academic Academic Excellence

Driving innovation and impact through academic excellence

Yad Hanadiv’s Academic Excellence Programme nurtures outstanding individuals in the sciences and the arts, grounded in the belief that they can help shape Israeli society, culture and the economy while strengthening Israel’s positive connections with the world. This commitment is reflected in targeted support for researchers and artists early on in their careers. Key initiatives include MAVRI, which advances biomedical research in Israel; the Rothschild Prize, which recognizes outstanding senior researchers and artists; and the Rothschild Fellowships for early-career researchers. The Programme seeks to cultivate excellence among diverse populations in Israel, including first-generation students in higher education and outstanding Arab youth. It also collaborates with Yad Hanadiv’s Environment Programme to advance regenerative agriculture and bridge the gap between research and practice.
882 Rothschild Fellows
101 Research grants in human health and disease
350 Arab students in science excellence programs
65+ Years of activity

Major Initiatives

06
Initiative

Biomedical Research in Israel

Advancing biomedical research to improve human health and strengthen Israel’s position at the forefront of global biomedical science

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Initiative

Humanities

Integrating the Humanities into the core of higher education in Israel – strengthening students' language, writing and critical thinking skills

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Initiative

Regenerative Agriculture

Bringing farmers and researchers together to drive innovation that improves soil health, ecosystems and climate resilience

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Initiative

International Collaborations

Positioning Israel as a leading partner in global science through collaborations between Israeli researchers and international research institutions

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A student presenting a research poster to two women
Initiative

Arab Excellence

Supporting outstanding Arab youth in science and technology

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Initiative

Diversity of Excellence

Expanding access to leading research universities for students from Israel’s social and geographic periphery – and supporting their success

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Our Team

The Education team at Yad Hanadiv promotes innovative, equitable learning and collaborates to advance meaningful education in Israel.

Dr Asher Ragen

Programme Director, Academic Excellence

Asher is Director of the Academic Excellence Programme at Yad Hanadiv. In this role, he has worked to develop new strategies in biomedical science, including support for precision medicine and advancing Physician-Researchers in Israel, together with philanthropic and government partners. The Academic Excellence Programme also supports expanding the reach of Humanities education to new students and programmes in universities, as well as a joint strategy (together with the Arab Community Programme) to advance outstanding Arab students in Science and Engineering. In addition, Asher guides Yad Hanadiv’s support for digital efforts of the National Library of Israel. He holds a PhD from Harvard University in Ancient Near Eastern Studies. Asher joined Yad Hanadiv in 2006.
Asher is Director of the Academic Excellence Programme at Yad Hanadiv. In this role, he has worked to develop new strategies in biomedical science, including support for precision medicine and advancing Physician-Researchers in Israel, together with philanthropic and government partners. The Academic Excellence Programme also supports expanding the reach of Humanities education to new students and programmes in universities, as well as a joint strategy (together with the Arab Community Programme) to advance outstanding Arab students in Science and Engineering. In addition, Asher guides Yad Hanadiv’s support for digital efforts of the National Library of Israel. He holds a PhD from Harvard University in Ancient Near Eastern Studies. Asher joined Yad Hanadiv in 2006.

Dr Talya Steiner

Senior Programme Officer, Academic Excellence

As Senior Programme Officer, Talya develops and promotes the strategies of Arab Excellence, and Diversity of Excellence initiatives to increase representation of first-generation students. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, Talya managed the Council for Higher Education’s national programme for increasing the accessibility to higher education of Israel’s geographic and social periphery. For a decade Talya was a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, where she managed the International Proportionality in Public Policy research programme – an empirical investigation of the ways in which policy makers consider rights protection. Talya holds a PhD in Law from The Hebrew University and an LLM from Harvard Law School, and she lectures in public and constitutional law. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2022.
As Senior Programme Officer, Talya develops and promotes the strategies of Arab Excellence, and Diversity of Excellence initiatives to increase representation of first-generation students. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, Talya managed the Council for Higher Education’s national programme for increasing the accessibility to higher education of Israel’s geographic and social periphery. For a decade Talya was a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, where she managed the International Proportionality in Public Policy research programme – an empirical investigation of the ways in which policy makers consider rights protection. Talya holds a PhD in Law from The Hebrew University and an LLM from Harvard Law School, and she lectures in public and constitutional law. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2022.

Dr Sharon Katz Gidoni

Coordinator of Fellowships and Prizes

Sharon is responsible for managing the Rothschild Fellowships and Rothschild Prizes. In this role, he oversees the application process, coordinates the work of the selection committees, and manages relations with Fellows and prize winners, including organising the Rothschild Fellowship Colloquium. He brings extensive experience in project management and production in the fields of culture and the humanities. Most recently, Sharon directed the Jerusalem International Book Forum and produced cultural events in the city. Previously, he represented literary rights at the Deborah Harris Agency. Sharon holds a PhD in Hebrew Literature from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; his research focused on representations of development towns in Israeli fiction. He joined Yad Hanadiv in 2025
Sharon is responsible for managing the Rothschild Fellowships and Rothschild Prizes. In this role, he oversees the application process, coordinates the work of the selection committees, and manages relations with Fellows and prize winners, including organising the Rothschild Fellowship Colloquium. He brings extensive experience in project management and production in the fields of culture and the humanities. Most recently, Sharon directed the Jerusalem International Book Forum and produced cultural events in the city. Previously, he represented literary rights at the Deborah Harris Agency. Sharon holds a PhD in Hebrew Literature from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; his research focused on representations of development towns in Israeli fiction. He joined Yad Hanadiv in 2025

Adi Burtman

Academic Excellence Programme Coordinator

Adi coordinates and supports all activities of the Academic Excellence team. Before joining Yad Hanadiv, Adi was a doctoral candidate at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at The Hebrew University. For several years, she taught courses at and coordinated the university’s Amirim Programme for outstanding students. For two years, she coordinated the revamping of the Humanities department curriculum. Prior to her academic studies, she worked for several years in informal education – in counselling, administering activity and budget management. Adi has a BA in Musicology and an MA in Musicology from The Hebrew University. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2022.
Adi coordinates and supports all activities of the Academic Excellence team. Before joining Yad Hanadiv, Adi was a doctoral candidate at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at The Hebrew University. For several years, she taught courses at and coordinated the university’s Amirim Programme for outstanding students. For two years, she coordinated the revamping of the Humanities department curriculum. Prior to her academic studies, she worked for several years in informal education – in counselling, administering activity and budget management. Adi has a BA in Musicology and an MA in Musicology from The Hebrew University. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2022.

Michal Levi

Grant Ops Coordinator, Academic Excellence & Early Childhood

Michal coordinates the activity of the Grant Operations in the Academic Excellence & Early Childhood Programmes. Before joining Yad Hanadiv in 2016, Michal was employed as the Personal Assistant to the CEO at the New Israel Fund and previously as Personal Assistant to the Director at the SHEKEL Trauma Treatment Centre for individuals with special needs. She holds a degree in Interior Design from the Holon Institute of Technology. Michal served in the IDF as a Social Worker.
Michal coordinates the activity of the Grant Operations in the Academic Excellence & Early Childhood Programmes. Before joining Yad Hanadiv in 2016, Michal was employed as the Personal Assistant to the CEO at the New Israel Fund and previously as Personal Assistant to the Director at the SHEKEL Trauma Treatment Centre for individuals with special needs. She holds a degree in Interior Design from the Holon Institute of Technology. Michal served in the IDF as a Social Worker.

Naomi Peters

Administrative Assistant, Academic Excellence and Environment

Naomi provides administrative support to Academic Excellence and Environment Programme staff. She worked for many years in the formal education system and subsequently for Da’at Travel in educational tourism. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, she held a managerial position in a planning and architecture firm. Naomi is a graduate of the Revivim programme at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem where she received her MA in Jewish Education. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2021.
Naomi provides administrative support to Academic Excellence and Environment Programme staff. She worked for many years in the formal education system and subsequently for Da’at Travel in educational tourism. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, she held a managerial position in a planning and architecture firm. Naomi is a graduate of the Revivim programme at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem where she received her MA in Jewish Education. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2021.

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