Our Team

Jonathan Lederman
Director of Migdalor

Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) and a graduate of the Naval Officers’ Training Course, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Business Administration. He is a certified teacher and has a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. Has many years of experience in both formal and informal education. One of the initiators and founders of Migdalor.

Yotam Levy
Head of the Migdalor

Major (Res.), holds a Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Haifa. He has extensive experience in informal education and in “at-risk” frameworks. He is also one of the initiators and founders of the program.

Noa Avni
Social Worker

Holds a Master’s degree in Community and Organizational Development in Social Work. With over ten years of experience in supporting independent living among marginalized populations, both in institutional settings and within the community. Specializes in trauma-informed employment.

Einat Weitzman
Administrative Manager

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hebrew Literature. Has extensive experience in administrative management, office management, client relations, logistics, and back-office operations.

Avia Van Dijk
Head of the Girls’ Branch

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, with seven years of experience in therapeutic and educational frameworks. Served as a counselor in Migdalor in its third year.

Uri Kohler
Head of the Boys’ Branch

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Regular and Special Education for early childhood. A certified lifeguard and surfing instructor. Engaged in formal and informal education for over 15 years.

Asaf Lotenberg
Alumni Coordinator

Worked at the Johanna Zabotinsky Youth Village prior to his military service. Served as a combat soldier in a special unit in the IDF. Has been part of the Migdalor team almost since day one: initially as an instructor for the first two years, and now as the alumni coordinator.

Tchelet Laxler
Alumni Coordinator for Girls

Worked at ‘Nirim’ Youth Village prior to her military service. Served as a combat fitness instructor in the Kfir Brigade. Was an instructor in year two of the Girls’ Branch.

Our Board of Directors

Giora Levy
Chairman of the Board

Giora Levy, a native of Kibbutz Reshafim, is a former member of the elite Sayeret Matkal unit and a Lieutenant Colonel (Reserves). He has served as CEO and Chairman of high-tech companies. From an early age, he vowed to do his best to help others and serve the people and the country.

Moshe Shalom
Treasurer

Finance Manager at a startup company, with 20 years of experience in financial management at global and public companies. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in accounting and is a licensed CPA.

Ariella Itkis

An educator with a Master’s degree in Education. Former Head of the Education Department at the Rosh HaAyin Municipality, organizational consultant, school principal, and an emissary of the World Zionist Organization in Mexico and the United States.

Haim Itkis

An educator and musician with a Master’s degree in Education and Communication. He has managed the Department of Adult Education and served as a national inspector at the Ministry of Education. A former emissary of the World Zionist Organization in Mexico and the United States, he is currently the musical director of vocal ensembles.

Yaron Caspi

Major (Reserves), tank commander, graduate of the battalion commanders course, and former CEO of Yedidim Pension Arrangements.

Uri Ilan

Major (Reserves), a graduate of the naval officers course, and a born entrepreneur.

Dudi Sponder

Businessman, contractor, and real estate developer. CEO of a family company in the field. Major (Reserves) in the Casualty Department of the City Officer.

Haim Moalem

A Golani soldier at heart, he fought in the Yom Kippur War. He works in sports programs for children and youth with the “Bnei Herzliya Association” and volunteers at “Bayit Al HaYam,” mentoring children with special needs in maritime activities.

Amit Geva Carmeli

An educator with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master’s degree in Education Management and Leadership. CEO of the Ruth and Boaz Foundation for Impact Investments.

Ran Siton

A lawyer with a Bachelor’s degree in Law (Israel) and a Master’s degree in Law (New York). He has around 30 years of professional experience, 15 of which in the U.S.A. Partner at Fischer FBC law firm.

Founding Team

Lior Ron

Served as a combat soldier and commander in the Air Force’s Air Defense unit. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and a teaching certificate, as well as an MBA in Social Leadership in collaboration with the Mandel Foundation. Currently works as the Head of Space Education at the Ramon Foundation.

Adam Moalem

A combat soldier in Sayeret Matkal, Master Sergeant (Reserves). Holds Bachelor’s degrees in Law and Business Administration and is a certified teacher. Adam has been involved in formal and informal education for many years and is the founder and owner of a tourism company.

Amit Yaniv

Lawyer and officer in the Moran Unit, and one of its founders. A Major (Reserves), Amit holds Bachelor’s degrees in Law and Business Administration. He is a social-business entrepreneur and the founder of “LOVE Davka,” a leisure and dating website for people with disabilities.

Tal Ben Arush

Served as a combat soldier and commander in the Air Force’s Air Defense unit. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and was a social instructor at the “Alumim” boarding school. Currently, she works as a lawyer.

Gadi Domb

Major (Reserves), Commander of the Ground Forces Division in the Gaza Division. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Business Administration and works as a lawyer. Gadi is a co-founder and partner in the startup companies NoviSign and ReaLo.

Our Professors and teachers

External Lecturers for the 2024-2025 Academic Year:

  1. Israel Pivko – Jewish Identity (Year-long course)
  2. Mor Erez – Sexuality and Gender (Year-long course)
  3. Guy Mizrahi – “Touching the Pita” – Sports Psychology and Personal Empowerment (Half-year course)
  4. Kfir Prima – “Life Skills and Hands-on Building Skills” (Year-long course)
  5. Albert Kalgasi – Krav Maga (Year-long course)
  1. Shlomo Peled – The Wisdom of Questioning (Half-year course)
  2. Lecturers from the “Forum for Regional Thinking” – The Middle East (Year-long course)
  3. Combat Fitness (Year-long course)
  4. Asaf Granot – Identity (Half-year course)
  5. Dana Ben Naftali – Yoga (Year-long class)

Special Guest Speakers Over the Years

Giora Levy – The story of Lt. Col. Emmanuel Moreno 

Yona Kornstein – Company Commander in the Givati Brigade, life story 

Col. Michi Zaifer – Heroic story from the Yom Kippur War 

Brig. Gen. Natan Israeli – Heroic story from the Second Lebanon War 

Shlomo Har Noy – Head of “Shin Bet” security during the assassination of Rabin 

Yakir Segev – Personal story and social entrepreneur 

Dr. Ofra Graicer – Strategy expert and lecturer in the IDF Brigadier General course 

Max Kaplansky – Educator 

Gal Peled – Submarine commander 

Musa Tzabari – Ministry of Defense, founder of the undercover unit for the intelligence service 

Tomer Avital – Journalist and activist 

Shimon Amsalem – Former basketball player and success coach 

Brig. Gen. Yuval Harel – Head of Human Resources for the Air Force 

Maj. Gen. David Saar Salama – Commander of the Israeli Navy 

Brig. Gen. Gur Shreibman – Former commander of Shayetet 13 and Officer Training School

Avitar Mor – Olympic sailing coach 

Eyal Melamed – Prime Minister’s Office, Operation “Solomon” 

Yahav Spinrad – Sailed around the ocean in a boat 

Col. Vered Pomerantz – Head of the IDF Casualty Department 

Gilad Neumann – CEO of Dale Carnegie, public speaking expert 

Col. Steven Gordon – Commander of the Red Sea naval theater 

Brig. Gen. Gvaram HaGlilii – Former head of IDF safety branch 

Ayelet Shaked** – Former Minister of Justice 

Stav Shaffir – Former Member of Knesset 

 

And many more.