Adam Jenshil, Director of Year Course, is a long-serving and well-loved member of the Young Judaea team. Adam brings two decades of cumulative involvement in Young Judaea and a successful history in growing programs to his position as Director of Year Course. Adam has held senior positions at the Federation of Zionist Youth (Young Judaea’s sister program in the UK), the Northeast region of Young Judaea in New Jersey, Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake and other departments. His international knowledge, experience and Zionist passion continues to invigorate a new era of creativity and teamwork, as Young Judaea looks to future growth. From 2006-2009, Adam was the director of the Short-Term Programs Department, overseeing high school age summer programs, Amirim and the Birthright track. He is married to former Year Course counselor, Dganit, they have 11 year old twins, Lee and Maya who are big sister and brother to one year old Ari and they live in Tzur Hadassah.

Kate Nachman, Deputy Director of Year Course, grew up in the New England region of Young Judaea. After programming for her club in Nashua, NH, she was regional Ofie/Tsofie programmer for the New England region. She worked at Camp Sprout Lake and attended Camp Tel Yehudah before going on Year Course in 1990-91. Kate spent her junior year abroad from Cornell University studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and interning for Young Judaea. After graduation, she worked as Year Course madricha (counselor) in 1995-96 before making Aliyah and founding Center Stage Theatre at Merkaz Hamagshimim Hadassah in Jerusalem, which she ran for 9 years. Kate was working as the Director of Admissions for Hebrew College until returning to Israel and to the Young Judaea professional family. Kate has 3 daughters who are 4th generation Hadassah life members. Kate and her family live in Jerusalem.

Aron Lazarus, Mekasher (Section 1 Head), grew up in London, England, where he was an active member of FZY. He participated in Year Course in 1996/7 and then returned to the program as a madrich (counselor) in 1999/2000. In 2001/2002, Aron worked in London as FZY’s Director of Education and in between these years he gained a BA in Business Administration and Psychology. In 2004, Aron gained an MA in Social Work and subsequently worked for 2 years as a Social Worker for an Adoption and Fostering organization in London. In 2006, Aron and his wife made aliyah and he joined the Year Course staff as a Rakaz (coordinator) in Jerusalem. Over the next 3 years he held various positions on the team including faculty member and Head of Manhigut (Leadership Group). Aron lives in Modiin with his wife Heidi, who is also a Year Course graduate, and their two young children Maayan and Amitai.

Joel Jacobs, Mekasher (Section 2 Head), was born in London, UK and grew up within FZY, the sister movement of Young Judaea. Having graduated from the Year Course program in 1999-2000, Joel returned to England and went to work at one of the largest insurance and pension companies in Britain. He worked there for three years in various roles before being employed by FZY in England. He worked there for over 4 years, with a two year stint as the recruiter for the Year Course program. Joel made aliyah in the summer of 2008 and started working for Year Course as the PR Coordinator. Joel and his wife live in Modi’in.

Yael Gladstone, Mekasheret (Section 3 Head), has worked for Young Judaea since 1997. She’s worked for summer programs, Merkaz Hamagshimim and Year Course. Born in Arad, but spending her high school years in the US, Yael returned to Israel and entered the army at the age of 18. Her 2 years in the army as a Sar-El madricha (counselor) introduced her to Young Judaea and the opportunities the organization offered. Yael combined her first job at Young Judaea with a BA from Bar Ilan University and slowly progressed her way up the organization. Married to Paul, a Year Course graduate and former FZY movement worker, they have two sons, Matan and Yoav and live in Tzur Hadassah, on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

Ayana Adler, Director of Specialty Programs and Israel Experience, grew up on a Kibbutz in the north of Israel, and was active in No’ar Ha’oved, the socialist youth movement of the Kibbutzim, as a participant and later as a Madricha. Like all native Israelis, she was drafted to the army at 18, serving 2 years as a tour guide and lecturer for English speaking volunteers on Sar-El. In the 1990’s Ayana worked for the Jewish Agency in various roles, both before and during her BA studies in Political Science at Bar Ilan University. In 1999 she joined the Year Course family as the director of the Israel Experience department, creating volunteer opportunities all over the country for Year Course participants. Ayana continued her studies and completed a master’s degree in Political Science from Hebrew University and currently lives with her family in Kibbutz Harel.

Rabbi Rob Kahn, Director of Education, was born in Portland, Oregon. He attended Brandeis University, majoring in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. While finishing Brandeis and proceeding through Rabbinical School, Rob served as the summer director of Camp Solomon Schechter, where he had spent most of his childhood summers. His ordination from The Jewish Theological Seminary comprised of studies at University of Judaism (now AJU), Hebrew University, and JTS in New York. Rabbi Kahn served as Rabbi of Beth El Synagogue in Minneapolis for 16 years. In the summer of 2008, Rabbi Kahn and his family made Aliyah. Rob is married to Camille (they met at summer camp), and has three children Avinoam, Dalya, and Elle. Rob runs all of his Jerusalem errands via mountain bike.

Nirit Zohar- Director of Ulpan (The Hebrew Language Department) Nirit was born in Rehovot, Israel. She began her professional training in 1998 when she entered into her Army Service working with soldiers who had recently made aliyah. She has been working with Young Judaea since 2003 as a Hebrew language instructor and later as Assistant Director of the Hebrew Language program. Nirit coordinated and piloted the Hebrew Ulpan in Bat Yam from its inception, specializing in the development of curriculum for beginner and intermediate levels. Nirit lives in Jerusalem with her husband Ron and their three children.

Aliza Grayevsky, Jerusalem coordinator, was born in Israel and is an 8th generation Jerusalemite. Aliza lived in England for four years with her family while her father was a Shaliach (emissary) in London and she continued the family tradition as a USY Shlicha (emissary) in Chicago for two years. Prior to her time in Chicago she served in the army and then studied photography at the Musrara School in Jerusalem. She was a Youth Director for many years and then attended Magid Institute of Hebrew University to study Group Facilitation. She has been working with Year Course for four years.

Neta Shani, Bat Yam coordinator, was born and raised in Kibbutz Einat near Petach Tikvah in the center of the country, where he still lives today. Amongst his life experiences Neta has worked as a madrich in summer camps in both the United States and Canada. In addition to this, Neta has been employed by Young Judaea to be a madrich on the short term summer programs three times over as many years. This is not Neta’s first experience on Year Course; in 2007-08 Neta was an Israel Experience madrich on Year Course, based in the Petach Tikvah and Ramat Gan areas. Recently graduated with a BA in business management, Neta is married and enjoys a quiet, peaceful and enjoyable life with his wife and dog.

Eli Kuntzman, Arad coordinator, was born in Moscow-Russia and came to Arad, Israel in 1991. Eli studied environmental education at a private school in Sde Boker and traveled after his studies. In 2006 he joined the Army and became a Commander of a combat engineering unit. Eli was a madrich (counselor) on Young Judaea Year Course for 2 years.

Rabbi Yossela Ote, Director of Shalem, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA and moved to Israel with his family at age 5. After graduating from high school, Rabbi Ote joined the IDF in the hesder program and served as a combat soldier in the elite Givati Brigade. Following his army service, he studied towards smicha in the Har Etzion Yeshiva in Alon Shevut and was ordained “Yoreh Yoreh” by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. During this period, he was an instructor and rabbi for 1st and 2nd year Yeshiva students and taught Talmud, Tanach, Mishnah, and secular subjects at a local elementary school. Rabbi Ote studied Biblical Studies and Jewish Philosophy at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and is currently learning Judaic Studies with the Open University. He is deeply passionate about music and composes in his spare time. He lectures around Israel and lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Atira, and five children.

Dr. Avi Rose, Senior Educator, was born in New York and raised in Winnipeg, Canada. A second generation Jewish educator, Avi’s parents and brothers are Rabbis and teachers. Avi holds a Bachelor’s degree in History, a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Toronto. Over the past twenty years he has served as a Jewish educator in Canada and Israel, teaching all age groups in formal and informal settings. In 2002 Avi participated in the Mandel School’s Jerusalem Fellows program, where he developed the concept of an arts-based Zionist Education. Since making aliyah in 2003, Avi has been a member of the Year Course staff and faculty. An author, lecturer and visual artist, Avi has participated in several group exhibitions, including at the Hadassah Art Gallery in November of 2009. He specializes in arts-based education and has been responsible for creating courses related to Jewish Art and Zionist/Hebrew culture. Avi is married to Binyamin, a psychotherapist, and lives in Jerusalem.

Betty Herman, Year Course Social Worker, was born and raised in Montreal, Canada where she was actively involved in the Jewish community and spent her freshman year in the Overseas Program at Hebrew University. She has two Bachelors degrees (Political Science and Social Work) from McGill University and her MSW from Bar Ilan University. Betty has been working with youth at risk and youth with mental health issues for the past 11 years, starting with the Adolescent Clinic at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and then with various shelters, store-front initiatives, and education and treatment centers for youth in New York City, Ahmedabad (India) and Jerusalem. Betty moved to Israel in 2000 and joined Year Course as social worker in 2005. In 2007 she took a one year sabbatical in Canada together with her husband and sons where she worked as the school social worker at a Jewish day school. Since returning to Israel, Betty has resumed her duties as Social Worker with Year Course.

Jill Cohen-Bateman, Year Course Social Worker, was born in Upstate New York and was an active member of Young Judaea, serving on the regional mazkirut during high school. She attended Camp Tel Yehudah in 1976 and 1977; worked at Camp Sprout Lake in 1978 and 1979; and participated on Year Course in 1978-1979. Following Year Course, Jill remained in Israel, received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Hebrew University, and served in the IDF as a social worker. She has served in various social work positions over the past 22 years, including working with special needs children and with new immigrants. Jill recently completed her master’s degree in clinical social work from Hebrew University and has been working as a social worker for Year Course for the past five years.

Ofra Zucker, Olami and Arts track Coordinator, has been working in Young Judaea since 2003. She worked in YC as a madricha (counselor) and rakezet (coordinator). She is finishing her MA in Israeli Art at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem and displaying her paintings in different art exhibitions in the city. Ofra is recently married, lives in Jerusalem and is simply in love with the city.

Camille Kahn, Parent Liaison, grew up in Seattle, Washington, and spent two years studying in Israel on Nativ and The One Year Program at Hebrew University. She spent 16 years in Minneapolis MN, and made aliyah in the summer of 2008. Camille lives with her husband, Rob, and three children in Jerusalem.

Tzippi Goldberg, Parent Liaison, was born and raised in Montreal Canada. She moved to Toronto after university where she studied Psychology and Special Education. Tzippi worked in several Hebrew Day Schools in Toronto and then left teaching to work at Bank Hapoalim Canada. After a Sabbatical year in Israel she returned to Canada and to teaching, working privately with adults and children who have ADD and Learning Disabilities. In 2007 she made Aliyah and made her new home in Jerusalem. She worked with chanichim (students) from Year Course and then became a full-time staff member in 2008 as a Parent Liaison.

Yael Bar Ilan, Specialty Tracks Coordinator, lives in Tel Aviv with her husband Eres and their daughter Tamar. At age seven, Yael picked up her first tennis ball and she has been in love with sports ever since. From tennis to basketball, Yael’s sports repertoire has grown to include everything from table tennis to soccer. Her passion is basketball, and she has been a guard on Ha’Poel Bnei Brit Yaffo (the third level of the Israeli Women’s Basketball League). Yael has been coaching children’s basketball for the past three years. Young Judaea is not new for Yael: she was Rosh Kvutza (guide and group leader) for visiting summer programs to Israel. She combines her hobbies, her sport and tiyulim for her job as Specialty Track Coordinator.

Dee Mack Office Manager – Jerusalem, grew up in Boston, Ma. She came to Israel for the first time as a Year Course participant in 1999-2000. After graduating Year Course, Dee went back to Boston where she gained a BA in Urban Studies and a Masters in Social Work. Dee then came straight back to Israel in 2005. She lives in Maale Adumim with her husband and son.

Erez Krause, Logistics Coordinator in Arad, was born in 1976. He loves hiking, nature and exploring the natural wonders of Israel and the Negev in particular. Between the beautiful views, the caves outside of Arad, natural springs in the area and more, there is always something to explore. Erez also enjoys history and politics.

Orit Segal was born in Jerusalem in 1970. She earned a Master’s degree in Hebrew literature. Orit has been a part of the Young Judaea staff since 1999, teaching Hebrew. In 2005 she was appointed a member of the full time faculty, adding to her teaching repertoire a course on Israeli Cinema. In addition to teaching, Orit is also involved in curriculum development for advanced Hebrew language studies. She is currently the interim Director of the Hebrew Program for Year Course. Orit is married, the mother of three and lives in Jerusalem.

Miri Bar-Ziv Levi was born in Be’er Sheva in 1972. She has been a Hebrew language instructor since 1994 at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and other institutions. Miri directed the Hebrew Language Instruction Department for Young Judaea in the years 2001-2009. In this capacity, Miri spearheaded and implemented the development of instructional materials aimed at beginning and intermediate level Hebrew languages studies. In addition, she developed and taught a course in Israeli Cinema. Miri is currently the coordinator and teacher for the Bat-Yam Ulpan, as well as completing her doctoral studies on the subject of spoken language in Israeli cinema. Miri is married, mother of two and lives in Mevaseret.

Idit Zalevsky was born in 1977 in Jerusalem. Idit holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She has been a Hebrew language instructor since 2002 at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and other institutions. Idit has been with Young Judea since 2006 as a Hebrew language instructor, and participated in composing the intermediate level Hebrew language curriculum. She piloted the Arad Hebrew program and currently serves as its coordinator.

Hi, my name is Natalie Lazaroff. I am 22 years old and I recently graduated from The George Washington University with a double major in American Studies and Judaic Studies. I spent most of this summer studying for the Law School Admissions Test so I am really looking forward to a fun and exciting year in Israel. I am hoping to backpack through India and Thailand next summer before starting graduate school.

Hello all! My name is Justin Jacobs. I grew up around the farmland of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009, where I studied English Writing and Religious Studies. After college, I lived in Atlanta, Indianapolis and back in Pittsburgh, where I worked as a journalist for a bunch of newspapers and music magazines. I love meeting new faces, traveling and live music — I can’t wait to spend this year as a Year Course madrich!

Shalom! My name is Adina Alpert and I am originally from Los Angeles, CA. I just graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, with a BA in Psychology and Hebrew. I spent second semester of my junior year abroad at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. I will be going to graduate school to become a therapist in the United States after spending the year as a Year Course madricha.

Hello! My name is Shawna Dolinka. I am from California and have just graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Global Studies with an emphasis on the Middle East. I spend my Third year of college at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and am looking forward to another great year in Israel.

Hello reader. I’m Jason Roston, a twenty-something Londoner, who just graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Geography degree. FZY has been a central part of my life for over a decade and after Year Course 2011 I will be working towards a teaching degree (in Geography at secondary schools). I’m exited about spending the next 9 months in Israel working to make Year Course a fantastic, rewarding and life changing experience for all of it’s participants.

Hi! my name is Jehudit, I’m from Haifa and i’m 24 years old. I was born in Germany and made Aliya when I was 6 years old. for the past 2 years I’ve been a shlicha for the jewish agency in Netzer Germany and now I’m super excited to be a YC Madricha.

hey, my name is Gali Rabin. i’m 22 years old and i’m from a kibbutz near Natanya. a year ago i was released from the army where i served in the education force in a unit that every week is passing a week of education to soldiers that jest started their army as combat fighters. a month ago i came back from 7 month in south america.

Hi, My name is Hagar Siboni. I was born in Jerusalem and grew up in this amazing city. At school I studied art and photography. I ended my army service s few months ago where I was a Tank instructor. I love diving, travelling, art and country music! I am looking forward to working with young people form abroad and showing them this wonderful country.

Hello, my name is Ortal Mussachy. I was born in Jerusalem and grew up there too. I finished my army service 3 months ago where I was an instructor in armored vehicles. I spent much of my childhood dancing. I love to travel and I am excited to be a part of this great program, here in Israel.