The people behind the success

Gideon Shafer

The chairman of the coalition

The Chairman of the Israeli Coalition for Trauma, Colonel (Ret.) Gideon Shafer, served in the Air Force and assisted in the establishment of the National Security Headquarters as part of his role as Deputy Chairman of the National Security Council, and served as Acting Chairman of the National Security Council.

Talia Lebanon

CEO

Ms. Levanon directs all of ITC’s initiatives by building collaborative partnerships that form the foundation of sustainable support for trauma victims both in Israel and abroad. Beginning her career in the IDF as an officer working with bereaved families and wounded soldiers, she then supervised social workers in private practice and worked in the Israeli National Insurance Institute for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Trauma Widows and Widowers. Talia holds an MSW in clinical social work from Bar Ilan University in addition to a degree in Integrative Psychotherapy from Hebrew University. She is fluent in English, French and Hebrew.

Tal Rosin

Content and partnerships manager

Retired colonel, 26 years of service, including 20 years of experience in frontline command in the field of emergency preparedness and assessments - individual, family, community, local authorities and government offices. Has a bachelor's degree in administration and public policy and a master's degree in administration - specializing in political marketing.

Vered Amitzi

Content and research developer

Vared manages national projects and is a content expert in the areas of personal and community resilience and disaster preparedness. Vared manages national projects and is a content expert in the areas of personal and community resilience and disaster preparedness. Graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree (MSW) in clinical social work from the universities of Haifa and Jerusalem respectively, CBT training for trauma treatment from the Israeli Psychotrauma Treatment Center, EMDR training from the Soldier Center in Clarksville, Tennessee, and a master's degree in emergency and disaster management from Tel Aviv University. Previously worked in settings for children and youth as well as humanitarian aid and international community development. In the reserves, she serves as a mental health officer in the national rescue and rescue unit.

Amir Raisman

North Region Manager

Amir brings over 20 years of experience in organizational development to the ITC. He worked as an officer in the Home Front Command in population behavior management. In addition, Amir worked with MAHUT Israel as an organizational consultant for emergency preparedness and serves as a Home Front Command Officer for Civil Society behavior. Amir is currently pursuing doctoral work in resilience at Tel Aviv University, where he also earned his MA in Organizational Behavior.

Carolina Abergel

Central Region Manager

Carolina holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and human resources. Served 23 years in the Home Front Command, specializing in assessments and emergency management in local authorities. A member of Kibbutz Givat Brenner, married and mother of three daughters.

Max Goldenberg

Director of International Training Projects

Max joined ITC in 2016, following completion of numerous positions in the Israel Home Front Command. Comes from a background in population preparedness and with experience in cooperation with international partners in this field and in humanitarian assistance. Max holds an MA degree in emergency management from the University of Haifa, Israel.

Gila Ben Shitrit

Financial Director

Ms. Ben Shitrit has been in the field of financial management since 1995, joining ITC in 2011. She is responsible for managing the ITC’s budget, HR and accounts receiveable and payable. Ms. Ben Shitrit received her degree in tax advisory from Michlelet Yerushalayim and is currently pursuing continuing education in the field of finance at Michlelet Tamal.

Dikla Mizrahi

Finance and Projects Coordinator

Dikla is responsible for overseeing and coordinating projects, preparation and reviewing of quarterly finance reports and confirmation of programs reports. Prior to her joining the ITC in 2009, she was an administrative content manager for the Michael Method - an educational project for developing personal skills. She has a BA in social studies with a specialization in Criminology from Bar Ilan University. Dikla is fluent in Hebrew English and Arabic.

Coral Sayrov

Bookkeeper

Coral Sayrov is the Account Manager for the Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC) responsible for the liaison between suppliers and cross-functional internal teams to ensure the timely and successful delivery of our solutions and needs. Before joining ITC, she enjoyed extensive experience as an accountant in several leading companies, including Shafir, Deborah Harris Agency and others. Coral is married and a mother to Daniel and Loren. In her spare time, Coral loves to run, hike and spend time with her family.

Omer Agozi

Resource Development Manager

Mr. Egozi is responsible for ITC’s development and execution of long-term strategic plans to ensure ongoing financial support. He joined the ITC in 2009 after nearly seven years at the Global Forum Foundation where he developed new models for post conflict peace building in third world countries. In addition, Mr. Egozi served under Mr. Shimon Peres, Ms. Zipi Livni and Mr. Roni Milo as a senior projects coordinator in the Ministry for Regional Cooperation. He holds an M.A in Islam and Middle East Studies from the Hebrew University and is fluent in Hebrew, English, Arabic and Italian.

Debra salons

International relations manager

As the ITC’s Director of International Relations since 2006, Debra is responsible for donor relations and strategic development. Born in the United Kingdom and raised "Down Under," Debra has a B.A and L.L.B. Before finding her true calling in the non-profit sector, she worked for several years as an attorney in both public and private practice, including at the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over the years, Debra has worked closely with many leading non-profit organizations including the JDC, Variety, and the Jerusalem Foundation where she worked with former mayor Teddy Kollack z"l on special fundraising projects. Additionally, Debra is on the board of multiple non-profit organizations and is active in the field of formal and informal education. Debra is married and the mother of three.

Karin Kavitka

Manager of South Region Resilience Centers

Kirin is a mother of two. Has a bachelor's degree in community social work and a master's degree in consulting and organizational development. She served in the Home Front Command in a variety of roles related to accompanying and preparing the local authorities for emergencies. She speaks Hebrew, English and Spanish. Karin is responsible for managing seven resilience centers in the south. As part of her role, she is responsible for accompanying the managers in the day-to-day management of the centers, budgets, content development and work between organizations.

Ibrahim El Atauna

Director of the Bedouin Society Resilience Center

Ibrahim is an educational psychologist and graduate of couple's family psychotherapy. He is a graduate of multiple courses in the field of trauma and resilience building. Married and father of three children. Areas of Practice: Trauma Treatment and Building Individual and Group Resilience. Lecturer and team leader in the above fields.

Nadav Peretz

Director of the Shaar HaNegev Resilience Center

Director of the Resilience Center M.A. Sha'ar Hanegev. Married, and father of 3. Social worker, M.A. in administration and public policy, Ben Gurion University. 15 years of experience in combining education and treatment for community action in the field of resilience and dealing with crisis situations. Has a lot of experience in the public sector and the third sector in the areas of consulting and accompaniment for community processes, construction and establishment of a community center and organizational processes for emergency preparedness.

Brazilian halo

Director of the Sderot Resilience Center

Director of the Sderot Resilience Center, organizational consultant, lecturer and group facilitator. Optimistic, loves people and has a proactive approach to life. Believes in man's ability to bring about change and grow even out of difficulty. Mother of 4 sons, lives in Moshav Gani Tal

Daphne Schnergs

Director of Ashkelon Resilience Center

Dafna Shengras, 45, mother of three, resident of Ashkelon. Holds a master's degree in rehabilitative social work from the University of Haifa and will soon complete her CBT certificate studies. Established and managed a community center in a Jewish-Arab neighborhood in the city of Haifa under the Leo-Baeck Community Center. She then managed the 'Fellows' program for rehabilitation and integration of people with mental disabilities in the community in the southern region. Specialization in various courses: facilitation of conflict groups, community building and student guidance.

Sarit Ziv

Director of the Amn Resilience Center

Married and mother of 4 children. Sarit Ziv joined the team of the Israeli Trauma Coalition in 2010, managed the regional training center in the south, managed the 'Community Leadership in an Emergency' program and in 2022 led, together with the coalition, the establishment of the Hosen Hosen Aman center (West Negev region - Ofakim, Merhavim, Nativot and Bnei Shimon) which she manages. Sarit brings with her a deep familiarity with the needs of the residents in South. Before joining the Israel Coalition for Trauma team, Sarit managed the youth services in Sderot, and she holds a master's degree in public administration from Sapir College.

Sarit Saad

Director of the Eshkol Resilience Center

Married to Ido and mother of 4 sons. Lives in Moshav Yad in the Eshkol Regional Council. Sarit has a bachelor's degree in social work and has been managing the Resilience Center since 2022. Sarit worked as an attorney in Eshkol's social services department for about 7 years during which she gained extensive experience in the field of emergency preparedness and preparedness.

Ronen Zafarir

Director of the Ashkelon Beach Resilience Center

Resilience developer for communities and organizations - management and development of resources, risks and crisis situations, For managers, and multi-professional teams, for business and public organizations. Promotes resilience development programs Personal and community for youth and adults. Managed the Special Education High School and the "Beit Hanar" - the Youth Sponsorship Authority for 7 years, CEO of Makwa Israel 2006-2020. Lifeguard, teacher, group leader, organizational consultant. B.E.D, M.A – Public Policy. Lecturer in youth care at risk, and in the field treatment plan.

Frankel spring

Director of the Sdot Negev Resilience Center

Jasmine Shaked

Manager of Yosh Area Resilience Centers

Bachelor's degree specializing in community social work, Master's degree in clinical psychology specializing in trauma and loss treatment. Regional director of Yosh Resilience Centers.

Michal Ben Shalom

Director of the Gush Etzion Resilience Center

Hana Jacobson

Director of the Hosan Binyamin Center

Hades their spirit

Director of the Shumron Resilience Center

Social Worker MSW Specialization in the field of trauma and crisis intervention Participation in emergency missions around the world Facilitator of workshops and lecturer on resilience and emergency, director of the Shomron Resilience Center

Hodia Mairowitz

Director of the Hosan Yehuda Center