Staff
Yael Berman
General Manager
Yael, 39-years-old, is one of Tene Yerushalmi’s founders and has managed it since the beginning of its activity in 2010. She is a member of the ‘Halom’ community, which lives and works in Kiryat HaYovel. She holds a bachelor's degree in education and sociology from the Hebrew University, served for six years in the IDF in various operational and training positions and is now a major in reserves. In addition to being a Jerusalemite and educator, Yael is also a mother of three lovely children.
Ben Keness
Head and Director of the Hamechina HaYerushalmit
Ben, 38-years-old, has been working for the organization since 2016. He has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Philosophy with an emphasis on philosophy of education from Ben-Gurion University. He is also a trained Group Facilitator. Most importantly however, he is a proud father to Hillel. An educator to his core, he was a National Service coordinator for the Scouts movement in the southern region, one of the founders of the ‘SAHI’ voluntary food-rescue movement, and was the director of youth programs in the Unit for Social Involvement at the Hebrew University for four years.
Shir Gilo
Director of Partnership Development and Strategy
Shir, 32-years-old, has been working for Tene Yerushalmi since 2014. She holds a bachelor's degree in Hebrew Language and Jewish Studies from the Hebrew University. She is currently completing her master’s degree in Urban Planning. After her military service as an operations officer in Golani she returned to the Scouts youth movement as Head of a branch. In Tene Yerushalmi she counseled the fourth Mechina cycle and coordinated the organization's alumni network before taking on her current position. Shir is a woman of action, and is very active and influential in the local Jerusalem activism scene.
Maayan Razon
Director of the the Mechina’s French Hill branch
Maayan, 28-years-old, is a graduate of the Mechina HaYerushalmi first’s program. Originally from Kfar Saba, she has served in the army as an ABC (Atomic, Biological, Chemical) warfare instructor in the Home Front Command. Maayan has been living in Jerusalem since 2017, during which time she was the training coordinator for Shevet Modiin (a Jerusalemite branch of the ‘Scouts’ youth movement) for two years, as well as coordinating the National Service for the ‘Bina’ organization. Maayan is currently completing her Bachelor’s degree in Comparative Religion and Education.
Noam Zimring
Director of the Mechina’s Kiryat Hayovel branch
Noam, 38-years-old, is originally from Kibbutz Magal and has been living in Jerusalem since 2010. He is married to Tom and father of Talia (6) and Ayala (3). Noam has a general BA degree from Tel Hai College. He has been involved with informal education for many years in the field of guided tours and Jewish and Israeli identity and has worked with various Israeli and international youth programs.
Oren Weintraub
Jerusalem Network Coordinator
Oren, 28-years-old, is an native Jerusalemite who grew up in Beit Hakerem and studied at Leyada High School. A graduate of the Rabin pre-military Mechina, he was a commander and Sergeant in the Armored Corps. Oren was also an instructor at the ‘Nachshon’ Mechina and studied at ‘Beit Prat’. He is currently a student of the "Revivim" program at the Hebrew University and aims to obtain a teaching certification in Jewish Studies and Bible. He is also studying for his Master's degree in Jewish Education, specializing in a social entrepreneurship approach to Jewish education. In addition to his many activities in the Jerusalem area, Oren is also a teacher in the Mechina – teaching the "Circle of Life and Year" class.
Gil Kadosh
National Alumni Network Coordinator
Gil, 25-years-old, is originally from Kiryat Gat and is a graduate of the 3rd class of the Mechina. Gil's military service was in the Education and Youth Corps. Afterwards she tutored at a boarding school for two years and then spent another two years coordinating and mentoring at the Rabin Preparatory program. Gil is currently a student of Administration and Public Policy at Sapir College.
Meirav Azrad
Administrations Director
Gil, 25-years-old, is originally from Kiryat Gat and is a graduate of the 3rd class of the Mechina. Gil's military service was in the Education and Youth Corps. Afterwards she tutored at a boarding school for two years and then spent another two years coordinating and mentoring at the Rabin Preparatory program. Gil is currently a student of Administration and Public Policy at Sapir College.
Yuval Rivlin
Recruitment and Logistics Coordinator
Yuval, 26-years-old, is a graduate of the 3rd class of the Mechina. Yuval has been living in Jerusalem since 2017 and is a fan of Hapo'el Katamon Jerusalem soccer team. He is a part of a young community living within the city. Yuval is currently a Bachelor's degree student of Philosophy and Middle Eastern Studies.
Yehonatan Zaritsky
Counselor at the Mechina’s French Hill branch
Yehonatan, 26-year-old, is a native Jerusalemite and a graduate of the Rabin Pre-Military Preparatory program. He served for five years as an officer at the Armored Corps and a commander at the Land Officers' Course. During his military service he was one of the founders of ‘BeShutef’ - a secular "Beit Midrash" which is a learning center for soldiers. Today he lives in Katamonim as part of the Be'eri community.
Tal Ron
Counselor at the Mechina’s Kiryat Yovel branch
Tal, 24 years old, is a graduate of the 5th class of the Mechina. She served in the military as a commander and officer ofBasic Training. After her service, she traveled the world, worked in the field of educational tourism and interned with the CSR team of a leading tech company. Originally from Kochav Yair, today lives in Jerusalem.
Noa Yaron
Counselor at the Mechina’s Kiryat Yovel branch
Noa, 24years-old, is graduate of the 6th class of the Mechina . During her military service, Noa served in command positions in the Education Corps. In the past few years, Noa worked in various teaching and training positions. She is originally from Sh'henia, and today lives in Jerusalem.
Tal Duenias
Community Coordinator of the Hamechina Hayerushalmit
Tal, 31 years old, has been working at Tene Yerushalmi since 2017. She holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Education. Tal is also a tour guide, and is married to Zosha.