The Heschel Center Staff
The Heschel Center Staff
Dr. Eilon Schwartz is the Executive Director of the Heschel Center. Eilon holds a PhD in Educational Philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he also serves on the faculty of the School of Education, and an MSc in Environmental Studies.
Dr. Jeremy Benstein is a Deputy Director of the Heschel Center and director of the Environmental Fellows program. He holds a PhD in cultural anthropology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Jeremy's book The Way Into Judaism and the Environment was recently released by Jewish Lights Publishing.
Orli Ronen-Rotem is a Deputy Director of the Heschel Center and director of the Local Sustainability Center. She holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration as well as a Masters in Business Administration, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Geography at Tel-Aviv University.
Dr. Lia Ettinger is Academic Supervisor, teaching and coordinating the Heschel Center’s long-term educational programs. She has a PhD in Biology from the Hebrew University, and is a graduate and former faculty member of the School of Educational Leadership in Jerusalem.
Vered Balan - Administrative Manager. Vered has a BSc in Industrial Engineering and MSc in Desert Studies and Environment from Ben Gurion University. She has been active in the environmental movement for over ten years, including senior roles in Green Course and the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies.
Dr. Yael Barki is coordinator of the Green Schools Network's Along the Sea Program. She has a PhD in Marine Biology from Tel-Aviv University. Yael also teaches a graduate class at the Michmoret College of Marine Science. Dr.
Eran Ben Yemini coordinates the Environmental Fellows Alumni and is a facilitator in the Fellows program. Eran studied acting in London, and holds a BA in Physics from the Technion Institute of Technology. He is currently working on a doctorate in Science Philosophy at Bar-Ilan University. He was also the founding Director of Green Course – the Israeli students’ environmental NGO.
Eyal Biger is director of the Good Energy Initiative. He is an environmental entrepreneur and consultant, specializing in biological fuel alternatives. He is also a Heschel Fellow (Year 5).
Avi Blau coordinates Heschel's environmental health initiative. He holds a B.Sc. in industrial engineering from Tel Aviv University, and an M.Sc in environmental sciences from Lund University, Sweden.
Tom Brecher works as an Environmental Consultant of the Good Energy Initiative. He is studying environmental education at the Kibbuzim College of Education.
Maor Chester is interning at the Heschel center as part of her studies in philosophy, economics and political science at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Maor is also a graduate of Heschel's Sustainable Economics course.
Dr. Shahar Dolev is director of the Center for Sustainability Studies external program with Tel Aviv University. Shahar is a Heschel Fellow (Year 8) and holds a PhD in Philosophy of Science from Bar-Ilan University, and a BSc in Aerospace Engineering from the Technion Institute of Technology.
Hanadi Hajress coordinates Local Sustainability Center activities in the Arab sector and is a regional coordinator for the Green School Network. She holds a B.Sc. in biology from the Oranim Educational College. Hanadi is also educational coordinator for the Towns Association for Environmental Quality – Beit Netufa.
Yonatan Heiman is a volunteer for the Local Sustainability Center. He is studying at the Technion towards a Master's in Town Planning. He holds a B.Sc. in environmental studies from Hebrew University.
Rami Livni is the Media Project Coordinator. Rami has an MA in Literature from Tel Aviv University. He worked formerly as foreign editor for the Haaretz daily newspaper and as a columnist for the Maariv daily.
Lior Messing is the administrative assistant. Graduated the “Tevel Betzedek” sustainability program in Nepal, Also works with communities of migrant workers in Israel.
David Pearlman-Paran is the Resource Development Director. He studied Theater Directing and Comparative Literature at Tel-Aviv University and has a BA (hon.) in English Literature from Sydney University. David is also director of the Yoreh Umalkosh Place Theater Group.
Edna Poliva is the Heschel Center’s Office Manager. Edna is in charge of human resources and coordinates special projects.
Maya Shalit coordinates the Local Sustainability Support Center. She holds a B.Sc. in Environmental Management from London. Maya coordinated the Public Transportation Day for Green Course and was the founding editor of their online magazine "Yarok Bareshet."
Michal Shamai is Deputy Director of the Green Schools Network. Michal holds a Masters Degree in Endocrinology from the Hebrew University, and a Bachelors Degree in Ecology from McGill University.
Yuval Shor coordinates the Artists for Environmental Justice program. Yuval is completing his BFA in film and television at Tel-Aviv University.
Noa Singer is a regional coordinator of the Green Schools Network. Noa has a Masters in Geography and Environmental Management and a BA in Biology, both from Hebrew University. She was also campus coordinator for Green Course.
Moran Slakmon is the Workshop Coordinator of the Local Sustainability Center. She is an environmental activist and an MA student in urban planning at Ben Gurion University.
Guy West is our internet and new media coordinator. Guy has a B.A in History from Tel-Aviv University. He was co-founder of Indymedia-Israel (IMC) and is a new-media consultant for politicians such as former MK Roman Bronfman and MK Dr. Dov Khenin.
Tomer Yaffe is a facilitator in the Kibbuzim College of Education project and other programs. Tomer is a Heschel Fellow (Year 3) and holds an MA in agriculture from the Hebrew University, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot.
Noga Yitzhaki – administrative assistant of the Environmental Fellows Alumni project. Noga is also an MA student in the Democracy and Citizenship Program, at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Ayelet Youst Ben Mordechai is a regional coordinator for the Green School Network. She holds a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies and an MA in Israel Studies.
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