Our team
Ofer Dahan – Executive Director
Ofer Dahan has worked in various frameworks to bring tens of thousands of immigrants and refugees from many countries and regions of distress to Israel. Ofer established and managed the Israel Centre in South Africa, continuing the marketing system at the Jewish Agency's Aliyah and absorption department. He was the director of the 2010-2011 Ethiopian immigrant campaign from Gondar and also found and brought hundreds of high school students from around the world to study in Israel.
Prof. Rachel Dekel – Academic Head
Prof. Rachel Dekel, professor at the Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work at Bar-Ilan University, and former head of the school, serves as the Academic Head of the International School. She is the winner of the I-CORE: Israeli Centers of Research Excellence, in the area of mass trauma. Rachel is world-renowned, known for her research on the effects of traumatic events on family relations. Currently, she is the Director of the Family Trauma Clinic at Bar-Ilan University that provides training and conjoint intervention for couples in which one of them suffers from post trauma symptoms.
Merav Gilad – Director International Student Services & Affairs
Merav Gilad joined the International School from The Center for Designated Programs at Bar-Ilan University. She serves as the Director of International Student Services and Affairs, making sure that all students receive the support and service needed.
Dafi Kremer – Director of Marketing & Recruitment
Dafi has been a partner in setting up social projects in Israel and around the world .Dafi has held a series of positions in organizations working for Jewish society in Israel and in the Diaspora, such as: Bnei Akiva, the Jewish Agency, the Beit Midrash for Women in Johannesburg and many more. She has initiated, produced and edited a series of books that combine a sociological and aesthetic view of Jewish society. Initiated and managed a variety of unique projects promoting the disadvantaged . Dafi is married to Shay, is mother of five children,and lives in Kibbutz Rosh Tzurim Why the Bar Ilan University International School? Because it is the hallmark of the academic excellence offered by the State of Israel and a mosaic of cultures from all over the world.
Daniel Schuval – Director Academic Partnerships and Projects, Erasmus+ ICM Coordinator
Daniel has been an integral member of the International School at Bar-Ilan University since before the school was officially formed. Today, Daniel heads up international relations and partnerships with universities in the EU and around the globe. He initiates and provides support for the formal establishment of academic partnerships, projects, and programs with foreign institutions and relevant organizations or institutes. Daniel also represents the university at relevant international conferences, forums, and government meetings related to internationalization.
Yael Toledano – Director Academic Visits
Yael joined the Bar-Ilan University team after many years of professional activity with olim chadashim and other immigrants to Israel. Yael herself immigrated to Israel from France, studied for her BA in Jerusalem, and has a master's degree in public policy from Tel Aviv University. Until September 2018, Yael founded and managed an immigration network from Western Europe and created innovative models for absorption, education, and employment in Israel. Currently, she is responsible for academic visits between Bar-Ilan University and foreign institutions.
Dalia Harats – Deputy Director of Marketing and Recruitment
Dalia Harats was born in Switzerland and made Aliyah just after high school. Dalia has a BA in business administration and marketing. After working at the Europe Desk in the Global Resource Development Operations Department at Bar-Ilan University, Dalia joined the International School team. Currently, Dalia is responsible for marketing and recruitment of international students from all over the world.Schedule a personal zoom meeting with Dalia under
Information Services for potential students
Ayelet Gerling – Coordinator International School
Alyta Pitaru – Director of Administration for IX gap year program
Mrs. Alyta Pitaru, Director of Administration, was born in Petach Tikva Israel, raised in an English speaking household by parents who emigrated from England. She did her national service as a Coordinator of a Bnei Akiva branch in Moshav Netzer Hazahi in Gush Katif. She attended Bar Ilan University earning a BA in Land of Israel Studies and Jewish History. Alyta has been the director of administration for overseas students at Bar Ilan University since 1997.
Eldad Shetrit – Social Media Manager
Born in Haifa, Eldad lived in Minnesota as a young child. Eldad continued his “American connection” by attending Ramah Wisconsin every summer until joining the army as a sniper in Golani. His BA (social sciences) and MA (political communication) are from Bar-Ilan University. Eldad has worked as a writer for the Knesset, and in advertising agencies He is also a bilingual stand-up comedian.
Hava Barak-Yochalis – Coordinator of students exchange and short term programs
Hava Barak-Yochalis joined the International School from The Service and Recruitment Center at Bar-Ilan University, after diverse roles in the university. Her BA (Logistics and economic) and MA (management) are from Bar-Ilan University. She serves as the coordinator of students exchange and short term programs.Schedule a personal zoom meeting with Hava under
Students Exchange Services
Ahlam Ibrahim – Advanced Degrees and Scholarships Coordinator
Ahlam has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and Latin studies and a master’s degree in English literature and education from the Hebrew University. Before joining the Bar-Ilan University team, she has worked at NYU Tel-Aviv and the Israeli Center for Excellence through Education. Ahlam is the coordinator for advanced degrees and scholarships.
Ronit Gershtain – Admissions of Bachelor’s degree programs
With undergraduate degree in Communication & English from the Hebrew university, Ronit has worked in several positions at purchasing and marketing of professional trade fairs, as well as a Special needs English teacher for several years. Ronit is currently responsible for all international & Olim Chadashim undergraduate application process.Schedule a personal zoom meeting with Ronit under
Admissions | Bachelor’s Degree Program Services
Tal Koor- Coordinator Visa & Dorms
Tal Koor began working at the International School in 2020 as an international student coordinator in the visa and dormitory areas. Tal replaces Adi Levi Perach during her maternity leave. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology and Criminology. Tal would be happy to assist any international student regarding the issuing of student visas or housing matters for foreign students at Bar-Ilan University.Schedule a personal zoom meeting with Tal under
Visas/Health Insurance, Admissions | Graduate Degree Programs, IRS, FAFSA, Services
Zvi Swissa – Student’s Academic Advisor
An avid reader and a fervent Eurovision fan, Zvi is an MA student in the department of history at Bar-Ilan University, writing his thesis on early modern England. At the International School Zvi is in charge of the multifaceted academic aspects of the international students, especially those who study one of the school's special international programs. Zvi is your go-to person for academics and beyond.Schedule a personal zoom meeting with Zvi under
Matriculating Students’ Services
Devorah Haber – Coordinator of Student Affairs & Well-being
Devorah Haber Devorah (Debi) grew up in São Paulo,Brazil and moved to Israel four years ago. Devorah is currently finishing her degree in Political Science and Sociology, and prior to that she attended the Mechina Program at BIU. Prior to this position, Devorah worked within our Marketing and is involved with student recruitment in Latin America. She is currently responsible for students affairs and well-being, as well as cultural activities and events programming for the international students.
Dr. Dorith Raviv Shay – Representative at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Dorith Raviv Shay is a lab manager at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine at Bar Ilan University and serves as the BIU International representative at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, located in the north of Israel. She has been working with International graduate students for the past 5 years, and joined the International School after having identified the needs of international PhD students in the faculty. Dorith holds a PhD in Molecular Genetics and lives in the north of Israel with her family. Currently Dorith is involved in all aspects of International students in the northern faculty, from recruitment to graduation.
Shira Gafni – Global Engagement, West Coast and North America Head
Shira joins Bar-Ilan University with vast experience in global marketing and business development from the fields of higher education, high-tech and healthcare. She has held key functions within higher education in the US, involving the marketing and recruitment of graduate programs and in the establishing and developing of institutional partnerships towards online programs. In her capacities in high-tech and healthcare, she led marketing and business development teams focused on global initiatives. Shira holds a BSc in business marketing from Arizona State University and an MSc In business management from Boston University.
Rabbi Ari Kahn – Director IX Gap year Program – International School
Rabbi Ari Kahn is the Director of Foreign Student Programs at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, where he also is a senior lecturer in Jewish studies. Rabbi Kahn received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University, where he studied with Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik. He also holds a BA in psychology and an MS in Talmud.Rabbi Kahn is a renowned speaker, and has lectured worldwide. Having authored hundreds of articles on the weekly parsha with a readership in excess of 10,000, Rabbi Kahn is also the author of “Explorations,” an in-depth analysis of the weekly Torah reading, “Emanations,” an in-depth analysis of the Jewish holidays, and “Echoes of Eden,” a projected 5-volume set of parsha analysis. Rabbi Kahn combines the mystical explorations of kabbala and chassidism with a highly-intellectual and broad-minded approach to Torah study, incorporating psychology, literature and Jewish history into his observations as well. He has lived in Israel since 1984 with his wife Naomi and 5 children.
Anabella Jaroslavsky – Educational Programs Coordinator in Central America for the World Zionist Organization
Anabella is currently the coordinating of educational programs in Central America for the World Zionist Organization. She Is also the President of the Latin American Department of the Maccabi World Union (Israel), Former Executive Director of Hebraica Jewish Community Center in Caracas-Venezuela. (1993-2018) Former Director of CLAM (Latin American Maccabi Confederation) (2008-2015) Director of Hatzad Hasheni Public Diplomacy Institution since 2010 She is an Organizational consultant for Jewish communities, dedicated to the design, management, development, and fundraising for educational and socio-cultural projects. Specialist in the training of teams of volunteers and professionals.Schedule a ZOOM meeting
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