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Mark Avrakh
(2002, Russia/Israel), Government (International), Dean’s List
Mark was born and raised in St. Petersburg, where he studied in a Russian-Israeli school. After completing high school, he studied at the Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg, specializing in Arabic language and culture. Amid deteriorating conditions back home, Mark moved to Israel and enrolled in Reichman University (RU), where he is a member of the Debate Club and represented RU in the international competition (EUDC) in Zagreb. He also participates in the Ambassadors and Model UN Clubs and interns at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT). In his free time, Mark enjoys the company of friends, historical documentaries and taking walks in the warm Israeli weather. Upon graduation, Mark aspires to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). His ultimate dream is to play an instrumental role in enhancing the lives of all Israelis, nurturing the hope of fostering more harmonious relations within the country and beyond.
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Ofek Balisha
(1994, Israel) Psychology and Life Sciences
Ofek grew up in Ramat Yishai in northern Israel. After high school, he spent a gap year volunteering at the "Neradim" Youth Village for children at risk. In the IDF, Ofek served as a combat soldier and a commander in the "Palsar 7" unit of the Armored Corps. He then returned to "Neradim" to work as an educator and carried out several projects in Israel and Germany. He also spearheaded the "Derech Eretz" project, a transformative journey dedicated to fostering a deep sense of connection to Israel among the youth of the Jezreel Valley. Ofek writes and composes music and plays a variety of instruments, including guitar, piano and drums. At RU, he leads the "GreenBiz" Club and plays on the university's volleyball team. In the future, he aims to pursue graduate education in the fields of sustainability, entrepreneurship and geopolitics. Ultimately, he strives to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between Arab countries and Israel, fostering collaboration in the domains of sustainability and green energy exchange.
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Rivka-Sally Bayna
(1996, Israel), Government (International)
Sally was born in Ethiopia and grew up in Jerusalem. As a member of the Bnei Akiva youth movement, she participated in community-oriented public service projects. She learned to play violin and piano at the Adam School of Music. Sally has a passion for languages and, in addition to her native Hebrew and Amharic, is fluent in English and Spanish. During her six-year IDF service, she served as a company commander in the Heavy Equipment Engineering unit, reaching the rank of captain. She continues to serve in the IDF reserves in the domestic Search and Rescue unit. At RU, Sally has represented her track in the Student Union and interned at ACT.IL, an online community combating antisemitism. In her free time, she enjoys reading, solving puzzles, cooking and drinking coffee. Sally aspires to pursue a master's degree in international relations, propelling her towards a career combating antisemitism and human trafficking, and working tirelessly to bridge societal gaps within Israel.
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Roee Friedman
(1999, Israel) Computer Science and Entrepreneurship
Roee grew up in Haifa and studied at the Hebrew Reali School, where he chaired the student association. He is a pianist and professional karate competitor who won 10 national titles and was ranked 1st in Europe. After being drafted into the IAF pilot’s course, Roee served in a special unit called “Zick.” He has represented Israel in multiple delegations including a special one to India where he met with ministers and governors. At RU, he has participated in the Entrepreneurship School’s honors program and hackathons (some of which he won) and represented his faculty in a delegation to Canada as an SRF scholar. He also co-founded 'Clipaw' in Milab, which helps families develop healthy feeding habits for their dogs. Roee has extensive experience in real estate investments and is currently a software engineer and founder of a new social program at RU. He dreams of becoming a successful impact entrepreneur and sees it as a mission.
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Leah Genie
(1998, Israel), Government (International)
Leah, originally from Gonder, Ethiopia, relocated to Kiryat Malachi as a child. After serving as the president of her city's student council, she went on a transformative journey as a Jewish Agency young emissary in Tucson, Arizona. In the IDF, she served as a basic training commander with Garin Nahal. After her military service, Leah dedicated herself to working with at-risk teens, actively contributing to the development of her hometown and closing educational gaps in underserved communities. At RU, she participates in the "Israel At Heart" program, joined the RU delegation to Poland, completed the StandWithUs Fellowship and participated in a delegation to the Apartheid Week in South Africa. Currently, Leah manages her own business specializing in traditional Ethiopian braiding while also working at a diabetes-focused medical center. With her background in leadership, community development and cultural preservation, she is committed to making a positive impact in her community and beyond.
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Natanya Granof
(1998, United States/Israel), Government (International)
Natanya grew up in Chicago, playing an active role in her local Jewish community and forming a strong connection with both Judaism and Israel. At the age of 18, she moved to Israel and was drafted to the Israeli Air Force (IAF), serving as an information security officer for four years, working with foreign armies, officials and companies, coordinating and navigating partnerships. Having witnessed the impact that diplomacy exerts in the everyday world, she decided to pursue a government degree. At RU, she has participated in Model UN, the Shadow Government program and volunteered with "Yotzim LeShinuy." As an intern, she is currently helping to bring celebrities and social media influencers to Israel in an attempt to raise awareness and combat anti-semitism on social media. In the future, Natanya aspires to work to strengthen the ties between the Diaspora and Israeli Jewish communities, in an attempt to foster a deeper understanding, connection and productive partnerships between the two.
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Denis Karlinskiy
(1995, Israel), Economics and Entrepreneurship
Denis was born in Ukraine and moved to Kfar Saba as a child. He played basketball for a decade and was greatly influenced by the values portrayed in the film "Coach Carter." Denis enlisted in the navy officers’ course but, due to an injury, concluded his service at the HR division at the level of an officer. After his service, he went on a journey to the East where he discovered Buddhism, practiced Vipassana and acquired tools to be the change he wishes to see in the world. Denis spent a year managing a locksmith business in Australia, but his heart always belonged to Israel so he returned in order to influence the future of Israeli society. At RU, Denis participates in the Economic School’s honors program and manages the Behavioral Economics Club. He participated in the TAMID Consulting Club while directing an insurance company professionally. He aims to study for a master's degree abroad and aspires to work in the private strategic sector, contributing to Israel's worldwide policy.
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Neta Meir
(1999, Israel), Communications
Neta was born and raised in Jerusalem, where she served as a mentor in the Scouts movement. At age 11, Neta started a social media page @worldwideballet which is today’s biggest dance community on Instagram with 800k+ organic following. At age 16, inspired by her passion for dance, she opened her dancewear business. Neta uses her digital community as a platform to share her pride in her Israeli heritage. She sees her community as a bridge for connection, and actively seeks to use her influence for good. Her endeavors include establishing donation projects with dance-related non-profit organizations in developing countries. After high school, she spent a gap year in a boarding school in Kfar Saba for youth at risk. In the IDF, she served as a psychotechnical evaluator and commander. Today, Neta serves as a certified Pilates teacher as well as a social media manager. She aspires to pursue a masters degree abroad and to continue to combine her passions for business, entrepreneurship and diplomacy in the future.
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Eden Michaeli
(1997, Israel), Sustainability and Government
Eden grew up in Hod HaSharon. She spent a gap year in the pre-military program “Minesharim Kalu” in Maagan Michael. Her belief in doing good and creating a positive impact on the world inspires her decisions. In the IDF, Eden served as a combat fitness officer at the Orde Wingate training base, and in the Golani Brigade training base, in professional command positions. After her service, she was a mentor in a pre-military program, where she established a youth leadership development program. At RU, Eden participated in the Sustainability School’s honors program and joined the Impact and Emerging Markets Clubs. Currently, she works in the field of green and innovative construction as a collaborations manager at the BuildUP Center for Green Construction. Eden aspires to a master's degree abroad, aiming to acquire more global experience and knowledge. She plans a career combining her passions for sustainability, education and international development, aiming to create a global impact in those fields.
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Noam Mor
(1997, Israel), Law and Government
Noam was born and raised in Netanya. He has over eight years of experience as an intelligence analyst in the Israeli Navy, the research department of the Intelligence Military Directorate and in the Prime Minister's Office, during which time he received several certificates of excellence and awards. Noam's passion for public affairs and national security led him to intern at the Israeli Mission to the UN in New York. At RU, he is a member of the Law School honors program. He also participates in the annual mock trial, the White Collar Crimes Practicum, the Committee for the Eradication of Racism in Israeli Society, as well as the Venture Capital and Negotiation Clubs. In his spare time, he likes to play soccer, tennis and chess. After an internship in the corporate & securities department at one of Israel’s leading law firms, Noam aspires to take part in expanding the Abraham Accords and promoting the peace cycle as a consultant in the political, security and strategic fields, and to represent Israel in the global arena.
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El-ly Namatinia
(2000, Israel) Economics and Business Administration (International), Dean’s List
El-ly was born in Israel, until an adventurous path led her family to relocate to India, China and Thailand. Growing up in culturally rich and diverse communities fostered El-ly’s global perspective and passion for discovery. At the age of 18, El-ly moved to Israel, where she served as an Armored Corps instructor in the IDF. At RU, El-ly is a dean’s list student. She is currently the co-president of the Women’s Investment Group Israel initiative, where she facilitates lectures aimed at educating female students on financial literacy and independence. In the future, El-ly aspires to cultivate her passion for education in order to pursue a career in academia.
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Tamar Kahanoff Osherovitz
(1998, Israel), Government and Sustainability
Tamar was born in Israel and grew up in various countries including New Zealand, Taiwan and Japan, where she graduated from high school. Living in Asia contributed to her growing fascination with Asia’s diversity and cultures and its place in the global arena. At 18, she returned to Israel on her own and served for three and a half years as an operations room worker and training officer in two IAF squadrons. During her service, she received several certificates of excellence. At RU, she participated at the IDChina Club, the Sorelle Club and interned at the Abba Eban Institute for International Diplomacy at the Asia Policy Program. Currently, Tamar works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Asia and the Pacific Division. In her free time, Tamar loves playing tennis. She aspires to pursue a career in diplomacy with an emphasis on improving and strengthening Israel's relations with Asia.
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Tomer Rayfer
(1994, Israel), Law and Business
Tomer grew up in Kiryat Bialik. His childhood was primarily dedicated to professional cycling, and he won the title of Israel’s national champion three years in a row. At the age of 17, Tomer was selected to be part of a professional Dutch cycling team, leading him to relocate to the Netherlands for several months. In the IDF, he served for eight years as a combat officer in the Nahal Brigade and then as a security agent for the Chief of the General Staff, where he is a captain and an active reservist. At RU, he took part in the Youth Representation Legal Clinic and served as an operations coordinator for RU legal clinics. He also participated in the White Collar Crime Practicum in the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office, the annual Poland delegation, the Students Success project and the “Mevo’ot Mishpat” Association. He currently works at the Ministry of National Security and as a legal research assistant. Tomer aspires to study for a legal master's degree abroad and to be influential in the diplomatic legal sector at the UN.
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Roi Safran
(1997, Israel) Computer Science and Entrepreneurship
Roi grew up in Ra'anana. He played professional basketball his whole life and won two national championships with his team, in addition to representing Israel in the world championship for high schools. Roi served for 5 years as an officer in the IDF “Moran” Artillery Corps unit. He served as a team commander, commander of the unit's officers course, and as a deputy company commander. At RU, Roi was on the management team of the Entrepreneurship Club’s TECH-TALK program and also was part of the management team of the Hack-RU event. In addition, Roi took part in a student exchange program at Dalhousie University (Canada), representing the Entrepreneurship School. In his free time, he enjoys playing bass guitar and listening to music and podcasts. Roi aspires to play a meaningful role in the fields of entrepreneurship and technology and to lead processes that will have a significant impact on the community and society.
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Daniella Shamir
(1999, Israel/Hungary) Government (International)
Daniella was born in Israel, and during her youth moved with her family to Hungary and the United States. Having spent her high school years in California, she felt a strong sense of connection to her Israeli roots and decided to return to Israel, participating in the “Tavor” pre-military program prior to enlisting in the IDF. During her service, Daniella was a military boarding school instructor, teaching future IDF officers. Her commitment to education and advocacy led her to work as a guide at the Yitzhak Rabin Center. She currently works for a high tech company. In her first year at RU, Daniella participated in Model United Nations (MUN) Club, attending the first Israeli-student delegation to Morocco. In her second year, she dedicated herself to supporting first-year students as a counselor and actively engaged in the RU’s Women's Club. Daniella's unwavering commitment to social issues fuels her ambitions to lead a women's rights NGO, envisioning a future where equality and empowerment prevail.
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Sonya Shapirovska
(2000, Ukraine/Israel), Government (International)
Sonya, originally from Ukraine, immigrated to Israel at 15 and quickly integrated into the local society. She completed high school at Walworth Barbour American International School and joined the IDF as a social worker for lone soldiers. At RU, she has participated in the Tamid Consulting Club, FoodTech and Investment Club. She interned at Vault AI, ICT and ACT.IL. Sonya was also a first year counselor, helping new students adjust to university life. Alongside her academic pursuits, she has actively played tennis her entire life, participating in international tournaments and showcasing her skills on a global stage. With fluency in Russian, Ukrainian, Hebrew and English, Sonya possesses language skills that allow her to communicate effectively in different environments. In the future, she plans to pursue a master's degree in diplomacy to contribute to international relations, leveraging her diverse experiences and commitment to service
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Noya Shelkovitz
(1997, Israel), Law and Government (M.A.)
Noya was born and raised in Givatayim. In high school, she volunteered in the “Krembo Wings” Movement, mentoring a teenager on the autism spectrum. In the IDF, Noya served as the executive assistant and office manager of the Military Advocate General. Upon her discharge, she served at the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. as the executive assistant to the Israeli Missile Defense Organization Attaché, in charge of all logistics for a transatlantic series of tests of the "Arrow 3" air defense system involving over 1000 participants. Noya currently serves as the personal assistant to the CEO of Champion Motors. At RU, she takes part in the Legal Clinic for Startups, the German- Israeli exchange legal seminar and the Credit Points program, which involves joint study of law courses with prisoners. Noya is also the secretary-general of the RU Student Union. She aspires to a master’s degree abroad and to continue her efforts to fill a meaningful role for Israel, while representing the country in the global arena.
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Or Shoshani
(1999, Israel), Government
Or was born and raised in Tel Aviv. During his teenage years, he had a passion for art and theater, performing in various theaters and honing his acting and public speaking abilities. In the IDF Education Corps, he started as an information soldier, editing a newspaper that delivered educational content to all IDF units, which sparked his interest in current affairs, communications and diplomacy. Advancing to become a military producer, he organized significant events, including the 71st Independence Day of Israel. Alongside his studies at RU, Or interned at Knesset committees and served as the head of the PR marketing team and spokesman for the annual Democracy Day Conference. He also participated in the Real Estate and Investment Clubs. Today, Or works as an independent producer for international conferences and events. Or aspires to positively influence and enhance Israel's global image, leveraging his leadership abilities and patriotism for impactful diplomatic endeavors.
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Yuval Yaeli Slonim
(1998, Israel), Government
Yuval was born and raised in Hod Hasharon. In the IDF, she served as a non-commissioned education officer (NCO) in the "Moran" Artillery Corps unit and as a commander and sergeant in the Education Corps NCO course. After her service, Yuval started alternative medicine studies at Reidman College and opened her own business in the health and well-being sector. Following several security incidents in Israel, Yuval decided to change her direction and study government. At RU, she participated in the annual Poland delegation, the Committee for the Elimination of Racism and volunteered in the "Tezmach" Association. In the RU Student Union, she served as head of the marketing and social media departments. She also interned at a strategic communication company. In her free time,Yuval likes to exercise, cook, bake, spend time with family and friends and travel. She aspires to serve Israel in the international arena, specifically in the field of improving Israel's image around the world.
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Mike Snyder
(1996, United States/Israel), Government (International)
Mike, a native of suburban Philadelphia, was influenced by his Jewish summer camp experiences to move to Israel after high school. He volunteered on Kibbutz Ein Hashofet and then worked at an Israeli startup. As a lone soldier in the IDF, he served in the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion and contributed to the establishment of the multi-dimensional Unit 888 "Refaim." While an NCO, he developed an innovative first-generation operational drone. At RU, he participated in the Model United Nations (MUN) Club, taking part in the first-ever Israeli student delegation to Morocco. As vice president, he led delegates to a competition in Munster, Germany. An avid runner, Mike completed his first marathon in Tel Aviv. He values volunteer work, weekly distributing food to those in need through the “Nitzav Refael” Organization. Mike currently works at a startup and aims to gain knowledge in business before transitioning into politics to advocate for Israel internationally.
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Ido Tamir
(1995,Israel), Law and Government (M.A.)
Ido was born in Jerusalem, and moved between Israel and the United States as the son of a diplomat. Prior to enlisting, he attended the pre-military gap year program "Minesharim Kalu" at Kibbutz Maagan Michael. In the IDF, he served for 5 years in various operational and command officer positions in the "Maglan" commando unit. After his service, Ido traveled to South America, where he volunteered for “Heroes for Life,” an organization which enables Israeli backpackers to engage in humanitarian service. In his free time, Ido enjoys sports, music, investments and making travel plans. At RU, Ido participated in the StandWithUs Fellowship and the International Criminal Humanitarian Law Clinic. He accompanied students as a financial advisor in the F1RST program and participated in the Dusseldorf Seminar at Heinrich Heine University. After interning in a commercial law firm, he plans to apply the Jewish mitzvah of "Tikkun Olam" by advising startups promoting a more sustainable environment.
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Ian Yechiel Woodbridge
(1995, United Kingdom/Israel), Business and Entrepreneurship (International)
Ian was born in England and moved to Israel with his mother and sister when he was 14 years old. In high school, he was exposed to the hardships and complexities of living in Israel which ignited a passion within him to be a part of the solution. After leaving the IDF, Ian began to work in a real estate start up in the United States, where he learned how the power of business can effect change and make a difference. While working internationally, he was involved in Israel advocacy through organizations like the ZOA. After finding success at a medical startup in Israel, Ian chose to study business and entrepreneurship at RU, where he balances his free time between work and community building in Herzliya. He aspires to improve life in Israel through innovation and collaboration between the government and the private sector.
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Maya Zadik
(2000, United States/Israel) Economics and Business Administration (International)
Maya was born and raised in the greater Chicago area in the United States. In high school, she completed two internships and volunteered at a local Hebrew school. Maya moved to Israel at the age of 18 in order to serve in the IDF, where she completed a fulfilling two-year service as an artillery instructor. At RU, Maya was a member and now leads the Investment Group Israel’s fundamentals track to educate and empower students in their financial literacy and independence. In her free time, Maya enjoys traveling, hiking, photography and striking up conversations with strangers. She aspires to broaden public economic and financial education and further societal benefit by way of private sector operations.