Our staff brings together a range of religious and ethnic backgrounds, languages and experiences from five different continents, thus providing us with a model for international, multicultural educational community.
Director, International School
Email | 972-49838952
An integral part of Oranim College since 2005, Jackie Levi-Atias, is a founding member of Oranim International, playing a pivotal role alongside founder Dr. Roberta Bell-Kligler in establishing the organization.
During her years at Oranim, Ms. Levi-Atias designed and launched the “School2School” program as part of the Jewish peoplehood initiatives. In collaboration with the academic faculty, she also founded and guided global programs for teacher professional development in the Jewish world, including the esteemed global Certificate Program for Jewish Day School Teachers sponsored by the Israeli Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Diaspora and “Nativ” a teacher training program supported by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. Additionally, in the field of higher education, Ms. Levi-Atias fostered international connections between Oranim College and higher education institutions worldwide and through the Erasmus Study Abroad Programs.
Before joining Oranim, Ms. Levi-Atias held the position of Educational Curriculum Coordinator for the Mandel Leadership Institute’s prestigious Jerusalem Fellows program. She also served as the Ma’aleh Program Coordinator at the Magid Institute for Continuing Education, Hebrew University.
Ms. Levi-Atias obtained her Bachelor of Arts in History, Communication, and Library and an International MPA of Public Administration, Public Management, and Policy Studies from the University of Haifa.
Vice-Rector for International Engagement
Email | 052-3703360
Dr. Janina Kahn-Horwitz is the Vice-Rector for International Engagement at Oranim International. Dr. Kahn-Horwitz is the former chair of the undergraduate English Language and Literature Department. She continues to teach in the undergraduate program as well as the graduate M.Ed. Language Learning program. Her research interests include individual differences in language learning and English as a foreign language reading and spelling development. Dr. Kahn-Horwitz holds a B.A. from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Haifa. Dr. Kahn-Horwitz has always been involved in education, both informal and formal. She sees educators as agents of change, making a significant impact on society through self-example and mentoring.
Nofar Larey
Program Manager, Masa Programs
Email | +972-49838961
Nofar Larey holds the position of Manager for the Masa Programs at Oranim International, including the programs “English for the Workplace,” “AMIR, TOEFL, IELTS (A.T.I.),” and “Pre MA.” With a firm belief in the transformative power of education, she is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world through her work.
Bringing extensive expertise in project management to her role, Ms. Larey has previously served as a Community Relations Coordinator at Advanced Defense Systems LTD, where she successfully executed a variety of community engagement initiatives.
Ms. Larey is an accomplished academic, having earned a master’s degree in Strategic Communication and Public Relations, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Political Science, both from the University of Haifa.
Director of Galilee Dreamers Project
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| Dr. Rachel Ravid serves as the Director of the Galilee Dreamers Project, as well as a lecturer and Associate Director of the Shared Society Unit at Oranim College. With extensive experience, she has held positions such as Advisor for the Student Forum for Combating Racism and Head of the Department of Special Education in Early Childhood. As the Program Director for the Galilee Dreamers Program, she educates students through dialogue, civil action, and social justice. She has led Galilee Dreamer delegations to North America, South Africa, and Germany, overseeing pre-program and follow-up activities. An expert in social and educational inclusion, multiculturalism, racism, and identity, Dr. Ravid holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Bath, England, her M.A. in Education in Life Course Development from Haifa University, and a B.A. in Education, Language, and English Literature. In addition to her primary pursuits, Dr. Ravid is a social activist supporting the values of democracy and human rights. She dedicates her efforts to cultivating resilience among students with diverse needs and providing specialized training to their teachers. She instructs teachers on building resilience and effectively engaging with parents of students with diverse needs. Furthermore, she serves as a mentor and supervisor for field research projects undertaken by students pursuing their master’s degrees and leads educational projects involving international schools and universities. Her recent publications include articles such as “Preparing Israeli teacher candidates to develop professional/family partnerships” (2019) and “A glimpse of young children’s social worlds in Israel” (2020), co-authored with Katz, L. Zur, A., & Ravid, R. (2018). |
Manager of Jewish Peoplehood
Email | +972-49838729
Lori Abramson, MAJE, Associate Director of Jewish Peoplehood, has worked at the Shdemot Department of Jewish Peoplehood since 2007, and is also a lecturer in Oranim’s English Department. She has published articles and presented at conferences on the subjects of Israel education and Jewish Peoplehood, and published Jewish educational curricula. Lori has a B.A. from the University of California at Davis and an M.A. in Jewish Education from Hebrew Union College. Before making aliyah, Lori was the Head of Yavneh Day School in California.
Ahava Steinbauer
Pedagogical Advisor and Resource Coordinator
Email | +972-49838965
| Ahava Steinbauer brings over 30 years of extensive teaching and educational leadership experience to her current roles. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong passion for fostering critical thinking skills and instilling a love for learning in her students.
Ms. Steinbauer’s teaching journey spans various locations, including New York, California, and Illinois, where she has taught English, history, and humanities to students ranging from preschool to 12th grade. Additionally, she has valuable administrative experience, having served as the K-12 Chair of Special Education and Assistant Director of Special Education. Currently, Ms. Steinbauer provides expert guidance in English communication, resource development, and social media. She also holds the positions of Academic Coordinator and lecturer for the Masa English Programs at Oranim International. Ms. Steinbauer’s educational qualifications include a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Reading and Learning Disabilities, both obtained from DePaul University. Furthermore, she has acquired advanced certifications in Building and District Leadership, as well as a Professional Diploma in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville College. |
Martina Ezias
Academic Collaborations Coordinator
Email | +972-49838746
| Martina Ezias brings a wealth of professional experience to her role at Oranim International. Prior to joining the organization, she held the position of Human Resources Manager at the Israeli Ministry of Defense in New York City, where she successfully managed a wide range of human resources functions and contributed to the overall organizational effectiveness.Ms. Ezias possesses a deep understanding of human resources management, marketing, and customer service, making her a versatile professional capable of addressing various organizational needs. Ms. Ezias holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Bar Ilan University. |
Stephanie Ben Shimon
Educational Coordinator for Connection Between Israel and the Jewish World
Email | +972-49838754
Stephanie Ben Shimon’s role as Educational Coordinator includes managing our highly successful Haifa-Boston Project. She believes educators can contribute to developing a cohesive sense of identity that includes personal ties to family, community, faith, and society by promoting equality and tolerance. Ms. Ben Shimon was the former National Educational Director of the Noam Youth Organization, a traditional youth group that operates under the Conservative Movement in Israel. She is a certified teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Community Social Education from Oranim College. She is earning her M.Ed. in Education Systems Management at Kibbutzim College of Education.
Katya Prokofyeva
Masa Program Coordinator
Email | 050-5510798
Katya Prokofyeva is a Masa Pre M.A. program alumni and coordinates programs for international students worldwide. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics from Southern Federal University in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Ms. Prokofyeva’s primary responsibilities are program coordination, planning, and problem-solving. As a Program Coordinator, Ms. Prokofyeva shares her positive attitude, motivation, and love of learning with students. She is also pursuing her M.Teach Certification at Oranim College of Education.
Silvana Nahmad
Administrative Coordinator
Email | +972-49838952
| Silvana Nahmad brings a strong background as an international project manager and coordinator of collaborations with organizations and academic institutions across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Previously, Ms. Nahmad held the position of Director of European and Mediterranean Affairs at the Galilee International Management Institute, where she played a crucial role in establishing and maintaining collaborative initiatives.Mrs. Nahmad also has experience teaching Italian and translating technical documents from Hebrew to Italian, showcasing her linguistic abilities and attention to detail.Ms. Nahmad holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the Universita’ degli Studi di Milano in Italy, specializing in Food Technology and studied project management at the Tel Aviv Chamber of Commerce College. |
Hamutal Lavi
Finance and International Projects Coordinator
Email | +972-49838946
| Hamutal Ariel-Lavi brings a wealth of experience to her role at Oranim International School. Before joining the staff, she held the position of Director of Research and Development at a prominent psychometric exam preparation company. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in developing effective strategies and materials to help students excel in their exams. Additionally, Ms. Ariel-Lavi served as a tutor, editor, and curricular developer, leveraging her in-depth knowledge and skills to support student learning and achievement. Ms. Ariel-Lavi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Management from Tel Aviv University, providing her with a solid foundation in analytical thinking and problem-solving. Currently, she is in the final stage of completing her Master of Arts in Education from The Open University, further deepening her understanding of educational theories and pedagogical practices. |
Shaked Mizrahi
Secretary
Email | +972-49838715
| Shaked Mizrahi brings a diverse range of professional experience to her role, with a focus on information management and technical support. Previously, she held a position in the service center at Clalit, where she provided valuable technical and billing support to ensure smooth operations. In addition to her work in the service center, Ms. Mizrahi has also contributed to the field of education by teaching Hebrew to new immigrants from Russia and Ukraine. Currently, Ms. Mizrahi is in her final year of study, pursuing a Bachelor of Education Degree in Multidisciplinary Education at Oranim College. |
Rabbi Itamar Lapid
Coordinator & Pedagogical Consultant
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Rabbi Itamar Lapid is a leader of the Jewish Israeli renewal movement, a spiritual guide in the community of Shimshit, a sought-after lecturer in Jewish identity programming for young adults, and a cofounder of Midreshet Natur, a collaborative beit midrash with religious and secular participants. He is a co-founder and teacher in Madrassa/Midrasha, which pursues Arab–Jewish coexistence in the Galilee through education. Rabbi Lapid previously served as a senior faculty member at HaMidrasha, where he taught for 17 years.
Dr. Roberta Bell-Kligler
Founding Director (Emerita)
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Dr. Roberta Bell-Kligler is currently the Director Emerita of the International School at Oranim College, Ms. Bell-Kligler helped establish the International School and served as its director until her retirement in 2020. Working with Oranim’s deans and faculty members, she brought students, teachers, headmasters, families, and community leaders from around the world to Oranim for a range of custom-designed programs. Before coming to Oranim, Ms. Bell-Kligler established a translating and editing agency and also taught in public schools in Israel.
Interested in cultural diversity and promoting knowledge about and respect for the “other”, Ms. Bell-Kligler has published articles and made presentations at conferences on topics including identity, peoplehood, multiculturalism, and globalization. She taught courses at Oranim on those subjects and currently lectures and consults on those areas. During her career, Ms. Bell-Kligler has worked with students and faculty from North America, South Africa, Ethiopia, China, Germany, Russia, and South America.
Ms. Bell-Kligler grew up in the United States and did her academic work there, completing two BA’s (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) at Brandeis University and an MA at the University of California. Her doctorate is from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She currently lives with her growing family on beautiful, historic Moshav Zippori.
Link to CV
Prof. Emeritus David Mittelberg
Prof. David Mittelberg, Associate Professor for Sociology, currently serves as Research Fellow at the Oranim Research Authority. Prof. Mittelberg was a former Chair of the Department of Sociology at Oranim, served on the Faculty of Graduate Studies as well as Chair of the Steering Committee of the International School at Oranim. Professor Mittelberg has also served as an Adjunct Research Associate at the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilization, Monash University, and as a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Kibbutz Research at the University of Haifa, where he formerly served as its Director.
Professor Mittelberg is the author of five books, has numerous published articles on ethnicity, migration, gender, tourism, kibbutz education, Jewish Peoplehood education, and the sociology of Diaspora Jewry. He has also served as a visiting scholar at Harvard and Brandeis Universities. Professor Mittelberg received his B.A. (Hons) from Monash University, M.A. from the University of Haifa, and Ph.D. from Hebrew University.
Link to CV