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.
David Dunetz is in charge of the Sustainability and Education initiative at the Heschel Center. Founder and former Director of the Green Schools Network, he teaches at the Kibbutz Teachers College and is a PhD candidate at Haifa University on Environmental and Sustainability Education in Israel.
Yoav Donyets is Director of the Green Schools Network. During his time at JDC-Israel, Yoav managed programs for mayors and senior civil servants. He holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Political Science, Geography and Environmental Development from Ben Gurion University.
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.
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.
Dr. Shahar Dolev is director of the Center for Sustainability Studies external program with Tel Aviv University. He is also 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.
Lloyd Dreilinger is a volunteer, working in the Resource Development area. He was a tax attorney in the United States for many years prior to making Aliya in 2008.
Edna Poliva is the Heschel Center’s Office Manager. Edna is in charge of human resources and coordinates special projects.
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.
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.
Rami Livni, is the Research Coordinator for Shahrit - Heschels fledging think tank on building a sustainable society for Israel.
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.
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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