Our Story

Ido Mahatzri is a seasoned executive who has contributed to the growth and development of one of Israel’s most innovative and impactful educational programs – TALMA. Having grown up in Ashkelon, Ido understands the challenges of Israel’s periphery, and focuses on ways to strengthen underserved populations and integrate them within the workforce. His track record in Israel and abroad touches on a range of spheres, from education, to employment, to creating opportunities, to connecting young professionals in the diaspora to Israel and its people.

As CEO and Executive Director, Ido manages TALMA’s overall operations to ensure the organization’s continued growth and success. He leads a team of 10+ and oversees organizational strategy, development, communications, and other departments. Ido’s prior role as TALMA’s Chief of Staff for four years gave him valuable insights into every facet of the organization, and he is honored to lead TALMA into the future.

Before joining TALMA, Ido served as a Jewish Agency Regional Manager in their Jerusalem headquarters, where he implemented an organizational development process, led training seminars and events, and cultivated and established strategic partnerships with various stakeholders. As part of his work with the Jewish Agency, Ido was also an Israel Fellow at Rutgers University for two years, where he served the university as well as several Jewish communities in the area.

As part of his own social responsibility, Ido is a member of JDC Entwine, which aims to connect with and between Jewish communities across the globe. He took part in the first groundbreaking missions to the UAE and Morocco.

Ido served as a Qualifications Coordinator for the Israel Defense Forces’ Tactics Division. He holds an MA in Public Policy (EMPP) from Tel Aviv University, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the College of Management in Rishon LeZion.

Rotem joined TALMA with a diverse background spanning project management, international travel coordination, and government service. Her experience navigating complex logistics and providing high-level support across various sectors brings a unique perspective to her role. 

She was born in Ra’anana, where she also lives today with her husband. As a child Rotem lived abroad with her family in various European countries, and studied in international schools. Rotem holds a B.A in Government, Diplomacy and Strategy, and a M.A in Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution, both awarded Cum Laude. She served as a Boot Camp Officer and as a Commanding Officer in Bahad 1, IDF’s Officer’s School, and is a Major currently in active reserve duty as an Operations Officer in a combat brigade’s fire and maneuver control center.

In her free time, Rotem enjoys travelling, baking and spending time with her family.

Shay serves as TALMA’s domestic Deputy Director, cultivating and managing relationships with Israeli municipalities, new partners, and stakeholders. If you are looking to bring TALMA to your municipality, or if your education department, business, or government agency wishes to launch English courses or teacher training program for English teachers, email Shay. 

Before joining TALMA, Shay served as the leadership program manager at the Berl Katzenelson Center, and before this role, he was the parliamentary advisor to the leader of the opposition, M.K. Issac Herzog, and as a legislation advisor to the opposition. He has held a variety of positions in the nonprofit sector, including Head of Government Relations for Shatil (NIF) and CEO of Israeli Wedding – an organization aimed at promoting civil marriage in Israel.

Shay has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, and a graduate degree in Law from Bar Ilan University. He and his family made aliyah in 1990 from the USSR.

As TALMA’s Deputy Director abroad, T’helah spearheads recruitment and onboarding efforts for the organization’s fellowship programs, and oversees the international participants of the TALMS Summer Fellowship. She is also heavily involved with operations, communication, and grant reporting for the organization. If you’re an educator looking to teach and learn in Israel, or a school administrator looking for engaging and cost-effective professional development for staff, email T’helah. 

T’helah is a TALMA veteran, having served as a Summer Fellow in Jerusalem, a pioneering Full Year Fellow in the Negev, a Summer Pedagogy Coach, and a curriculum writer with the Pedagogy Team. She has over a decade of teaching and coaching experience, including with Hebrew Public, and is enthusiastic about language learning, education, and all things Hebrew language-related.

T’helah has an MA in Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language, an MS in Early Childhood Services, and a BA in African & African-American Studies. She lives in Charlotte, NC, and spends her free time out & about with friends and family, baking, engaging in community service, and learning new skills. T’helah also serves on her Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council, where she co-chairs the Israel & Global Jewry Committee; is a leader in the Charlotte Black/Jewish Alliance; and is a 2024-25 Zioness Zahav Fellow.

Olga Rivkin was born in Russia and made aliyah to Israel in 1999. Olga holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics and Management, as well as CPA licensure.  Olga brings a wealth of knowledge from her work at NGOs in the financial management sector.

Prior to joining the TALMA team in 2021, Olga served as a lead accountant for the prestigious Shalom Hartman Institute. She also serves as CFO of the Haruv Institute. At her job, she was responsible for preparing the financial statements of both the Israeli and North American branches of the company.

Olga has significant experience in preparing and managing organizational budgets, cash flow and payroll. In previous roles, she was responsible for government and donor grants, including financial reporting. She has extensive knowledge of Israeli law in the areas of payroll and NGOs. She is excited to bring her knowledge and expertise to the TALMA team and its important work in the realm of education.

As the Director of the Pedagogy Team, Etelle leads the development of the organization’s English pedagogy strategy, setting national teaching standards and creating programs to enhance the perception of English in Israel. She also oversees Talma’s professional team, implements evaluation systems to measure the impact of various programs, and supports Talma’s role as a national leader in the field.

Etelle was born in Hong Kong, and as a child made aliyah with her family to Jerusalem, where she also lives today with her husband and children.

She holds a B.A. in History and Education and an M.A. in Medieval History, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She acquired her teaching certificates in History and English from Kerem Institute and David Yellin College of Education, respectively. While studying for her degrees, she volunteered in NGOs dealing with underprivileged sectors, such as at-risk teens in youth homes, trafficking survivors and young adults who left their ultra-orthodox communities. During her master’s degree, she was a fellow in an ERC research group, working with an international group of historians who sought to understand how marginalized groups lived their everyday lives in medieval Europe. 

Before joining TALMA, and over the past five years, Etelle has been a founding team member of the Tevel School in Jerusalem, a middle- and high-school whose mission is to provide personalized learning environments for each child. She was a homeroom teacher, taught History and English, and coordinated programs for gifted and excellent students. 

Having grown up in an ultra-orthodox community in Israel as a child, and from her experiences in the educational and academic fields, she has gained an understanding for the marked inequalities within Israel’s fragmented school systems. Now, she seeks to do her part to provide Israeli students and adults the empowering learning experience she believes they all need and deserve.

As Director of Curriculum Design and Teacher Development, Stacey manages all TALMA Plus initiatives, develops curricula and programming for TALMA’s teacher training programs and English courses, and continues to serve as a lead- and in-demand instructor.

Stacey is a longtime member of the TALMA community. She began as a Summer Fellow in 2015 and again in 2016. She returned in 2017, this time to pioneer the first cohort of the TALMA Full Year Fellowship in Mitzpe Ramon (together with our Deputy Director T’helah Ben-Dan).

At the completion of a memorable year in the Negev, Stacey made the bold decision not to return to her home in New York, but to join yet another new TALMA initiative – Morim Olim: teachers making aliyah. As a new citizen of Israel, Stacey chose TALMA’s partner city of Ashkelon as her new home, and with the support of TALMA and Nefesh B’Nefesh, she threw herself into immersing into her new home.

As a new olah, Stacey joined TALMA as the lead instructor of a business English course for Haredi women. As demand grew, she taught multiple courses, and in 2020 she became a full-time TALMA team member, co-leading TALMA’s Pedagogy Team.

Leila is an experienced international educator who began her career teaching in Baltimore City Public Schools. After this, Leila served in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua as an English Teacher Trainer. Before joining TALMA, Leila worked as a teacher and administrator at a bilingual school in Costa Rica. 

Leila was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She first traveled to Israel on a Taglit Birthright trip in 2014. Her connection to Israel deepened when she served as a TALMA Summer Fellow in Ashkelon in 2021. 

Leila became part of the TALMA family permanently after her summer experience in 2021 as the Alumni Engagement Manager. In this role, she engages alumni of TALMA’s Summer and Full Year Fellowship programs by managing all alumni events, alumni partnership programs, and alumni communications.

In 2023, Leila joined the Pedagogy Team as the Pedagogy Coordinator. In this role she writes curriculum, conducts teacher observations and feedback sessions, leads professional development, coordinates pedagogy projects, and is involved in recruiting, interviewing and hiring for the Full Year Fellowship.

As Partnerships Manager, Adi Daniel works to expand the organization’s network of partners, forge new connections, and increase visibility among young professionals in North America. In this role, she is focused on strengthening the bridge between TALMA’s work in Israel and Jewish communities abroad. Adi and her family currently live in Westchester, NY, for their second shlichut; prior to this move, Adi served as TALMA’s Full Year Director for three years. 

Originally from Kfar Vradim, Adi served as a commander in an education unit in the IDF—a role that deeply influenced her commitment to education and mentorship. She holds a BA in Behavioral Sciences with a specialization in Sociology and an MA in Art Therapy. Adi is passionate about art as a medium for expressing emotions and leads group facilitation sessions to help others process their thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental space.

Adi brings extensive experience in informal education and youth mentoring. She firmly believes that education is the foundation of a better society and is dedicated to guiding and inspiring young people. She strives to live by the values she hopes to instill in her own children: empathy, responsibility, and meaningful engagement with community.

Before joining TALMA, Adi and her family spent two years in Los Angeles for their first shlichut to the U.S. as Jewish Agency emissaries. During that time, she served as the Shinshinim Program Director in Southern California. Her experience working with the Jewish community abroad gave her a deeper appreciation for the strong and vital connection between Israel and the global Jewish diaspora.

In her free time, Adi loves spending time with her family—including her three kids, Alma, Ofri, and Goni—traveling, doing arts and crafts, and nurturing her growing collection of plants as a proud plant mom.

Mai has been involved in education and social work for the majority of her career. In the military, she served as an educational coordinator dealing with ethical issues in Israeli society, and then later joined Israel Hofsheet, a nonprofit organization striving for a culturally and religiously pluralistic Israeli society.

Mai studied Economics and Political Science at Ben Gurion University. She then moved to Washington, DC, where she served as the Israel Program Director of Hillel at The George Washington University. After several years in the private sector, Mai returned to Israel and joined TALMA. In her free time, Mai finds joy and peace in hiking with friends,  reading, practicing aerial yoga, and spending time with family.

Daniel has spent his career at the intersection of education, technology, and social impact. He has led web dev teams, taught English teacher in Israel’s public schools, developed curriculum, and built AI tools. At TALMA, Daniel leads the development of both internal and external-facing tools.

Daniel holds a Teaching Degree from Teach First Israel (Hotam), an MA in Pluralistic Jewish Education from Hebrew University and a BFA in Jazz Guitar from the University of the Arts. He lives in the Jerusalem area with his wife and three kids.

Maayan Vidal was born and raised in Ramla, a diverse and dynamic city where she formed meaningful connections with people from various cultural and social backgrounds. She is married to Avner, and together they have three children and a small, lovable dog.

Eight years ago, Maayan and her family moved to Mazkeret Batya, where they have embraced the community’s warmth and charm. Despite the move, she remains committed to giving back to her hometown of Ramla by volunteering at a school for children with disabilities, a cause she holds dear.

Professionally, Maayan has always sought opportunities to make a meaningful impact. In her previous role as a Welfare Manager, she worked to enhance the well-being and quality of life for a wide range of individuals. Currently, she serves as the Office Manager at TALMA, a national program dedicated to promoting English excellence in Israel’s public education system. In this capacity, Maayan ensures the organization’s efficient operations, supporting its mission of empowering educators and fostering student success.

Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Maayan enjoys a rich family life filled with shared passions for music, travel, cooking, and hosting. She and her family love exploring both Israel and the world, creating cherished memories around the table with friends and loved ones.

For over five years, Ruthi has been a vital part of TALMA’s extended team, managing calendars, coordinating meetings, calls, and travel, and taking on a wide range of tasks that free up staff to focus on what truly matters. Though she works remotely and is not officially employed by TALMA, she is proud to be considered part of the TALMA family and deeply values her connection to the team.

A longtime resident of Mitzpe Ramon and mother of three amazing children, Ruthi brings over a decade of managerial experience in the hospitality industry to her current role at “Midbar 19,” a company that provides remote personal assistant and client management services to business professionals. Her professionalism, dedication, and warmth make her an essential part of the support system that helps keep TALMA running smoothly.

Shani was born and raised in Kibbutz Manara and currently lives in Beit Yitzhak with her husband, Hatzav, and their two children, Doron and Maayan.
Shani is an educator and community development professional with over 15 years of experience in educational and social initiatives, with a focus on youth and young adults.
In her current role at TALMA, Shani leads partnerships with Israeli government ministries and social impact organizations.
In her previous role, Shani led the youth division at the Hof Hefer branch of the Emek Hefer Regional Council, where she directed community-based educational programs for children and teens across seven settlements.
Shani has held leadership roles in major national and international programs, including with BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change and Diller Teen Fellows, where she designed and facilitated training programs, led international seminars, and empowered both staff and participants to grow as changemakers.
She holds a B.A. and a teaching credential in Informal Education and Jewish Studies from Oranim College of Education.
She is deeply committed to developing young leadership, strengthening communities, and promoting the values of partnership, pluralism, and Jewish peoplehood.

Sivan Oved is an experienced educator with a deep commitment to social impact and language learning. Born and raised in Sderot, she began her career as an English teacher and social education coordinator in the local high school, where she developed a passion for empowering youth through education. She currently lives with her family in Kibbutz Ruhama in the Negev, continuing her work in educational leadership and community engagement. 

As Full Year Director, Sivan oversees TALMA’s Full Year Fellowship communities, which span the country. In her role, she supports Full Year Fellows with their personal and professional development as they integrate into the Israeli education system, and learn to navigate their new school and community. Sivan also works closely with TALMA’s partner schools, municipalities, and community partners to ensure the program’s success.

Sivan also served as an emissary in Las Vegas, where she spent two years working with Hillel at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), building meaningful connections and fostering Jewish identity among students.

She is a firm believer in the power of education—and in English as a second language—as a critical tool for breaking barriers and enabling individuals from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential.

Jennifer Hoyzman is a veteran educator and teacher trainer with over three decades of experience in the field of English language education. Originally from Miami, Florida, she made aliyah 28 years ago and has since dedicated herself to advancing English education in Israel.

She holds a BA in English Literature and an MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and has taught a wide range of learners—from elementary school children to adult professionals—in both the United States and Israel. Her deep understanding of language acquisition, combined with her warm and engaging teaching style, has made her a beloved teacher among students and a respected mentor among colleagues.

In addition, she is a pedagogical advisor at Achva Academic College, where she works closely with student teachers, guiding and supporting them as they develop their teaching identities and classroom skills. She is known for her ability to model best practices in English language instruction and to inspire new educators through practical advice and thoughtful reflection. She is particularly passionate about integrating technology in the classroom, promoting student-centered learning, and fostering a growth mindset in both students and teachers.

She lives in Israel with her husband, Meir, their three children, and her cherished grandchildren.
Jennifer’s love for teaching is matched only by her love for family.
Her personal teaching motto—“Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm!”

Yael Massas is an English teacher at TALMA, bringing over a decade of experience as an English teacher and coordinator in elementary education in Ashkelon. With a Master’s degree in Educational Management, she combines strong pedagogical knowledge with leadership and organizational skills.

Born and raised in Ashkelon, Yael also spent seven years living by the Sea of Galilee, where two of her four children were born. Nine years ago, she returned to Ashkelon, where she continues to raise her family while pursuing her professional passion for teaching and empowering students.

In her current role at TALMA, Yael is also responsible for supporting and coordinating fellows working across the southern region. This position allows her to extend her impact beyond the classroom by mentoring colleagues, fostering collaboration, and ensuring high-quality educational experiences for students in diverse communities.

Throughout her career, Yael has been dedicated to creating engaging, inclusive, and supportive learning environments. Believing in the power of education to open doors and build confidence, she strives to make the English language accessible and meaningful for all learners. Her work is guided by a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed.