director, specializing in providing organized trips to Israel for teens, university students, and adults from all over the globe.

Tamar is a Legal Affairs Correspondent and news and special broadcast anchor for Channel One news, lecturer of Criminal Law and Media, and a licensed attorney in Israel.

Journalist and aid expert, columnist for Maariv and the UN news organization. BA from Bar Ilan University and a graduate of the Social Policy Program at Bet Berl, Board member at the Heschel Center and at NATAN – International Humanitarian Aid.

Tami is a Media Consultant, General Manager, and Partner at Rimon Cohen Sheinkman & Co. She holds a Law degree from Tel Aviv University.

Tomer is a journalist and social activist, covering news from Israeli parliament and government. He teaches creative writing at Kibbutz College, and is the author of a murder mystery novel.

Tsega Melaku has an MA from Bar-Ilan University and is a journalist for the Israel Broadcasting Authority. She is also a social activist and author.

Analyst in Market Operations Department of the Bank of Israel. Certified Public Accountant and Master of Business Administration from the Hebrew University with a specialization in Finance and Information Systems.

Tzippy is the Deputy CEO at the Halman-Aldubi Investment House. She holds a BA in Accounting and Business Studies and an MBA (with distinction) in Human Resources from Haifa University.

Advanced Yeshiva Instructor. Spiritual Guide. Delivers lectures and courses for advanced students. Graduate in Psychology and Education.

Deputy Director for the Planning, Monitoring & Control Department in the Israeli State Comptroller’s Office. Member of the State Comptroller’s table-tennis team in the national work league where he meets colleagues from other government offices and even the Knesset Speaker, Yuli Edelstein

Uri is the founder and CEO of Masa Yisraeli and CEO of Mibreshit, programs that focus on Jewish heritage and strengthening the Jewish family unit.

Uri is Founding Partner at Kedma Capital, a large Israeli private equity investment fund managing approximately 200 million dollars. Uri is a lawyer and an accountant.

Vika is the Project Coordinator for “Project COMMUNITY”. Prior to this, Vika was the Manager of Limmud FSU Project and was responsible for Aliya projects in the Jerusalem Municipality. Vika holds an MA in Management of NGO and Public Policy from the Hebrew University. Vika serves as the Chair of Young Adults and Families Committee in East Talpiyot and Arnona Community Center in Jerusalem, and is an activist for the benefit of several local issues in Jerusalem. She is a mother of three Tzabars and happily married to Michael

Founder of the “Haredi Initiative.” Chairman of the Consumers Movement for the Fight against the High Cost of Living; lawyer and entrepreneur.

Principal of “Ma’ayan” Special Education school for students with a range of serious physical and cognitive disabilities. In her fourth year of mentoring new principals through the Avney Rosha Institute. Moderator for parent and student groups at Merkaz Ori. Board member at the Talpiot-Mizrach neighborhood council. MA in Bible and Jewish Studies from the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem.

Official Head of the department of supervision and pedagogy for Haredi schools in the Jerusalem municipality-Manchi. Coordinator of programs and responsible for development and administration of courses in Seminar Afik—Jerusalem. Has served as national training supervisor for Temech, the organization for promoting Haredi women’s employment. Founder and director of the “Shleimuta” school for parenting and family which offers courses throughout Israel for men and women on the Jewish home and education. Graduate of Ofakim College, with a BA in Business Administration and a concentration in human resource management and an MBA with a concentration in organizational development, both from Ono Academic College.

Yair is Founder-Director of Olympus Financial Strategies, one of Israel’s leading companies in the field of Wealth Management providing clients a multi-disciplinary financial center for financial planning and management.

Spokesman for the Yerucham Regional Council. Formerly he was a journalist and editor at local newspapers in the Negev. Yaniv also serves as the personal assistant to the Yerucham Regional Council chairman. He is responsible for public inquiries to the Yerucham Council and for the implementation of the freedom of information law. He is a volunteer lecturer at the Social Economic Academy on the topic of distributive justice and local government. He is a graduate of Kriat Kivun—Preparatory Program for Public Leadership. He is currently pursuing a BA in Humanities and Social Sciences at the Open University with an emphasis on political science and international relations. He is a graduate of the College of Management in Beersheva with a certificate in business administration.

Yehuda is founder of Katef LeKatef, an organization dedicated to rehabilitating socio-economically distressed families. He founded the Yadim Institute and is Director of the One to One Fund.

Yehuda is a movie Director and Producer, and pioneer in ultra-Orthodox movie production and lectures on this niche of cinematography. He also works with at-risk teenagers.

Yoram is Deputy Mayor of the Lachish Regional Council, founder and Head of the “Tali BeYad Rama”, and director of Otzem Pre-Army Academy.

Yossi is the Mayor of Givat Shmuel. He holds a law degree and an MA in Real Estate and is a graduate of the Noam Yeshiva in Pardes Hannah.

Yossi serves as the Director General of the Ministry of Culture and Sport. Prior to this, Yossi was the Director of Community Centers where he was responsible for all of the social, cultural and sporting activities in the Jerusalem where he was both born and currently resides. Yossi is a lawyer with a Masters of Law and Business.

CEO of “Resources” consulting company which helps NGO with grants from government ministries and philanthropic funds. Assists Maóf, the Small Business Authority of the Economic Ministry in the ultra-Orthodox sector. Is very well connected to ultra-Orthodox public fi gures and communal activists. Yossi is married with eight boys ranging in age from 16 to 3. He is now the proud father of his fi rst daughter aged one.

Ze’ev is Chairman of United Hatzalah of Israel, the largest independent, non-profit, fully volunteer Emergency Medical Services organization in Israel with 40 branches and over 2500 volunteers around Israel.