MAKOM – MUNICIPAL LEADERSHIP PIPELINE PROGRAM

Muhammad is an internal auditor in two local councils in the Bedouin community. He examines the organizational and financial conduct of the local councils, and serves as an organizational and financial consultant to the heads of the local councils. In his role, Muhammad uses an organizational perspective aimed to provide optimal and effective services.Muhammad is a member of the audit committee at al-Fanar Company, a company acting to direct, employ and integrate young men and women from the Bedouin community in the job market. He was one of the first teachers in the Bedouin community to prepare high school students for the five-unit mathematics matriculation exam in order for them to be able to study science and technology in academia.He was also a mentor in nonprofit organizations for education for women and girls in the Bedouin community on their way to higher education.

Muhammad lives in Lakiya with his wife and five children. He enjoys participating in actions that will change the face of society.

Muhammad has an MA in industrial management, another MA in administration and public policy, and a BSc in mathematics. He has a mathematics teacher’s certificate for high schools.

Benny lives in Tel Mond. He likes sports and plays basketball in his free time, he enjoys hiking in nature and finding new places in Israel and around the world.

Benny has an MA in public policy from Tel Aviv University and an interdisciplinary BA in social sciences from Bar Ilan University and from Holon Institute of Technology. He is also a fellow of the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fellowship Fund for Better Government, School of Government and Policy, Tel Aviv University.

Ilan lives in Moshav Nehusha in Hevel Adulam with his wife and five children.

Ilan has an MA (2004) and a BA (1996) in social work, both from Bar Ilan University. Ilan also finished CBT psychotherapy certificate studies (2016).

Husam lives in Zalafa in Ma’ale Iron, with his wife and two children. In his free time, he reads books, gardens, spends time with his family and friends and works out. Husam likes traveling the world, enjoys cooking and adores art.

Husam holds an MA in education from the University of Liverpool, another MA in public policy from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Middle East studies and general studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Husam has completed various certificate courses including organizational consultation, group facilitation, conflict resolution, and management among others.

Sivan lives in Tel Aviv. In her free time, she likes to learn, travel and search for adventures.

Sivan has a BSc in life sciences from Ben Gurion University.

Fadwa began working in Beit Jann local council in 1989 first as bureau manager for the head of the local council. Since 2004 she has managed human resources for the local council;she is the first Druze woman in this position. She is also in charge of public inquiries, a member of the women’s council and works closely with the local nonprofit WePower.She has served as a board member for the CEO Union since 2013, and is currently chairwoman of the external relations committee.In a previous role, Fadwa worked as a library manager andtypist in an elementary school where she also established a library.Fadwa also served as the women’s advancement consultant (2006-2013) and chairwoman of the workers’ committee (1991-1995) – the first woman elected for chairwoman of a committee in the non-Jewish sector.

Fadwa is married and has four children and one granddaughter. She likes learning, enjoys travelling with her family in Israel and around the world.

Fadwa has a BA in political sciences and a teacher’s certificate. She is an alumna of the authority CEO training program, a personal coach and participant of the digital leaders for the local authorities program. She has completed various certificate programs in mediation, political leadership, and personal coaching.

Ayelet lives in Tzur Yigal with her husband and two daughters.

Ayelet holds an MA (with honors) in education from Bar Ilan University. She has a teacher’s certificate and finished coaching and mediation courses.

Tzvika lives in Nehosha, with his wife and four children, and serves as chairman of the local municipal council at Nehosha.

Tzvika has an MA in conflict research, management and resolution from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and an MBA from Bar Ilan University, as well as a BA in economics from Ben Gurion University.

Since 2014, Nasrin has served as the Daliyat al-Karmel localcouncil engineer. She manages the engineering divisionat the local council, which includes the infrastructure,maintenance department and business licensing. She isalso in charge of urban planning. In her previous position,Nasrin served as head of the planning team in a leadingroad and infrastructure planning firm.

Nasrin lives in Daliyat al-Karmel with her husband and two children. She spends her free time with her children.

Nasrin is an alumna of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in the Technion, Haifa, with a BSc in civil engineering.

Since 2010, Havi has served as CEO of the JordanValley regional council Community Center (registeredassociation), which is part of the Israel Association ofCommunity Centers’ community center chain. In herrole as CEO, she is responsible for all leisure, society andcommunity fields in the regional council: day care centersfor infants, after school activities for children and youth,holidays and events – youth center and a center for theelderly, as well as culture and sports at the authoritycouncil. Before her current position, Havi served ascoordinator of the preschoolers division, and coordinatorof the northern branch of the center, and before that she worked as a teacher.

Havi lives in Shadmot Mehola with her husband and four children. In her free time, she likes to read, learn and knit.

Havi is an MBA candidate with a sub-specialty in management from Ariel University. She has an MA in administration, accounting and Bible from the Jerusalem College for Girls – Bayit VaGan, and a teacher’s certificate.

Since 2000, Dganit has served as director at the Haredi sports department in Jerusalem municipality’s sports division. She is in charge of all fields of sports and related intramunicipal and extra-municipal interfaces concerning the Haredi sector. She oversees strategic planning, municipal policy making in fields of education for a healthy lifestyle, leads pioneering projects for the entire population in various fields of sports and informal education and strives for collaboration. She works closely with the municipality on issues related to conflict management and resolution.

Dganit lives in Jerusalem, with her husband and eight children. Most of her free time is dedicated to sports, conflict resolution, art and cooking.

Dganit has an MA in conflict management and resolution from Ben Gurion University and a BA in educational administration from Bar Ilan University. She also holds a senior teacher’s certificate and a mediator’s certificate. She is an alumna of the UN’s Interpeace Program for conflict resolution, as well as courses for leadership and management, employee empowerment, management psychology, etc.

Eti lives in Shimshit in Emek Yizrael, which she and her family took part in establishing 17 years ago. She is married and has two sons. In her free time, she travels, reads books and works to advance her town.

Eti holds an MA (with honors) in social work in the administration and community work track and a BA (with honors) in social work, both from Bar Ilan University. Eti also took various courses in management, coaching and mediation

Lilach serves as CEO of the local council, head of humanresources and women’s advancement consultant to thehead of the local council. Before that, she was a regionalmentor in the Israeli Association for Community Centers,director of the Katzrin community center and director ofJordan Valley regional community center.

Lilach lives in Katzrin with her husband and three children. She spends her free time with her family, and enjoys baking.

Lilach has an MA in systems management and community work and a BA in social work, both from Haifa University. Lilach is an organizational consultant and group facilitator.

Since 2016, Yair has served as director of the operationsdivision in Lod. In this position, he oversees infrastructureprojects, business licensing and work force development.Yair has been working at Lod municipality since 2013,when he took part in the process of transitioning froman appointed committee to the election of the currentmayor, Yair Revivo. Before that, Yair worked in securityand zone management in the city and in Lod and KiryatOno authorities, and managed two nonprofit organizationsworking in the fields of society and education. Yair servesas a reserve company commander in the armored corps.

Yair lives in Lod with his wife and five children.

Yair has an MBA from Ono Academic College, a BA in education and a teacher’s certificate. Yair is also a consultant.

Tal is the COO if Nirlat. Prior to that, Tal was the COO of Brand Industries, one of the leading companies in Israel in the field of production, construction and establishment of national and international projects in the metals industry. While at Brand Industries, Tal managed operations at the production plant in Yeruham, and, at the group’s HQ. He was responsible for driving and implementing cross-organizationalprocesses on the operational level and for the supply chain between the group’s companies.Before this position, Tal served as a senior project managerand regional director at MW Group Israel. While there, heled construction projects in IDF bases in the south and thebuilding of the private power plant, ASE, in Ashdod.

Tal lives in Omer, with his wife and three children.

Tal is certified as a PMP by the global PMI, and has a BSc in industrial engineering and management from Ben Gurion University.

Gohar lives in Yarka, where he was born and raised. He is married, has four children and four grandchildren. In his free time, he cares for his cactus collection and spends time with his family and friends.

Gohar has a BA in interdisciplinary social sciences from the Yizrael Valley College. He is also an alumnus of the Financial Management of Local Authorities School in Israel, “local authority treasurer”.

Udi grew up in Ramat Yishay in Yizrael Valley. He has been a member of Kibbutz Almog in the northern area of the Dead Sea since 1996.

Udi holds an MA in political sciences from Tel Aviv University, and a BA in social sciences from the Open University. He also has a teacher’s certificate.

Samah lives in Tira, with her husband and daughter, Dana. In her free time, she likes horseback riding.

Samah has an LL.B and an MA in government from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya.

Einat joined Bnei Brak’s education psychology departmentin 1994. Over the years she has served as an educationpsychologist, coordinator for the learning disabilities anddiagnostics department, sexual abuse department and thespecial education kindergarten department. Since 2015 Einathas been the director of the education psychologist department.In her current role she works closely with resident and expertpsychologists individually and in groups on various professionalissues relating to their profession.In addition to working at the educational psychological service,Einat lectures at Ezer MiZion and at the Sheinborn School forNurses (Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center) on various subjects related to child development. As of this year, she is a member of the Tzameret team at the Consultation Psychology Service Department at the Ministry of Education. Einat was previously involved in Tzohar Organization’s Ahoti Kalah project asa guide for brides, preparing them for family life, with an emphasis on issues pertaining to Halachah, constructive and optimal relationship and communication with spouses.

Einat has four daughters and lives in Petah Tikva. In her free time, Einat likes to read, listen to music, meet with family and friends and travel – mostly in the north of Israel.

Einat holds an MA in youth clinical-educational psychology from Bar Ilan University, and BA in psychology and English literature. She finished the preschoolers track at the School for Advanced Studies in educational psychology, and a psychological service management course at Mifam.

Aviya lives in Nes Harim with his wife and five children.

Aviya has a clinical MA in social work from the Hebrew University, and a BA in social work from Bar Ilan University. He is an alumnus of Yeshivat Otniel.

Einat lives in Kibbutz Megiddo with her husband and three children.

Einat holds an MA in organizational consultation from the College of Management and a BA in education and political sciences from Ben Gurion University. She also participated in various professional courses related to training management and development.

Roaa was born and raised in the village of Mas’ade in the north of the Golan Heights. In her free time, she likes reading legislation and verdicts, cooking and travelling.

Roaa has an MA in gender studies from Tel Aviv University, and a BA in Hebrew language from Haifa University. She also studied personal and business coaching at Haifa University, education systems management in local authorities at Efal Seminar, and is an alumna of the leadership training program from the Mandel Leadership Institute.

Yair lives and works in Modi’in Illit. He is married, has five children and two grandchildren. In his free time, he volunteers at Magen David Adom and ZAKA, and helps students with ADD.

Yair has an MA in public policy from Hebrew University, and an LL.B. from the Ono Academic College.

Aya lives in Tel Aviv with her spouse and children. She likes to spend her free time at sea.

Aya holds an MBA from the Interdisciplinary Center, and a BSc in engineering/industrial management from Tel Aviv University. She graduated various training courses, including Kidmat HaAtid, IVLP and an online course by Prof. Dan Ariely, strategy and innovation, etc.

Sivan grew up in kibbutz Nir Oz in the Gaza envelope. He currently lives in Har Adar with his wife and three children. In his free time, he likes to play volleyball.

Sivan holds an executive MBA in public sector manager business administration from Bar Ilan University and a BA in economics and management from the College of Management Academic Studies.

Saloa serves as Director of Human Capital, Service and Digitization and In Charge of Sexual Harassment & Workplace Diversity, Tayibe Local Authority. Previously, Saloa has served as Head of Human Resources and Payroll Department and Women’s Advancement Consultant, Tayibe. In that position she was in charge of leading and implementing organizational processes, strengthening and enriching the human capital as well as hiring new employees and overseeing the budget. She worked to set city policy for advancement of women in the city and the region. Saloa also volunteers in public social activity in nonprofit organizations for prevention of violence and sexual harassment against women. As a social worker she developed special services for young Arab women and unmarried Arab women. Saloa served as chairwoman of the authority’s workers’ committee and led an organizational struggle for salary payment and for maintaining employees’ rights.

Saloa lives in Tayibe with her husband and four children. In her free time, she volunteers in public social activity, likes to read and hike.

Saloa has an MA (with honors) in public policy from Tel Aviv University (2016) and a BA in social work from Haifa University.

Arnon is director of the impact branch of the largestresearch institute in Israel – the Israel DemocracyInstitute. He is responsible for relations with decisionmakers on the senior clerical levels and on the electedpolitical level, in order to promote professional andvalue oriented discourse in all fields. In his previousrole, Arnon was a journalist, editor and announcer atIsrael Broadcasting Authority, where he served as theparliamentary journalist of Channel 1 for over seven years.

Arnon lives in Oranit with his wife and four children.

Arnon holds an MBA with specialization in funding from Ariel University, and a BA in social sciences from the Open University.

Merav lives in Omer with her husband and four children. In her free time, she enjoys photography and art.

Merav holds an MA in urban and regional planning from the Department of Geography and Environmental Development from Ben Gurion University and a B.Arch. in architecture from the Faculty of Architechture at Bezalel – Academy of Arts and Design. She took advanced courses in fields of planning, green building and economic and legal aspects of urban and regional planning.

Since 2014, Haim has served as head of the AttorneyGeneral’s Office and deputy legal advisor at theJerusalem municipality. He is responsible for all criminalenforcement in the city. Haim has advanced innovativeand groundbreaking models in the field of financial crimesenforcement and combined enforcement, initiated theproduction of a municipal legal newsletter and foundedthe Prosecution for the Community Initiative. In 2010, Haimwas appointed team leader in the municipal prosecutionand led key processes pertaining to enforcement,advancement and improvement of business and buildinglicensing processes. Haim also managed complex andsignificant legal cases that resulted in judicial innovation.

Haim lives in Jerusalem, with his wife and three children. In his free time, he likes playing with his children, reading, playing basketball and long-distance running, he is an avid fan of Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Club.

Haim holds an LL.M from Bar Ilan University, and an LL.B from the College of Law and Business.

Hadas lives in Maccabim with her husband and four children. In her free time, Hadas likes to travel across Israel and practice yoga.

Hadas has an MA (with honors) in Israeli studies from Bar Ilan University, and a BA in geography from the Hebrew University. She also studied mediation, coaching and organizational consultation.

Dudu lives in Tiberias with his wife and three children. In his free time, he enjoys long distance running, hiking and going to the theater.

Dudu is an electronics and communications practical engineer. He holds an MA in national security from Haifa University and a BBA. He also studied law at Ono Academic College.

Since 2014, Keren has served as CEO of Merom HaGalil regionalcouncil. Keren oversees the improvement of municipalservices and social, community and economic developmentof the region, while dealing with the complex challengesunique to the socio-geographic periphery. Before this, Kerenserved as head of the Merom Program Administration – ajoint administration of Merom HaGalil regional council, UJIAand Rashi Foundation. While there, the regional center foreducation and community was established, and in additionto establishing education and community buildings, Kerenmanaged various pedagogic programs.In the past, Keren worked alongside Prof. Yuli Tamir, initially as a parliamentary aide, and when Prof. Tamir served as Minister of Education – as a senior consultant. During those years, Keren dealt with advancement of social legislation, formulation and definition of the relations betweendifferent sectors.

Keren lives in Merom HaGalil, with her children Yair-David and Shira.

She has an MA and BA in political sciences, both from Tel Aviv University.

Eyal lives in Tel Aviv with his wife and three children. Eyal likes extreme sports.

Eyal has a B.Arch. from Bezalel – Academy of Art and Design, and a general BA from North London University, UK.

Adi serves as Director of Strategic Planning at the Yeruham Local Council. Prior to that, Adi was the head of the Bnei Akiva community in Yeruham – a mission Garin of approximately 200 families. She managed Nekuda Tova – the community’s executive branch, which operates in social and community fields, connects between communities, welfare, Jewish identity, family empowerment and culture. Adi is an elected secretariat member at Keren Kehilot – a chain of religious Garinim, living and working in the socio-geographic periphery of Israel. Adi was one of the initiators and establishers of the female students, national service volunteers and families Garin in Shapira neighborhood in southern Tel Aviv to assimilate in the neighborhood and develop solutions for local social, welfare and educational needs.

Adi has been living in Yeruham for the past fifteen years, with her husband and six children, and is happy to be part of a community that constantly thinks of how to do more good in the world.

Adi holds an MA in social work from Ben Gurion University, and a BA (with honors) in social work from Bar Ilan University. She is an alumna of the nonprofit organization management course of Mandel Center for Leadership in the Negev.

Kawtar is married and has four children. In her free time, she works to promote her social agenda, is a member of the People’s Committee for Fighting Violence in Kfar Qasem, and in a joint Arab-Jewish group fighting the hate and polarity of the Israeli society.

Kawtar has an MA (with honors) in sociology of education, a BA in education and sociology and a teacher’s certificate, all from the Hebrew University.

Shira is an architect and urban planner. Shira is currently the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Heritage. Prior to this position, she was responsible for new initiatives in the field of strategic planning, with an emphasis on applicable projects that interface with local and international entities. In this role, she planned the Lehair project, she curated the Israeli booth at the Habitat III UN conference and leads the establishment of an innovation in urban planning lab. In her previous position, she managed the sea and coasts division, where she advanced a policy paper for the marine space together with the European Union, coordinated national plans and served as deputy chairman of the Valchof (the committee for preservation of the coastal environment). Before that, Shira worked at the Israel Museum in teaching, guiding and curating positions.

Shira lives in Jerusalem with her husband and seven children. She likes art, design and any expression of creativity, in any shape and any place.

Shira has an MA in art history, with a subspecialty in urban planning, from the Hebrew University and a BA from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design.

Asa lives in Modi’in with his wife and three children. In his free time, he enjoys good food, meeting friends and spending time with his family.

Asa has an MA in political communication from the Hebrew University. He also studied marketing and advertising at University of Illinois.

Since 1993, Lea has worked in human resources for Bnei Brak in a number of roles ranging from recruitment, hiring until retirement and currently oversees the leadership management pipeline. Lea serves on an education committee that encourages local employees to pursue academic studies. She also lectures on legal aspects in local authorities and about human resources in colleges, seminars and at the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel. Lea provides organizational and legal consultation pro bono in the field of labor and employment law to Ezer MiZion, a nonprofit organization, and assists in organizing vacations for youth-at risk and for the elderly.

Lea lives in Bnei Brak with her husband and five children. In her free time, she likes to read and travel.

Lea holds an LL.B. from the Academic College and is licensed to practice law. She is also a graduate of the human resources manager course of Bar Ilan University and the Federation of Local Authorities.

Eshkol is the CEO of the Golan Regional Council. Prior, Eshkol has served as CEO of Kiryat Shmona municipality. For eight months before hand he managed the mayor’s election headquarters. Eshkol served in the IDF for 25 years in the combat array. He served in commanding positions, from the level of the platoon and up to the territorial brigade and reserve brigade. He was discharged with a rank of Colonel.

Eshkol lives in Kela Alon in the Golan Heights. He is married and has four children. In his free time, he likes hiking.

Eshkol has an MA in political sciences and public administration from Haifa University and an BA in Mediterranean studies and political sciences from the Hebrew University.

Yehuda live in Ramot neighborhood in Jerusalem with his wife and three children. He is deputy chairman of the Ma’ale Ramot community administration, and co-founder of Irgun Hatzalah and ZAKA.

Yehuda studied at several Yeshivas – Kol Torah, Be’er Ya’akov, and Beit Avraham.

Salima lives in Nazareth Illit, with her husband and three children. She likes to spend her free time with her children.

Salima holds a BSc in information systems engineering from the Technion’s Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management.

In 1993 Hussein initiated the establishment of the Beit Netofa basin Environmental Towns Association, and since then has served as its CEO. Hussein is in charge of environmental management where he initiated and directed projects related to sewage, irrigation with wastewater, advancement of environmental solutions for dealing with air pollution among else. In his role as director of the environmental education and research center Hussein supports environmental research and development in collaboration with institutions in Israel and the neighboring countries. Hussein lectures at George Mason University on geopoliticalenvironmental conflicts and at Sakhnin College for Teacher Education on global problems and sustainability, planning and environmental conflicts.

Hussein lives in Sakhnin with his wife and three children. He likes playing sports with his children, hiking and reading.

Hussein completed his postdoctoral research at George Mason University, USA. He holds a PhD in environmental management and conflict resolution from Haifa University. Hussein has a third degree in urban planning from the Technion, an MSc in environmental sciences from the Technion, a BSc in life sciences and a teacher’s certificate from Oranim College, Haifa University.

Liza lives in Rishon LeZion with her husband and three children. She likes foreign films.

Liza holds an MA in sociology of education from Tel Aviv University and a BA (with honors) in social sciences from the Open University.

Zehava Tesfay was born and raised in southern Israel to a family that had made Aliyah from Ethiopia in 1980 by journeying through Sudan. For 15 years she has been living in Jerusalem, where she earned a BA in Education, Sociology and Anthropology as well as an MA in Nonprofit and Community Organization Management, both from Hebrew University. She is also a graduate of the Maoz Municipal Leadership Program offered by Israel’s Ministry of the Interior. Zehava came to New York to serve as a Jewish Agency emissary, and leads the delegation of Shlichim serving in the UJA-Federation of New York Shlichut Initiative. Previous to this role, Zehava was the Director of the Programs Department at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, where she had previously managed a youth development program for communities in Israel’s periphery. She also has professional experience as the Manager of the Migrant Worker Division of JDC’s Center for International Migration and Integration, where she founded a call center supporting migrant workers, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration and Israeli government offices. Zehava’s connection to world Jewry began when she served as a Jewish Agency Summer Camp Shlichah for Ramah Camps, after which she became involved in The Jewish Agency’s admissions and training processes for hundreds of Shlichut candidates. She also volunteers extensively in the areas of employment diversity and women’s leadership development.

Zehava has an MA in management of nonprofit and community organizations and a BA in education, sociology and anthropology, both from the Hebrew University. She is also an alumna of the manager course at Gishot.

Itay is married with two daughters. In his free time, Itay likes long distance running.

Itay holds an MBA from the College of Management and a BA in the humanities from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Since 2014, Osnat has served as head of the HumanResources Department at Emek Hefer regional council.Before that, Osnat served as assistant to the head of theregional council for six years, and before that served asa regular visit officer. In her kibbutz, Givat Haim Meuhad,she managed the informal education division, and taughtfor ten years.

Osnat lives in Kibbutz Givat Haim Meuhad with her husband and three children. She loves to read and watch movies, and is interested in designing homes.

Osnat has an LL.M from Bar Ilan University, and a BA in education from Oranim College. Over the years, Osnat has taken courses on various subjects: mediation (at Gome Institute), organizational consulting (Tel Aviv University), coaching (at the Technion’s branch in Tel Aviv) and Feng Shui.

Yossi has two sons. He likes history, traveling and science.

Yossi holds a BBA from the Open University, and is an MBA candidate, with a sub-specialty in entrepreneurship, from the Technion.

Yaser lives in the Bedouin town of Kuseife with his wife and five children. He is socially involved in his community and in advancing the town, plays sports and likes hiking in nature.

Yaser has an MA in social work and an LL.B. and is licensed to practice law.

Ravaida has 20 years of experience working in local authorities on behalf of CPA firms. She has experience in auditing financial statements, preparation of financial statements and accounting management services.

Ruwayda is married and has three children.

Ruwayda has accounting and is licensed to practice law.

Yuval lives in Givat Ze’ev with his wife and three children.

Yuval holds an HMBA from Ben Gurion University and another MA in public policy from the Hebrew University; he has a BSc in life sciences from Ben Gurion University and another BSc in computer sciences and computational biology from the Hebrew University.

Yaniv received his training in industrial engineering. After graduation he joined Sodastream and today serves as thenational operations manager including the oversight of four factories with over 1,500 employees. Yaniv managed the development and launch of Sodastream's flagship operations plant, which proudly carries the name "the Island of Peace" and is proof of the possibility of living together in peace and as one big happy family.

He is a fifth generation Jerusalemite and he currently lives with his wife Danna and their children Hila, Noam and Dvir. In his free time he enjoys traveling with family and one day aims to open a boutique winery.

Yaniv has a BA in industrial engineering from Ariel University.

Moshe lives in Haifa with his wife and their seven children. In his free time, he enjoys studying with friends and volunteering as a senior paramedic for United Hatzalah in both Rambam Hospital in Haifa and in Ezer Mizion.

Moshe is currently in his second year of a multidisciplinary BA at the Univerity of Haifa. He is a certified paramedic and emergency responder and has received certification in a number of training programs ranging from religious studies to large event management and vlunteer coordination.

Meir assumed his current position in 2018. Previously, he managed the City Without Violence Program for the Ministry of Public Security, working to facilitate connections and trust between the city’s leadership and law enforcement. For five years, Meir and his wife managed a shelter for ultra-Orthodox at-risk adolescents at the Kiryat Ha’yeled boarding school. Meir continues to teach life skills workshops for ultra-Orthodox youth in partnership with JDC Israel.

Meir, his wife, and their four children live in Jerusalem. He is a culinary enthusiast and enjoys poetry.

Meir has an MA in Public Policy from the School of Management at Hebrew University of Jerusalem as well as a BA in Business Management with a focus on funding and stock exchange from Ono Academic Center. Meir is a graduate of JDC Israel’s program training life skills coaches.

Bassam lives in Sakhnin. He is married to Amal, a teacher in special needs education, and the father of four.

Bassam has a bachelor’s degree in business management and finance. He has trained in different management and internal audit in local councils studies, as well as in group guidance and training.

Yossef lives in the Bedouin settlement of Kuseife located in Israel’s Negev region. He is married with four children. In his spare time, he enjoys exercising and going for trips in the countryside.

Yossef has an MA in Education, with a focus on special needs. He also holds a BA from Kaye Academic College in Beer Sheva in addition to multiple certifications in education.

Amin lives in Rahat and has two children, Atzil and Rittel.

Amin holds a BA and MA in public administration from Sapir Academic College. He also has a certificate in volunteer coordination from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He is a graduate of the Israel Leadership institute.

Foad has served as the director of the Rahat Community Center since 2015. Rahat is home to over 70,000 people including unrecognized residents, and over 25,000 students. The community center serves as the operational wing of the informal education system with a 20 million shekel budget. Foad oversees operations and programs targeted to children, young people, women as well as Rahat’s senior citizens. Previously, Foad founded and worked for the Rvian employment centers. Earlier in his career Foad worked as a math teacher in Rahat’s secondary school.

Foad is the eldest son in a family of 11 siblings. He lives in Um Namala, north of Rahat with his wife and their four children, Lian, Jihad, Ba’ha, and Mohammad.

Foad has an MA in public policy management from Sapir Academic College, and a BA from Ben Gurion University of the Negev.

Nowadays, Waffa is the youth director of Al-Kasom Regional Council. Previously Waffa managed the youth department in Lakiya. She managed all the informal education programs and activities that were designed to support the youth's development.

She lives in Lakiya.

Wafa has a BA in health systems management

Avishalam has served as the Zikhron Ya’akov local council treasurer since 2014. He manages the council’s budget as well as all routine management. Previously, Avishalom worked in the private sector, providing services and support for local councilsas well as for a major communications brand as both a region and sector manager.

Avishalom lives in Zikhron Ya’akov with his wife and three daughters.

Avishalom holds an MBA and BA in Communications, both from the University of Haifa.

Areej lives in Majd-al Krum. She and her husband A’ehd have three children Adden, Mahdi, and Mohammad. SHe enjoys traveling with her family around the world and studying.

Areej holds an MA in management and education planning from the Center for Academic Studies in Or Yehuda. She has a BA in architecture and urban planning from the Technion and has participating in numerous training courses with a focus on urban planning in Arab settlemtents.

Reem lives in Yafa-an-Naseriyye with her husband and two children. She is a member in the parent teacher association in her village. In her spare time she enjoys swimming.

Reem has a BA in finance and business management from the Open University and is a graduate of the Collman College of Management. She is a certified accountant.

Asaf is the founder and CEO of Moona – Space for Change and has served as CEO since 2013. Moona is focused on project-based learning technology and works with participants to build PBL skills as well as soft skills (ability, responsibility, teamwork and more). Asaf served as a combat pilot in the Israeli air force for 27 years followed by five years in the Israeli Aerospace Industries.

Asaf lives in Yuvalim. He is father of three.

Asaf has an MBA degree from the Ono Academic College, a bachelor’s degree in law from the Interdisciplinary Center Hertzlyia and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Haifa.

Nitzan lives in Ramat Gan. He is married with two children.

Nitzan holds a BA in Architecture and a B.sc in biology and life sciences both from Tel Aviv University.

Fayek lives in Reineh next to Nazareth. He is married and the father of three daughters. In his spare time he likes reading and follows sports, especially football and basketball.

Fayek holds a BA in economics with a speciality in accounting from the Ben Gurion University of the Negev. He is a certified accountant.

Afaf joined the Baqa al-Gharbiyye Council as Vice Directorand Manager of Human Resources in 2013. Previously, Afafmanaged the Council’s education department and servedas a dropout prevention offer for 13 years.

Afaf lives in Zemer in the Arab triangle area. She is married to Mansur Harzalla, a doctor, and they have four children. In her free time Afaf enjoys reading and traveling.

Afaf holds an MA in political science with a speciality in public and local government management and a BA in statistics both from the University of Haifa. She also is certified to teach math in secondary schools and is a graduate of a directors in local government training program.

Anat is the VP and Chief Architect of the international Tidhar Group. Part of her mission is leading the Urban planning of the group.Previously, Anat worked at Kfar-Saba's city council. She started as the municipal planner and later became the municipal engineer and director of the engineering department As part of her job Anat takes part in leading the city’s future planning schemes, promoting the public building development around the city and supervising licensing. Anat joined the public sector after years of working as an architect in the private sector and specializing in urban planning, first as an employee and then as a freelancer. Once she returned to Israel she joined, in parallel to her working freelance, to the academic staff of Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, and was the advisor and moderator of multiple final projects and seminars in urban planning at the architecture department of the school.

Anat holds an MA in urban planning and a BA both from the U.P.C. Institute in Barcelona. Anat lives in Tel Aviv and dreams of Barcelona.

Anat joined the public sector after a number of years working in the private sector as an architect and urban planning specialist. While working as a freelance architect consultant, Anat joined the faculty at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem. She has continued to serve as an advisor and moderator for students’ final projects as well as seminars in urban planning.

Reuma lives in Kibbutz Beit-Kama in the Negev with her husband Lior and their three children, Yarden, Doron and Dror. She enjoys hiking with her family and dinners with friends and family.

Reuma holds an MA in public administration and policy from Ben Gurion University of the Negev. She has a BA in political science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Ohad lives in Jerusalem with his wife Naama and their children Ere’l, Ofri, and Nitzan. In his free time, Ohad enjoys long distance running

Ohad received his BA from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem with a specialty in Architecture. He is currently studying for his MA in Natural Resources Policy Management with a specialty in Urban Planning from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Since 2013 Assaf has worked for the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council first as the Manager of the Operations Department. In his current role, Assaf manages all utility aspects of the Council including construction, water, sewage, garbage, recycling, electricity, business permits, and veterinary services among others. Prior to joining the Regional Council, Assaf worked for the Ministry of Education as Deputy Development Manager, overseeing the facilities and budgeting department.

Asaf lives in Nofei Prat with his wife Adva and their three children, Rotem, Yotam and Danny. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, jogging and cycling.

Assaf received an MA in geography from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a BA in geography from bar-Ilan University. He has completed coursework in computer systems analysis.

Malca resides in Jerusalem. She is the mother of three and a poetry, music and photography enthusiast

Malca has a BA in economy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She analyzes corporative systems and holds several international certificates in corporate inspection from a number of leading establishments.

Hila lives in Telmei Yosef in the Hof Ashkelon regional council. She and her husband Moshe have three daughters, and in her free time, she enjoys working on integrating healthy living and balanced nutrition.

Hila holds an MA in criminology and a BA in social work, both from Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The Bloomberg Foundation in Be’er Sheva is partnered with the Be’er Sheva Foundation to promote urban renewal efforts. Vered manages the team and provides strategic direction to all initiatives and programs. Previously, she worked as the Vice Manager of the Ministry for the Development of the Negev, managing a budget of more than NIS 100 million. She played a role in the 546 government decision with regard to the Negev and worked on various economic development projects in the area. Previously, Vered served as a Senior Project Manager for the PORI Institute for Market Research and managed research and strategy for global brands.

Vered was born and raised in Be’er Sheva. Today she lives in Mishmar HaNegev with her partner Ron and their four children – Shay, Yuval, Ziv and Lior. On weekends she enjoys spending time with her family as well as jogging and hiking.

Vered has an MA in Business Management and a BA with honors in Hotel and Tourism Management both from Ben Gurion University of the Negev.

Ori was born in Jerusalem and currently residents in Tel Aviv.

Ori has an M.ED in Administration and Education from Tel Aviv University, and a law degree with a specialty in governance from the Interdisciplinary Center in Hertzlyia. Ori is a licensed lawyer and a graduate of Israel tour guiding studies.

Suad lives in Daliyat al-Karmel. She is married with two children. Suad participates in several steering teams and community forums that work to improve private and communal quality of living. In her free time she likes travelling to new destinations and learning about new cultures.

Suad holds an MA in local government from the University of Haifa and a BA in law from the University of Liverpool. She is certified in programs ranging from women’s promotion in the workforce to mediation, senior payroll accounting and managing public companies.

In 2015 Lior was appointed CEO of Tozeret Ha’aretz, which is part of the National Union of Israeli Students. Tozeret Ha’aretz aims to create activist communities in Israel’s geo-social periphery by encouraging young citizens to create community in rural parts of Israel. In this role, Lior oversees the organization’s strategic direction as well as maintaining ongoing programming and all collaborative efforts with the nine participating local authorities and five academic institutes. Prior to joining Tozeret Ha’aretz, Lior managed the student communities of Lod for Ayalim, another nonprofit organization.

Lior lives in Lod and lives a life that integrates both secular and religious aspects. She is married to Nathan and they have two children, Elyai and Lavi. In her spare time she enjoys exercising and participating in the Mamanet league.

Lior has an MA in honors in organization development from the Collman College of Management as well as a BA with honors in behavioral sciences from the Academic COllege of Tel Aviv- Jaffa.

Yael lives in Beit Shemesh with her husband Moshe. She has six children and four grandchildren. In her free time, Yael travels in Israel and in Brazil where her extended family lives.

Yael holds a master’s degree in land and real estate and a bachelor’s degree in architecture and urban planning, both from the Technion. She is also a licensed real estate appraiser.

Ya'ara grew up in Ma’ale Gamla in the Golan Heights and today makes her home in Jerusalem.

Ya'ara holds an MA with honors in industrial design from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design with a speciality in social design. Her BA, also with honors, was in sociology and anthropology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Ya'ara is a graduate of a United States government based leadership program.

Hila lives in Kadesh Barnea, a town close to the Egyptian border. She and her husband Topaz have three daughters. In her spare time, Hila enjoys volunteering for local committees as well as hiking and singing.

Hila holds a BA in oceanography and environmental science with a specialty in biotech from the Ruppin Academic Center. She is currently working toward a MA in biotech and agriculture at Ben Gurion University of the Negev.

Bat-Sheva is married with three daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading. She has mentored high school students to support their personal and professional growth.

Bat-Sheva holds an MBA and BA from Ben- Gurion University of the Negev, as well as a diploma in Career Development Consultation from Tel Aviv University.

lives in Bnei Brak with his wife and four children. He participates in Torah classes and volunteers in organizations supporting hospital patients. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and hiking

Shimon has a B.Ed in Special Education and Youth Development from Beit Berl Academic College. In addition, he completed a senior teachers program, a mediators training course, and an economic development and empowerment course, which focused on supporting young couples.

Yael serves as Director of the Jerusalem Court of Local Affairs. In her previous position she has been the director of Mifa’m Jerusalem, a partnership between the City Council and Ministry of Interior. In that role, she trained municipal directors and council corporation managers, oversees innovation across local councils and training programs, and supported cross-council agreement implementation and procedures. Yael worked closely with chief directors and managers, helped to establish new professional teams, and developed key measures to determine rates of success and markers of excellence. Yael developed training programs for new managers and oversees professional development opportunities for council employees and leaders.

Yael lives in Jerusalem, married to Gadi and the mother of two. In her spare time she likes to hike, read and visit the cinema and theater.

Yael has an MA in Sociology and Social Psychology as well as a BA in English Literature and Sociology, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Yehuda provides strategic for the Haredi education system specifically in training and professional development. Inthis role he has founded branches of academic institutes, introduced progressive initiatives and innovative approaches for special needs students as well as for early childhood education. He also has created programs for teacher trainings in both Jerusalem and rural areas targeted for Haredi and Hasidic communities in an effort to increase access and opportunities for higher education and professional training. Today Yehuda directs the education administration in Beitar Illit overseeing instruction for 24,000 students across 87 facilities, yeshivas and seminaries. Yehuda incorporates social and communal involvement and focuses on retention among young Haredi students. Yehuda is a member of the Israeli Hope in Education Forum based in Beit HaNassi. The forum was created in the spirit of the Tribes’ Speech in order to facilitate connection and understanding amongst Israel’s disparate tribes. Yehuda is a member of Benenu, a nonprofit that supports families with children with special needs and disabilities.

Yehuda lives in Beitar Illit with his wife and ten children. He enjoys teaching and believes in the importance of learning; he is committed to self-teaching and training which contributes to both personal and professional growth.

With a degree in education, Yehuda is also certified by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He holds an MA in system management from Lifshitz College of Education, and a bachelor’s degree in special needs education from Jerusalem College Michlala. He is a graduate of the School of Educational Leadership.

Musa serves as a Director, Riyan Employment Guidance Center for the Bedouin population. Prior to that he served as the Development Director of Youth Programs in Arab Society, under the Elem NGO. Elem is a national program committed to providing assistance to troubled and at-risk youth. Before that Musa served as the manager of 'Finjan', Network of Centers for Youth at Risk in the Bedouin community, also under Elem NGO. Musa is responsible for a number of organizations that work with at-risk adolescents and young adults in the Bedouin community and brings these organizations together to establish a professional network for facilitating learning and networking. Previously, Musa served as the coordinator for community and employment development for the Rahat Council. In this role, he developed the career advising center and helped to facilitate the development of 100 positions for young people within the council. Musa is a founder of the Almahabash Theater of the Negev.

Musa lives in Rahat with his wife and five children. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and reading.

Musa has an MA in Organizational Development with a focus on educational and business institutions from Ono Academic College and a BA in Education and Political Pcience from Sapir Academic College

Yoav lives in Kibbutz Ginegar in Israel’s Jezreel Valley with his wife Ma’ayan and their children Uriya, Amit and Ofri. In his free time, Yoav enjoys hiking and folk singing

Yoav holds an MA in executive management and leadership from Tel Aviv University and a B.Ed with a teaching certificate for secondary schools in Bible Studies and HIstory. Yoav received specialized certification in democratic education.

Racheli lives in Ramat Gan and is married with two children, Noa and Itamar. In her free time, she enjoys walking on the beach, reading, and swimming.

Racheli has an MA (cum laude) in Organizational Theory from the Tel Aviv University School of Business Management and a BA in English Linguistics and Political Science from Tel Aviv University.

Tehila lives in Kfar Saba with her husband and three sons. She enjoys long distance running in her spare time.

Tehila has an MBA from the Open University with a specialty in budgeting and a BA in Accounting.

Kfir lives in Ashdod with Reen and their three children, two boys and a girl.

Kfir holds an MA in theoretical economics and a BA in economics and sociology both from Bar Ilan University. His thesis focused on the influence of demographic and economic factors in the voting rate in government elections. His thesis was the basis of an article later published in the European Journal of Political Economy.

Riki lives in Matan, and is a married mother of three. In her free time, Riki enjoys exercise, reading, and volunteering her local community.

Riki holds an MBA with a specialty in hi-tech management from the Collman College of Management and a BA in chemical engineering from Ben Gurion University of the Negev

Yaakov lives in Dolev in Mateh Binyamin Council with his wife Esther and their children Tehila, Tsofia, Bat- El, Hillel, and Yinon. He enjoys reading about management, leadership, selfimprovement, and psychology.

Yaakov is a graduate of the Or Etzion Yeshiva. He holds an MA in Governance, Diplomacy, and Strategy from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya and a BA in the History of Israel from the Open University. Yaakov is certified in PMP from PMI International and is a graduate of the Voices Program. He holds numerous certificates in the hi-tech field.

Uri was born in the Negev and now lives in Meitar with his wife Dana and their four children. Uri enjoys spending his free time in nature as well as with family and friends. He believes in the power of the group to inspire personal and social change.

Uri holds an MA in management and public policy as well as a B.Sc in life sciences, both from Ben Gurion University of the Negev. He also holds a certificate in group training and guiding from the Department of Social Work at Ben Gurion University

In his role as Director of the Sakhnin City Municipality, Kasim oversees general management and strategic direction for Municipal policy. He manages a number of departments including human resources and represents the Council before all government forums and institutes, public and private organizations. Between 1993 and 2001 Kasim served as the manager for Strategic Planning and Information for the Sakhnin Council. In 2008 he joined the Board of the Anjaz nonprofit which is a local nonprofit specializing in promoting Arab municipalities throughout Israel. In 2017 he became the board’s chairman.

Kasim lives in Sakhnin with his wife Sausan and their four children. In his free time, Kasim enjoys reading, traveling watching football, listening to music and working in his garden.

Kasim holds an MA in political science with a specialty in local government from the University of Haifa as well as an MBA from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, a BA in economics and accounting from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a BA in law from the Netanya Academic College. He is a member of the Israeli Bar Association.

Waseem manages a number of teams with over 520 employees across three sites, two in Misgav and one in Daliyat al-Karmel. In his current role, Waseem works closely with site leadership and with Babcom’s Board to ensure compliance and continued improvement of service delivery. Waseem was among the first attendees in business thinking groups, whose purpose was to establish Babcom Centers, which employs more than 2000 people today.

Waseem lives in Isfiya with his wife Nivin and their children Neil, Muran, and Walid. In his spare time, Waseem enjoys painting, fishing and motorcycling.

Waseem is on track to receive his MA in knowledge and data management from the University of Haifa. He holds a BA in geography and archeology. He graduated from Sela College’s engineering program as well as the tourism management program at Haifa University.

Rani lives in Jerusalem with his wife Hagit and their children Eyal, Noam, Avia, Hila and Ella.

Rani has an MA in Public Policy from Hebrew University and a BA in Education from Bar Ilan University.

Pazit lives in Modi’in Illit with her husband. They have six children.

Pazit has a BA in economics and business management from Ben Guron University of the Negev. She studied industrial engineering at Sapir Academic College.

Yehuda lives in Efrat with his wife Sarah and their five children. In his spare time, Yehuda enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family.

Yehuda has an MA in Political Science and Military Strategy from Bar-Ilan University.

Noa lives in Jerusalem with her husband and two children. She is a sports and nature enthusiast.

Noa holds an MA in public policy from Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a BA in Economics and Israeli Studies from Ben Gurion University of the Negev.

Sarit and her husband Ela’d live in the Shapira neighborhood of South Tel Aviv with their two children.

Sarit holds an MA in educational consultancy from Ben Gurion University of the Negev as well as a BA in Psychology and Communication from Tel Aviv University. Her dissertation focused on education and training for activism in Israeli society.

Shadi and Janette are married with two children, Polianna and Pearla.

Shadi holds a Bs.c in agricultural engineering from the Technion with a specialty in water, soil, and environment.

Dana has been the Deputy Manager for Finance and Trade at Mishkei Hamifratz since 2009 with a focus on strategic development. She also directs Eldav Investments based in the Western Galilee and serves as a member of the board of governors of Western Galilee College. Previously, she worked for other public sector companies, such as Golan Plastics, Alon Gas Surveys, and Blue Square Real Estate. She began her career as an accountant at Ernst & Young. Dana believes in strengthening ties among communities, businesses, and municipalities.

Dana is a member of Kibbutz Shomrat where she lives with her husband Ziv and their children.

Dana has a BA in Economics and Accounting and is a CPA. She participated in a strategic management course at Tel Aviv University Coller School of Management.

Meir has been at Azorim since 2015. He manages the engineering department with a focus on planning and constructing residential projects throughout Israel. The comppany’s net worth is approximately 4 billion shekels. In a previous role at Plaza Center, Meir managed a network of shopping malls and spent time abroad in both Budapest and Belgrade. Meir began his professional career at U Dori.

Meir lives in Yavne with his wife Osnat and their children Shira, Roey and amit.

Meir holds a BA and M.Sc in civic engineering from the Technion.

Orly and her husband Aviv have three daughters. Orly enjoys long distance running and recently completed a marathon.

Orly holds a BA in economics and management from Tel Hai Academic College. She also has various certifications including a course in project management from the Technion as well as community coordination, directors training and farm coordination.

Itay lives in Beit Shemesh with his wife and five children. He enjoys poetry and physical activity.

Itay holds an MA Education Management and a BEd in Bible Studies and Oral Torah from Jerusalem College Michlala where he also earned his teaching certification. Additionally, he holds certification in management, marketing, and financial organizations from the Israeli Center of Management.

Eli lives in Gedera. He is married to Simma and they have three children – Halleli, Ella, and Alma. In his spare time, he enjoys practicing martial arts, photography, and hiking. Eli volunteers and manages several social and community-based organizations with a focus on equality and social justice.

Eli has a BA (cum laude) in Social Work and a MA (cum laude) in Nonprofit Management and Public Policy, both from Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Inbar serves as Engineer, City of Beit Shemesh. Previously, she served as CEO of the nonprofit New Spirit. Founded in 2003, New Spirit is an apolitical nonprofit that aims to strengthen Jerusalem with a focus on the city’s young people by utilizing creative economic development projects, local entrepreneurship, and innovation. Prior to that, Inbar worked in both the private and public sector managing building preservation for the Jerusalem City Council. Between 2016 and 2017, Inbar served as senior advisor to the planning bureau manager representing the Ministry of Finance.

Inbar was born and raised in Ashdod. A published writer, she currently makes her home in Jerusalem with her three children, Uri, Noga, and Noam

Inbar is a cum laude graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning at the Technion.

Oved’s grandparents founded Kfar Yehezkel, where Oved lives today with his wife Anat and their children Einav, Yuval, Nitzan and Ya’el. In his spare time he enjoys cycling.

Oved has an MA in environment and natural resources management with a speciality in environmental finance from the University of Haifa. He holds a BA in economics and management from the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College.

Ilan joined the Israel Land Authority in 1993 where he began his career in a number of field positions tasked with facilitating Bedouin community empowerment. In 2007 Ilan was promoted to Executive Manager of the Administration and in 2009 he became the Vice President of the Authority for Development and Settlement of Bedouins in the Negev where he worked until he was promoted to Southern District Manager for the Israeli Land Authority.

Ilan lives in Ma’agalim in the Sdot Negev regional council with his wife Kineret and their children Yagel and Noa.

Ilan holds an MA in management and public policy from Ben Gurion University of the Negev and a BA in management and public policy from Sapir Academic College. In addition, Ilan holds a law degree from Ono Academic College. He is a certified lawyer.

Libi lives in Modi’in Illit with her husband Moshe and their ten children. She spends every free moment she has with her family. She also enjoys volunteering, hosting families for Shabbat and cooking for those in need.

Libi has a BA in education with a speciality in teacher training. She graduated with honors from a certificate program in informal education.