As President of Rashi, François heads the Foundation's advisory board abroad. Following the family tradition of community service, he sits on the board of Alliance Israélite Universelle and is also a board member of the Girsa Alliance School in Geneva. Before retiring from the business world to devote his time to social issues, François specialized in equity markets and in private banking, managing assets and offering family office services.
Shaul Shani is a leading figure in the business and philanthropic communities in Israel, who for over four decades has applied his talents to strengthening the country’s economy and society. Highlights of his business career include his founding and co-founding of highly successful global technology and investment companies.
Michal Cohen served as Director General of the Education Ministry for four years, and earlier filled different roles in the public service, among them the Ministry's Senior Deputy Director and Director of the Pedagogic Administration. During her career, she has led large-scale pedagogic and structural reforms and innovative initiatives.
Michal holds an MA degree in education from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a diploma in Organizational Consultation for Education Systems from Tel Aviv University, as well as MA in Law from Bar Ilan University.
Liron heads the IT Systems department in addition to his role in designing strategy, organization and methods issues. The IT department serves thousands of users at Rashi's headquarters and its eight affiliates and manages dozens of technological projects, including financial management systems, CRM, ECM, BI and more. Liron also leads the activity of TechSoup Israel, an initiative operated by Rashi that makes technology tools affordable and accessible to nonprofit organizations.
Education: BSc in Information Systems Engineering from Ben Gurion University; CIO course at the Technion; graduate of the Digital Leaders national program and other courses in information security and management.
Yael leads the development of initiatives that address pressing social needs, focusing in particular on nationwide initiatives in collaboration between the government and philanthropy that are based on agile design of models intended to become state-funded public services.
Professional experience: Yael worked with special-needs and at-risk populations in different settings, including a hostel for autistic people, a community home for the mentally retarded and a rape crisis center, which she directed. She joined Rashi to manage the initiative for treating sexually abused children and later headed the Foundation's evaluation department.
Education: BA in International Relations and MA in Gender Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Omri is responsible for evaluation and measurement of Rashi's programs, along with applied research that supports the activity as a whole, including the efforts to advance policy change. The R&D department also works to disseminate the knowledge gained by Rashi and its partners, and to develop new initiatives in cooperation with the Programs Department.
Professional experience: Omri served as the director of content and training at Maoz, where he developed the content and the educational framework of the organization's fellows programs in the fields of health, education, local authorities and cross-sector leadership. Previously, as VP of the Reut Institute, he led multiple-team task forces focused on issues such as: inclusive growth, competitiveness, regional development, and labor market reform.
Education: BA in Economics and History and an MA in History (with honors) from Tel-Aviv University.
Tal heads Rashi's Partnerships Department, developing and overseeing strategic partnerships with dozens of partners - social organizations, Jewish federations and foundations in Israel and abroad, as well as business companies, who co-invest with Rashi in initiatives to drive social mobility.
Professional experience: Tal has been engaged for over 20 years in managing and developing social organizations and initiatives, in both the public and nonprofit sectors. She was executive director of UnitED, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry of Education and philanthropic partners whose goal is to strengthen Jewish education around the world. Previously Tal served as deputy director of the Secular Yeshiva Bina, which aims to advance pluralistic Judaism and social activism. She was an education Shlicha (emissary) in JNF-USA, and worked as prosecutor at the District Attorney’s Office in Tel Aviv.
Education: BA in Law and Business Administration, MA in Jewish Studies.
Following the development of a city-based investment strategy for Rashi's City at the Center initiative, Erez continues working to initiate and advance solutions to social mobility challenges in Israel.
Professional experience: Erez has been active for over 20 years as a social entrepreneur, working in collaboration with government agencies, cities, philanthropies, business companies and NGOs. He developed an entrepreneurship skills training model and was founder and CEO of the Rothschild Ambassadors young leadership program; a lecturer and consultant in social entrepreneurship, strategy and community development; and VP of the ISEF Foundation.
Nathanael leads the development of Rashi's city-based strategy, which aims to strengthen local authorities' social structures and capacity for self-management by providing professional guidance in key fields with a direct impact on the residents’ access to opportunities.
Professional experience: Nathanael has filled various senior positions in local government, among them acting mayor and deputy mayor in charge of education in Nazareth Illit; he also worked as project manager at Maoz, where he led the development of the municipal leadership pipeline program "Makom" in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior.
Education: BA in Business Administration, LLB and MA in Government from IDC Herzliya; leadership training programs such as "Rothschild Ambassadors", Rabin Leadership Program and the Preparatory Program for Public Leadership.
In her work with policy makers, Shir leads the activity to draft position papers and innovative, data-based recommendations; raise awareness and shape public discourse on social issues; and support the efforts of groups and individuals to advance social policy aimed at increasing mobility and equal opportunity.
Professional experience: Shir has been active in the social arena for more than 20 years. She headed the nonprofit associations Meuravut (“involvement”) and One in Nine, as well as the Forum of Child Development Units and Forum of Young Adults Employment Organizations. Shir also accompanied dozens of citizen groups and professionals pushing for equity in social policy.
Education: BA in Political Science and Communication and MA in Nonprofit Management from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Sarit is responsible for building the overall marketing strategy for Rashi, as well as for specific projects and programs that are part of its core activity and mission of driving social mobility in Israel. In addition, she leads the positioning of the Rashi Network and the efforts to affect public awareness and opinion regarding social issues through a range of media channels.
Professional experience: Sarit has worked as spokesperson at the Israel Bar Association and as a legislative assistant at the Knesset, gaining experience in strategic marketing consulting, PR and digital marketing.
Education: BA in Political Science and Communication from Bar Ilan University and MA in Communication and Political Science – International Relations; a diploma in public diplomacy and courses in various MarCom fields – PPC, community management and more.
The Legal Department Tali heads supports the Foundation activity with services that include advising the management on legal issues and drafting various agreements, contracts, MOUs and so on with different parties, among them government ministries, municipalities, partners in Israel and abroad, suppliers and service providers.
Professional experience: After working as a lawyer in the private sector, Tali joined the legal team of Rashi where she provided varied legal services to head office departments.
Education: Tali is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Faculty of Law.
As head of the Finance Department, Dasi is responsible for managing the consolidated budget of the Rashi Network, as well as for the financial aspects of Foundation programs and projects, including budget planning and control, reporting to partners, and payments to suppliers and service providers.
Professional experience: Dasi worked in several CPA firms where she was engaged in auditing and editing financial statements for companies, contractors and nonprofits, and ongoing communication with clients about accounting and tax issues. Before becoming head of the Finance Department she worked as accountant in charge of Rashi's capital projects and affiliate associations.
Education: BA in Accounting and Information Systems, as well as a teaching diploma.
The Capital Projects Department Eyal manages specializes in projects that serve to provide social services and operate education and welfare programs. The department oversees each project from planning to handover, including legal advice, budget supervision and contacts with donors, regulatory bodies and so on.
Professional experience: Eyal worked for over 20 years in the IDF on construction and infrastructure projects. During this period he was directly responsible for implementation of large-scale capital projects and also filled senior managerial positions.
Education: BSc degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Tel Aviv University and MBA from Bar-Ilan University.
Zehava is responsible for recruiting new staff, defining terms of employment, and advancing employees' rights, welfare and professional development. She also works to develop infrastructure and processes in the field of human resources that will answer the needs of both the organization and the staff in a long-term view.
Professional experience: Zehava filled different roles in the education system, among them a teacher and teachers' coach, and senior advisor to the Director General of the Education Ministry. She managed the professional development of the Ministry' head office staff and took part in the labor agreement negotiations with the teachers' unions.
Education: BA in Education and humanistic education studies for administration teams.
As part of his job, Yaniv is responsible for the day-to-day operation of Rashi's main office, including management of property and equipping of facilities for education and welfare programming, as well as assisting the affiliate associations in purchasing and streamlining processes.
Professional experience: Yaniv worked in the Ministry of Defense, where he filled various positions involving procurement and logistics.
Education: BA in Business Management and MBA with specialization in business strategy from the Ono Academic College.
Heading the development of early childhood initiatives, Rotem leads the implementation of Rashi’s strategy in this field, which focuses on policy change and design of integrative models that relate to all areas of life of young children.
Professional experience: Rotem has worked for many years in developing and managing services for children at risk, specializing in early childhood. She was responsible for leading change processes and complex projects in a multi-disciplinary environment, in collaboration between government agencies, municipalities and philanthropic partners, and filled key positions in JDC-Ashalim and in the National Program for Children and Youth at Risk.
Education: BA and MA degrees in social work from Ben Gurion University
