WHO WE ARE

Ms. Zimels has a profound and longstanding familiarity with all aspects of employment in Israel, and has contributed to many of the changes that have taken place in this field over her years of activity. She previously served as CEO of Manpower Professional, an executive recruitment agency, and of Manpower Bereshit and Manpower Sectors, which specialize in the ultra-Orthodox and Arab sectors respectively. Ms. Zimels also served as Director of Employer Relations and Digital Technologies at the Israeli Employment Service and directed “Maagaley Taasuka”, the Israeli Employment Service’s program for underprivileged groups. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a master’s degree from Bar-Ilan University.

Ms. Harel has extensive experience in resource development, public relations, and building partnerships in Israel and abroad. She is in charge of fundraising for Be-Atzmi’s activities, developing partnerships with the business and philanthropic sectors and building PR and marketing strategies to promote the organization’s vision and goals. Ms. Harel joined Be-Atzmi’s team in 2005 after volunteering with the organization. She holds a bachelor’s degree in women’s and gender studies and a master’s degree in literature from Tel Aviv University.

Ms. Baidatz has extensive experience in therapy, training, consulting, and leading career development processes. She previously led workshops at Be-Atzmi and was in charge of the organization’s group facilitators. Ms. Baidatz has a bachelor’s degree in social theater and a master’s degree in bibliotherapy. She is a certified group facilitator and a graduate of the Israeli Institute of Group Analysis’s Organizational Applications program.

Ms. Biran has extensive experience in administrative systems and financial management in the social sector. A member of the Be-Atzmi team since 2006, she oversees the implementation of regulatory, management, and control requirements pertaining to the organization’s budgets and accounts. She is also in charge of working with the finance and audit committees of the board of directors.

Ms. Seliman has extensive experience directing social programs and projects, especially employment development initiatives. She previously directed the “Lights to Employment” program in Nazareth and served as coordinator of the Arab sector at the Israel Association of Community Centers. Ms. Seliman was previously in charge of Arab sector activities within the Eshet Chayil program. Today, in addition to directing the Riyan program, she oversees all Arab sector planning at Be-Atzmi. Ms. Seliman holds a bachelor’s degree in human services from the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College and is a certified group facilitator.

Having joined Be-Atzmi following positions at Hot Mobile and Mirs Communications, Ms. Cohen has unique expertise in organization and methods management and in streamlining work processes in the business sector. She previously served as assistant to the CEO at Be-Atzmi, where she led and coordinated large-scale organizational projects. Ms. Cohen has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering & management from Sapir Academic College.

Mr. Mey-Tal specializes in knowledge management and organizational applications, particularly in establishing and managing information systems in complex, international, and decentralized organizations. He has extensive international experience in information systems project management and has worked in Africa (Angola, Zambia, and Ghana), Europe (France, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Serbia), and India. Mr. Mey-Tal serves as a consultant and mentor for tech ventures. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics and accounting and an MBA.

Ms. Fiegelson Malichi is an occupational social worker with experience in community social work and community mediation. Formerly the director of Be-Atzmi’s Employment Empowerment program, she currently runs a range of employment programs at the organization and helps thousands of people make meaningful changes in their lives. She also teaches at the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Ms. Fiegelson Malichi has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Hebrew University, specializing in policy and community.

An entrepreneur and educator, Ms. Ferber has developed projects for educators and children and served as a pedagogical instructor at Kibbutzim College. She was inspired to establish the organization in order to pursue her vision of empowering every person to identify their skills and achieve their aspirations. She says: “I founded Be-Atzmi out of a belief that everyone deserves the chance to succeed in life. We can and must provide people the opportunity to connect with their strengths and capabilities, empowering them to make new choices.”

Mr. Tropp's eye-catching resume includes: economic advisor to Israel’s security establishment; advisor to the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin; chairman of the board at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems; member of the board of directors at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Bet Shemesh Engines; chair of the investment committee at Bank Leumi; VP Marketing at Caniel Industries; CFO and head of business development at Baltimore Spice Israel; and senior VP at Enavis Networks, a member of the ECI Group. Mr. Tropp has a master’s in agricultural economics and administration.

Mr. Offer is a partner and chair of the Lahav Fund. He has served as CEO of Discount Group, chair of Cal Israel Credit Cards and chair of IDB Swiss Bank. Prior to that, he was a board member at Bank Leumi, where he headed the commercial banking division. One of Israel’s most prominent corporate executives, Mr. Offer is committed to strengthening Israeli society and promoting equality and social justice. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in industrial engineering and management from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Ms. Hermel has held various positions at the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services: first as an adult probation officer; then as Chief Welfare Officer for Legal Procedures; and, for the last thirteen years, she has served as Director of the Department of Individual and Family Welfare. She volunteers on the executive boards of several different organizations, contributing her professional experience to address issues dear to her heart. A social worker by profession, Ms. Hermel has a master’s degree in social work from Tel Aviv University.

The owner of a large civil law firm that specializes in bankruptcy, Mr. Weitzman is vice president of the Israel Bar Association. He has authored several books, including Writ of Execution – Theory and Practice [Hebrew]. Mr. Weitzman is a lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Ono Academic College. He serves as chair of the Humanitarian Committee for Long-Term Care Workers in the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority, and is on the board of Magen David Adom, the Tel Aviv Municipality, and several other organizations.

Prof. Gal is a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare. He served as chair of the Individual, Family and Community Subcommittee of the Alalouf Committee to Fight Poverty in Israel and was editor of the journal Social Security. He is currently head of the Social Welfare Policy Program at the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel. Mr. Gal has served on several public committees dedicated to a range of policy processes, including a committee on the Wisconsin Works program, a public committee on employment policy and an advisory committee on minimum wage. His fields of research are social policy and social security.

Ms. Unger owns a company that provides accounting and financial management services. She has held several executive management positions, including chair of Mendelson, chair of TAT Technologies, and CEO of KMN Holdings Ltd. Ms. Unger has taught financial auditing at Tel Aviv University for over 20 years and has published numerous papers and other professional literature. She has served on the executive boards of several companies, including Koor Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and accounting and a master’s degree in economics (specializing in financing) from Tel Aviv University.

Mr. Nurel is founder and active chairman of the Natoon Group, one of Israel’s leading property management, operations and maintenance companies. An electrical systems consultant by trade, Mr. Nurel is one of Israel’s top experts in the field with over 25 years of experience. He serves as a professional consultant for developers and contractors and teaches property management, operations and maintenance at several vocational training schools.

Mr. Tsabari has an MBA and is the business administrator of a tech company.

Ms. Hadad-Budgesed is the owner and CEO of investment banking firm Tchelet Financial Consulting and Management. Ms. Hadad-Budgesed has an MBA and her professional background is in financial investment management. She teaches capital markets at Rehovot College.

The founding partner of the MONAROV & Co accounting firm, Mr. Monarov has extensive experience in auditing, risk management, information security, and cybersecurity. He was formerly a faculty member at the University of Haifa. Mr. Monarov serves as internal auditor in several public companies, governmental companies, and non-profit organizations. He is active in the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel and serves as chair of IIA Israel’s Information Security and Cyber Forum. He was formerly vice president of the Israeli Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration (majoring in accounting and finance) and is a CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).

Ms. Toledano is a member of KPMG’s Global FinTech Steering Group, which includes representatives from eight countries. She has served as auditing partner at Bank Leumi Israel, MAX IT Finances (formerly Leumi Card), and other financial corporations. She chaired the liaison committee between the bank supervisor and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel and has served on various committees at the Israel Securities Authority, including the Galai Committee. Ms. Toledano has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Queen’s College in New York.