Adv. Orit Tassa Deputy Director of R&D Authority, Ariel University Short Bio Orit is responsible for promoting the research activities of the faculty members at AU, providing ongoing advice to the institution’s management on the subject of promoting research, and initiating international research collaborations. She is a partner in building the institutional research strategy and in this frame set up the unit for measuring research outputs and the research training unit A Little Bit About Myself: Lives in Barkan married to Oren and mother to Yoav, Yael, and Yaara. Loves to read and travel in Israel and abroad. oritta@ariel.ac.il Alon Sapan Director ,The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University The director of the Museum of Nature at Tel Aviv University, integrates the internal planning and exhibitions and the actual management of the museum, and is also responsible for developing visitor experience programs and managing audiences in new complexes at the university. Prior was CEO of various cultural entities, and before CEO and Born in Zircon Yaacov, resident of Tel Aviv, married, lover of art, Also engages in sports on a daily level for years. Consumer of literature and cuisine,. alonsap@tauex.tau.ac.il Alon Shapira C.F.O. Kinneret Academic College I graduated in accounting from the University of Haifa, and was an expert in the Income Tax Office. I served as the CFO of the Technion Student Association for 3 years, and then as the CEO of the Michlol company for 8 years. I received my MA in Logistics from the Univ. of Haifa, with honors. I worked for a government company, in the field of education for 4 years, and have been the CFO of Kinneret Academic College for the past 2.5 years. I am married to Prof. Orly Shapira. We live in Haifa and have three children (Two of them are studying at the academy, and another one on the way). I like my job and spend a lot of time to promote my work. In my free time, I like to read (especially thrillers), travel, and spend time with my family and frien alonsh@kinneret.ac.il Alon weingarten Head of Construction & Engineering Division, Weizmann Institute of Science Education: B.A in Management and Economics, The Open University. E.MBA, Tel Aviv University. M.E in Urban Planning, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Short Bio: Since 2012 I have been head of the Construction and Engineering Division at the Weizmann Institute of Science. As part of this position, I oversee the following sectors: Engineering and Development Branch; Systems Maintenance Branch; Infrastructure and Energy Branch; Planning Branch; Projects Branch; and the Support Branch (Infrastructure, Research, Chemistry). Prior to that, I was the CEO of the Kfar Saba Economic Development Company – an entrepreneurial company owned by the municipality. About Me: I Live in Kfar Saba, and am married with three children. My hobbies are sports, swimming, painting and sculpture. alon.weingarten@weizmann.ac.il Ariel Hazan Deputy Director General of Human Resources, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Education: B.A in Political Science and Middle East Studies, University of Haifa. M.A in Public Administration, University of Haifa. Short Bio: Academic Advisor – The Open University. Director of Certificate studies and Academic Advisor – Ramat Gan College. Director of Continuing and External Studies – Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Since 2010 – Vice President of Human Resources – Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. About me: I live in Giv’at Ada and am married with 2 children. hariel@technion.ac.il Avi Einat Head of HR Division, Weizmann Institute of Science I was appointed Head of the Human Resources Division of the Weizmann Institute in December 2019, bringing many years of experience in human resource management. In my last position in the IDF, I served as Head of the Human Resources Department of the Intelligence Corps; I was discharged in 2007, with the rank of Colonel. I was appointed as VP of Human Resources at the Israel Military Industries I am one of the founders of Atidim, a national program broaden and boost Israel’s human capital by empowering young people from underprivileged communities, and served as the first head of the program. I’m currently a member of Atidim’s Board of Trustees. I’m married and the father of Ron and Yonatan. We live in Herzliya. avi.einat@weizmann.ac.il Ayelet Heldenberg-Levy Financial Controller University of Haifa Education: 2019: Course in Business Negotiation Strategies in the Business Unit, Continuing and Foreign Studies Unit 2007-2006: Master’s degree (M.B.A.) Business Administration – Finance Management, Tel Aviv University. 1999-1995: Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) Business Administration – Accounting specialization, College of Management and passing a board exam for obtaining a CPA license. Work Experience: 2012 – Today: Financial Controller ⇄ A large organization existing by law 2004 – 2012: Financial Controller ⇄ A leading engineering project management company 2004-1999: Audit Manager (Manager) ⇄ Deloitte CPA Office Military service: Full service in the role of operations sergeant in the Central Command. 1988-1992: Studying at Herzliya Comprehensive High School, a chemical-real trend Place of residence: Moshav Talmei-Elazar Marital status: married +6 Hobbies and leisure activities: sports, social and family gatherings, movies, excursions aheldenb1@univ.haifa.ac.il CPA Rachel Shlezinger CFO “Orot Israel” Academic College of Education CPA MBA 1997-1998 KPMG 1999-2001 EY ISRAEL 2002-2013 Same jobs in Finance department Ariel university 2013-2019 CFO Ariel university. Married plus 3 Loves to read, cook, host friends and travel the world with family. giz29@ariel.ac.il Dana Rimer Head of Academic Administrartion / Deputy CEO of Academic Administration Shenkar college MA in Comparative politics – Tel-Aviv University. BA in Political Science and Sociology – Tel-Aviv University. Dana is the deputy CEO of Academic Administration at Shenkar, and a senior partner in leading strategic and organizational processes in the college as a member of leadership. Prior to her current position Dana was an assistant to the chair of the “Histadrut” and a personal assistant to the chairman of Na’amat, & an Emissary of the Jewish Agency in London. Dana lives in Givatayim, married to Tomer and a proud mother to Alma, Amit and Uri. She is a yoga fan, likes rock music and super heroes and happy to cook and bake from time to time. dana@shenkar.ac.il Dr Daphna Idelson Director of regional campuses and centers The Open University of Israel Education: Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Post Doctorate in Molecular Biology. Short Bio: I have completed my academic studies in the field of life sciences. In the past I ran projects the Office of the Vice President for Research and Development at Tel Aviv University; I was the Director of the Research Authority; and was the CEO of OpMop Technologies at the Open University of Israel. Today I am the CEO of Online Academe, a subsidiary of the Open University of Israel. About Me: I live in Kiryat Ono and am married with 3 children and 1 dog. I work at the Open University and volunteer in the Scouts. daphnaid@openu.ac.il Dr Ido Ariel Dean of Students, Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance A pianist and accompanist, vocal coach, and a lecturer, one of the leading figures in the field of Art Song in Israel. He chaired the vocal department at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, where he now serves as Dean of Students. He directed the “Shira-Shir” concert series, collaborated with many singers and instrumentalists, and gave master classes in the US, Europe and Israel I was raised and educated in Beer Sheva, then moved to Jerusalem for my studies, and I’ve lived there ever since. I’m married and the father of three children, ages 22, 17, and 11. Music has always been part of my life, first as a hobby and then as a profession. I later added teaching and managing to my occupations idoariel1@gmail.com Dr Simcha Rozen Dean of Academic Affairs The Hadassah Academic College CV Excerpt: Education B.Sc. in Physics, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem M.Sc. in Applied Physics, School of Applied Science, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem Ph.D in Philosophy, History and Sociology of Science, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem Postdoctoral Fellow, The Sidney M. Edelstein Center for the History and Philosophy of Science, Technology, and Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem Short Bio After graduating I joined the Hadassah Academic College. I wrote my PhD thesis while working at the college. Since 2000 I was a faculty member at the Computer Science department and since 2015 I was the head of the Haredi Computer Science program for women. I was Dean from 2014 until 2022. Since October 2023 I am the Dean of Academic Affairs. About Me Born in Petah-Tikva. Today a member of Kibutz Beit-Nir. Married with two daughters and a son. Love to read thrillers and to crochet. simcha@hac.ac.il Dr. Doron Faran Chair, the College's Committee of Academic Affairs Ort Braude Academic College of Engineering BA in economics, MA in labor studies, PhD in Management (from the University of Twente, NL) Born in Israel, 1956. 24 years of military career in senior intelligence and technology jobs. In the last 20 years a faculty member in Braude College. Live in Haifa, Israel, with a spouse, father of 3 grown ups and grandfather of 2. I like to cook, travel, watch quality movies and listen to jazz music. dfaran@braude.ac.il Dr. Yanai Toister Director | Unit for History and Philosophy of Art, Design and Technology Shenkar College of Engineering, Design & Art Bezalel, BFA 2001 California Institute of the Arts, MFA 2006 University of Sydney, PhD 2016 Toister is an artist, curator and scholar. Toiser’s artworks have been shown in numerous exhibitions (including: Sandroni.Rey; Dvir Gallery; Kunstahalle Luzern; Maison Europèenne de la Photographie; the 11th Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale; Kunstmuseen Krefeld; Israel Museum; Tel Aviv Museum). Toister’s writing has been published in catalogues and journals (including: Philosophy of Photography, CITAR, Mafte’akh Lexical Review, Ubiquity and Photographies). Toister’s forthcoming book will be published by Intellect/U.Chicago Press. divorced +2, avid traveller and yogi. yanaitoister@gmail.com Dr. Anbessa Teferra Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Humanitie, Tel Aviv University Short Bio: Anbessa Teferra got his B.A. in Linguistics in 1984 from Addis Ababa University and his M.A. in 1987. He made aliyah to Israel in 1990. He got his PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2000. There, he was an external lecturer and then moved to Tel Aviv University in. Currently he teaches in the Department of Hebrew Language and Semitic Linguistics as a tenured senior lecturer. A Little Bit About Myself: I live in Hadera married and have two children In my spare time I like playing table tennis teferra@tauex.tau.ac.il Dr. Avshalom Danoch Head of Academic Administration, Sami Shamoon College of Engineering Education: B.sc in Industrial Engineering and Management, Ben-Gurion University. M.sc in Industrial Engineering and Management, Ben-Gurion University. Ph.D. in Business Administration, Ben-Gurion University. Short Bio: For the last 7 years, I am the head of the academic administration and assistant to the president at the Sami Shamoon College of Engineering. Responsible for the pre-academic programs, for the ultra-Orthodox campus, for submitting new programs for approval by the CHE, for all the administrative processes in academia, and more. About Me: Lives in Beer Sheva, Married with two children. Plays tennis during my leisure time. avshalomd@sce.ac.il Dr. Efrat Bodner Chief of Staff to the President, Bar-Ilan University I have a Ph.D. in Chemistry and an MBA. I was the administrative director of the Institute of Nanotechnology at Bar-Ilan University for six years. Since 2017, I’ve been the chief of staff to the President of the University. I am married with three children, aged 17, 14 and 10 and live in Rehovot. I grew up in the Jewish community in South Africa, and was active in the Jewish youth movements there. At the age of 19, I made Aliyah and began my studies at BIU. I found the university to be the perfect place that met my of Zionistic, academic and religious values. I enjoy reading, doing crossword puzzles and solving logic problems, however they must be in English. I do a little decorative baking as well, when time allows. efrat.bodner@biu.ac.il Dr. Moshik Lavie VP Innovation, The Open University of Israel Short Bio: Responsible for innovation and entrepreneurship at the OP, in charge of making studies accessible to ultra-Orthodox society and managing the assessment unit. Former, Dean of the OP Students and Chairman of the Students’ Deans Forum. In the sociology of education, a master’s degree in economics and a doctorate in economics – all from Tel Aviv University. And also: Postdoctoral Fellow as Marie-Curie Fellow at the Sorbonne. A Little Bit About Myself: Live in Tel Aviv, married to Kinneret and father of Mia and Roni. Socially involved, retired journalist and editor, loves to cook and eat, loves shoes and hiking. moshikl@openu.ac.il Dr. Rachel Sarig Heasd of Dental Anthropology Laboratory, Tel Aviv Univeristy Short Bio: Graduated from the school of dental medicine at 2005, accepted a Fulbright scholarship and completed my Ph.D. in anatomy and anthropology at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine (2011). I have accomplished my post-graduate studies in orthodontics (2012) at Tel Aviv University. Since 2015, I joined to the school of dental medicine as a researcher and the head of the Dental anthropology laboratory. A Little Bit About Myself: Originally from Ramat-Gan, living today in Ness-Ziona, separated (without children), with a 12-year-old dog named Sumsum. Enjoys good literature, thrillers (mostly north European movies & TV series), aerobic activity, hiking, delicious street food and gardening.A Little Bit About Myself: rachel.sarig@gmail.com Dr. Shalhevet Zur Head of Department-quality and Reliability Engineering department, Kinneret Academic College Senior faculty member, organizational consultant and researcher. Head of the Department of Quality and Reliability Engineering at Kinneret Academic College. Fields of interests: quality management, safety and service, organizational standardization, quality audit, models of quality climates. Member of national and international standards committees, and quality associations Originally a resident of Haifa, I’m married to Moshe and we have two daughters. In my spare time, I enjoy playing the piano, painting and gardening shalheve@kinneret.ac.il Dr. Sharon Link Academic Secretary at the Rector's Office., University of Haifa A senior manager with a long time experience in leading an operational body and R & D activities for business, marketing, and economic success. Expertise in identifying opportunities, formulating business and marketing strategy, promotion and representation, positioning and branding in the local and international markets. Since 2008 till 2018 I have been the Director of the Research Authority at the University of Haifa and since October 2018 I am serving as the University’s Academic Secretary (Rector’s Office). Enjoys the day-to-day work in the academy and sees it as a mission and an opportunity to act alongside those who have an academic and societal vision which helps in promoting Israel leading global position I live in Nahariyya ,married with three children. My wife is a senior R & D at Rafael. Our eldest daughter, Romi, is 18 years old, Yoav is 14, and Naama is almost 12. We love music and cats and traveling abroad together and experiencing new places. We all share a cynical sense of humor and we enjoy watching television together – mostly travel, adventure and music programs. I like to run (though lately because of my workload of roles, I do it less). Knows how to appreciate the quiet that the run gives me. I share a winery with friends and enjoy the joint work.. slink@univ.haifa.ac.il Dr. Tal Soffer Senior faculty member at the School of Education, Director of Virtual TAU and Director of TSF – The Unit for Technology and Society Foresight, Tel Aviv University Education: B.A in Sociology & Anthropology, Tel-Aviv University. M.A in Labor Studies, Tel-Aviv University. Ph.D. in education, Tel-Aviv University. Short Bio: A senior faculty member at the School of Education, Tel Aviv University. Director of two academic units: Technology & Society Foresight; and the Center for Digital pedagogy – Virtual TAU. Has an extensive research experience of more than 20 years, and has been involved in vast Israeli and EU research projects. My research focuses on Technology Foresight; understanding online learning processes and behaviors; innovative pedagogy in online teaching; and e-assessment methods. About Me: I Live in Tel Aviv and am married to Yoram with three children: Shani, Maya, and Yuval. My hobbies include music, sports, cooking, and movies. In my leisure time, I like watching movies and shows, spending time with friends and traveling in Israel and around the world. talsofer@tauex.tau.ac.il Einat Haim Katz Leader Knowledge Hub education: – Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences – Internship in Human Resources, Tel Aviv-Yafo Academic College. – A two-year program for leading groups, voices in the Negev. – Currently studying for a master’s degree in family studies – specialization in counseling for organizations related to work-life balance, Tel Aviv-Yafo Academic College. Resume Summary: An organizational consultant who specializes in leadership development. Content developer and facilitator of dynamic-process groups. Lecturer for a bachelor’s degree in Administration and society at the Tel Aviv-Yafo Academic College, and for a bachelor’s degree in education at the Achva Academic College. Accompanies young people and adults in personal development processes. Formerly director of training and content development in “Kav Hazinuk” program (“Rothschild Partnerships” Association), and director and partner in the establishment of the “Design Terminal” project (“Out of the Box” association). A little about me: I grew up and live today in south Tel Aviv. Oriental feminist woman. Mother of Naomi and Yael and married to Amos. I love learning while on the move and experiencing things for the first time. Making a change, leading social enterprises and having a positive influence in the communities in which I am a part of, are my hobbies. einath24@gmail.com Erez Gavish Head of the Visual Communication Department, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem. Education: B.A in Graphic Design, Bezalel Short Bio: Interdisciplinary designer, illustrator, and animator. Designer and art director of Hebrew culture documentaries. Partner and art director of Nickelodeon’s international animation show Zack&Quack. Founded ‘Primus Design Group’, where I branded and designed numerous television channels and programs for the larger part of Israeli television broadcasters, as well as cable and satellite networks, designed interactive television games, and designed the user interface of the world’s first instant-messaging app, ICQ. About Me: I live in Tel Aviv. Married. Hobbies: electronic music production, cooking, science fiction, Hebrew poetry, fine art, and graphic design. Aims to learn Italian and Arabic. erezgavish@bezalel.ac.il Guy Serchi Deputy CEO of Development, Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance Education: 2004-2007: M.A., Hebrew University, Public and Non-Profit Management and Social Policy 1997-2000: B.A., Ben Gurion University, Behavioral Science, Business Management and Economics. Professional Experience: 2013 – present: Deputy Director General for Institutional Development and Liaising with Regulatory Bodies, The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. 2008-2013: Finance and Administrative Director, The Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma. 2001-2008: Senior Budget Coordinator, Council for Higher Education Lives in Jerusalem, married and the father of 2 daughters: 9 year old Ofri, and 7 year old Alma. A lover of music, concerts, trips, reading, cooking, watching movies and TV series. guy@jamd.ac.il Idit Sohlberg Vice Rector, Ariel University I came to Ariel University after 16 years at the Bank of Israel. My research focuses on macroeconomic policy. I headed the Department of Economics and Business Administration and established the Center for Entrepreneurship, the Center for the Welfare of the Elderly, and the International Conference on Political Economy. I serve on many public committees. From October 2020, serves as vice rector. Married and mother of 5 daughters, lives in Elkana, loves poetry, thriller and fantasy films, reads a lot, and sculpts when there is time. Enjoys any activity that combines friendship, progress, and doing good. iditso@ariel.ac.il Lawyer Michal Naveh General Counsel at the Weizmann Insitute Weizmann Institute of Science LL.B. – Tel Aviv University Master of Science – Management – Polytechnic University NY Lawyer at the Legal office of the Weizmann Institute from 2006 – until 2012 . Since 2012 I serve as the the General Counsel of the Institute . In my role I consult the Institute’s management as well as the Institute’s Executive Board and the International Board. I was involved in the establishment of several associations for advancing science education and I serve in their board. I’m married and mother of two girls aged 20 (soldier) and 16. I live in Moshav Kfar Bilu. I loves to travel – especially hiking – and I travel a lot – both in Israel – in the desert and around the world. I Love reading, I’m engages in sports (running and Pilates) and I volunteer in Etgarim (an association with the goal of empowering and socially integrating people with disabilities through challenging sports in the out doors ) in a running and walking group. michal.naveh@weizmann.ac.il Liat Brix Etgar Head of Arts and Design Teaching Center, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem. Education: B.Ach in Architecture, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem M.A in History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas, Tel Aviv University. Short Bio: Head of the Arts and Design Teaching Center in Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design and the head of Civic Architecture Unit in the Department of Architecture. The unit interlaces design studio, political theory, planning, and activism. Received my B.Arch degree from Bezalel Academy, and my M.A in philosophy (summa cum lauda) from Tel Aviv University. An architect and associate in Tehiru Group. About me: I live in the center of Tel Aviv and am married with two children: Aluma, 17 and Nimrod, 13. In many ways, my work, my family and my hobbies are intertwined. During my leisure time I read (especially literature, poetry and philosophy), we visit exhibitions, watch dance and music shows, and watch cinema movies. Some of these materials are collected into my teaching. In addition, I love hiking and cooking. liat.brix@bezalel.ac.il Madi Atias Senior Deputy Director for Administration & Human Resources At the Tel Hai college Education: B.A in Economics and Management, Haifa University M.B.A, Haifa University Short Bio: Working at Tel Hai College since 2004. Currently, I serve as Senior Deputy Director of Administration & Human Resources, a member of Management. Responsible for: Determining policies in the area of HR, recruitment, training, welfare & wages (which account to about 70% of the College budget). The field of academic administration (secretarial dept., examinations, registration section) & logistics (room placement, transportation & lodging). Building academic standards in cooperation with the Academy. Negotiations with staff committees (administrative and academic). About me: I live in Kibbutz HaGoshrim, North Galilee, and am married to Yaakov and a mother to Shaked, Mai, and Dana. I Love to read and engage in sports on a daily basis. I also take care of my first grandchild during my free time. madi@telhai.ac.il Maor Pinko deputy director general-manpower bar-ilan university m.a public administration in the last 3 years i am deputy director at bar-ilan university , in the past i was head of h.r in an hospitl and in a district of clallit health care organization 43 years old. married with 3 children. lives in rannana maor.pinko@biu.ac.il Michal Gilboa Administrative director Tel Aviv University MSc. Organizational Behavior. Faculty of Management, Tel Aviv University. B.A. Sociology & Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University work experience 2017- Administrative Director, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University 1992-2017 – College of Management: Head of administration in School of Law, Deputy Manager, Human Resources, Academic Secretary 1990-1992 – Private firm – consultant 1985-1990 – secretary in the Department of Education and Psychology, Tel Aviv University 1980-1985 – secretary in Arkia – airline company military service – Airforce Place of residents: Modi’in-Macabim-Reut Married + 4 children Hobbies: Walking, Swimming, Pilates, Cooking. mgilboa@tauex.tau.ac.il Mr Dotan Zaidel Head of HR The Hebrew University of Jerusalem I hold a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, a Certificate in Senior Business Management, and a Bachelor’s in Geography and History. I have been the Chief Human Resources Officer of Hebrew University since 2016. Prior to that, I was Deputy Dean of the University in two different faculties:- the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and the Faculty of Social Sciences, for 13 years. Before that, I was the Administrative Director of the School of Pharmacy I live in Modi’in. I’m married to Aya, a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst, and the father of three sons: Yinon, 21, Gur, 17, and Erez, 13. I was born in Kibbutz Yagur. dotanz@savion.huji.ac.il Mr Meir Bing COO The Open University of Israel B.Sc. in Computer Sciences and Mathematics M.A. in Economics M.Sc. in Computer Sciences I worked 10 years in the Budget Department at the Ministry of Finance and finished as Deputy Director. I was responsible for a large number of government ministries both in the budgetary aspect and in promoting reforms to improve civil service. I served 4 years as Deputy Director of the Israel Association of Community Centers, where we promoted informal education. Now I am the CFO of the Hebrew University. Lives in Jerusalem, Married +4 loves to read, learn, sport – basketball and loves to run. Currently training for the Tiberias marathon meirbing@savion.huji.ac.il Mr Muli Tsafrir VP Computing & Cyber Ben-Gurion University of the Negev 2015-present: Head of Computing and Information Systems Division at the University of Haifa. 2007-2015: Head of IT Infrastructure Division, Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. IDF Officer: most of service in 8200 Cyber-intelligence Unit. Last position: Head of IT Infrastructure Dept. Retired in 2007. Lives in Modiin, is married to Nava, and is the father of Kfir, Segev, Shachar. Enjoys: hiking, traveling, bicycling mzafrir@univ.haifa.ac.il Mr. Amit Nitzan Director of Registartion & Student Administration Division, Tel Aviv University Short Bio: More than 30 years of experience in a variety positions at Tel Aviv University. Responsible for registration and admission to the university, collecting tuition and managing the organizational infrastructure of the student administration. Works regularly to improve the quality of service provided to students. Head of stearing Committee of NITE A Little Bit About Myself: Married to Orit and father of 3: Yuval, Gal , Aviv . Rides bicycles on weekends, and maintains a sporty lifestyle. Loves to travel in Israel and abroad. amitn@tauex.tau.ac.il Mr. assael movshovitz Short Bio: 13years as Bar Iilan CIO. Responsible for all it infrastructure and software development capability In the past I served 23years in the IAF as a colonel A Little Bit About Myself: live in Reut ,Married +5 , like to run ,swim and read books asimov@biu.ac.il Mr. Gil Keren Head of Purchasing and Tenders division, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Short Bio: 2019 – Present: Head of Purchasing and Tenders division, Technion. 2016-2018: Head of Purchasing and Administration division, Technion. 2014-2015: Head of Purchasing department, Technion. 2010-2013: Head of Purchasing department, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. 2006-2009: Contract Manager & Purchasing Manager, Rafael. 2000-2005: Senior Buyer, Rafael A Little Bit About Myself: I live in Nahariya. Married with two daughters. gilke@technion.ac.il Mr.Tamir Kadishi Head of Finance Division, Weizmann Institute for Science Short Bio: CPA in my formal education. Has extensive experience from industrial companies and public companies in the Israeli economy. For the past year, he has been the director of the finance department at the Weizmann Institute of Science. A Little Bit About Myself: Likes sport and music tamir.kadishi@weizmann.ac.il Ms Nava Segal Lichtenstein Academic Secretary The Open University of Israel BA Film Studies MA Communication Studies I have been working at The Open University of Israel for more than twenty years; first in teaching, and later, in academic-administrative roles. For the past seven years, I have held the position of Academic Secretary. I am in charge of the senate and the faculty council, the formalization of statutes and regulations, recruitment, appointment and promotion of senior faculty, the accreditation process of academic programs, contact with the CHE/PBC, etc . navase@openu.ac.il Ms. Ayelet Erez Director Student Administration Division, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem Short Bio: In the last two years I’m the Director of the Student Administration Division, challenging position that responsible of the students and the candidates administration side. Before that I was the associate Dean in the Law Faculty, which means to run the faculty in all the administrative sides. Before that I was the Alumni .organization manager at the British Friends Of the HU. A Little Bit About Myself: Married with 4 kids and a dog, live in Modi’in’ play basketball in the University team, in my leisure time, I like to read, meet friends and eat outside ayelete@savion.huji.ac.il Ms. Mira Golomb Academoc Secretary, Ben-Gurion university of the Negev Short Bio: I have been the academic secretary at ABA for two years, before that I was for about 14 years head of the Faculty of Management, a year as director of administrative and technical staff, and about 12 years in various positions in the school of health professions starting with a secretary, through a teaching coordinator and a school secretary. A Little Bit About Myself: A south resident from age 5, mother of 3 sons and the great title- grandmother to 2. like to reading, art and sports mirag@bgu.ac.il Ofer Sragay Deputy Director General of Operations, Bar-Ilan University. Education: M.B.A in Business, Heriot-watt university. M.A in Law, Bar-Ilan University. Short Bio: Have extensive experience in operations & logistics, procurement, construction, infrastructure & facilities. From 2012 I have been the Deputy Director General of Operations Bar-Ilan University. This positions included Consolidation of the Logistics Division and the Construction Division to the Operations Division and Leading and managing complex cross-organizational projects. Before that, I was the VP of Operations of Taldor, and I was responsible for the organization’s operation, central purchasing & logistics department. Prior to that, I was working at the Logistic & Procurement manager G4S Technology. About Me: Born in Israel, and am married with 3. A resident of Shoham, running and suffering in a running group that has been running for the past 3 years. Fan of music and especially jazz. ofer.shragay@biu.ac.il Orit Lev C.F.O ORT Braude College B.Sc – Industrial Engineerin – Technion Israel Institute fo Technology M.Sc – Master of Science in Economics C.F.O in the Last 18 years I live in Nahariya I am married and have 2 children orit@braude.ac.il Prof Adia Mendelson Maoz The legal Adviser The Open University of Israel Education: Ph.D. Short Bio: Associate professor and the Chair of the Department of Literature, Language and Arts at the Open University of Israel, investigates the relationships between literature, ethics, and culture in Israeli Literature and culture. Published 3 books: “Literature as Moral Laboratory” (2009, Hebrew), “Multiculturalism in Israel – Literary perspective” (2014), “Borders, Territories, and Ethics: Hebrew Literature in the Shadow of the Intifada” (2018). In addition, I discovered Kaniuk’s unpublished manuscript “Sabon” (2018). About Me: I live in Tel-Aviv and am married with 3 children (18, 15, 7). I Like to read and run. adiamen@openu.ac.il Prof Arie Reich Vice Rector Bar-Ilan University CV Excerpt: Professor Arie Reich, Vice Rector of Bar Ilan University, former Dean of the Faculty of Law and Dean of Students; Jean Monnet Professor of EU Law & Institutions. Specializes in International Economic Law and EU Law. He has authored over 50 academic books and articles on topics ranging from International Trade Law, Public Procurement Law, European Union Law, International Investment Law, Competition Law and Torts. Arie.Reich@biu.ac.il Prof Erez Tzfadia Head of the public policy programs and the local government school The Open University of Israel CV Excerpt: I am an Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Open University, where I head the public policy programs and the local government school. My research interests include public policy, spatial politics, and place-making, focusing on peripheral regions in Israel/Palestine. In recent years, I have researched the legal geography of spatial development in peripheral areas, focusing on informal development, displacement of marginalized communities, local governance in peripheral regions, and digital urbanism. erezt@openu.ac.il Prof Esther David Head of department The Achva Academic College Post Doctoral Position-: 2003-2006 Intelligence, Agents, Multimedia Group Electronics & Computer Science University of Southampton PhD.-: 1998-2003: Bar Ilan University, Computer Science. Thesis title: Agents for Dissemination and MarketBased Environments. Advisor: Prof. Sarit Kraus. M.Sc.-: 1995-1998: Bar-Ilan University, Computer Science (with distinction). Thesis Title: Agents for information broadcasting. Advisor: Prof. Sarit Kraus. B.Sc.-: 1992-1995: Bar-Ilan University, Computer Science and Mathematics (with honor). Esther David -associate professor in Computer Science Dept. Ashkelon Academic College. She did (2003-2006) a post doc at Southampton University, UK. . Her researches is AI – mechanism design for electronic commerce and online auction. She was founded by ministry of science during 2013-2017 for the Israeli-Taiwanese operation ( 400,000NIS). She has over 50 publications in leading AI conferences and Journals and have more than 1400 citations to her work. I live in Ashkelon. I am married with eight children. I like to read and movies and travel with family. astrdod@edu.aac.ac.il Prof Gabriel Lemcoff Dean Faculty of Natural Sciences Ben-Gurion University of the Negev CV Excerpt: Gabriel Lemcoff, born in Buenos Aires (1969), moved to Israel in 1991. He earned his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Tel-Aviv University, with postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois. Joining Ben-Gurion University in 2004, he became Full Professor in 2015 and Dean of Natural Sciences in 2020. Lemcoff’s research covers organic chemistry, organometallics, catalysis, and polymer chemistry. He’s known for developing novel ruthenium catalysts for olefin metathesis and pioneering single-chain collapse of macromolecules using organometallic linkages. His group discovered light-activated catalysts, leading to applications in chromatic orthogonal sequences and photochemical syntheses. They also developed new 3D printing techniques for strong polymeric materials. Lemcoff served as Chemistry Department Chairman (2012-2016) and co-founded a chemistry program for gifted high school students. He received the 2019 Israel Chemical Society – Adama Prize for Technological Innovation. lemcoff@bgu.ac.il Prof Gil Diesendruck Professor Bar-Ilan University CV Excerpt: Researcher of socio-cognitive development from a cross cultural perspective. PhD from U. Of Michigan, post-doc at U. Of Arizona, and faculty member at the Dept of . Psychology of Bar Ilan University since 1998 Served as dept chair 2015-2018, and head (dean) of the Interdisciplinary Studies Unit 2019-2023 gil.diesendruck@biu.ac.il Prof Ilan Tamir Dean of students Ariel University Short Bio: Ilan Tamir is a professor of communication and the head of the School of Communication at Ariel University. He has published numerous articles, in international and in popular journals. Member of the editorial board of several leading journals in the field. Prof. Tamir was ranked as one of the 12 Inspiring lecturers by the National Union of Israeli Students A Little Bit About Myself: Lives in Raanana. Married to Orna. Raising 3 children with love and harmony. Loves sports ilant@ariel.ac.il Prof Karina Yaniv Professor The Weizmann Institute of Science I was born in Cordoba, Argentina. I Immigrated to Israel, to Kibbutz Magal, with a Zionist movement in 1989. In 1994, I earned a BSc in Chemistry and Biology at the Hebrew University, followed by a MSc in Biological Chemistry. I did my PhD in Developmental Biology at the Hadassah Medical School and did postdoctoral training at the NIH, in the US. I joined the Weizmann Institute faculty in 2009 I live on the Weizmann campus. I’m the mother of three boys. In my free time I mostly read and exercise. karina.yaniv@weizmann.ac.il Prof Nirit Ben-Aryeh Debby Dean of the Faculty of Humanties and Social Sciences Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Full professor and the Evelyn Metz Memorial Research Chair in Art in the Arts Department, Ben Gurion University of the Negev. She currently serves as the Vice Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Her main research fields are art and preaching in Early Modern Italy , the cult of saints in Italian art, East and West in the Italian Renaissance. I live in Mevasseret Zion. I am married to Oved and am the mother of Noam, Guy and Inbal. I like to hike and travel, go to the beach, read books and see movies. I am especially interested in Italian culture and art and try to spend a few research periods in Italy every year. nbad@bgu.ac.il Prof Ofira Einstein Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences Ariel University CV Excerpt: Ofira Einstein is an Associate Professor in Neurobiology. She holds a Bachelor of Physical Therapy (B.P.T.) from Tel-Aviv University and a Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. In 2009 she was appointed as a faculty member at the Physical Therapy Department in Ariel University and served as the Department Chair from 2011 to 2017 and from 2020 to 2022. Prof. Einstein’s main research area is neuroimmunology. She studied the biology of neural stem cells and various aspects of cell therapy for neurological diseases. Her current research interest is in the neurobiology of exercise training, mainly on the impact of exercise training on autoimmune neuroinflammation, neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. Prof. Einstein has published numerous research papers in leading scientific journals. She has won awards of excellence in research and teaching and has won several prestigious research grants. ofirae@ariel.ac.il Prof Raz Jelinek VPDRD Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Raz Jelinek completed his bachelor’s degree in chemistry (summa cum Laude) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1988, continued his doctorate in chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley (1993), and was a Cancer Research Institute post-doctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1996 he returned to Israel and took a faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at BGU. He was also Visiting Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, Jilin University (China) and NYU-Shanghai (China). Raz’s research interests are diverse and range from research into the molecular mechanisms of amyloid diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, through the development of chemical and biological sensors, food chemistry, nanoparticles, advanced optical materials, and energy storage systems. razj@bgu.ac.il Prof Uzi Vishne Department of Mathematics Bar-Ilan University CV Excerpt: My fields of research are algebra and applications to combinatorics. I served as chairman of the departmaent of mathematics, and dean of the faculty of exact sciences. vishne@math.biu.ac.il Prof Youssef Masharawi Head, Master’s Program (MSc.) and Spinal Research Laboratory Department of Physical Therapy,The Stanely Steyer School of Health Professions, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Institutional appointee for community relations with the Arab Society and Arab students’ inquiries. Tel Aviv University Tel-Aviv University CV Excerpt: Youssef Masharawi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Tel Aviv University. He is a an active physiotherapist, clinically specialized in the orthopedic domain in general and in the spine disorders in parrticularly, as a manipulative physiotherapist. In his Ph.D., he analyzed the morphometry of the vertebral column with biomechanical implications. Prof. Masharawi established the Spinal Research Lab for clinical and functional research projects concerning the spine and related conditions. He Published more than 70 studies in leading peer-reviewed international Journals related to the Spine and musculoskelatal disorders.He teaches undergraduate physical therapy students about the clinical reasonning process and physiotherapy in the movement system as well graduate students in the Spinal Form and Function course. Prof. Masharawi Youssef is a reviewer and a member in the Associate Board of Spine Journal and an active member in the International Society for th yossefm@tauex.tau.ac.il Prof. Albert Pinhasov Rector Ariel University 1998-2002 – Ph.D. in Clinical Biochemistry, Tel Aviv University, Israel 1996-1998 M.Sc. in Molecular Biology with distinction, Tel Aviv University, Israel 1990-1994 B.Sc. Gorkey Academy of Medicine, Russia I immigrated to Israel in 1994. I graduated my M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in Molecular Biology from Tel Aviv University. Then I accomplished my post-doctoral research at the J&J PRD in the USA. In 2005, I joined Department of Molecular Biology in the Ariel University. My research interest focuses on the understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of behavioral disorders, including impairment of social interactions. I live in Etz Efraim. I am married to Olda and father to Dafna, Ron and Jonatan. I play chess and love gardening. albertpi@ariel.ac.il Prof. Amit Schejter Oranim President Ph.D. Rutgers University Until recently, Professor of communication studies and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and visiting professor and co-director of the Institute for Information Policy at Penn State University . Studies the relationship between media and justice. Founding co-editor of the Journal of Information Policy. Serves on the boards of civil society organizations and held senior positions in Israel’s media and telecommunications industry. Tel Aviv Yafo, married +4, likes sports, reading, theater and music. amit@oranim.ac.il Prof. Assaf Friedler Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences The Hebrew University of Jerusalem 1992-1994: B.Sc., the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Chemistry and the “Amirim” program for excellent students. Final grade 96.61 (out of 100), Summa Cum laude 1994-2000: Ph.D studies, Dept. of Organic Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Chemistry. Awarded PhD degree 6/2000, with distinction. 2000-2004: Post-doctoral research fellow at the Medical Research Council Centre for Protein Engineering, Cambridge, UK. Host: Prof. Sir Alan Fersht. Born in Haifa,1971. B.Sc and Ph.D studies in HUJI. Between 2000-2004 post-doc, Cambridge, UK. Since 2004 faculty member at the institute of chemistry, HUJI. Between 2010-2015 head of the school of chemistry. Since 2015 the chairman of the HUJI central student admission committee. Since 2016 Vice-Rector of HUJI, in charge of student admission, the Hebrew university for the youth, special programs for the Arab and Haredi population and more. assaf.friedler@mail.huji.ac.il Prof. Irad Yavneh Faculty Member, Computer Science Technion B. Sc . in Aeronautical Engineering (Summa Cum Laude), Technion (1984), Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics (1991), the Weizmann Institute of Science Born in Israel, 61 years old, served in the IDF as an officer in the Armor Corps. After Ph.D. in the Weizmann Institute of Science, spent two years as a post-doctoral fellow at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. Since 1993, a member of the Technion’s Computer Science Faculty. Served as Deputy Dean for undergraduate studies 2010-2013, and Dean of the Computer Science Faculty 2013-2017. Living in Haifa, married to Irit, father of Gili, Amir and Meitar, and grandfather of Daniel and Itamar. Irit and I walk together about 5-6 km every day. Leisure activities: I like to write every now and then, mainly on life in the ivory tower, and also to perform on occasion, almost always in Hebrew. One uncommon exception was my performance in English on the occasion of the 75th birthday of my Ph. D. advisor Achi Brandt (“The Legend of Multigrid” on Youtube). I have also recently translated from Hebrew to English a remarkable collection of poems my aunt has been writing since she was diagnosed with ALS. irad@cs.technion.ac.il Prof. Michal Sharon Head of Division of Research Services The Weizmann Institute of Science 2003-2006 Post-doctoral research under Prof. Dame Carol V. Robinson, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. 1996-2003 M.Sc./Ph.D. direct PhD program, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. 1993-1996 B.Sc. Chemistry, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel, Cum laude. Research in my lab focuses on unraveling the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate the protein degradation pathway. To do so we apply and develop novel native mass spectrometry approaches, in conjunction with biochemical and cell biology methods. Currently, I am a member of the Israel Young Academy, board member of the International Mass Spectrometry Foundation and serve as the vice president of ILANIT, the federation of Israeli societies of experimental biology. I live in Rehovot and am married to Alon with three children (Ori 21, Naama 18 and Ronni 12). My main hobbies are hiking, reading and drawing. michal.sharon@weizmann.ac.il Prof. Mona Khoury-Kassabri Vice President for Strategy and Diversity The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Social Work Dean of the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare. also the Advisor for Minorities Affairs to Hebrew University President, and the Head of the University Steering Committee for Accessibility to Higher Education among Arab Students. My research evolves around issues related to child and youth welfare. She is especially interested in the area of youth at risk for becoming perpetrators and victims of violent and delinquent acts. I am married and have two children. Liann is 18 years old and Fahim is 14. My Husband is a superintendent at the police In my pleasure time I like to go to the gym monakh17@gmail.com Prof. Moshe Lewenstein Deputy President Bar-Ilan University Computer Science Moshe Lewenstein, deputy president of Bar-Ilan University, was formerly dean of exact sciences and chair of computer science. His research is on algorithms and data structures, especially for texts. He is the recipient of an IBM faculty research award, a Google research award and a Gabrinus Fellowship. He was a research fellow at IBM Watson Research center, NY (2012-2013), a visiting professor at NYU (2000) and U. of Waterloo (2012-2013). Raanana Married +2 Travel and Varied studies moshe.lewenstein@biu.ac.il Prof. Noam Ziv Faculty of Medicine - Vice Dean for Research and Head of the Rappaport Institute Technion, Israel Institute for Technology B.Sc., Life Sciences 1988 Hebrew University B.Sc. Computer Sciences 1989 Hebrew University Ph.D., Neurobiology, 1994 Hebrew University Post-Doctocal studies, Neurobiology, 1996 Stanford School of Medicine Born in Vancouver Canada, Education in Life sciences , Computer sciences and Neurobiology Joined the Faculty of Medicine in the Technion in 1997 Member of the Network Biology Labs, Technion Head of the Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences Haifa, Married, three children noamz@technion.ac.il Prof. Oren Soffer Dean of Development and Educational Technology The Open University of Israel Ph.D., LLB, B.A., M.A. Oren soffer is Professor in media and Communication Studies and Dean of Development and Learning Technology at the Open University of Israel. His research interests include the study of new media, while using traditional media theories to better understand new social and media phenomena. He has published on teams such as digital orality, user comment and the spiral of silence and nationalism in the digital era. Single, father of 10-year-old Alma and 7-year-old Amittai. Lives in Tel Aviv. Active in the affairs of my children’s school (Arts) in particular and in the Tel Aviv education system in general. I co-produce and host the podcast “ADRABA”, with my colleague Prof. Tamar Herman. In this podcast we interview academics about their fields of research, from unconventional angles. orenso@openu.ac.il Prof. Sarit Larisch Head of Cell Death and Cancer Research Laboratory University of Haifa Prof. Larisch was until recently, the chair of the Departments of Biology and Medical Sciences, currently the Head of the Apoptosis and Cancer Research Laboratory, University of Haifa, Israel. She received her B.Sc. M.Sc. (summa cum laude) and PhD from the Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem. And her post-doctoral studies at the NIH/NCI, Bethesda, USA. She has founded a start-up company, ARTSaVIT, which develops small-molecule ARTS-mimetics as anti-cancer drugs. saritlarisch@gmail.com Prof. Shir Daphna-Tekoah dean of Faculty of Social-Work Ashkelon Academic College 1997-1999 B.A. Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev 2002-2003 M.A. Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 2003-2005 M.A. Psychoanalysis, East London University, and Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, U.K. 2004-2009 Ph.D. Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 2015-2016 School of Law, NYU, N.Y. Prof Carol Gilligan Visiting Researcher 2015 Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, N.Y. Social-Work Service Visiting Scholar, Enhancement of Social Work Leadership in Health Care. Shir Daphna-Tekoah, dean at the Faculty of Social-Work, Ashkelon Academic College. She also works at Kaplan Medical-Center as the Head of the Social-Work Department. A substantial part of her work is dedicated to research and development of innovative models for assessment and treatment of maltreated children in the medical arena. She teaches and researches in the field of trauma, abuse, combat trauma, health care system and body-mind correlation. I live in Modiin. My family includes my Husband Yoram, three children, and a dog. I practice Kung- Fu, twice a week, and love it. I belong to the Jewish reform congregation in my city. shir.dt@gmail.com Prof. Shiri Navon-Venezia Head of the Graduate Program in Molecular Biology Ariel University PhD , The Department of Molecular Microbiology , Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University Professor in Microbiology in the Department of Molecular Biology and in the Adelson School of Medicine at Ariel University. Head of the Lab of ‘Bacterial Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance’. My group is studying the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and spread of resistance in bacterial pathogens and develops new antibacterial treatments to treat infectious disease caused by resistant pathogens. I have published more than 100 peer-review papers in antibiotic resistance. Lives in Herzliya. Married and mother to three children (23, 20 and 16). In my free time – Travel, Yoga, and love to go to the Theater, to dance shows and art exhibitions. shirinv@ariel.ac.il Prof. Tamar Brosh Professor in Dental Biotechnology, School of Dental Medicine, Sexual Harassments Prevention Commissioner Tel Aviv University BSc Technion, Haifa MSc, PhD Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University 2012 – Head, Department of Oral Biology, The Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel 2015 – Commissioner sexual harassment, Tel Aviv University 2019 – Member of the Council for the Advancement of Women in Science and Technology, The Ministry of Science and Technology, Israel 2019 – Sub-group on Gender harassment in academia, OECD Living in Ramat-Gan, married, 2 children, 3 granddaughters. Playing in wind Kfar-Saba orchestra. Travel in Israel and abroad. Like to attend concerts and reading. tbrosh@tauex.tau.ac.il Prof. Tamir Tassa Full professor The Open University of Israel Tamir Tassa is a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the Open University of Israel. Previously served as a lecturer and researcher at TAU and BGU. In 1993-1996 was an assistant professor at UCLA. Earned his PhD in mathematics from TAU in 1993. His research interests include secure multiparty computation, privacy-preserving data publishing and data mining, and secret sharing. Lives in Kfar Saba. A father of a 9 year old daughter. Loves swimming, listening to music (classical and contemporary), theater, movies. tamirta@openu.ac.il Prof. Yariv Tsfati Prof University of Haifa BA and MA – U of Haifa PhD U of Pennsylvannia Yariv Tsfati (BA, 1997; MA 1999, University of Haifa) received his Ph.D. from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania (2001). His research focuses on various facets of public opinion, in particular on trust in media and campaign effects. He served as chair of the Political Communication Division of ICA, as editor for the IJPOR, and as Associate Editor for the Journal of Communication. I am married plus four kids. Thus, I have no time for hobbies and leisure activities ytsfati@univ.haifa.ac.il Prof. Adi Salzberg Principal Investigator, Developmental Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology I earned my bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in Biology from the Technion Following postdoctoral training in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, I returned to Israel in 1996 to start my own research group at the Technion’s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine. I study the genetic basis of pattern formation in the peripheral nervous system. I’m a native of Haifa, married to Beni, a tour guide, and the mother of Omer and Naama. Many years ago I served in the army as a guide in a field study center in Ein Gedi near the Dead Sea. There, I fell in love with the desert, with hiking tours, and with my husband. These loves still accompany me. In addition, I have two hobbies that are very meaningful to me: painting and bird ringing. VarditRT@technion.ac.il Prof. Amir Goldstein Chair of the Department of Multidisciplinary Studies, Tel-Hai College Education: B.A from the programs for honors students (Ofakim) and Department of Israel Studies, Haifa University. Teaching certificate from the Department of Land of Israel Studies, Bar-Ilan University. M.A from the Department of Land of Israel Studies, Haifa University. Ph.D. from the Department of Land of Israel Studies, Haifa University. Short Bio: A historian, educator and senior lecturer at Tel-Hai College. Took up the position of Dean of Students in October 2014 and Chair of the Department of Multidisciplinary Studies in October 2018. Specializes in Political History and the ideas behind the Zionist movement with an emphasis on researching the Zionist Right during the British Mandate. Was the ‘Danciger’ High School Principal in Kiryat Shemona. About Me: I grew up at Kiryat Shmona and have been living in Sde Nehemia in the last decade. Am married to Sigal and a father to Yoav, Yael, Yuval, and Yonatan. amirgold@telhai.ac.il Prof. Amir Sagi Research Professor, Ben Gurion University of the Negev Education: B.Sc., in Animal Sciences, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. M.Sc., in Marine Biology, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the University of California. Short Bio: Former Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences. Member of the Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev at Ben-Gurion University. Past President of the International Society for Invertebrate Reproduction and Development. Recipient of the 2013 Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Aquaculture Innovation Award, the 2014 Landau Prize for Sciences and Art, the 2016 Crustacean Society Excellence in Research Award, and the 2018 ICA award for leading entrepreneurship in agriculture and biotechnology About Me: I live in Omer, near Be’er Sheva, and am married. I also have two grandchildren. sagia@bgu.ac.il Prof. Angel Progador Deputy Vice President and Dean for Research and Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Education: B.A with honors in basic medical sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. B.A in Computer Science and Mathematics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. M.A in Life Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science. Ph.D. in Life Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science. Postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University and the American Institutes of Health (NIH). Short Bio: Currently serves as Vice President and Dean of Research and Development and as a full professor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. In my army service I was a paramedic. Since returning from Duke University to this day I have been studying and working at Ben Gurion University. About Me: I live in Lehavim in northern Negev and am married with three children. Addicted to research and work – so I don’t have much time for hobbies. In my leisure time I play ping pong on Saturday mornings (when I can). angel@bgu.ac.il Prof. Ariela Gordon-Shaag Chair, Dept. of Optometry, Hadassah Academic College Short Bio: I am the Chair of the Dept. of Optometry. My research interests are in the epidemiology and etiology of keratoconus, which is a disease of the cornea. I also research public health with a focus on making eye care available to all children. Recently, I have been researching what causes nearsightedness in children. A Little Bit About Myself: I live in Israel and am married to Avraham. We have 5 kids from ages 14-27. In my free time, I like to hike, run, swim and read. I love spending time with my family, friends and dog, not necessarily in that order arielag@hac.ac.il Prof. Avraham (Bami) Yaron Principle Investigator, Weizmann Institute of Science Born in Jerusalem, biology studies at the Hebrew University and PhD studies in biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine. Postdoctoral training in developmental neurobiology in Stanford and Genentech. Since 2006, principle researcher at the Weizmann Institute. Lives in Rehovot, is married. avraham.yaron@weizmann.ac.il Prof. Daniela Dueck Classics and History, Bar Ilan University Short Bio: I completed my academic degrees at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, specializing in ancient history of Greece and Rome. Currently I am a memeber of two departments – classical studies and general history – in Bar Ilan University. My research focuses on ancient Greek and Roman geography. I was twice head of Classics and currently I am head of the Program of Hermeneutics and Culture Studies. A Little Bit About Myself: Born in Jerusalem and living in Jerusalem to this day. I strives to always be in a state of learning, progress and improvement and I wish to promote progress and development on my academic and personal environment as well. daniela.dueck@biu.ac.il Prof. Doron Ginsberg B.Sc. in biology from Tel Aviv University. M.Sc. and Ph.D. in biology from the Weizmann Institute of Science. Post-doc at Harvard Medical School. In 1996, became a faculty member at the Weizmann Institute of Science. In 2005, moved to the Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar Ilan University. Dean of Faculty since 2017. Lives in Tel Aviv. Married, with 3 children. doron.ginsberg@biu.ac.il Prof. Doron Kliger Dean of Teaching, University of Haifa Doron Kliger is a Faculty Member at the Department of Economics, the University of Haifa, Israel, specializing in Finance and Behavioral Economics. While at the US, he has been associated with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Kliger is the Chair of Graduate Studies at Economics Department; Head of the Specialization in Behavioral Economics (joint with the Technion) and the Specialization in Finance; and Academic Member of the Israel Association of Actuaries (ILAA). Kliger serves as a consultant in economics, finance and accounting issues; his past employment included auditing and reviewing professional material at the Kesselman & Kesselman (PriceWaterhouseCoopers Israel) CPA office. Kliger is an Associate Editor at Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization (inter alia, co-edited a Special Issue on Empirical Behavioral Finance); Associate Editor at Journal of Economic Psychology, Associate Editor at Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly Journal of Socio-Economics); and Editor at Review of Behavioral Economics. He has published in a wide range of journals in finance, economics, insurance, and probability, on topics including asset pricing, bond rating, behavioral economics and finance, decision making, industrial organization, and insurance pricing. Kliger has been awarded the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (at the Ministry of Justice) Medal for excellence in accounting studies (twice); the Israel Knesset (The Israeli Parliament) Appreciation Certificate for excellence in studies (twice); the Institute of Certified Public Accountants Award for Outstanding Achievements in the Auditors Council Examinations; as well as the Fulbright Fellowship, by the United States – Israel Education Foundation. I am married to Prof. Orly Shapira. We live in Haifa and have three children (Two of them are studying at the academy, and another one on the way). I like my job and spend a lot of time to promote my work. In my free time, I like to read (especially thrillers), travel, and spend time with my family and friends kliger@econ.haifa.ac.il Prof. Elinor Saiegh-Haddad Full Professor. Linguistics, Bar-Ilan University Full Professor and Head of the English Literature and Linguistics Department at Bar-Ilan University (2015-2018). She specializes in language and literacy development and difficulties in children. She is actively involved in curriculum development and national testing, and is an advisor to the Israel Ministry of Education. She is an advisor to UNESCO on dyslexia in Arabic. Married and the mother of three children. elinorhaddad@gmail.com Prof. Elisheva Baumgarten Academic Head, Mandel Scholion Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem I am a social historian; I study the Jews of medieval northern Europe (1100-1400). I am interested in Jews who were not part of the elite and in the men and women who left almost no written records. I also study the interactions and relationships between the Jewish minority culture and the Christian majority culture in medieval Europe I live in Jerusalem with my husband, and have four children. I like hiking, running and spinning, and also love to knit elisheva.baumgarten@mail.huji.ac.il Prof. Galit Yoval Head of School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University I received my BA in Psychology and Philosophy at Tel Aviv University, and my MA and PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Chicago, I did my Post Doctoral training in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT. In 2005, I returned to Israel and was appointed to a faculty position in the School of Psychological Sciences at Tel Aviv University. Since 2017, I’ve been the head of the School I live in the center of Tel Aviv. I am married and the mother of 18 year old twins (a boy and a girl). In the little free time that I have, I do Yoga, watch movies and occasionally go to music clubs. gality@tauex.tau.ac.il Prof. Gil Luria Head of the Human Services Department, University of Haifa. Education: B.A in Behavioral Sciences, Ben Gurion University. M.Sc and Ph.D, Behavioral Sciences, the Technion – Israeli Institute of Technology. Short Bio: A professor at the University of Haifa, the faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences and the head of the Department of Human Services. Conducts research on organizational climate, leadership, and organizational interventions. I received my PhD from the Faculty of Management at the Technion- Israel Institute of Technology. My studies have been published in scientific and professional journals, and they were also adopted by various practitioners. About me: I live in Yokneam Illit, married + 3 children. I enjoy outdoor sport activities. gluria@univ.haifa.ac.il Prof. Hagai Eisenberg Associate Prof, Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Hagai Eisenberg is currently an Associate Professor at the Racah Institute of Physics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Chief Scientist and co-founder of QuantLR – a Jerusalem based Quantum Cryptography startup. He is a graduate of the Technion and the Weizmann institute, after which he spent two and a half years of post-doc research in UC Santa-Barbara, before joining the Hebrew U. Jerusalem, Married+4, Running hagai.eisenberg@mail.huji.ac.il Prof. Hashem Zoubi Person in charge for Academic Courses in English, HIT Holon Institute of Technology Short Bio: Post doc (2003-2006) Pisa-Italy. Post doc (2007-2008) & Senior Researcher (2009-2012) Innsbruck-Austria. Visitor Scientist (2013-2014) Dresden-Germany. Senior Scientist (2015-2017) Hanover-Germany. Since (October 2017) joined Holon Institute of Technology. Research interest: Quantum phenomena of light-matter interactions with applications for quantum information processing A Little Bit About Myself: Live in Nazareth, married to Maisam with one girl (Noor). In my leisure time I like hiking, reading and listening to classical music. hashemz@hit.ac.il Prof. Hossam Haick Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Deputy for the Executive Vice President for Equal Opportunities Education: B.Sc in Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology Short Bio: Earned my doctorate from the Technion in 2002. After graduation I did two, two-year postdoctoral fellowships – first at the Weizmann Institute of Science, then at California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where I became interested in sensors and nanotechnology. Returned to the Technion in 2006 as an assistant professor, becoming a full professor in 2011. About me: I live at Haifa and am married with 2 children. In my spare time, I like going on walks and reading books. hhossam@technion.ac.il Prof. Iris Shagrir Chair, Department of History, Philosophy and Judaic Studies Iris Shagrir is professor of medieval history and the currently chairperson of the department of History, Philosophy and Judaic Studies at the Open University of Israel. She specializes in social and cultural history of the middle Ages, Christian Muslim relations, crusades studies, pilgrimage and medieval naming patterns. lives in Jerusalem from day 1. Married to Oron, +2 irissh@openu.ac.il Prof. Irit Akirov Chair of the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Haifa Education: B.A in Psychology and Communication, University of Haifa. M.A in Psychology, University of Haifa, Summa Cum Laude Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Haifa. Post-Doc: Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science. Short Bio: Currently serves as chair of the School of Psychological Sciences and as a full professor. I am the director of the Learning and Memory lab in the University of Haifa’s Department of Psychology. My research focuses on the involvement of the endocannabinoid system (cannabis) in stress, memory, and plasticity. One of the main interests in the lab is studying the brain mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and other stress-related disorders. About Me: I live in Haifa and am married with three children. In my spare time I enjoy participating in aerobic exercise (Zumba, Tabata, running). I have recently started learning Spanish. iakirav@univ.haifa.ac.il Prof. Israel Issi Doron Dean, University of Haifa Short Bio: I specialize in the fields of law and ageing, social policy, human rights and ageism. I have written extensively on topics such as socio-legal construction of old age, human rights of older persons, ageism, and ageivism A Little Bit About Myself: Born in Jerusalem; An officer during the 1st Lebanon War; ; Married to Tal, and father to Yoni, Rotem, and Shahar; I love riding mountain bikes and to hike; Living now in Gilon, near Karmiel in the Northern part of Israel idoron@univ.haifa.ac.il Prof. Ittai Ben-Porath Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Short Bio: I am a professor and researcher at the Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University, which I joined in 2007. My area of research is the biology of cancer. I am interested in discovering genes that control the development of cancer and that affect the severity of the disease, and in characterizing their mode of action. A major area of interest is the process of “cellular aging” which is extremely i A Little Bit About Myself: I am a professor and researcher at the Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University, which I joined in 2007. My area of research is the biology of cancer. I am interested in discovering genes that control the development of cancer and that affect the severity of the disease, and in characterizing their mode of action. A major area of interest is the process of “cellular aging” which is extremely i ittaibp@mail.huji.ac.il Prof. Itzhak Weiss Dean of Research, The Open University of Israel. Education: B.A. in Biblical Studies and Jewish Thought, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. M.A. in Jewish Thought, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Ph.D. in Jewish Thought, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Post Doc. Rothschild Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Divinity School, University of Chicago. Short Bio: Currently, I am the Dean of Research at the Open University of Israel and researcher in the field of Jewish mysticism. Am the author of four books: Death of the Shekhinah in S.Y. Agnon’s Oeuvre; Letters by which Heaven and Earth were Created; Cutting the Shoots: The Worship of The Shekhinah in the World of Early Kabbalistic Literature and Sefer Yeṣirah and its Contexts. About me: I live in Jerusalem with Judith, my wife, a researcher in the field of Jewish and Christian Kabbalah at Ben Gurion University. We have three daughters: Miriam (11) Sarah (8) and Rachel (3) tzahiw@openu.ac.il Prof. Itzick Shai VP and Dean for R&D, Ariel University Short Bio: Professor Itzick Shai is an associate professor in the Department of Israel Studies and Archeology at Ariel University. His research is focused on the Land of Israel and the southern Levant in the Bronze and Iron Ages . Since 2010 he is the director of the Tel Burna Archaeological Project A Little Bit About Myself: I live in Modiin married + 4. I like sport, reading and hiking (in Israel and abroad) itzhaqsh@ariel.ac.il Prof. Karel Martens Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning , Technion Short Bio: Karel Martens is the chair of the master program in urban and regional planning at the Technion’s Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning. Dutch by origin, he has spent the last twenty year visiting, working and living in Israel. His academic work on transport and justice has been described by colleagues as a “revolution”. A Little Bit About Myself:Tel Aviv, married, I like reading, cycling, hiking, playing squash, caring for my family kmartens@technion.ac.il Prof. Mali Shechorry Vice Rector; Chair, the Department of Criminology, Ariel University Education: B.A in criminology and sociology. M.A, Bar Ilan University. Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University. Certificate studies in “couples and family therapy”, Tel Aviv University. Short Bio: After completing my bachelor’s degree, I served as a police investigator for 7 years. I graduated my Ph.D. at the Bar-Ilan University in 2002 and conducted a post-doctoral study on the subject of Victim Offender Mediation, at the University of Tübingen, Germany (2007). My fields of interest are sexual offenses; ideology-based delinquency among youth; terror victims family violence; forensic psychology. About me: I live in Kochav Yair since 1990 and am married to Robert, an electrical contractor, and a mother to Tslil and Itai. My main hobbies are sports activities (spinning and walking) and traveling. Most of my leisure hours are dedicated to my family, trips, and friends. mally@bezeqint.net Prof. Masha Niv Associate Professor (tenured), Head of Molecular Recognition and Chemical Senses Lab, Hebrew University Vice Dean for Research Robert H Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University 2014- to date Tenured Associate Professor, Hebrew University 2009-2014 Senior Lecturer, Hebrew University 2007-2009 Lecturer, Hebrew University 2003-2007 Postdoctoral fellow, Weill Medical College, Cornell University 2001-2003 Group Leader, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Jerusalem, Israel 2000-2001 Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling Group Researcher, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals · SELECTED ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS AT THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY 2019 – to date Board of Directors, Israel Institute for Advanced Studies 2019 – to date Steering committee HUJI-Innovate · EDUCATION 2001 Direct PhD Program, Institute of Chemistry, Hebrew University 1994 BSc, Chemistry, Hebrew University, cum laude · Selected awards Vigevani visiting professor to Italy (2017-2018) Krill Prize for Excellence in Science from the Wolf Foundation (2010) masha.niv@mail.huji.ac.il Prof. Nadav Katz Director, Quantum Information Science Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Education: B.A in Physics and Computer Science, Hebrew University (Amirim Program) M.A in Physics, the Weizmann Institute of Science Ph.D. in Physics, the Weizmann Institute of Science Short Bio: I grew up in Israel (Carmiel) as a boy and attended high school in Haifa. Military service in combat engineering – 90’s. After studying for my Ph.D. in physics (capturing atoms with lasers and cooling to measure quantum properties), I spent two years to in California on quantum electronics for my post-doctorate. In 2007 I returned to Israel and established my laboratory in Jerusalem, which deals with a variety of topics in quantum information. About Me: I live in Jerusalem. Married to Gili with 4 children. Active in environmental issues, nature tours, chess games and logic puzzles, construction, and gardening, history and science fiction and literature. nadav.katz@mail.huji.ac.il Prof. Nurit Gronau Chair, Department of Education and Psychology, The Open University Short Bio: Nurit Gronau is a Professor of Psychology, currently chair of department at the Open University of Israel. She received her PHD from the Hebrew University, followed by a post-doc training at Harvard University. She investigates the cognitive processes underlying visual attention and memory. She is one of the main founders of the annual meeting of the Israeli Society of Cognitive Psychologists. A Little Bit About Myself: Born in Jerusalem, currently living in Ramat-Hasharon, married and mother of two. Spending my invaluable free time in playing the piano (classical, jazz), traveling and meeting friends nuritgro@openu.ac.ilירושלמית במקור, כיום מתגוררת ברמת השרון, נשואה ואם לשתיים. משתדלת להקצות זמן איכות לנגינת פסנתר, טיולים ובילוי עם משפחה וחברים. Prof. Ofer Reany Dean of Research, The Open University Short Bio: Ofer Reany is an Associate Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Natural Sciences, and since October 2020 has served as the Dean of Research at the Open University. His research focuses on synthetic host-host systems and development of chemical reactions for industrial applications.קצת A Little Bit About Myself: I was born in Tel-Aviv and live in Kfar-Chittim for more than 20 years. Married to Osnat and a father to three children: Yehonatan (24), Na’ama (21) and Kinneret (18). I like touring the country and visit places in the world getting to know .different cultures. I like to watch movies and play social games oferre@openu.ac.il Prof. Ofir Münz-Manor Dean of Academic Studies, The Open University of Israel Ophir Münz-Manor, an associate professor of Rabbinic Culture, is a specialist in medieval Jewish and Christian poetry and in computational study of literature. Prof. Münz-Manor received his Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2007) and was a postdoctoral fellow at Brown University and The University of Pennsylvania, and a visiting Professor at Hamburg University I grew up in Kibbutz Hatzor and for the last twenty five years have lived in Jerusalem. I’m married to Limor, who holds a Ph.D. in history and works as a nurse in Hadassah Hospital, and the father of Shmuel and Miriam, who are students at the Open University. I’m a member of the poetic-rock band Paperback and a private ophirmm@openu.ac.il Prof. Rivka Dikstein Head , Dept of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute Short Bio: Prof. Dikstein investigates a basic topic in biology—how genes are activated to produce proteins. Her goal is to achieve a deeper understanding of various stages of gene expression, with an emphasis on their crosstalk and their involvement in diseases. Her findings identified novel regulatory mechanisms and led to discovery of new potential drugs against inherited neurodegenerative diseases. A Little Bit About Myself: Lives in Rehovot, married plus three sons and two granddaughters. Likes sports, reading books and music rivka.dikstein@weizmann.ac.il Prof. Roza Leikin Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa Founding Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for the Research and Advancement of Giftedness and Excellence (RANGE); Previously – Head of the Math. Ed. Department in the University of Haifa, and President of the International Group for Mathematical Creativity and Giftedness. Received 30 research grants. Published more than 150 papers in peer reviewed volumes. I live in Haifa, I’m married and the mother of two: Asya, 37, and Yuval, 21; and the grandmother of two: Shelly,8, and Omri, 6.5 years old rozal@univ.haifa.ac.il Prof. Shmuel Shaki Head of the Master program in Neuroscience and Cognition, Ariel University Education: Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology. Short Bio: Cognitive Psychologist. Deals with the field of spatial representation in memory, and influences of cultural habits on these representations. About me: Loves music, trekking, and reading books. samuelsh@ariel.ac.il Prof. Shosh Shahrabani Head of Research Authority, The Yezreel Valley College Short Bio: Full professor of economics, chairman of the Research Authority and a faculty member at the Economics and Management Department at the Yezreel Valley College. In addition, chair of the Senate, member of the directors’ board and trustees’ board. Public offices include membership of the Advisory Council to the Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology. My research area is behavioral .economics A Little Bit About Myself I live in Kiryat Tivon, happily married, mother of three children and grandmother of three lovely grandchildren. My hobbies and leisure activities include: Pilates training, field walks and reading shoshs@yvc.ac.il Prof. Shulamit Levenberg Dean Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Education: B.Sc in Biology, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science. Post Doctorate in Tissue Engineering and stem cells at MIT (Prof. Langer lab). Short Bio: Dean of the Biomedical Engineering Department at the Technion and a member of the Israel National Council for Bioethics. Conducts research on Stem Cells and Tissue-Engineering. Did my Ph.D. at the Weizmann Institute and my post-doctoral research at MIT. Received the Krill Prize for excellence in scientific research by the Wolf Foundation, and was named by Scientific American as a “Research Leader” in Tissue Engineering. About me I Live in Moreshet in the Galilee and am married with 6 children. Likes to read and to travel. shulamit@bm.technion.ac.il Prof. Shulamit Michaeli Vice president for Research and a Professor of Microbiology, Bar-Ilan University Education: B.Sc in Biology (summa cum Laude), Tel Aviv University. Ph.D. in Microbiology, Tel-Aviv University. Short Bio: I obtained my B.Sc in Biology at Tel-Aviv and Ph.D. in Microbiology. I was a post-doctoral fellow at UC Berkeley UCSF. Later on, I was part of the faculty at the WIS and moved to BIU as Associate Professor. For ten years I was an HHMI international scholar. I served as the head of the section of Life Sciences and Medicine at the Israel Science Foundation for 8 years and I am the VPR for research since October 2017. About me: I live with my husband Moshe in Kiryat ONO. I am doing a lot of work in my garden growing vegetables and flowers. I also like to read and listen to the radio while cooking. Shulamit.Michaeli@biu.ac.il Prof. Sigal Abramovich chair, Dept of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ben Gurion Univercity in the negev Short Bio: I am a Professor at the Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences at BGU. I obtained my undergraduate and master’s degree at BGU and a PhD from Princeton University, under the supervision of Prof. Gerta Keller, a world-known expert on mass extinctions. I am an oceanographer expert on foraminifera (unicellular marine calcifiers) that serve as model organism for monitoring marine environments A Little Bit About Myself: I am a proud product of the Negev- I was born and raised in Beer Sheva. My partner, Uri Abdu, is a biologist and also a faculty at BGU. We have two daughters, Romi (17), Emma (14), 3 cats and a very big dog. We live in Lehavim, close to Beer Sheva, in a house that we have planned and built together after returning from a sabbatical in Cambridge, UK. I don’t have a particular hobby (besides occasional yoga and gradening). My research allows me to spend hours, sometimes days in the field, particularly at sea, so I feel very satisfy to be able to merge my life’s passion and love to nature into an academic career sigalabr@bgu.ac.il Prof. Tal Shima Dean of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Tal Shima received his B.Sc., MA, and Ph.D. degrees, all in Aerospace Engineering, from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, in 1992, 1998, and 2001, respectively. He also received an MBA from Tel-Aviv University in 1997. 2000 -2004: Research/System Engineer, Air-to-Air and Surface-to-Air Directorate of RAFAEL Ltd. In 2004 and 2005 he was awarded National Research Council scholarships, and was an NRC Research Associate at the U.S. Air Force Research Labs. Married with 2 children and a dog, Tal lives in Haifa. He loves to windsurf. tal.shima@technion.ac.il Prof. Tova Most Dean of Students, Tel-Aviv University Education: Ph.D. Short Bio: Full professor at the School of Education and the Department of Communication Disorders and the Dean of Students. My research is centered on rehabilitation and education of individuals with various degrees of hearing loss from birth to adulthood. As Dean of Students, I lead a program that offers specially-designed courses that combine academics with social responsibility fieldwork in the community. In addition, I am the head the “Israeli Hope in the Academia”. About Me: I live in Tel Aviv and am married to Oren. Mother of Netta, Omer and Carmel and a grandmother of Yali, Maya, and Berry. I love to read, walk, enjoy Arts and meeting with friends. tovam@post.tau.ac.il Prof. Wafa Elias Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Sami Shamoon College of Engineering. Education: B.Sc.in Civil Engineering (Mapping and Geo-Information), the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. M.URP in Urban and Regional Planning, the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology. M.Sc.in Transportation Engineering, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology. Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning, the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Short Bio: An associate professor of Civil Engineering in the College of Engineering Sce and since 2013, a professor. Currently, I am the head of the Department of Civil Engineering. I am an expert on travel behavior and road safety and have carried out numerous studies into the travel behavior and safety among different segments of the Arab populations, including women, young men and children. About Me: I live in the village of Bi’ne in the north and am married with four children, two of whom are married. Especially likes to bake cakes and music. wafael@sce.ac.il Prof. Yitzhak (Tzachi) Pilpel Head Dept, Professor of Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science Short Bio: BSc in biology. Phd in genetics postdoc in genetics At Weizmann since 2003 A Little Bit About Myself: Interested in evolution of genes and genomes, in genetic control of gene expression Hobbies – theater, poetry pilpel@weizmann.ac.il Prof. Yuval Garini Technion – Israeli Institute of Technology. Education: B.A, M.A and Ph.D. degrees in Physics, the Technion – Israeli Institute of Technology. Short Bio: Born in Haifa. After finishing my studies, I started a bio-medical company that still exists to this day. Later on, I moved to Holland, Delft University, where I had a permanent position. In 2007 I moved back to Israel to Bar Ilan University, and I worked in biophysics using optical methods, nanotechnology and more. In addition, I was the head of the nanotechnology institute in Bar Ilan, and am currently involved in scientific activities in Israel and around the world. About Me: I Live in Koranit and am married and father to two grown children. I like traveling, music and working with youth Yuval.Garini@biu.ac.il Prof.Adi Erlich Professor and head of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa Short Bio: I am an archaeologist and art historian of the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods in the Land of Israel, teaching at the University of Haifa. I specialize in ancient figurines, mosaics and the Jewish Galilee. My main projects are the excavations at Beth She’arim, and the cultic complex at Banias. A Little Bit About Myself: I live in Kochav Yair, married plus 3: a student, a soldier and a high school girl. My hobbies include listening to music, reading and fieldtrips. aerlich@research.haifa.ac.il Prof.Gitti Frey Materials Science and Engineering, Technion Israel Institute of Technology Short Bio: , BSc+MSc in Chemistry from Hebrew U, PhD Materials and Interfaces from Weizmann Institute and Postdoc in Physics university of Cambridge UK. In Technion since 2003 studying the science and engineering of electronic devices based on organic semiconductors was visiting Prof in Colorado School of Mines, researcher in the National Renewable Energy Lab and visiting Prof in Georgia Tech A Little Bit About Myself: married + 3, hiker and runner gitti@technion.ac.il Prof.Lilach Sagiv Vice Rector, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Short Bio: Lilach Sagiv is a Vice Rector at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a full professor at the Business School. She served as an Associate Dean for Teaching (2007-2010; 2012-2016) and as the Chair of the University Tenure Committee in the Non-Experimental Sciences (2016-2020). Her research focuses on values – currently on the multiple mechanisms that link values to behavior and to empathy. A Little Bit About Myself: I live in Jerusalem, married and mother of four. lilach.sagiv@mail.huji.ac.il Prof.Sarab Abu-Rabia-Queder BGU Vice president for diversity & inclusion, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Short Bio: Phd: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in sociology of education Post-Doc: Oxford University, UK in gender and development my main feilds of study focus on inequality among minority groups in the feild of higher education and employement. won several prizes such as Toronto prize for ecxellent researchers and Aut-Katan prize for both academic work & activism A Little Bit About Myself: married with three children, lives in beer-Sheva. hobbies: swimming, reading, and travelling with family and friends. sarab@bgu.ac.il Ram Semo Director of the Division for Advancement and External Relations. He was born and raised on Kibbutz Ein Dor in the north of Israel Education: B.A in Business Administration and Sociology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. M.A in Executive MBA and Business Administration, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Short Bio: Following military service in the parachute brigade, he studied at the Hebrew University, first in the Joseph Saltiel Center for Pre-Academic Studies (Mechina), and going on to earn a BA in Sociology and Business Studies, and an Executive MBA in Business Administration. Ram has been working at the Hebrew University for the past 27 years in various senior position, having served as Director of the Office of the University President and, immediately prior to becoming Director of the Division for Advancement and External Relations, as the University’s Financial Controller. Ram also volunteers his services in different bodies at the University: He is the Chairman of the Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive, a member of the Board of Managers of the Cosell Sport Center at the University, among others. In October 2019, he graduated from the first cohort of the new prestigious program of the Israeli Council for Higher Education: “Leadership in Academia”. Ram is married to Racheli and they have 3 children. rams@savoin.huji.ac.il Shimon Ishai Deputy Director-General of Human Resources, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Education: B.A in Economics, Ben Gurion University of the Negev. M.B.A in Business Administration, Ben Gurion University of the Negev. Short Bio: I have been an employee of BGU for the past 20 years. I served as the University’s accountant and thereafter as CFO. Since December 2014, I have held the position of Deputy Director-General of Human Resources at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev – BGU. Among other duties, I serve as the head of the Employment Diversity Committee About Me: I am 56 years old and am married with two daughters. I live on Moshav Gilat in the Negev. I was born into a family of dairy farmers. To this day, my brothers run the family farm – a large dairy and a food center. I still feel connected to the farm and to agriculture. Sometimes I still help my brothers with the farm and I especially love to stay there. I am a fan of movies and television, pop and rock music – mainly from the seventies and eighties. I enjoy dancing, reading (mainly Hebrew literature) and good humor ishays@bgu.ac.il Tamar Levin Head of Human Resources & Payroll Dep, Sapir College B.A-Economics & Computer Science, M.A – Public Administration & Policy Lives in Ashdod tamarl@sapir.ac.il Vardit Raz-Toledano Head, Office for Academic Staff, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Law and Economics, Hebrew University, 1998. M.A.: Law and Public Policy, Hebrew University, 2002. 1998-2004: Legal Advisor, Ministry of National Infrastructures/Natural Gas Authority. 2004-2008: Legal Advisor, Israel Natural Gas Company. 2012-2017: Head of Tender Unit, Technion. 2017: Head of Office for Academic Staff, Technion Born in 1971. Mother of two, ages 6 and 14. Loves art and music of all kinds. VarditRT@technion.ac.il Yaron Haritan Deputy to the Director General and Director of Human Resources, Ariel University. Education: B.A in Business Administration and Accounting, The College of Management, Tel Aviv. M.A in Law, Bar-Ilan University. Short Bio: From 2012 I function as the deputy to the director general and as the director of the administration and human resources department at Ariel University. Prior to that, I was the deputy director of administration and human resources at the University for about seven years. Before that, I worked as an accountant at the university’s finance department (for about six years) and as an audit manager at Har Noi and Tubul Accounting firm. In my army service, I was an officer in an elite unit in Golani. About me: I Live in Tsur Yigal-Kochav Yair and am married to Orna, with four children: Adi, Elad, Reut, and Uri, and two grandchildren: Roy and Maayan. My hobbies are running, especially outdoors, traveling in Israel and abroad and landscape photography. In my spare time, I enjoy reading books and thinking about new challenges. yaronh@ariel.ac.il Yossi Rokni Deputy Director General for Planning, Budgeting and Economics Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Industrial and Management Engineering (M.Sc.) I Hold a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Industrial and Management Engineering from Ben-Gurion University. I started as an economist at the Planning, Budgeting and Economics Division of BGU and worked myself up until I’ve reached the position of Division Head, which I fill in the last 16 years. I Love to travel (both in Israel and around the world) and always armed with a camera. I live in the northern part of the Negev; Married + 3; my three children were recently released from the IDF; I love to travel, take pictures and drink good red wine. yossir@bgu.ac.il Zehava Laniado Deputy Director General of Operations Technion Executive MBA in Public Policy Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Bible + High School Teaching Certificate. MBA and Public Policy. Occupational Experience: At the Technion 32 years. last three positions are: Head of Administration in the Faculty of Medicine, Assistant Director General and Deputy Director General of Operations . Responsibility for all campus operating units: Construction and Maintenance Division, Safety, Security, Tenders, Assets and Logistics, Pre-Clinical Research Authority and Radiation Hazard Control Unit. Born in Israel, in Haifa. Hobbies and leisure time activities: sport, reading, movies and music. laniado@technion.ac.il Ziva Braude Head of Computing and Information Technology Division, The Open University of Israel I was the Head of the Information System Branch in the IDF, and achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. Since 2011, I’ve been Head of the Computing and Technology Division at the Open University of Israel Lives in Raanana; is married and has three children zivab@openu.ac.il פרופ’ עבדאלסלאם עאזם דיקאן הפקולטה למדעי החיים, אוניברסיטת תל אביב I was born in Tayebi. I began working at TAU in 1997. I served as the Head of the Department and School of Life Sciences. I’ve been the Dean of Life Sciences for the past two years I’m married to Loret, and am the father of three boys. I live in Tayeb azema@tauex.tau.ac.il
