LET’S CO.LAB

Yotam is a writer, lawyer, and activist who promotes equal rights for people with disabilities, conducts writing workshops, advises social organizations around the world to promote policy change in the field of people with disability. In the past, he served as CEO of Bizchut non-profit organization and was chairman of several NGO coalitions and was a facilitator in educational programs. He holds a B.A. in law and humanities, an M.A. in gerontology and currently writes a Ph.D on the rights of the disabled and the elderly at the University of Haifa. He lives in Mevo Beitar. Together with other CoLab alumni he Yotam is a co-founder of the “Independent Movement”– promoting the independents of people with disabilities and de-institutionalization. He is also a co-founder of the CoLab initiative: Supporting independence for young adults with disabilities and a co-founder of the CoLab initiative Nothing about us without us.

  Tom Mehager is the Executive Director of the Amram Association - The Yemenite, Mizrahi and Balkan Children Affair. In addition, he is a contributor to Haaretz, +972 Magazine and Middle East Eye as well as a former fellow at Harvard Divinity School's Religion, Conflict, and Peace Initiative (2019–⁠20). Tom has also served as Program Manager, Globalization and Sovereignty Cluster at The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute and prior to that, directed the Communications Department at Adalah - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel. Tom holds a B.A. in film and television and an M.A. in political sciences, both from Tel Aviv University. He lives in Tel Aviv with Live with his partner Sivan and their daughter Noor.

Shmuel Rozengarten, administrative manager of Maccabi-Dent in Beitar Illit, works for the benefit of senior citizens in Israel, on two paths of activism: he is the founder and partner of Kan Bishvilam, a nonprofit organization that operates to relieve the loneliness of senior citizens and to enhance the safety of their homes and lives, and he is the founder of a volunteer project to benefit lone senior citizens in the United Hatzalah Organization. Previously, Shmuel founded an ultra-Orthodox community relations program at MATI Jerusalem and managed the kindergartens of the Shuvu schools' network, where he was also responsible for informal educational activities. Shmuel has a certificate of higher Torah education from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and he is a certified organizational consultant and mediator. He is currently studying for his B.A. in education at Orot Israel College. He is married, has eight children, and lives in Modiin Ilit. Shmuel believes that every person has something to give and that there is something to learn from each and every person.

Racheli is the director of development and education at OU Israel. She is a social entrepreneur and community manager of Ahuki and AhukiNation, a communal platform that promotes social responsibility, entrepreneurship, and community. She is a director of digital media and lectures on social media. Racheli is a former educational Shlicha to the Jewish community in Boston. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in educational management and has a teaching certificate in Bible studies, all from Bar-Ilan University. She wrote her thesis on formative experiences in the lives of principals that shaped and changed their managing patterns. She is originally from Beit Shemesh, lives in Jerusalem, is married, and has two children. She is a smartphone photography enthusiast.

Rivka Yafit leads communities, lectures, and is a group facilitator in the private sector, mainly for women in business. Rivka is also a consultant and facilitator for entrepreneurs and community managers in establishing regional business communities in projects for municipal councils. Rivka participated in founding an urban training project in Rishon-LeZion and is an Intech coach. Throughout the years she has facilitated and consulted on communal social projects incorporating business tools, such as second-hand shops and centers for women. She has also coached women in the process of separation, divorce, and recovering from violent relationships, in person and in group processes. Rivka holds a B.A. with honors in education from Tel-Hai College. She served in the IDF Nachal Brigade. She is a secular person who became religious, lives in Kiryat bialik, and is married with four children. Rivka strives to influence and create meaningful connections and social activism, mainly promoting women, out of a dialogue, to connect immigrants and life in Israel, secular and religious people, the center and the periphery, and conservatism and innovation.

Fadwa is an attorney who has her own independent law office. She is also a board member at the Misgav Economic Company, a founder and a member of the supervising committee of Clean, a nonprofit organization dealing with maintaining cleanliness in public spaces in Israel (education, information, and research). She also promotes a multicultural social-touristic culinary venture in the Galilee, which will be a platform for collaboration among all Galilee residents. Fadwa also has a part in designing a series of tours that present stories of Arabic and Jewish women from the Galilee. Fadwa holds an L.B.B., a B.A. in psychology, and an M.P.A. in administration and public policy, all from Haifa University. She is married and has two children. She was born in the village of Deir-Hanna to a family of farmers, and she lives in Salama. Fadwa believes in the great potential of direct connection and meeting between people to create conscious change, understanding, and containment.

Nizar is a lecturer at the Kaye Academic College. Prior to that he was the principal of the American School inJerusalem and lead an initiative to promote an advanced pedagogy to develop twenty-first century capabilities in the education system. He was also a lecturer on educational leadership in the Department of Education and Community Studies at the Kinneret Academic College and was a professor of leadership studies at the Israeli Leadership Program at The Yezreel Valley College. He is on the board of directors of the Association for Joint Israeli Leadership, which operates a seminary for Arab and Jewish leadership, and is a member of the research team of the National Resilience Institute at Ariel University. He is a member in the development group of the Israeli Hope in Education program and at the aChord Center of Social Psychology for Social Change at The Hebrew University. Until 2019, he was the principal of the Regional Arabic School in Mateh Yehuda and before that, he was the manager of a therapeutic institution in the city of Shfar'am. Nizar holds a B.A. in Middle Eastern studies and an M.A. in administration and national security, both from Haifa University, and he is a graduate of the Regional Leadership Program at the Mandel Leadership Institute. Nizar served in the IDF Human Resources Department, and was discharged with the rank of Lt. Col. He is Druze, married with three children and lives in Shfar'am.

Until recently, Merav was the director of Peoplehood programs in the Connecting the Jewish People Unit of the Jewish Agency. among the programs she manages: The Global School Twinning Network, Summer Camp Hebrew fellows, Religious Streams Allocation, Bible Quiz and G2- Intergenerational program. Before that she managed partnerships in the partnership Unit. In the past she worked in Elem, a nonprofit organization; the Ministry of Science; the Ministry of Construction and Housing, and the Knesset. Merav is a communal and social leader, with vast experience in collaboration and collective project management, developing and guiding plans and working with volunteer leadership, with the Jewish communities in the diaspora and government offices. She is a mediator and a mediation instructor. Merav holds a B.A. in political science and international relations from the Hebrew University and an M.A. in conflict resolution and negotiation from Bar-Ilan University. Merav is married and has three children. 

Yarden is a regional director and responsible for business development at IsraAID. Prior to that he served as director of innovation at the FoodTech national initiative of Erel Margalit. He also founded and managed Project Ten, an international development organization, where he founded and operated eight centers in seven countries worldwide working in the fields of health, agriculture, and education. In the past, Yarden directed the Acharai Labagrut project, a national program for youth at risk. He has also facilitated joint activities for Palestinian and Jewish children. He holds a B.A. in behavioral sciences from Ben-Gurion University and an M.A. in clinical social work from The Haifa University. He also graduated from the managers program E.M.B.A. from the Hebrew University, focusing on venture capital. He lives in Jerusalem with his spouse, Yael, and their two children.

Yaakov Yosef is a researcher at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of the Ministry of justice. He is also a lecturer at the Ono Academic College and the deputy chairman of the board of directors at the nonprofit Lishma organization for integrating and empowering the mentally ill. In the last decade, he was involved in promoting the rights of people with disabilities, especially psychosocial disabilities within the Jewish ultra-Orthodox community. He is one of the founders of Lev in the Community project, an enterprise that promotes the rights of people with disabilities in the ultra-Orthodox community, and assists in directing it. He holds a B.A. in social sciences and humanities from The Open University and an M.A. in criminology from Haifa University. He lives in Jerusalem.

Yael is the Vice President of resources development, marketing, and partnerships in Desert Stars, a nonprofit organization focusing on developing the next generation of Bedouin leadership. Prior to that, Yael worked in the informal education field and has taught about Israel at the The Jewish Agency for Israel, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Acharai nonprofit organization, and in the Husidman Science Center for Youth. She has an honorary B.A. in sociology and management and an M.A. in sociology, both from Ben-Gurion University. Yael is also a licensed Israeli tour guide. She is married and has four children. She was born and raised in Jerusalem (seventh generation) and moved with her family to Kibbutz Cramim in the Negev, because of her connection to the people and to the desert landscapes.

Yael works at the Israel Geological Institute, affiliated with the Ministry of Energy. She is in charge of the budget and work plans, manages the contracts unit, and leads workforce diversity in the Ministry. She was chosen to participate in the Leadership Club, a limited forum of excelling diversity directors from the civil service. In addition, Yael is involved in social initiatives, including the enhancement of employment of ultra-Orthodox Jews in civil service and volunteering as a leader of a community of ultra-Orthodox government employees. She also volunteers as a team leader in Paamonim, a nonprofit organization where she accompanies families who find themselves in financial difficulties and leads them toward recovery and financial responsibility. Yael holds a B.A. in business administration from the Ono Academic College, an M.A. in public administration and policy, with honors, from Bar-Ilan University, and a teaching diploma from the Beit Yaacov Seminar. She lives in Beit Shemesh.

Yotam is the Deputy Director for Education and Community at the Jerusalem Botanical Garden and prior to that was the director of the Hubitus - the hub for environmental and social sustainability at the Botanical Garden. Yotam is a co-founder of two social enterprises in Beer-Sheva: Kolboynik, a collective equipment storeroom, and the Communal Carpentry. He also worked as a director of social business and resource development in the HaReshet program of Eretz-Ir, a non-profit organization in Beer-Sheva, and he was a young JAFI Shaliach of Habonim Dror Youth Movement in Vancouver, Canada. Yotam holds a B.A. in social work and an M.B.A. in social leadership, both from Ben-Gurion University. Before his army service, he volunteered for a year in community service in Nitzana at the Negev. He served as a combat officer in the paratroopers brigade and as a mental health officer in reserves. Yotam was born and raised in Kibbutz Yagur, a fourth generation to a collective community, and now lives in Beit Zait.  

Hanan is a supervisor in the Youth and Community Administration in the Ministry of Education, where she focuses on developing and strengthening the infrastructure for informal education in Arab society, in the northern region. Hanan has won an award for her work and was chosen to be the liaison between the Northern District and the Arab division at the Ministry. Prior to that she worked as a manager of a PISGA Center, which is a ministry professional development center for teachers. She led the center in accreditation by the international European Foundation of Quality and Management (EQFM). Hanan has a certificate in organizational counseling, a B.A. in education and sociology, and an M.A. in educational counseling, all from Haifa University. She is a graduate of the Principal Training Program at Oranim Academic College of Education and is certified to work as a mentor and assessor by the EFQM. Currently, she is writing scientific research about the effects of nonformal education at Bar-Ilan University. She lives in Carmiel and is married with three children.

Giti is the director of the Lishma Policy Program, a partnership between the Lishma Organization and Reichman University that offers training in policy-change processes. The program is intended for senior and influential ultra-Orthodox women in the local or public arena, who are interested in promoting significant social and civic action. In addition, Giti is a co-founder and a board director in Naomi Medi Investments, a company that was established in collaboration with a wide spectrum of entrepreneurs from diverse social and professional backgrounds and develops innovative technology to treat infertility via high resolution ultrasound and electric waves. The company aims to provide groundbreaking medical solutions to fertility challenges. Giti is a graduate of the Mandel Foundation Leadership Institute program in Jerusalem and about to complete her studies for a B.A, in psychology and international relations at the Open University. She lives in Beit Shemesh, is a graduate of Beit Yaakov Institutions, and is an ultra-Orthodox Jew. She Works to integrate inventors from the ultra-Orthodox and Arab populations in Israel's technological arena and believes in fostering encounters and dynamics between different people and different opinions, as part of an effort to promote a better, deeper and more innovative society.

Erez is an experienced entrepreneur in the high-tech industry and is the co-founder and chairman of Kol-Zchut. Kol-Zchut is a nonprofit organization that operates a website providing extensive information on the rights and entitlements Israeli citizens are eligible for and ways to receive them, free of charge. The site is used by 1.25 million people per month and is accessible in Hebrew, Arabic, and English. In addition, Erez is a senior advisor to the Israeli Innovation Authority and volunteers as a mentor in several social initiatives. Erez founded or was a senior board member in three innovative start-ups that operated mostly in the U.S. market; one of these companies had a successful IPO. Erez has a B.Sc. in mathematics and computer science with honors, an M.B.A., and an M.A. in philosophy with honors, all from Tel-Aviv University. He began his career as an academic officer at the Technological Unit of The Israeli Air Force, from which he was discharged as a major. He has two patents in the U.S. and has lectured on social entrepreneurship on TEDx. He lives with his family in Ramat-Gan.

Amira is the Co-founder and CEO of Job360 – a technological venture which deals with improving soft employment skills among job seekers from Arab and Ultra-Orthodox society. Prior to that she was the head of training and knowledge development at Al-Fanar, which operates the Ryian workforce development centers in the Arab society. Amira is a social activist involved in establishing a mixed Arab-Jewish local community in her town. In the past, she managed various educational and social programs and led Arab-Jewish and Israeli-Palestinian dialogue groups. She holds an M.A. in management of non-profit organizations from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and is qualified at group facilitation. She is originally from Abu-Gosh, and now lives in the north of Israel, in Nof HaGalil (formerly Nazereth-Ilit). She is married with two children. Amira believes in connections between varied identities to create a common sphere for all the citizens of Israel.

Elior is a journalist, an activist, and a social and business entreprenur. He serves as a member of the Kiryat Malachi City Council and is chairman of the opposition. He is a board member in the Darkenu movement. Elior is also the owner of an independent business for digital social media management and marketing. As part of his public activities, he has been fighting for many years for distributional justice between Kiryat Malachy and its neighbor, the Beer Tuvia Regional Council. For ten years he’s also worked as a reporter, editor, and publisher of a local newspaper of Kiryat Malachy and the surrounding area. In the past, he managed the national telemarketing operations of the Israeli Labor Party. Elior is a graduate of the 120 Leadership Program and is currently studying for a B.A. in administration and public policy at The Sapir Academic College. He is an information reserve officer at the Home Front Command and lives in Kiryat Malachy.

Orna is an expert on issues of optimal and safe use of digital technologies. she is the founder and former manager of NETICA in the Israeli Internet Association, where she promotes optimal use of the web such as promoting awareness, creating an ecosystem that will promote change, activating a hotline to support people hurt by the internet, and leading campaigns on these issues. As part of Netica activities, Orna established the Web Spaces community, where experts from many areas (education, mental health, parenting, and the web) exchange knowledge, create a common language, promote connections and partnerships, and lead activities for the benefit of the public. In addition, Orna has been leading a joint venture for the National Insurance Children's Fund and the Internet Association on cyberbullying among youth at risk. The project includes 13 different programs, some aimed at local communities and some at various nonprofit organizations dedicated to the subject. She lives in Kfar-Saba.

Udi is the founder and manager of a company that specializes in entrepreneurship and in developing social projects that integrate people with disabilities into the community. One project is a network of four Batei Midrash (places where the Torah is studied) for ultra-Orthodox Jews coping with psychosocial difficulties. In addition, the company accompanies and integrates hundreds of people with psychosocial difficulties from the Arabic and Jewish communities into the employment market. Another new project is communal housing for individuals with autism and cognitive disablities, in cooperation with religious intentional communities (‘Garinim Toraniyim’) in the peripheries. In the past, Udi worked as a facilitator and a coordinator in Hevruta, a hostel for religious juvenile delinquents and in Retorno, an addiction rehabilitation center. He holds a B.A. in industrial management engineering from Ariel University and an M.A. in education from Bar-Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem.

Kher is the chairman of AJEEC NISPED Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development and he is an expert of government policy in the social spheres and for current trends in the Bedouin society. He is involved in a wide range of projects in the field of community planning and development. Kher has been serving as a management member of several civil society organizations, including Sapir College, Abraham Fund, Igul Letova and Midot. He managed a Regional Welfare Department for many years and also worked in the Canadian welfare system for three years. Kher holds a B.A. in social work from Ben Gurion University of the Negev, an M.A. in planning and social policy from WLU University in Canada, and an additional M.B.A. from the University of Haifa. He lives in Tel Sheva.

Organizational consultant, facilitator and process designer. Supports people and organizations through processes of change, growth and innovation. Has extensive experience in training and supporting professional development of educators in academia, local authorities and schools; working with groups using a variety of participatory methods. Has a bachelor's and master's degree in history and philosophy of education with a specialization in democratic education; participated in various courses and trainings in public participation, human-centered design, and participatory methodologies. Married and mother of three and lives in Kiryat Ono.

Organizational Development Consultant, working with organizational systems and communities. One of the pioneers in the use of “Open Space Technology” in Israel. Incorporates the use of multi-participant methodologies to create quality solutions efficiently and quickly, specifically suited to conditions of urgency and complexity. Lecturer and supervisor of Masters Degree in organizational consulting at Tel Aviv University; trains consultants. Engages in personal consulting and development of managers and organizational systems. Serves as groups’ counselor in organizations and works with managers to open for them a space for new creative energy and genuine human contact.

Director of ‘Osot Esek’, an entrepreneurial program designed for Haredi high school female graduates who acquire experience in an innovative field called ‘Making’. Shaindy also serves as a program Coordinator at ‘Community School’ - an educational community-based program that creates collaborations between schools and community administrators in Jerusalem. Prior to that, Shaindy coordinated ‘Turning Point’, a program that encourages entrepreneurship for at-risk youth in collaboration with the JDC and the Education Department of the Jerusalem Municipality. In the past, she served as Marketing and Sales Manager for ‘Ateret Shalom Hall’ and founded an independent business in the fashion field which imported shoes. Shaindy holds a Teaching Certificate in History, from Gur Seminary.

Shai is the manager of Yahad in the community a Jewish identity program at the Or Torah Stone network. Shai is also a member of Tzohar Rabbis organization, in which he conducts wedding ceremonies and is a member of Rabbis Online, a closed group specializing in significant writing on social networks. Prior to his current position he served as head of the Israeli program at the Neshamat- Beit Midrash that teaches about 60 students every year (following their military or national service) and includes intensive Jewish studies. He is one of the founders of Lapidot, a pre-military prep for religious women. Shay holds a B.A. in psychology from the Open University and an M.A. in Hebrew literature from the Hebrew University and the Lander Institute. He lives in Ma'ale Mikhmas.

Shula is a researcher in the fields of education, activism and communication in a postdoctoral fellowship at Brandeis University, Boston. An advisor to the board of directors in Gesher – the Multicultural Film Fund and as a council member at Kol Zchut. Prior to that, she worked as a teacher training instructorteaching Instructor and curriculum developer at the Center for Educational Technology. Shula was also a member of the research and development team at the Avney Rosha Leadership Institute. She serves on the board of Gesher Multicultural Film Fund, and as a Council Member of Kol-Zchut and of the Justice Ministry's Anti-Racism Department. In the past, she served as the CEO and Chairperson of the Association for Ethiopian Jews (AEJ) and was on the board of the ‘Steinhardt Family Foundation’. Shula is one of the founders of and key activists of Mothers on Guard – a group of mothers who protest police brutality against youth of Ethiopian origin. Shula holds a B.A. and an M.A. in education from the Hebrew University, and has recently completed her Ph.D requirements in communications from Ben Gurion University. She is a graduate of the Mandel Institute Educational Leadership School. She lives in Jerusalem. She is a co-founder of the Co.Lab Initiative: Sem Ana Werk - Black TV series.

Shuki is a co-director of the "Journey Between a Person and a Place" initiative - inquiry journeys in the Israeli society. Previously, she served as vice president of education and director of the Jewish identity division at KIAH. Previously, she managed Maarag, a program for excellence in education, aimed at improving Jewish - Israeli - Zionist identity. The program was founded by the Avi Hai foundation and in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Prior to that, she served as principal of the Be'er Sheva Comprehensive High School, Mekif Het. The school became an incubator for educational innovation, won numerous awards, the most notable was the President's Education Award. Shuki holds a B.A. in Hebrew literature and philosophy and a M.A. in educational administration, both from Ben Gurion University. She lives in Omer.

Heart entrepreneur, artist and community leader. Roni is one of the founders of Community Forward, the Israeli community leaders' organization, and currently leads the education field in the organization. She founded the leading Israeli shoe brand Roni Kantor, known for designing vegan shoes, and is one of the founders of Midburn, a regional event of Burning Man where a temporary city is built for 6 days in the Negev desert. Today, Roni lives and creates in Hof Haçarmel, and is a founding partner of the intriguing new venture Purple Galaxy - which creates culture events in Hof Haçarmel through artistic intervention in the public sphere and invites the public to take responsibility for the space in which we live. Roni holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Management from HaMichlala Leminhal.

Co-Director of ‘Sadaka Reut’ - Arab Jewish Youth Partnership. Prior to her position, Rawan coordinated the organization’s ‘Culture of Peace’ youth project. For the last ten years, she has been active in various civil society organizations and movements, such as being a board member of the nonprofit System Ali, a board member of Zazim (a campaigning community for social and political change) and chairwoman of the Academic Union in Nazareth. She has taken leading roles in local struggles in Jaffa, including through the Hithabrut-Tarabut movement, which aims to build a popular left through joining struggles of different oppressed groups. Additionally, she works as a Facilitator in Bar Ilan University and the NYU Campus in Tel Aviv University.

Chairperson of Bat Melech, a non-profit organization that operates shelters for battered women who come from religious & ultra-Orthodox backgrounds and a lawyer. In addition, Zilit gives lectures to various institutes in order to raise awareness to violence against women and promotes gender and family issues in the Israeli parliament. She co-founded the Israeli Talmud, an educational project that teaches children the Talmud. As part of her work in the National Council for the Chil’ she represented children and families of victims of sexual abuse and violence in trails. Zilit holds a Bachelor and a Master of Law Degree, with honors, from Bar-Ilan University and a Family Mediator Certificate from Gome Institute.

Founder and Chairwoman of Mamanet - a newcomb ball league for moms, a field in which 20,000 players take part in, in Israel and around the world. Ofra’s model received recognition and awards from international organizations, foreign governments, government agencies, the UN, sport agencies such as CSIT, health & lifestyle companies and more. Mamanet’s moto is every mother can! Ofra also serves as the Chairwoman of the Women's Volleyball Club Hapoel Kfar Saba and gives lectures about Mamanet worldwide. The Israeli Ministry of Science is currently conducting a 3-year research on Mamanet league regarding the increase of social capital, health promotion and wellbeing. Ofra holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Queens College, NYC.

CEO of ANU - Making change, an NGO that provides comprehensive infrastructure and support for social initiatives. Prior to that, Anat founded and managed the national employment centers of the Ministry of Social Affairs throughout Israel on behalf of the ‘JDC’. Anat was a Co-Founder and served as the founding CEO of the ‘Jerusalem Movement’ (HaTnuah HaYerushalmit), an NGO that works towards a welcoming and pluralistic Jerusalem. She served as the director of the Policy Promotion Department at the ‘Hazan Center’, of the ‘Van Leer Institute’. Anat also served as CEO of ‘Meimad’ party and provided consultation services to the Knesset, a Deputy Minister, and was a senior advisor to a Knesset Member. Anat holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences from the Open University of Israel and a Master’s Degree in Political Science, specializing in Leadership and Government, from Tel Aviv University.

Secretary of the Jerusalem City Council. As part of his responsibilities, he manages the municipal agenda through the municipal committees and the municipal council. He also serves as Director of Gihon, the Jerusalem the surrounding area water and sewage company. Prior to this position, he served as Deputy Manager of Nir Barkat's election campaign and as a Senior Adviser to the Mayor of Jerusalem. Ido holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies from the Hebrew University and a Master of Law Degree from Bar-Ilan University.

Lili is the founder and CEO of Michal Sela Forum that operates with the aim of eradicating domestic violence. She also advises and directs educational programs of public bodies in the fields of social entrepreneurship and gender and is an activist in the field of violence against women. In the past, she directed Wizo Jerusalem Leadership Center and presented weekly on national TV show called Osim Seder. She has also worked for a long period of time at the Ministry of Education in a large number of positions. Among other things, Lili established a national community of educators, founded the nurseries of the Hebrew University, The Lobby for Gender Equality, established the Fair Employment for Teachers, and joined the principal’s forum Future-Oriented Pedagogical Laboratory. She holds a B.A. in Israel and biblical studies and an M.A. in education, with honors, both from the Hebrew University. She lives in Beit Zayit.

Director of a cyber product company owned by Toga Networks’ nd one of the founders of Spotinst, a startup company. Prior to that, Yakir served a decade in the IDF in various technological positions. Following Operation Protective Edge and the expansion of the ‘BDS’ movement around the world, he served as a Shaliach- a Jewish Agency delegate, and established a Hillel branch at George Mason University. In addition, he co-founded Desert Bird, a community for lone soldiers who completed their army service and immigrated to Israel. Yakir holds a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from the College of Management Academic Studies and a Master's Degree in Law from Bar Ilan University.

Hanoch is the CEO of The future of Israel organization and was the director of Shahar- an organization that integrates ultra-Orthodox populations in the IDF and in the work sector. Hanoch is Haredi educator and social activist and was one of the founders of ultra-Orthodox combat units in the IDF and supervised the preparation process. He also managed projects to integrate the ultra-Orthodox community in the academic world within the framework of Joint Israel, the Ministry of Economy and several local authorities. He also developed and lead informal education programs on behalf of the Jerusalem Municipality. Hanoch holds a B,A. in law from the ONO Academic College and is currently working on a M.A. in law at Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem.

Zehorit Sorek is the head of the LGBT Community Department of the Ramat Gan Municipality and lectures to groups about activism and her personal story. She was a candidate for the 19th and 21st Knesset on behalf of the Yesh Atid and Blue & White parties. Zehorit founded the LGBT caucus of Yesh Atid and serves as its chairperson. She also established the Pride Minyan in Tel Aviv and the Proud Religious Community and is one of the founders of Yachad synagogue. She is also an active member in other organizations such as Bat Kol, a religious lesbian organization, and was also a board member of Hoshen, the gay community advocacy and education organization for tolerance in the religious society. In 2012 she was honored with the Distinguished Members of the LGBT Community Award. Zehorit worked at the Association of Community Centers (IACC) as a program director for the establishment of LGBT communities in the periphery in Israel. She lives in Tel Aviv.

Victor is a social entrepreneur for policy change in the field of climate and environment. Was the co- CEO of the Climate Restoration Center, which conducts research, policy, education, and public relations to advance technical solutions for dealing with the climate crisis. . Until recently as CEO of Heschel Center for Sustainability, that spreads sustainability in creative ways, teaches conceptual and practical knowledge and promotes significant change processes in Israel. Victor is also a tour guide who gives lectures about education, sustainability and geography. In the past, he founded and managed the environmental protection field in the IDF. Victor is a graduate of the Heschel Center for Sustainability Leadership Program and a graduate of the Mandel Educational Leadership School. He holds a B.A. in geography and education from the University of Haifa and an M.A. in health systems management from the University of Beer Sheva. He lives in Ramat Gan.

Bashir ia a Psychological and Social Counselor at the Technion Student Dean's Office; and also conducts therapy sessions in boarding schools for at-risk children. In recent years, Bashir has written texts on shared living in Israel that were published in several newspapers. In the past, he worked at the Sacred Heart institute in Haifa, where he treated (individuals and groups) populations suffering from cerebral palsy and mental retardation. He also mentored students who studied music therapy at the University of Haifa and lead student career groups as part of the Kav Mashve organization. Bashir initiated several community projects, such as a partnership between an academic institution for music and a special needs school, for the integration of children with disabilities into concert halls in the community. He also initiated the Juzoor (Roots) project in the field of community activism, that sought to create cooperation between parents and children in one of Haifa's neighborhoods - together with community leaders - with the aim of shaping local policy and adapting the neighborhood landscape to their unique needs. Bashir holds a B.A. in statistics from Haifa University and two Master’s Degrees: in music psychotherapy from Bar Ilan University and in political social work from Haifa University. Bashir holds also a professional certificate in group facilitation from Tel Aviv University. He lives in Haifa.

Amitay is the Director of the NEGEV Theater. He is an actor, director, and interdisciplinary creator combining art and social entrepreneurship. He is also a member of Mifal HaPais - Lottery Arts Council, and the Chairman of the Performing Arts Committee. He is also a Lecturer at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. In the past, he established and managed Factory Bat Yam - an artist residency program interacting within the surrounding community. Amitay was the artistic director of the International Street Theater Festival Bat Yam. He was also the founder and creative director of Nissui Kellim festival, developing new interactions between different art forms. He is a graduate of the Academy of Performing Arts Beit Zvi. Lives in Tel Aviv. Co-founder of the Co.Lab Initiative: Sem Ana Werk - Black TV series. Photograph - Yanai Yechiel

Elad Shoshan is the Consul of Israel to the Southwest United States. Prior to that he served as the CEO of Zikaron BaSalon - a social venture that offers a new, meaningful way to commemorate the Holocaust, a role that earned him with Presidential Award for Outstanding Volunteerism. Previously, he served as the CEO of Momentum and led innovation initiatives with the JDC, Tel Aviv Municipality, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Rothschild Caesarea Foundation. Elad is also the co-founder of NOX Group, a food and beverage company, specializing in culture and hospitality. Following his release as a commander in the Special Forces Yahalom Unit, he co-founded Yahalom Foundation, the unit’s non-profit veterans' organization. He also founded Guests of Honor, a global initiative that organizes holiday dinners for Holocaust survivors, which earned him the Edmond de Rothschild outstanding entrepreneur award. Elad holds an honorary B.A. in business and finance from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya and currently serves as a board member in several social organizations. He lives in Tel Aviv.

Oren is the CEO of the Na'Lagat Center - a nonprofit culture and art center that integrates people with disabilities in society, and provides an equal stage for meeting between deaf, blind individuals and the wide public. Na'agat operates four different centers: theater, dark restaurant, event center and workshop center, all of them employ actors, waiters, mentors and other employees with sensory limitations. Prior to that, he served as VP of Meditech Cultural Complex in Holon and managed the operations of the Design Museum, Comic Museum, Meditech Theater, Holon Cinematheque and the Central Library. In the past, he served as a producer at the Alley theater and as a production manager specializing in multi participants events. Oren holds a B.A. in social sciences and humanities from the Open University of Israel and is a graduate of a course for managers of cultural and art institutions. He lives in Tel Aviv. He is a co-founder of the Co.Lab Initiative: Online sign language course.

Sarah is the secretary general of the religious Kibbutz movement. Prior to that, she served as executive director of the Yaacov Herzog Center. Former executive director of education of Jerusalem where she created a five year program for schools in the city. Prior to this she served as the principle at the High school of Kibutz Hadaty, Yavne Israel and as manager of the Kibutz Saad community. She was one of the founders of women prayer groups where women read the Torrah, celebrate Bat Mitzva and are empowered thru a religious experience. She holds an M.B.A from the College of Management and M.A. in bible from Bar Ilan University. She lives in Saad.

Senior consultant specializing in FSU, with an emphasis on geopolitics. Shalom also lectures on various aspects of the Israeli society, focusing on the different communities in Jerusalem and their relations with the community of former Soviet Jewry in Israel. Shalom is a social activist and is one of the founders of "Generation 1.5" - a group of young adults who immigrated to Israel from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s and write about the Russian voice in the Israeli society.

Racheli is a partner in an accountancy firm. Racheli was the first ultra orthodox at the accounting firm she joined and just a few years later, thanks to her endeavors, the firm had over 20 Haredi employees. She is the founder of the Haredi cell in the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel and gives lectures about the Haredi society. Racheli holds a B.A. and a diploma from Kiryat Ono College. She lives in Bnei Brak. Co-founder of Co.Lab initiative It's up to you.

Economic and Social Empowerment Project Entrepreneur and Developer. He is also a director, film producer and owner of Screen Colors, a producing company. Initiated and manages a mobile space, science, technology and innovation center designed to encourage learning and give the public access to science. In addition he is the director of Artist, an NGO dedicated to preserve Bedouin culture and increase economic development. Kamil holds a B.A. in Psychology from TLV University and an M.A. in Public Policy and Governance from an institution in Jerusalem.

Founder and the director of Rashut Ha`Rabim, a partnership of more than 30 organizations in Jerusalem, which aims to transform Jerusalem into the global capital of Jewish renaissance. She currently works on creating a Jewish Ploralistic center in Jerusalem. Previously, Inbar founded and directed Hillel Haifa for 3 years and served as an emissary (Shlicha) in the USA and in England. Prior to that, Inbar was the first Hillel shlicha to the University of Massachusetts. She holds a B.A. in Economics from BGU University and an M.A. in Pluralistic Jewish Education from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Inbar also holds a second M.A. in Humanitarian Affairs she acquired during a joint program of Israelis and Palestinians in Italy. She’s a qualified rabi from the HUC institute in Jerusalem, and is an alumni of six pluralistic Batei Midrash programs throughout Israel.

Executive Director of "Athena" - National Program for the Advancement of Women's Sports in Israel where she leads programs in sport federation and association for the advancement of girls, teens and women in sport. The projects programs include cooperation between different communities and including Jews, Muslims and Christians. In the past she served as a professional staff member for the olympic games, during four olympic delegations. Omrit holds a B.A in Physical Education and an Executive Masters in Sports Organisation Management from Catholique de Louvain University, Belgium.

Amit is the director of the Neta Leadership program, which aims to improve health services and develop a high-quality, diverse, and networked senior management level of nurses, to lead the health system in Israel. She is also the co-founder and director DAANA – a Social Economic Initiative of gift economy and community building and. She was the co-founder and director of the Hub for Social and Educational Entrepreneurship at Beit Berl College. Co-creator of Together in Creation and the Movement for a Healthy Country, initiatives dedicated to promoting knowledge, awareness and integrative activism for healing the planet and contributing to a new form of eco-governance. Amit worked as an economist in the Ministry of Finance and following the social protests of 2011, she initiated a leadership course for activists at The Heschel Center for Sustainability. She also established and led an innovative bachelor’s degree program in education and social business management at the Kibbutzim College of Education. Amit holds a B.A. and M.A. in economics and is a fellow of the Mandel Leadership Institute. She lives in Revadim.

Ola is the Director of the Jewish-Arab Center for Peace in Givat Haviva. she was the director of Programs at Abraham Fund Initiative. Prior to this position she worked for 8 years at the Women Against Violence Association as the coordinator of the project for the representation of women in decision-making positions and the awareness-raising project. Ola holds a B.A. in psychology and education from Bir-Zeit University, and an additional degree from the Technion, completed a training course from Oranim College in facilitation and community projects managing. In addition, she completed a community leadership course for employees of local authorities and Arab organizations. She lives in Nazarat.

Director of Strategic Relations at "Masira" Fund and Center for the Advancement of People with Disabilities in Arab Society of Israel. Sahar's main responsibilities include soliciting and maintaining relationships with donors, overseeing and assisting in the creation of marketing materials, conferences and special events, and development of strategic business and policy plans. In the past Sahar worked as a lawyer in the civil field and after that in the field of public health where she served as a coordinator and health educator at the Arab Health Initiative at Memorial Sloan – Kettering Cancer Center Program at the Department for Immigrant Health, New York. The program was designed to raise awareness about cancer treatment and prevention, and was one of the founders of a first of its kind support program in New York for Arabic-speaking breast cancer patients which included psychological and educational components. She was a partner in a research aimed at improving the health of Arabic speakers in the United States. Sahar also served as a program manager at D-Cure (Diabetes Care in Israel) and was responsible for coordinating intervention and research evaluation regarding diabetes in the Arab community in Israel. Farah holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master’s Degree from the School of Public Health at Haifa University.

Principal of the "Reali" School since 2010 where he is responsible for the education of 1,400 students, grades 10-12. In his previous position he served as the National Counselor in the Ministry of Education's Advancement of youth at risk. Prior to that Mendy was the principal of "Hadassah Neurim", a youth village high school where he developed and applied unconventional educational approaches for at risk and new immigrant students. In the public sphere, Mendy served as a volunteering deputy mayor of the Kadima-Zoran Local Council, holding the education portfolio. Mendy holds a B.A. in Israeli Studies and an M.A. in Contemporary American History from Haifa University and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the School of History of Haifa University.

Yael is the director of the Amitim program at Maoz, head of training and development at Briah Foundation and executive board member of Ein Prat – the Academy for Leadership. Yael practices psychotherapy and interdisciplinary research. She is a trauma expert psychotherapist trained at the Tel Aviv University Medical School and holds a Ph.D in Psychoanalysis and Interpretation from Bar Ilan University. Yael lives in Kfar Adumim.

CEO and co-founder of the Negev council. He also coordinates intercultural leadership programs in Hillel, Ben Gurion University, serves as a coordinator of the young adults center in Dimona and lectures at the Philosophy Department of the Ben Gurion University. Prior to his position Atlan served as regional director of the Young adult Headquarter where he was in charge of developing civic engagement in the Negev region, directing and training 13 civic engagement coordinators from Eilat to Kiryat Mallachi. Yohan holds a B.A in Philosophy and Technological Sciences.

Shay (Shimon Yehuda) Weizman  is the Director of Cooperation, a marrying rabbi at Tzohar Rabbinical Organization and an educator. He was a ministerial Advisors to the Minister of Religious Service. Prior to his current position he was the Rabbi of the Lapidot pre-military program where he taught about the lives and ruling traditions of eastern Jewish rabbis and scholars and directed Giyur K'Halacha Conversion Courts with dozens of municipal rabbis and Yeshiva managers who assist thousands of families in conversion processes. In this position he was responsible for the year's budget, raising funds and advertising social and educational activities throughout the country, in order to help families in the conversion process in the community and at home. Lives in Kibbutz Beit Rimon.

Bracha was the founder and former CEO of Kulan- a women NGO that promotes feminism in Israel. She founded the Tel Aviv University Feminist Sorority in order to prevent sexual violence on campus and produced empowering activities for women. She managed the production of the Tel Aviv Slut Walk, a feminist demonstration against violence and victim blaming, and was the official spokesperson. She is a graduate of the NGO Catalyst fund-raising training, and the BeFree Israel leadership program. Barad holds a B.A. in political science from Tel Aviv University. She lives in Tel Aviv.

Regional Director of the IACC- Israel association of community centers, where he mentors community centers staffs, evaluates managers performances and leads community building processes at the centers. He is a member of the board of directors of the IACC. He previously managed the Juliss Community Center where he led the fundraising efforts and managed innovative educational programs. He holds a B.A in Statistics from Haifa University and an M.A in Business Management from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya. Hino served in the IDF as a combat soldier and retired with the rank of Lt. Col.

Amir is the CEO of Keren Shemesh - the Bet Shemesh Development Fund. Keren Shemesh is an NGO that deals with reducing gaps in education and in optimal integration of the city's youth into the Israeli society, employment development, and in projects for the advancement of the city. In his previous position, Amir was the director of economic development and loan funds within the framework of the Center for the Encouragement of Business at the Jewish Agency for Israel. Dealing with assisting entrepreneurs and business owners in Israel to develop and expand their businesses. He also serves as the CEO of the Crowd.il project, a peer to peer crowdfunding platform for small businesses in the geographic and socioeconomic periphery of Israel. In the past he served as director of financial affairs and economist at the Jewish Agency and held various positions in Bank Hapoalim, including the department manager and deputy director of the branch. He holds a B.A. in economics and political science and is studying for an M.B.A. in finance and marketing, both from the Hebrew University. He lives in Jerusalem.

Eli is the Director of the Shared Society Desk at The Jerusalem Intercultural Center and the founder and co-manager of Plugta - a cross-sectoral dialogue project where he consults the steering committee. Prior to his position he managed a network of 70 volunteers in an NGO that provides support for children of single family households and coordinated their activity with the Jerusalem welfare department. A graduate of Chevron Yeshiva, he holds a B.A. in education from the Jerusalem College as well as certificates in coaching and mediation. He lives in Jerusalem.

Eitan is the principal of Atid Emanuel Moreno High School in Lod. Prior to that he was the principal of the Junior High School Yeshiva for Sciences and Arts and an active and leading partner in building joint communities in the cities. In the past, he was the principal of the Mikve Israel Religious School that consisted of students defined as “youth at risk”. Eitan also worked as the assistant principal at the Ulpanit Bar Ilan School where he was in charge of school’s administration, managed the school budget and coordinated the social education curriculum. Eitan holds a B.E.D. in Jewish thought from the Hertzog College and an M.A. in mediation and dispute resolution from Tel Aviv University. He’s also a reserve armed forces company commander. He lives in Ariel. He is a co-founder of the Co.Lab initiative: Nikuy Rosh – the first headmasters' theater.

Ms. Dagan completed her BSW at BGU and her MBA in social leadership program sponsored by the Mandel Foundation at Ben-Gurion Univ. Ms. Dagan has experience in community work, social project management and volunteer management. In addition Adi is active in Zikaron BaSalon community and leads the Tel Aviv-Jaffa community.

Gabi is the Director of Pedagogic Centers and Head of Educational Counseling in the Bnei Yosef – Ma’ayan_HaChinuch Education Network. Gabi serves as an officer in reserves in charge of the Haredi population in the IDF Home Front Command. Gabi has extensive experience in formal and informal education, focusing on holistic ways to support communities and institutions. Gabi holds a BED, a MA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is an alumni of Mandel Mandel Leadership Institute.  

Anat is the Vice CEO of The Ideological Center of the Berl Katznelson Foundation. Prior to this position, Anat served as the project manager of the Foundation, and initiated leading initiatives: The Hate Report - a technological platform monitoring hate discourse on the web; the “Beeri Program for Critical Thinking” for students in the peripheral areas, and has established an Annual conference for social entrepreneurs. Before her work at the foundation, Anat was a campaign manager in the social arena, and journalist who co–led the “Strollers walk” - a national protests march for Free Education, which succeeded in expanding the Law to age 3. Anat has a BA in Political Science from Tel-Aviv University, and is currently working on her MA in Democracy Studies.

Asaf is a staff member at the Schusterman foundation. He was the Strategy and Partnerships Manager of the Social Department at the Jerusalem Municipality. He is a social activist and entrepreneur in Jerusalem and its surroundings and was a research fellow in Beit Morasha Beit Midrash (a place for religious studies) and studied in various religious schools. Asaf holds a B.Ed., a teaching certificate in talmud and biblical studies and M.A. in organizational consultancy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Asaf also participated in the Global leadership program of the Jewish Agency, Adaptive Leadership Lab, and is a graduate of several seminars of The Schusterman Family Foundation. He lives in Jerusalem. He is a co-founder of Alnoor initiative.

Bat Galim is the Chairwoman of SonShine, Chairwomen of the Central Ziononist Archives, an educator and public activist, working to promote connections in the Israeli society and to promote Jewish Peoplehood awareness and establish the connection between Israel and the Jewish communities in the diaspora. She has 20 years of experience in the formal and informal education systems and lectures in various places in Israel and abroad and is a part of promoting various initiatives relating to unity in the Israeli society and Jewish diaspora. A member of board of directors, a co-founder and co-leader of Unity Day, Jerusalem Unity Prize for Israel Unity, a member of Our Common Destiny Forum on behalf of Genesis Philanthropy Group and The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and author of "Expecting My Child-Longings of a Mother". Bat Galim holds a B.A. in political science and in Jewish history from Bar Ilan University, an M.A. in educational administration from the Center for Academic Studies in Or Yehuda and an alumnus of Rashut HaRabim Beit Midrash (a school for religious studies) of Herzog College. She lives in Talmon.

Chavy is the founder, owner and CEO of Erenfeld Education Ltd. a company dedicated to making higher education accessible to the ultra-orthodox sector. To date Chavi has helped close to 2000 Haredi students join academic programs. Prior to this, Chavy worked in education as a visiting officer, and was a project coordinator at Friends of Nava organization, helping victims of terror and bereaved families in Israel. Chavy has a BA in Leadership and Management of Educational Systems from Bar-Ilan University, and an MA in Counseling and Organizational Development. Chavy was the Winner of the Keren Shemesh Prize of 2015, Bank Hapoalim & Yedioth Achronot Social Business prize for 2016, and the YBI International Award for 2016.

David is a lawyer and the former vice CEO of The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. Prior to that, he was Bureau Chief at the IACC Israel Association of Community Centers. Before that, he was an attorney at a private law firm, specializing in commercial litigation and directed a program of educational leadership for teenagers of the Ethiopian community at Bnei Akiva Youth Movement. David has an L.L.B and a certification to practice the law, and M.B.A from the Recanati Executive M.B.A program at Tel-Aviv University. In addition, David is a Captain in the Reserve Corps of the IDF and founder of the social project Story of a Journey with the IACC. He lives in Kefar Etzion.

Dror is the Education Director, at Masa Israeli (iBelong Israel), a position he has held for the past 11 years. Prior to his is work at Masa Israeli, and since his release from the army, Dror has worked in education. Dror began as a guide in the Eilat Mountains, and was the education manager of El Artzi, a tour educational center in Eilat. Dror received his BA and MA in Israel studies from Bar Ilan University.

Eliad is the Co-founder, CFO, VP Business and Social Development at EretzIr (formerly "Tor HaMidbar"), where he oversees the activities of 27 communities in 17 cities. Together they comprise a diverse network which includes religious, secular, Bedouin, Arab and new immigrant communities. Prior to his work at Tor Hamidbar, Eliad established various programs in the field of shared society, and has participated, led and coordinated programs, focusing on local activities in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the periphery, as well as coordinating emergency relief activities in the Negev and the establishment of the national council of mission-driven communities. Eliad has studied group facilitation, and community development.

Eti is the director and developer of social programs in the JDC Israel’s Tevet that leads national social programs for the ultra-orthodox sector, in employment, women's empowerment and leadership and community development. Eti founded Gisha and she is a pioneer in the field of employment development for the ultra-orthodox sector. Eti is a certified management engineer and holds a B.A. in education and society, and currently studying for M.A. in developmental and organization consultancy in Ono Academic College. She was a fellow in Mandel Center for Leadership, a graduate of Gvanim program for managers and is currently a member of the Israeli Forum for Employment Diversity and in The Joint's Population Committee. She lives in Betar Illit. She is a co-founder of the CoLab initiative: Koda.

Gabi is the Director of Pedagogic Centers and Head of Educational Counseling in the Bnei Yosef - Ma'ayan HaChinuch Education Network. Gabi serves as an officer in reserves in charge of the Haredi population in the IDF Home Front Command. Gabi has extensive experience in formal and informal education, focusing on holistic ways to support communities and institutions. Gabi holds a BED, a MA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is an alumni of Mandel Mandel Leadership Institute.

Hagit is the chairwoman of Firqat Alnoor Orchestra, an organizational consultant, an active artist who has exhibited works in Israel and abroad and a facilitator who leads processes of change, development and organizational consulting in social organizations, in local municipalities and in the publich sector. Between the years 2019-2021, she served as a facilitator in Maoz. Hagit holds a B.A. in education and arts from Beit Berl College, and M.A. in organization development and consulting from the College of Management Academic Studies. She is also a graduate of Beit Midrash program for women's leadership and graduated facilitating studies from Sapir Academic College. She lives in Jerusalem. She is a co-founder of the CoLab initiative: Alnoor.

Idan is a Social Entrepreneur, and the founder of Insight Sparks, a social venture, aimed at reducing racism and discrimination among children, by building innovative, scientifically-proven games & workshops. Idan is an experienced Product Manager, and has conceptualized, designed and managed innovative software products in various domains, such as Diagnostic Imaging (Healthcare), Tourism, Social networks, Corporate solutions, etc. Idan co-founded "Bekivun Haruach" (voluntarily), an award-winning social project, which aims to reduces prejudice of psychiatrically disabled people. Idan holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) with honors, in Brain Science, from Bar-Ilan University, and graduated the Social Program accelerator, 8200 unit alumni.

Inbar served as the bureau chief to the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs and as a senior consultant of social matters to the Minister of Finance and previously, as a senior professional consultant to the Welfare and Social Affairs Minister. Prior to this, she was the CEO of Jerusalem Rape Crisis Center in Memory of Linda Feldman and before that, she was the legal counsel and the head of the legal department at the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel. Inbar holds a B.A. and M.A. in law from the Hebrew University, a graduate of Maoz program, a member in the board of directors of Suzanne Dellal Center for Dance and Theater and a fellow at Maoz Network of Leaders. She lives in Beit Zayit.

Michal is a Director of Engineering at Yotpo. Previously, she was the development manager at MicroFocus and founder and volunteer manager of Hakvutza-an applicative group that was established in 2015 for crowd funding to help the community. In addition, Michal worked as a software developer at Amdocs, in Israel and in Colorado. Michal holds a B.S. in mathematics and computers from Bar-Ilan University, a B.A. in psychology from The Open University and she is a graduate of the programs Gvanim and Kolot. She lives in Ganei Yohanan. She is co-founder of the Co.Lab initiative: Koda.

Mison, founder and director of the Sakhnin Community Center. She is the founder of the MAA Association of Arab Single Women and managed it for 10 years. She is an entrepreneur and activist in the field of women and youth, a volunteer lecturer on women in Arab society and a facilitator in the field of building communities and social business enterprises such as a youth orchestra, a women's cafe in Sakhnin, a center for extra-curricular activities, and more. Mison held a managerial role in the education system and was a teacher for over twenty years. At the same time she worked as a lecturer for teachers, a district instructor in special education, and an integration coordinator for students with disabilities, and she led a center for experts in the field of visual impairment and blindness. Mison has a teaching certificate and holds a bachelor's degree in special education and sociology and a master's degree in social and cultural leadership from the University of Haifa. She is also a graduate of the Arab -Jewish Leadership Program in the Galilee from CMU and is a doctoral student in humanities with a specialization in gender, at Ben-Gurion University. She was born in Sakhnin.

Dr. Moshe Leiba is Chief Pedagogy and R&D Officer at World Ort Kadima Mada, and an Assistant Professor at the school of Information Systems at The Academic College of Tel-Aviv -Yafo. Prior to this roles, he was deputy director of education and chief of Educational Innovation Department at Holon Municipality and in charge of the informal education in the city. Prior to this position, Moshe was the superintendent of ICT, innovation and pedagogic entrepreneurship of the Tel-Aviv District in the Ministry of Education, a lecturer and researcher at Tel Aviv University, Levinsky Colllege of Education, and in research programs of EU. Moshe holds a B.Sc.TE, in electrical engineering, M.A. in science education and a Ph.D in education from Tel Aviv University. Moshe won prizes and scholarships and published academic articles and many research reports. He lives in Beit Hashmonai.

Rodayna is the Representative of Marcia's Light foundation for Mediation for underprivileged populations, a lecturer at Al Qasemi College, and a facilitator and organizational consultant at the Ajami Center in Jaffa. She participates in conferences and gives lectures in the field of education with a focus on Arab society in Israel. Previously, she was a lecturer in Kiryat Ono in the field of social sciences, a district instructor in the Central District of the Ministry of Education, worked in the educational center for hospitalized children at Schneider Hospital and established and managed the first center for autism in the Arab sector in the Central District. She holds a bachelor's degree in special education, a master's degree in child development, a doctorate from Bar Ilan University and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Hebrew University. She received a certificate in the development of instructional skills and trained as a manager. She lives in Kafr Qassem. She is a co-founder of the CoLab initiative: Koda.

Shmuel Shattach is the executive director of Ne’emanei Torah Va'Avodah and a member of the Public Council of The Second Authority for Television and Radio. Prior to that he worked in the formal and informal education system, was a parliamentary assistant in the Knesset in matters of education, religion and state, and was an envoy in the U.S. for some years. Shmuel holds a B.A. in education, another B.A. in social sciences, an M.A. in public management and policy studies for senior directors from Tel-Aviv University, a graduate of the directors' program and several other leadership programs of The Education Ministry. He lives in Lod.

Uri is the Executive Director of Israel Hofsheet – Be Free Israel, the biggest grassroots movement in Israel in the field of religion & state. Prior to this position, he was a Program Manager and the Interim Director of J Street’s Israeli office. Uri served as the elected chairperson of the young branch of the Israeli Labor Party between 2014 and 2016. He worked for the national kibbutzim movement as assistant to the General Secretary, and was the elected chairperson of Ben Gurion University’s Student Union while he was studying for his BA in Political Science and Communications. Uri Served in the IDF as a tank commander, where he won a certificate of excellence from the commander of the Gaza division commander during Independence Day 2004. He still serves in a combat unit as part of the reserve forces.

Yaqub is the Co-Director of Public Affairs at the Abraham Initiatives, where he works to advance integration and equality for Palestinian- Israeli citizens. Prior to this position, he was a reporter for the Knesset Channel in Channel 2. Yaqub is the founder of the nonprofit organization Salametcom (Be Well) providing assistance for thousands of Palestinians who are hospitalized in hospitals in East Jerusalem and in different other hospitals in Israel. Yaqub holds an LLB, a B.A. in Communication and Journalism, and LLM from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is also a graduate of many social programs, such as Seeds of Peace for negotiating and bridging, a program for social initiatives development of PresenTense and more. He lives in Abu Gossh.

Kher is the Chairman of AJEEC NISPED Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development and he is an expert of government policy in the social spheres and for current trends in the Bedouin society. He is involved in a wide range of projects in the field of community planning and development. Kher has been serving as a management member of several civil society organizations, including Sapir College, Abraham Fund, Igul Letova and Midot. He managed a Regional Welfare Department for many years and also worked in the Canadian welfare system for three years. Kher holds a B.A. in social work from Ben Gurion University of the Negev, an M.A. in planning and social policy from WLU University in Canada, and an additional M.B.A. from the University of Haifa. He lives in Tel Sheva.

Michael F. Rosenbaum is Chair of UJA’s Strengthening Israeli Civil Society Committee, which is part of the Commission on the Jewish People (COJP). He is also a member of COJP’s Steering Committee and Cabinet, and a member of the Board of Directors of UJA Federation.  He was a member of various COJP Task Forces over the past several years.   Michael is a corporate and securities attorney, having served most recently as Managing Director and General Counsel of Citigroup’s Global Investment Management and Private Banking sector, and he is currently engaged in private investing and consulting.  Michael and his wife Beverly live in Scarsdale, New York, and have a son who recently completed medical school at Ben Gurion University in Israel and is now a resident at Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, and a daughter who recently made aliyah.

Susan Lax is a spiritual counselor and reiki practitioner living in New York. Originally from a kibbutz in Israel, Susan and her husband, Steven, now live in New York. While Susan studied Jewish spirituality and spiritual counseling her work eventually expanded and evolved beyond the Jewish world, leading her to focus on working with women whose lives have been affected by trauma and illness. Much of her work focuses on end of life care and living with cancer. Susan is the author of "Morning Inspiration: A daily e-mail for your soul." Today, Susan and Steven are the sole owners of Naot Footwear Worldwide and have three daughters, two son-in-laws and two grandchildren.

After selling her hair-care business, Jose Eber Inc, in 1994, Marcia Riklis turned her fulltime attention to philanthropy. Initially working directly with victims of violence at the Montefiore Child Protection Center (now known as the Butler Center), Marcia then became a founding member of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York, and joined the board of the New York Legal Assistance Group. She also serves on the boards of the Israel Policy Forum (as well as on the Executive Committee), the Institute for National Security Studies (an Israeli think-tank), and Earthjustice (a national not-for-profit law firm serving environmental needs). She conceived of and sponsored a graduate-level textbook called Arabs and Israelis: Conflict and Peacemaking in the Middle East, written by an Israeli, a Palestinian, and an Egyptian. Marcia’s involvement with UJA-Federation initially began with the Women’s Campaign and over the years has evolved to include her participation in Planned Giving and Endowments, the Caring Commission and Caring Cabinet. Most recently she served as the co-Chair of the General Campaign from 2011-2013. Marcia is currently a member of UJA-Federation’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors and sits on the Finance Committee, the Commission on Jewish Identity & Renewal’s Israel Task Force, the Campaign Steering Committee and Priorities Cabinet. Additionally, Marcia is the Chair of the Shituf committee, which is working on cross-commission initiatives to strengthen Israeli society and position Israel as an inclusive and diverse Jewish state long into the future.

Jack M. Gorman, M.D. founded Franklin Behavioral Healthcare Consultants in 2010. He is currently CEO and Chief Scientific Officer. Franklin Behavioral Healthcare Consultants provides expert guidance to biotech companies and to health care organizations in order to improve the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of mental health care. Before founding Franklin Behavioral Healthcare Consultants, Dr. Gorman was Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice-President of both Comprehensive NeuroScience Inc and Care Management Technologies Inc. In those positions he used his two decades of experience in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychopharmacology to help develop new programs in behavioral health care management and CNS drug development. Dr. Gorman was a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, received his medical degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University and received residency and fellowship training in the Department of Psychiatry of Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute program. He was on the faculty of Columbia University from 1981 to 2002, becoming Lieber Professor, Vice-chair for Research, Professor of Psychiatry and Radiology, and Director of the Lieber Center for Schizophrenia Research. He then became Klingenstein Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Professor of Neuroscience of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Gorman was elected a fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, authored or co-authored more than 400 scientific articles and chapters, and was continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health for his research from 1981 until 2006. He won numerous awards for his research and service to psychiatry from organizations like the American Psychiatric Association, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and Society for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and is one of the most frequently cited authors in the psychiatry and neuroscience literatures. Dr. Gorman is co-editor of the textbooks Treatments that Work, now in its fourth edition, and Comprehensive Textbook of AIDS Psychiatry, with its second edition now in preparation, and author of the popular book The Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs, which appeared in its fourth edition in 2007. His newest book, authored with his daughter, Dr. Sara Gorman, Denying To the Grave, on the reasons behind denial of scientific medical evidence, was published by Oxford University Press in 2016. His expertise is in behavioral healthcare management and improvement, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy and clinical and basic neuroscience. He is currently working on a new book, tentatively titled The Science of Experience: Neuroscience at the Interface of Mind and Brain. Dr. Gorman has been married for 40 years to New York City psychiatrist Dr. Lauren Kantor Gorman and is the father of two daughters, Dr. Rachel Moster and Dr. Sara Gorman, and one granddaughter, Hannah Beth Moster. He currently devotes substantial time to work with philanthropic organizations.

Prof. Bar-On holds a Ph.D in history from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Before participating in the Mandel School for Educational Leadership program, Yaara was a lecturer at Tel Aviv University. After completion of the program Prof. Bar-On headed the Kremnitzer Shenhar Report Implementation Committee of the Ministry of Education. She was responsible for the budgetary and pedagogical aspects of the committee, which included management of the educational staff, national projects, teacher training programs, and curricular material for schools. In 2004, Prof. Bar-On was named the Deputy President for Academic Affairs at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. In this capacity she was responsible for academic and administrative development which included planning, implementation, and supervision of curricula; developing a community of students; generating interaction between departments and developing multidisciplinary programs. She also served as a professor in the Department of History of Culture and Society at the Bezalel Academy. In addition, she taught research methods and academic writing in the MA program for Industrial Design and served as a supervisor for final projects. Currently, Prof. Bar-On serves as the President of the Oranim Academic College of Education.

Got his rabbinical diploma in 1973 from Hevron Yeshiva. Rabbi Yisrael is the Founder and head editor of "Yated neeman" newspaper, "Erev Shabbat" newspaper ("Jerusalem Post" publication), and Movie Editing & advising channel 1&2 Israeli TV. Author of: the carta guidebook of the holy places, "Hod V'Hadar" on synagogues in Israel, "The Chevron Yishiva" Rabbi Yisrael has frequent performances in radio programs: "Reshet bet", "Kol Chia", "Moreshet" and advice for foreign T.V. for Judaism programs: South America' Germany, Central Europe, BBC' South Korea, etc. Rabbi Yisrael performed on story teller's festival, "Ha'haan" Jerusalem, "Jerusalem's theater" "Rabin Center" and strongly connected to rabbi's from all religious circles, Members of Israeli K'nesset"' Ministers, Rabbi's abroad Europe. Rabbi Yisrael serves as a member of "Yad Ben Zvi", Jerusalem municipality, film school "ma'aleh" board of filming.

Adv. Tziona Koenig-Yair has recently finished her term in the Israeli government as the National Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. The EEOC is a government body enforcing equal opportunities in the labor market on many grounds of discrimination. EEOC has authority by law to investigate discrimination claims, file law suits and promote awareness to equality. Prior to being appointed to establish and create the new government Equality Commission in Israel, she served as Head of the Legal Department and as Executive Director of the Israel Women’s Network, Israel's foremost advocacy group for women. Tziona started her legal career as a prosecuting attorney at the District Attorney's office in Tel-Aviv. Tziona also teaches at Tel-Aviv University – courses on Equality and Diversity in the Workplace and starting this year – Adaptive Leadership. She is currently working with organizations to enhance and implement the framework she learned at Harvard of Adaptive Leadership. During her career Koenig-Yair has published many editorials in leading newspapers in Israel on the various aspects of equality in the workforce. In her national and international work, Ms. Koenig-Yair is committed to promoting equality and is concerned with strengthening and supporting the promotion of equality both from a legal perspective and a public one. In 2011 Ms. Koenig-Yair  was selected as one of one hundred most influential people of "The Marker" for 2011, due to her work in promoting and implementing equality in the labor market in Israel. She holds an LLB degree from the Faculty of Law at Hebrew University and an MPA degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (Wexner Fellow). Ms. Koenig-Yair passed the Israeli Bar Exam in 1996.

Oded is currently Global Senior Advisor to Rothschild &Co, former Chairman of RCF , Rothschild Israel. Oded is an extremely accomplished entrepreneur who has dedicated himself to the advancement of business, the environment and culture in Israel. Oded is the founder of the International Board of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, a trustee of the Alliance of Religions for Conservation and President Europe of Mutual Art. Previously Oded was founder and owner of the Oded Gera fashion house, which became a household name in Israel. In 1993 he was appointed CEO of The Israel Jewellery Exchange, which was subsequently bought by a public company in 1996. Recent deals include Apax Partners’ acquisition of Psagot Investment House, Altice‘s acquisition of a stake in Hot Telecommunications, Thales acquisition of CMT Medical and Delek RE’s acquisition of RoadChef in the UK and the recent sale of Keter Plastic. Oded served as an advisor to the board of Robeco in relation to their fund management business.

Roi is the head of Co.Lab, a UJA Federation of NY flagship initiative in Israel. Roi is also the founding director of ACDF, Alumni Communities Directors Forum, and of Midrasha LeMaase – an educational enterprise for Mechinot (pre-army preparatory) graduates, encouraging participants to get involved with tackling national and Jewish issues. In addition, he lectures in pre-army preparatory academies for social leadership, where he teaches courses on law and Israeli society. Roi was a program director at the JDC Institute for Leadership and Governance, where he established government networks that bring together senior leaders for social empowerment, and managed and convened governors’ forums. Before that, Roi was the educational manager at MiBereshit Foundation for Jewish Renaissance. Roi is the VP of the Audit Committee at the MASA Israeli. Roi Learned at the Excellence MA Program and Law Faculty of the Hebrew University and serves (now in reserve duty) in the IDF Combat Rescue Unit 669.

Hagit is an Organizational, Trainer and Group Consultant at the business, public and 3rd sector, lecturer at the Haifa University, Oranim College and The program of Organizational Consultation & development: A Psychoanalytic Systemic Approach; Former director of capacity building at Shatil, PHD student in Gender Studies, Bar Ilan University.

Tamar is the Coordinator of Co.Lab, a UJA Federation of NY flagship initiative in Israel. Tamar recently completed her M.A. in Political Communication at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Following her B.A. in History and Political Science from Tel Aviv University, and the TEACH FOR ALL program, Tamar has worked both in the formal & informal Education field. Tamar is a History and Civics teacher and has managed several social and leadership projects for youth and students from Israel and over seas. In her previous position, Tamar managed a Young Judea volunteer program in Israel.

Amitai is the Chairman of Aluma and the Chairman of Kibbutz Kfar Etzion and Kibbutz Migdal Oz. Previously, he served as the secretary general of the HaKibbutz HaDati Movement and as the director of its Social and Education departments. In addition, he served as the secretary and community manager for Kibbutz Kfar Etzion and for ten years he was an educator and Judaism teacher at Yavneh high school. Amitai was also the initiator, founder and manager of Yonatan pre-military academy (Mechina), in Kibbutz Alumim. Amitai served as a Company Commander in the Paratroopers Brigade and as Deputy Company Commander in a Recon Regiment in the Reserved Duty of IDF, as Major. He holds a B.A. and M.A. in bible studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He lives in Kfar Etzion.

Amnon is the principle of the Giv'at Gonen Forest School in Jerusalem. He is a former colleague in Mandel Leadership Institute and previously, served as a facilitator in Yahda – the Jerusalem team for educational leadership. Prior to that he was a teacher of history, civics and philosophy, educator, coordinator and headmaster at Ziv & Marks junior high school in Jerusalem. He was one of the founders of Israel's New Teacher Movement. Amnon also served as the CEO of Wake-Up Jerusalem, directed the Yuvalim center for teenage dropouts and was a lecturer in various places. Amnon holds a B.A. in political science and philosophy, and an M.A. in the honors program for public policy, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He lives in Jerusalem.

Assia Istoshina, is a researcher and coordinator for the Women’s Security Index (WSI) at Isha L’Isha. Assia is a Russian-speaking journalist, researcher, group facilitator, and activist with an M.A. in conflict resolution. Assia initiated and presented the TV program Parashat Ha-Shavua, has facilitated dialogue groups between Palestinians and Jews, and has co-founded FORA, the first Russian-speaking women's movement in Israel. Assia has created and facilitated Kushiya, a unique Beit Midrash for Russian-speaking women who are secular, religious, and/or newly converted to Judaism.

Adv. Janet Shalom, the Head of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Energy. Prior to that she was a regional commissioner of Jerusalem and the South, in the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) of the Ministry of Labor and Welfare. She began her legal path as an intern in the Deputy Attorney General’s office and was an advocate in the National EEOC. She holds an L.L.B. degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and she is a graduate of the student excellence program, Atidim - Cadets for Public Sector. Lives in Jerusalem.

Zehava is the director of the education department at the Lehavim Municipality. Prior to that, she served as the director of Education in Beer-Sheva Municipality and was responsible for the entire education system in the city. Zehava began her educational path as a teacher, educator, coordinator and headmaster in the regional high school Merhavim. After that she developed an educational initiative in Arad that established an educational center for 50 teenage dropouts, an initiative that gained her a national education award. Zehava served as the manager of the education department in Hila Program – supplementing education for young people in need and as head of content and programs area and as the director of the District Training Centre in The Ministry of Education. She is one of the initiators, leaders and developers of the Social Bagrut Program that every graduate of the education system in Israel is required to do. Zehava received her M.A. in management and education from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. She lives in Lehavim. She is a co-founder of the CoLab initiative: Supporting independence for young adults with disabilities

Zohar Yonai Dvora is the Director of Education and Training department at the Ba’eem LaTov – the National Organization for veterans volunteering, which runs by the Ministry for Social Equality and the IACC. Previously she was a co-founder of Ultra-Orthodox Students Communities. After the Israeli protests of 2011, Zohar co-founded the students' community program in Lod and directed it. The program expanded to ten more places, aiming for communities of young people to be a driving force in the advancement of geographical and social periphery in Israel. In addition, she worked at Israel Association of Community Centers and for the Shacharut non-profit association for the advancement of equality, society and culture in Yokne'am, where she worked on community issues and with special population groups. Zohar received her B.A. in an honors program for education professionals at Oranim College. She lives in Kfar Saba. She is a co-founder of the CoLab initiative: Ultra-Orthodox Students Communities.

Yair Kochav, is the owner, founder, and artistic director of Tahrir, a Mizrachi culture bar in the Machane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem. Tahrir is a for-profit social project that combines his business experience and artistic skills. Yair is a musician, Paytan (Hazan), and social entrepreneur, and studied the basic roots of music since childhood in synagogue, as well as in educational institutes such as the Renanot Institute of Hazanut, the Centre for Middle Eastern Classical Music, and under numerous prominent mentors in the field. In addition, Yair has held many management roles in commercial business and cultural and cross-cultural music events. Co-Founder of the CoLab initiative: Tahrir – Bina 'Shechuna'- a cultural initiative

Dr. Yasir Hujeirat is a MK for the Ra'am party. Prior to that he was a laboratory manager in My Heritage and in the past was the head of research management of Ziv Medical Center and was in charge of planning the establishment of a laboratory of genetic microchips in Carmel Medical Center in Haifa (leading the project and genetic advice). In HaEmek Hospital in Afula, he established and directed the molecular genetics laboratory and in addition to research and academic roles, he served in various management roles and was the CEO of Alfanar Ltd., was the Mayor of the Local Council Bir al-Maksur, and served as a board member in government companies. Yasir received his Ph.D. in genetics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and conducted his post-doctoral research on the genetics of cancer at the Technion in Haifa and at the Imperial Cancer Research Centre in England on the genetics of breast cancer. He lives in Bir al-Maksur

Yossi Bar, is the deputy CEO of Tzohar Halev, a nationwide chain of centers for those with special needs, tending to 1,300 residents and employing more than 1,000 staff members. Yossi has held this position for the past 18 years, and during this time has established, with Oranim College, academic classes for B.A. studies for ultra-Orthodox students. Yossi received his B.Ed. at Oranim College, and is currently working on his M.A. in leadership and education at Gordon College in Haifa. Yossi has dedicated his whole life to children with disabilities and is currently invested in stopping the phenomenon of abandoned babies with disabilities in hospitals.

Yael Nezri, is a nationwide educational youth inspector for informal educational programs in local community centers, with the Department of Social-Communal Affairs, for the Ministry of Education. In addition, Yael is the HR inspector for Educators in Uniform — teachers and soldiers. Yael has served in a variety of key positions in schools and local agencies, and has provided both training and consultation services for community and national coordinators, accompanying local inspectors to oversee regional summer camps. Yael has coordinated the Summer Project of the Ministry of Education, and two other projects, Kids and Youth Cities and Youth Choose Values

Maha Abu Katesh, is the director of the Arab education department of the Jerusalem municipality. Prior to this position, Maha was head principal at Mukkaber High School, an organizational consultant, and head principal at the Kol Israel Haverim School for the Deaf. Prior to that, Maha was director of an educational treatment center, a lecturer at the David Yellin College and a group facilitator in Neve Shalom. Maha founded an educational center in Abu Gosh, holds a B.A. in hearing impairments from Tel Aviv University, and an M.A. in education policy and management from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Michel Ben Shitrit, is the director of the Department for Community Building at the IACC (Israel Association of Community Centers). Prior to this position, Michel worked for the IACC as a director of the community centers in Shlomi and Mitzpe Ramon, was the director of the children and youth discipline, director of Children and Youthand and has worked as an intra-organizational trainer for new managers. He was also a senior manager for the Gevanim training development program. Prior to that, Michel was the director of the Department of Children and Youth at the Mitzpe Ramon municipality, and worked as the southern manager for the Jewish Agency for Israel. Co-Founder of the CoLab initiative: One Shared Story Co-Founder of the CoLab initiative: Nothing about us without us

Amit is the president of Oranim Academic College of Education. Prior to that he was the Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities faculty at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He was the head of the Communication Department at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, he is the author and editor of seven books, published more than 70 articles and is the founding editor of Journal of Information Policy. In the past he was member of staff and head of the Institute for Information Policy at Penn State University, advisor to The Ministers of Education and Culture-Yitshak Navon and Shulamit Aloni, legal advisor and in charge of International Relations at Israel Broadcasting Authority, and Regulation COO at Cellcom. He holds a L.L.B. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, an M.A. in mass communication from Boston University and Ph.D in information policy and communication from Rutgers University. He lives in Tel Aviv.

Zippora (Faigy) is the Director of the Supervising Team of the Girls' Elementary Schools in the ultra-Orthodox district of the Ministry of Education. Prior to that, she was the General Superintendent. In the past, she served in various positions in the ultra-orthodox education system, in instructing, remedial learning and educational counseling. She is part of diverse social initiatives in the ultra-orthodox community in many areas (education, welfare, employment, dialogues in the Haredic society itself and with the entire Israeli Society) and she searches for active ways to change what needs a change, alongside the preservation of what is good and beautiful in the society she lives in. Faigy holds a B.A. in special education with certification of educational counseling, and an M.A. in conflict management and resolution from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. She lives in Jerusalem. She is a co-founder of the CoLab initiative: Ultra-orthodox Students Communities.

Shlomit Ravitzky Tur-Paz is an attorney, group facilitator and lecturer in the fields of Judaism, gender and law. She serves as the director of the Center for Religion, Nation, and State at the Israel Democracy Institute. Prior to this she was a fellow of the Mandel Educational Leadership Institute and director of Beit Midrash Elul, which brings together different sectors of Israeli society for the purposes of studying, communicating and creating. Shlomit also founded and co-managed the Itim Center – Resources and Advocacy for Jewish Life; and founded and managed Shearim, a pluralistic Beit Midrash in the Maaleh Hagilboa Yeshiva; and was an instructor in the Israel Culture Department of the Ministry of Education. She served as the chairperson of Rashut HaRabim, a coalition of Jewish renewal organizations in Jerusalem, and as a member of the boards of Kolech and Panim. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in law from the Hebrew University and also studied Judaism and philosophy in a variety of academic and religious frameworks. She is a member of Kibbutz Kfar Etzion and mother of five.

Dr. Shelly Gottfried, is the CEO of the New Public, and a lecturer and researcher at Beit Berl Academic College and CITYPERC in London. Prior, Shelly worked as an intelligence analyst, energy trader, and was the head of energy desk at Futures First. Shelly received her Ph.D. in international political economy from City University London, her M.A. in E.U. studies from Sapienza University of Rome, and holds an M.A. in philosophy and B.A. in economics and philosophy from Tel Aviv University. Shelly conducted research, presented in conferences around the world, and has received several scholarships and awards. Co-Founder of the CoLab initiative: The Media COLAB

  Rita Brudnik, Community and Partnerships director at Techforchanges – digital and community platform for Ukraine refugees. Rita is a social activist in Women Wage Peace organization and former headquarter's coordinator. In the past she was the head of BINA, the secular yeshiva in Tel Aviv-Jaffa and worked with struggling youth at risk. Rita made aliya to Israel at the age of 10 from former USSR and she is the founder of a community for Russian-speakers youth in Israel – Fishka, that she directed for seven years. Rita holds a B.A. of educational therapy, graduate of the Gvanim Olim Leadership Program and other community leadership programs. She lives in Holon. She is a co-founder of the CoLab initiative: Tahrir – Bina 'Shechuna'- a cultural initiative.  

Tomer is an Independent journalist founder of the public communication medium Shakuf (i.e. Transparent), teaches writing and activism workshops and lectures at The Kibbutzim College and IDC. Tomer was awarded the DIGIT Prize for Excellence in Online Journalism and was ranked one of “100 most influential people in Israeli media" by Globes Newspaper. On his free time, in order to spice up the routine life, he creates poetry and art in a special group he founded called "Nishnooshey Shira" (i.e. Poetry Snacks). He lives in Tel-Aviv.  

Chen is the Deputy Mayor and responsible of the Social Services in the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality. She previously served as Chairperson of the Israeli National LGBT Task Force. She was also one of the leaders of the women's protest and was one of the founders of the women's movement I Am A Woman and the feminist emergency special headquarters that was set up due to the Corona crisis. For the past 20 years Chen has been a social activist in the field of feminism and human rights. In addition, she is a lecturer and a spokesperson for healthy body image and women empowerment. She lives in Tel Aviv. She is a co-founder of the Co.Lab Initiative: Dugri, the Israeli cohesion network, that believes in cooperation as a value for achieving social change.

Moshe (Kinley) Tur-Paz is a MK for the Yesh Atid party and an educator whose book "Eyes in the Back - Six Views on Education" was published in 2019 by Yedioth Ahronoth. He served as director of the Jerusalem Education Administration and as district director and member of the board of the Ministry of Education. He served as director general of the Zionist Council, managed the Kadima Mada education network on behalf of the World ORT Organization and the education network of the Religious Kibbutz Movement. Kinley was a Judaism teacher, a high school principal and a lecturer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He received B.A. and M.A. degrees with distinction in Jewish history from the Hebrew University and a teacher's certificate from Herzog College. He is a lieutenant colonel in the reserves, married to Shlomit, a a father of five, and a member of Kibbutz Kfar Etzion. Kinley is a co-founder of the Co.Lab initiative “Educators' Bridge,” which fosters partnerships between secular and ultra-Orthodox educators.Kinley is a co-founder of the CoLab initiative: Educators Bridge

Itay is a Cluster Director at the Atid Educational Network. He is the co-founder and former director of Min HaBe'erot program at the Shalom Hartman Institute, a program for people working on education and community issues in the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities. Prior to this position, Itay was the director of the Haifa and Northern branch of Jewish-Israeli Culture School of the Be’eri Program at Shalom Hartman Institute. He lives in Kfar Yehezkel.

Rabbi Avi Novis Deutsch is the Dean of the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary. Ordained as a Masorti rabbi by the SRS in 2003, Rabbi Deutsch also has an M.A. in Jewish Studies from JTS. He served for nine years as a pulpit rabbi at two Masorti congregations in Israel, most recently, at Haminyan Hamishpachti Masorti Kfar Veradim. Rabbi Deutsch also worked for two years as a Jewish educator in Berkeley and in the Bay area, California. He was a Leadership Fellow at the Mandel Institute for Educational Leadership and spent eight years in yeshiva study.

Danny is an organizational consultant, expert in leadership development and organizational culture. He was the CEO of the non-profit organization Kav Mashve, an organization that promotes equal employment opportunities for Arab citizens. Previously, he co-founded several innovative social initiatives, including Hub Tel-Aviv – the first hub for social entrepreneurship in Israel, in which he accompanied about 300 social projects and initiatives. He was also a co-founder of the Center for Emerging Futures (CEF), that promotes cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. As an organizational consultant, Danny assisted in creating strategy and team development processes for businesses and social organizations. He holds an M.A. in organizational psychology from Bar-Ilan University and another M.A. in public policy from Harvard University. He lives in Even Yehuda.

Rabbi Ilay Ofran is the rabbi of Kvutzat Yavneh, a cooperative religious kibbutz, head of the Ruach HaSadeh pre-military academy (mechina), and a member of the Public Council of The Second Authority for Television and Radio. He is a psychologist by training who volunteers at assistance centers for men who are victims of sexual abuse in the religious community. He is a writer and an opinion leader for his thousands of followers on social media. During his military service, he was in the Field Intelligence Corps, and today he is a reserve officer in the Home Front Command. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and Talmud from Bar-Ilan University and an M.A. in Medical Psychology from The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo. He lives in Kvutzat Yavne.

Ran is the vice CHRO at the Israel Association of Community Centers (IACC). Prior to that he directed the community centers in Ofakim and the Community Department at IACC. IACC is one of the largest social organizations in Israel, offering a wide range of programs and activities throughout Israel, with a network of over 160 community centers and 816 branches. He holds a B.A. in criminology from Bar-Ilan University. He lives in Matzuva.

Shoshi Shpiegel is the national commissioner for social education at the Ministry of Education, where she oversees all informal education programs for the religious education system throughout Israel. As part of her role, she is in charge of a special budget line at the Ministry, dedicated to funding civil society organizations that work to promote the idea of shared society in the school system. Co-Founder of the COLAB initiative: NAMAL

Riki Siton is the director of Hevruta-Ayelet Hashachar, a project that connects Israelis from different sectors and the coordinator of women's group in Mifgashim program. Ricky holds a BA in Business Administration from the Ono Academic College and an MBA with specialization in management of information technology from the Jerusalem College. In the past, she established and managed kindergardens throughout the country and established and operated after-school child care facilities in Jaffa, Ramla and Lod. She was also a lecturer at the Jerusalem College and led a course in academic writing and other courses. Co-Founder of the COLAB initiative: Educators Bridge

Pnina Tamano-Shata is a Knesset Member and the Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality and was the Minister of Aliya and Integration between the years 2020-2022. Pnina in a lawyer, social activist and former journalist. Previously, she was a member of Transparency International Israel Organization, a member of the National Council of Economics and a member of the Jewish Agency Board of Trustees. She holds a BA in Law from the Ono Academic College and a Master's degree in Public Policy from Tel Aviv University.

Sigal Peretz-Yahalomi is the CEO of Akim Israel - the largest and most comprehensive provider of programs and services for the intellectually disabled population - regardless of their faith, ethnic background or gender - throughout Israel.

Nawa is the CEO of Co-Impact- a partnership that creates and promotes the establishment of an innovative strategic network and collaborations between different sectors. Previously she served as vice CEO, as head of the organizational consultant team and was responsible for the interface with Arab society. She lives in Be'er Ya'akov.

Shimon is a lecturer and head program for MA students in the Department of Judaism at Ono Academic College. In 2014 he founded BINA - Secular Yeshiva in Be’er Sheva and directed it for five years. The yeshiva offers Jewish learning and social volunteering as steps to strengthening Jewish identity, mutual responsibility, and social involvement. Shimon holds a B.A. in Jewish and biblical thought and the ancient near east, an M.A. in biblical and ancient near east, and a PhD. in law in Israel and Judea during the eighth century BC, all from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He lives in Beer Sheva.

Merav is the Head of the Social Education and Community Department at Oranim College. In the past, she worked at Shdemot, a leadership center for the development of local communities in Israel, that aims to strengthen social resilience in Israel through the local communities. She holds a B.A. in psychology and social sciences, and M.A. and a Ph.D in social work, all from Bar-Ilan University. She lives in Mizpe Ilan. Merav is a co-founder of the CoLab initiative: NAMAL - youth promoting cohesion.

Yoni Tshuna is the CEO of Matzmichim Center, the Israeli Violence Reduction Organization. The Organization conducts hundreds of workshops, classroom interventions and training sessions, in order to provide teachers with tools for coping with violence and to create a safer school environment. Co-Founder of the CoLab initiative: NAMAL

Lia Nirgad is a writer, editor, translator, lecturer, and social activist. Served as head of the translation studies program at Beit Berl College. The Founder and former Chair of the Social Guard (in Hebrew: Hamishmar Hahevrati).

Laila is director of young adults field at AJEEC-NISPED (Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development), which offers a gap year program for young people from the Arab community as a springboard for social and economic mobility. Previous to that she was a facilitator in Maoz, a colleague in Mandel Leadership Institute and the director of the Ofek program at Ma'ase non-profit organization, that offers Arab young adults an opportunity to volunteer for a year of service in their communities. Laila holds a B.A. in social work from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an M.A. in social work, specializing in organization management from the University of Haifa. She lives in Kafr Kanna.