Our Team

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.

Safa Aburabia holds a PhD from Ben-Gurion University. She was a postdoctoral fellow in Anthropology at Harvard University from 2016 to 2018. Her primary areas of expertise are Anthropology and gender; feminist discourse in the Arab and Islamic world; and oral history, with a focus on Bedouin collective memory and documenting silenced voices. At the Mandel Centre for Leadership in the Negev, Safa developed and delivered leadership training, working with mayors and heads of local councils, and senior officials in the civil, public and business sectors, while also teaching part-time at Tel Aviv University, Ben-Gurion University and Sapir College. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2019.

Efrat’s work focuses on early childhood development, especially among disadvantaged populations. She was Co-Founder and Chair of Bema’aglei Tzedek – an award-winning social justice organisation, and Co-Founder of the Good Neighbour Association and the Psifas Israeli Fund. She was a member of the late President Shimon Peres’ Youth Forum. Efrat graduated from the Mandel School for Educational Leadership and holds a BA in Talmud and an MA in Non-Profit Management from The Hebrew University. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2012.

As Programme Director for Education, Moti seeks to influence teaching and learning through the levers of school leadership, professional development and technology. Moti began his career in education with the Revivim programme at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 2009 he founded a number of educational initiatives including the pre-military academy in Ein Gedi for youth from the periphery and was a teacher and educator at the Yachad Modi’in high school. In 2012 he became Deputy Head of the Jewish Statesmanship Centre, where he also headed its Honours Identity and Public Policy Programme. In parallel, he founded and took part in an initiative to teach Hebrew at Abu Gosh High School. In 2015 he served as Head of Strategy at the Ministry of Education, where he dealt with systemic, long-term challenges, including shaping of a ‘graduate profile’, a system-wide training programme, providing solutions for underperforming schools and developing strategic dialogue with government ministries and bodies. He is a member of the Education Minister’s professional advisory committee. Moti holds an MA in Public Policy from Tel Aviv University, a BA in Jewish Studies from The Hebrew University and a teaching certificate in Bible Studies. He serves as reserve officer in the IDF with the rank of Major. He joined Yad Hanadiv in 2021.

Since joining Yad Hanadiv in 2016, Hanoch has led the Environment Programme with a focus on establishing Marine Protected Areas to improve Mediterranean ecosystems, alongside advancing river rehabilitation. He previously served as CEO of the Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, where he advanced a wide range of initiatives, including the Mimshak Science to Policy Fellows programme, the Hebrew-language journal Ecology and Environment, and Zavit – a news agency for Science and the Environment. Prior to that, he served as Head of the Energy and Air Pollution Department at the Israel Union for Environmental Defense (Adam Teva V’Din), where he led the enactment of the ‘Clean Air for Israel’ Act. Hanoch holds an LLB in Law and Philosophy from The Hebrew University and an MSc in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford.

Athar is Senior Programme Officer in the Arab Community Programme. She has extensive experience in managing social programmes, developing policy and strategy, and working with local authorities and government ministries. Most recently, she managed the Operations and Maintenance, Safety Systems Division at Israel Railways, where she also established the organisation’s community relations department. Previously, she directed social programmes for children and at-risk youth, as well as employment rehabilitation programmes at the Municipality of Tira and Beit Cham Association. Athar is a graduate of the Mandel Programme for Leadership in Social Change. She holds a BA in Social Work, an MA in Non-Profit Management and Leadership from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and an MBA from Bar-Ilan University. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2025.

Naama is Programme Coordinator for Arab Community. Before joining Yad Hanadiv she worked in a variety of non-profits and social change organisations; among them Chotam, as head of Marketing and Knowledge Management, and later as Coordinator of Programmes in the Joint’s Masad Disabilities programme, which includes Masira – a programme for advancing individuals with disabilities in the Arab Community in Israel. More recently, Naama managed the Academic Preparatory programmes for the Azrieli College of Engineering in Jerusalem. The ‘mechina’ preparatory programmes give access to higher education to students and first generation students who would otherwise not be eligible for admission. Naama has a degree in Interior Design and is a graduate of a course in group facilitation. 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.

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 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.

Yael is Senior Programme Officer in the Early Childhood programme. She has over a decade of experience in developing social models and managing initiatives that include cross-sector partnerships, with nationwide implementation and integration into public policy. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, she served as Vice President at the Yedidut Toronto Foundation, where she headed the Public Policy Department and previously managed the Development and Strategic Planning Division. Yael also served as a Social Analyst at Midot and at Intel Capital. She holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Business Administration from Bar-Ilan University and an MBA from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Additionally, she is a lecturer and consultant in the fields of development, strategy, and public policy, and is a Founding Member and Board Member of the Shefer non-profit. Yael joined Yad Hanadiv in 2024.

Eda manages early childhood programmes at Yad Hanadiv. Prior to joining, she held various positions in the field working with diverse populations. Eda served as the National Director of home nurseries at the Israel Association of Community Centres, early childhood programmes coordinator in Bat Yam, pedagogical instructor at Talpiot College and facilitator of early childhood projects at the Israel Democracy Institute. In her most recent role, she was part of the management team at the Yehuda Tribitch Fund for Social Involvement as head of the departments of educational training and after-school childcare. The fund, which operates under Unitaf, provides professional, educational and social support for children of asylum seekers and immigrants in south Tel Aviv. Eda holds a BA in Political Science and Art History from The Hebrew University, a teaching diploma specializing in early childhood from the Chofen Institute at David Yellin College and an MA in Early Childhood Studies from the Schwartz Programme at The Hebrew University. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2021.

Gitit is the Coordinator for the Early Childhood Programme, interfacing with partners and organising gatherings and events. Before joining the Foundation in 2020, she headed the Office of the Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Social Services. Before that, she worked at the Office of the Chair of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund. She served in the IDF in Headquarters of the Central Command. Gitit holds a BA in Education from The Hebrew University.

As Senior Programme Officer, Lena leads strategic processes in the field of education. Before joining Yad Hanadiv, she served as the Director of R&D at the Edmond de Rothschild Bridge for Higher Education and Employment. Previously, Lena managed the Equal Opportunities Sector at the Trump Foundation and oversaw the field of Science Education within the Nitzana educational community in the Negev. Lena holds a PhD in Science Education from the Weizmann Institute of Science, where she authored a science textbook for middle school students. Lena has extensive experience in science instruction and has lectured at the Weizmann Institute and the Kibbutzim College of Education. Lena joined Yad Hanadiv in 2024.

Rinat is leading the development of educational initiatives and portfolio of Education grants. Before joining Yad Hanadiv, Rinat was working at the Israel Broadcasting Authority, where she assisted in preparing for a reform of the HR division. In the IDF she served as an Education Officer and was subsequently a Jewish Agency education representative in Kazakhstan and Kirgizia. Rinat holds a BA in Education and Jewish Thought and a Teaching Certificate from The Hebrew University. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2010.

Anat coordinates and supports all activities of the Education Programme team. She rejoined Yad Hanadiv after several years of relocation to the US. Prior to that, she provided administrative support to the Office of the Chief Executive, where she was employed from 2012-2019. Anat holds a BSc in Chemistry and Biology from The Hebrew University. She served in the Military Intelligence Research Department of the IDF.

As Senior Programme Officer, Rammy advances strategic initiatives within the Environment Programme. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, he was Senior Adviser to the Director of the Courts Administration in Israel, dealing with the design and implementation of policy. He was also involved in multi-year strategic planning and innovative projects, including a digital transformation of the courts system. Rammy previously was a Criminal Prosecutor for the Central District. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy, both from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is also a licensed tour guide, having completed studies at Yad Ben Zvi. Rammy joined Yad Hanadiv in 2023.

Shiri is Senior Programme Officer in the Environment Programme. She has extensive experience in overseeing environmental, innovation, and climate policy strategies, integrating economic and financial analysis. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, Shiri served as the Sustainability and Food Security Senior Manager at GFI Israel, where she promoted alternative proteins and developed strategic partnerships with climate investors and key stakeholders. In the past, she managed the energy and waste management division at Ernst & Young, and also served as a senior economic adviser to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and to local authorities. Shiri holds a BA in Economics and Accounting from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an MA in Natural Resources and Environmental Management from the University of Haifa. She is a certified public accountant and a graduate of the Milken Institute Leadership Programme. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2026.

As Programme Officer for Environmental Affairs in Arab Community, Ahlam promotes and develops environmental initiatives dedicated to preserving and improving natural open spaces in Arab local authorities. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2022. Prior to that, she worked as a civil attorney and subsequently in management, strategic planning and economic development in local Arab authorities. She holds an LLB in Law and an MA in Public Policy from the University of Haifa, and an MA in Geography and Urban Planning, with a specialization in Environment from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Naama coordinates the activity of the Environment Programme team in support of the Environment portfolio. Before joining Yad Hanadiv, Naama was Director of Human Resources at Rafa Laboratories for 23 years and was Office Manager at Jerusalem Venture Partners – a Venture Capital firm located in Jerusalem. Naama has a BA in Social Sciences from the Open University of Israel. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2018.

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.

Yehoudit provides administrative support for the Education Programme. She previously worked extensively with children, specializing in English as a Second Language (ESL) development. In a prior position, Yehoudit acted as a liaison for an import company facilitating trade between China and Israel. She holds a BA in Psychology and Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Yehoudit joined Yad Hanadiv in 2023.

Shira is an intern in the Education Programme. She is pursuing a double major in Humanities and Philosophy and Jewish Thought at Shalem College in Jerusalem. Shira previously served as a Public Service Leadership Programme Coordinator at the Ministry of Education. Before this, she was an Instructor and Pre-army Programme Coordinator at Meitarim Lachish, a gap year leadership training programme for Israeli high school graduates. During her military service, Shira served as a Brigade Medical Corps Officer and a Medical Training Officer. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2025.