TEAM
A social entrepreneur, TEMA is the third venture Yifat founded and leads. In the past, she founded and managed two NGO's for the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion: 'Oliim Beyahad' for employment equality for Israelis of Ethiopian descent, and 'Co-Impact' - which led to a breakthrough in Arab employment. Yifat served as a senior strategic advisor to the President of Israel on issues of society and government (2022-2023). YIfat is a lawyer with a bachelor's degree in law from Tel Aviv University, a master's degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School and was a Wexner Fellow.
She has extensive expertise and experience in leading complex initiatives for social change and creating partnerships between the public, business and civil society sectors. Before joining Tema in 2021, she was VP of Shitofim and led the organization's strategic development using a collective impact approach. Previously, she was CEO of the Tirat Carmel Community Foundation, and during a period in the US, she worked in strategic consulting and applied research for social organizations and philanthropic foundations in California. A graduate of the Maoz Fellows Program, she holds an MA in Political Science from the Hebrew University and an MPP from the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley.
Researcher specializing in the utilization of research towards social change, with vast experience in resource development. Yael holds a Ph.D in religious studies from Duke University, along with previous degrees in cultural studies, philosophy and East Asian studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University. In her previous position she was a consultant for resource development in Serboro, Kedem, Erlich, and worked with many Israeli NGOs. Joined Tema to establish the research and knolwedge development efforts, as well as resource develpment at the initative.
Social entrepreneur and expert in managing systemic change processes and creating bridges between communities. As Chief of Staff of the Director General of the Ministry of Information in the Prime Minister's Office and as Director of Strategic Partnerships in the Future Education Network, she led groundbreaking moves in the field of shared society and the integration of ultra-Orthodox society. Graduated with a master's degree in public policy (with honors) from the Hebrew University, a graduate of the "Maoz" program and the Mendel Institute for Leadership. Liat is the first female member of the Haredi religious council, works to promote women in senior positions in the public sector and in Haredi society.
Noa has a master's degree in management and conflict resolution and mediation from Tel Aviv University and a bachelor's degree in Middle Eastern studies and Arabic from Ben-Gurion University. She has a background in resource development in the third sector, including three years as a resource development manager at the Co-Impact organization. Noa works to promote meaningful relationships and positive social change.
An expert in marketing, storytelling and strategy, Neta has a vast experience in marketing management positions - including VP of Marketing for the Headstart Group, Marketing Manager for LATET, OSEM, and more. She has a bachelor's degree in communications and an MBA in business administration with honors from Ben Gurion University. Neta also founded and managed social and business communities in various fields.
Dana Shakked brings to Thema over twenty years of experience leading social initiatives, resource development, cross-sector partnerships, and public communication. She specializes in designing and guiding complex processes that promote social justice, equity, and civic participation, with a focus on bridging between communities and identities. Before joining Thema, Dana served as a senior executive at Ma'ase, where she led strategic partnerships with philanthropic, governmental, and business entities, and managed the organization’s marketing, communications, and fundraising events. In previous roles, she worked with organizations such as Kav LaOved, SHATIL, and Kivunim, advancing workers' rights, local economic development, civil service inclusion, and gender equity. She has also been involved in educational, cultural, and social initiatives — including Hefetz Ma'avar, an emotional-artistic project created in response to the October 7th attack, as well as content development promoting open conversations around sexuality. Dana holds a Master’s degree in Social Leadership from Ben-Gurion University (in partnership with the Mandel Foundation), an MA in Chinese Studies from SOAS University of London, and a BA in East Asian Studies from Tel Aviv University. She is fluent in Hebrew and English.
Lives at the intersection of Mizrahi-traditionism (Masorti-Mizrachi), academic research and ideas, and public action in the civil society sphere. Holds a research MA from the Melton Centre for Jewish Education and a BA in Political Science and Education from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Alongside leading TEMA's leadership network, she manages the SHOVER SHIVION organization and initiatives for healing the political-social polarization in Israel. Previously served as Head of Beit Midrash MABUA-Tel Aviv and Partnerships Manager, and co-founder of the Israeli-Judaism Coalition of Tel Aviv-Jaffa.
BOARD
Born in Tel Aviv in 1960. Mother of Raya and grandmother. Clinical social worker, family therapist, lecturer, and group facilitator. I live in the settlement of Kochav HaShachar, where I was fortunate to be among its founders about 45 years ago. I grew up in the religious youth movement Bnei Akiva, and from there, I learned to sow seeds of love for the Jewish people. About twenty years ago, we lost our eldest son, Yitzhaki, an outstanding pilot in the Israeli Air Force. After his passing, we chose to have two more sons, to show ourselves and our children that we choose life. About nine years ago, our son Malachi was murdered in a shooting attack – and it was then that I decided to give birth to a project in his light and memory, focusing on connecting the Jewish people. This was an important issue for Malachi, and it became the core of my motivation. Today, I am working in this field through various nonprofits, giving lectures, and engaging in activities on the topic as much as possible.
Safa Aburabia is Program Director for Arab Community at Yad Hanadiv – the Rothschild Foundation. She holds a PhD from Ben-Gurion University. She was a postdoctoral fellow in Anthropology at Harvard University from 2016 to 2018. Her primary areas of expertise are Anthropology and gender; feminist discourse in the Arab and Islamic world; and oral history, with a focus on Bedouin collective memory and documenting silenced voices. At the Mandel Centre for Leadership in the Negev, Safa developed and delivered leadership training, working with mayors and heads of local councils, and senior officials in the civil, public and business sectors, while also teaching part-time at Tel Aviv University, Ben-Gurion University and Sapir College. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2019
Rabbi, researcher and a lecturer, active in the field of spiritual and rabbinical leadership in Israel, who serves as the community Rabbi of Tzur Hadassah. He is also the head of Yad Harav Nissim, a research and community institution in Jerusalem that promotes Jewish spiritual leadership, focusing on moderation and agreement-building in controversial topics within Israeli society and the Jewish World. Ben David holds a PhD in Law from Bar Ilan University and lectures on Hebrew Law at Raichman University. He lives in Tzur Hadassah with his wife and four children, where he takes an active role in local initiatives that promote understanding and neighborly relations between Jews and Palestinians in the area.
A qualified attorney, born and residing in Nazareth. She currently serves as the CEO of the Nazareth Association for Culture and Tourism, an organization committed to advancing economic and social development in Arab society through initiatives in culture, tourism, and innovation. Her previous public roles include serving as a parliamentary advisor to Member of Knesset Sami Abu Shehadeh, as well as Director of Strategic Marketing and Partnerships at Co-Impact—an initiative promoting equitable integration and fair representation of Arab citizens in Israel’s private sector.
Zaki Diab is the head of a law office specializing in insurance litigation that has been ranked among the top of insurance litigation law firms in Israel. Holds a Bachelor of Law degree (L.L.B) and a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a Masters in Law (L.L.M) and a certificate in public policy from the Wharton School of business, both from UPENN, USA. Adv. Diab is teaching a course about management of insurance claims in Tel Aviv University and courses about business law in different academic institutions. Adv. Diab has been involved in the activity of several social organizations and serves as a board member in Tema
a long-time venture capitalist and social entrepreneur in Israel. He co-founded Veritas Venture Partners (1990), Tmura – The Israeli Public Service Venture Fund (2002). To help create a Palestinian start-up ecosystem, Yadin co-founded Sadara Ventures (2011), The Palestinian Internship Program (PIP) (2014), and The Palestinian Mentorship Program (PMP) (2020). Yadin received his B.A. from Princeton, M.A. from Harvard, and J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Law Review.
A psychotherapist and peace activist, Ariella has years of experience in facilitating dialogue and bridging between people from diverse identities, and in specific between religious right-wing women and secular women. ariella was one of the founders of WWP, right wing women settelers, also served at the steering committee of Women Wage Peace, in which she also initiated the diversity team, as well as an active member and moderator in Siach Shalom (Talking Peace).
Businessman and entrepreneur, the founder and president of SK group, as well as the CEO of SK Engineering & Projects. Previously he served as a senior partner in several companies, such as Dalia Energies Power Station, Hiram Epsilon, and Sugat Power Station. Together with a pioneering group of investors, Samir participated in the initiation and construction of power plants that generate electricity using natural gas.
Imad spent much of his business career in management positions at Delta Galil, including serving as CEO. He’s committed to empowering and advancing the Arab community in Israel. In 2008 he founded Babcom Centers. Seventy percent of its workforce is from the Arab sector, 80 percent are women. In 2014, he co-founded Takwin Labs, an investment fund for Arab entrepreneurs. In 2010, The Marker magazine chose him as one of 101 influencers who benefit Israeli society and its economy. Harvard Business School built a case study on Babcom, as a model of a multicultural business.
Barak Loozon is the CEO of the Israeli office of the Jewish Federation of San Francisco, managing its philanthropic fund in Israel, grant allocations to civil society organizations, and impact investments in small businesses. He also serves as a senior advisor to President Isaac Herzog and his team, focusing on social and political polarization in Israel. Passionate about bridging ideological divides, he believes that diverse perspectives can serve as the best foundation for Israel’s next chapter
Ariel is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Inter-Disciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel, and Founder and Chairman of the Israel Center on Addiction. Israel-born and Singapore-bred, he had a prior career in the financial world, serving as Executive Director of an Asian multi-billion-dollar private investment fund.
An authority on the psychological roots of intergroup conflicts. He is a full professor in the Faculty of Psychology at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and head and founder of aChord: Social Psychology for Social Change. Much of his work is focused on the role of emotions in determining public opinion toward peace and equality, and the development of social-psychological interventions. Eran has published more than 130 academic papers and three books. He’s a frequent lecturer on the worldwide stage.
clinical psychologist and artist. Born in Uruguay, she immigrated to Israel in 1973. With her husband, she founded the Arkin Family Foundation, which supports projects and organizations in the fields of education, art and culture, welfare, health, civil rights and Arab-Jewish coexistence.
