Team || About || Israel Center

About Us

5 February 2012 / 12 Shevat 5772

The OU Israel Center Team

Yisrael Goren | Founder and Director of Makom Balev, NCSY in Israel

Yisrael Goren is an experienced educator and tour guide. After joining the OU in 2001, Yisrael founded, and is currently the director of, Makom Balev/NCSY, a program for youth in Israeli development towns.

Refael Even Denan | Director of Programs

Rafi joined the OU in 1997 as Director of Programs. Among his many contributions, he created the Zula and Mashiv HaRuach.

Rabbi Avi Berman | Executive Director

Rabbi Avi Berman is a successful educator and administrator whose mission is to improve the lives of the Jewish People in Israel.

Phil Chernofsky | Educational Director

Phil took on the role of educational director at the Israel Center shortly after his aliyah in 1981. He produces OU Israel’s popular weekly Torah publication, Torah Tidbits, and broadcasts the weekly radio show, Torah Tidbits Audio.

Netanel Siman Tov | Program Director - Lev Yehudi Yisraeli

CEO of "Lev Yehudi", organization of Jewish and Torah empowerment in Gush Dan.

Menachem Persoff | Director of Programs, OU Israel Free Spirit Birthright

Menachem Persoff is a seasoned educator, writer, and editor whose training and teaching roles have taken him around the world.

David J. Katz | Chief Financial Officer

David graduated Summa Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He holds a C.P.A. in both the United States and Israel and has 25 years of experience in finance and management.

Chaim Pelzner | Director of Youth Programs - Oraita, Camp Dror

Chaim holds an M.A. in Educational Administration from Bar Ilan University. From Kharkov in the Ukraine to youth programs in Israel, Chaim brings extensive experience to his position as Director of Youth programs.

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What We Do

OU Israel reaches out to Jews throughout Israel to embrace, support and inspire. We bolster those in need and encourage Jews across the spectrum of religious observance to invigorate their commitment to Jewish heritage and homeland.

Our efforts cover a broad spectrum. We work with Israeli youth to instill a sense of pride, purpose and commitment to the Jewish People and the Land of Israel. Within secular native-Israel communities we spread awareness and renewed understanding of Jewish heritage. And we provide a spiritual and social outlet for Anglo olim in order to encourage and facilitate aliyah.

About The Programs

Our programs aim to create Jewish environments which welcome and accept each individual. The programs continuously evolve with the spiritual and physical needs of the people we work with.

News

Women's Mission to Israel

OU Israel is proud to present a fabulous Women’s Mission to Israel

Radio show hosted by Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Rabbi Avi Berman and Yisroel Goren.

Radio show hosted by Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Rabbi Avi Berman and Yisroel Goren. Listen to an inspiring discussion regarding important issues that affect today’s youth living in Israel. (In Hebrew)
http://www.ouisrael.org/audio/detail/radio-show-hosted-by-rabbi-shmuel-eliyahu-rabbi-avi-berman-and-yisroel-gore/

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