Rabbi Eli Menaged
Executive Director
Originally from North Miami Beach, Rabbi Menaged attended Hillel High School and studied political science at the University of Florida. Rabbi Menaged learned at Midrash Sephardi in the Old City of Jerusalem, and received rabbinical ordination from Hacham Gidon Ben-Moshe. He also received an advanced rabbinic degree from Yeshivat Mikdash Melech in Brooklyn. Rabbi Menaged was Rabbi of Congregation Beth-El of Flatbush in the Syrian community of Brooklyn, before making aliyah with his family in 2011 to join Israel XP.
Email: RabbiMenaged@israelxp.com
Meir Balofsky
Chief Experience Officer
Meir Balofsky has been Experiential Education Director at Israel XP since the program’s inception. He is originally from Toronto where he studied at York University in History and Education. After teaching for several years in local day schools made Aliyah with his family in 2004. Meir has a passion for both formal education in the classroom and learning through hands-on experiences on trips.
Email: balofsky@israelxp.com
Natalie Menaged
Chief Operating Officer
Natalie oversees recruitment, admissions, PR, HR, and strategic planning for Israel XP. Natalie also teaches Principles of Management and Principles of Marketing at Bar-Ilan University. Natalie has a BA in political science and religion from the University of Florida, an MBA and a doctorate in business administration from Touro University, and studied at She'arim seminary in Jerusalem. Natalie was formerly the National Director at Hasbara Fellowships, a branch of Aish HaTorah dedicated to educating, training and inspiring students to stand up for Israel on university campuses.Most importantly, Natalie is mother to five energetic children who love Israel XP students!
Email: nmenaged@israelxp.com
Rabbi Adam Siegel
Chief Financial Officer
Rabbi Adam Siegel, Israel XP Chief Financial Officer, has extensive and diverse experience in the fields of Jewish education and finance. After teaching Torah for several years in Binghamton, NY and Charleston, SC, Rabbi Siegel served as the executive director of Yeshiva Elementary School in Miami Beach, during which time the school experienced tremendous growth and success. He then became the founding director of Ben Gamla Charter School – the first Hebrew-English charter school in the USA, which now has over 2,000 students. During the same time, Rabbi Siegel won awards from multiple insurance companies and brokerages for his work as an insurance and financial consultant. In addition to serving as the CFO of our program, he runs a very successful mortgage brokerage in Jerusalem and teaches several courses at Bar-Ilan University. He lives with his wife and five children in Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Email: asiegel@israelxp.com
Yonatan Siev
Men’s Campus Director and Av Bayit
Originally from North Miami Beach, FL, Yonatan is the Men’s Campus Director and Av Bayit. He studied five years in Yeshivat Shaalvim and taught at the Naale Elite Academy. In 2015 the Sievs moved south to a Garin Torani in Beer Sheva. They were exposed to a beautifully diverse community of Jews from all around the world and made themselves a positive religious presence in a largely traditional/secular neighborhood. Yonatan and his family have enjoyed opening their home, hearts and fridge to the XP students since 2018!
Email: sievyonatan@gmail.com
Orli Sasson
Women’s Campus Director and Em Bayit
Orli is the Women's Campus Director and Em Bayit. Orli was born and raised in Miami, and is a graduate of the University of Florida. She graduated with a degree in English Literature and Speech Communication, but spent most of her free moments planning Israel and Jewish events on campus or attending any Israel trip she could hop on! Orli spent time learning at Shearim College of Jewish Studies for Women and then moved back to Hollywood, Florida where she worked as an educator and private tutor for children of various ages. Orli is passionate, enthusiastic, energetic and loves to create and share a warm home away from home for the incoming students. Orli and her adorable family have enjoyed several years of inspiring times at Israel XP since making aliyah in 2014!
Email: orli@israelxp.com
Rabbi Yitzie Klapper
Director of Alumni Affairs and Mashgiach Ruchani
Rabbi Yitzie Klapper, originally from Queens, NY, is the Director of Alumni Affairs and Mashgiach Ruchani. Rabbi Klapper was formerly Men’s Campus Director and Av Bayit for 4 years. After studying for two years in Yeshivat Shaalvim, he received his BS in Business Management from Yeshiva University. Rabbi Klapper then went on to earn a Master’s degree from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration of Yeshiva University, as well as semicha from YU/RIETS. Rabbi Klapper has previously served as the Director of Student Activities at HAFTR. In addition, he is very active in the summer camp scene having worked in many different capacities. Rabbi Klapper is extremely passionate about both formal and informal Jewish education. He brings an excitement and enthusiasm, which will make the students experience at the Israel XP BIU truly unforgettable. Together, with his wife Tova and their family, the Klappers made aliyah to join the BIU XP family!
Email: ravklapper@israelxp.com
Rabbi Roy Sasson
Men's Advisor
Rabbi Roy Sasson, Men's Advisor, was born in Tel-Aviv and grew up in North Miami Beach. He attended Hillel High School and received a bachelors degree in Digital Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida. Roy started his own Digital Marketing company while he was in college, which he continues to run today. Despite a busy work schedule, Roy continued to feed his passion for Torah by dedicating his mornings at the Yeshiva Toras Chaim. In 2011 Roy founded a kids Torah learning program at his local synagogue for a wide range of ages, where he developed his passion for teaching. Since Roy made Aliyah to join the Israel Xp family with his wife and kids in 2014, he continues his learning at Kisse Rachamim in Bnai Brak and loves to learn with Israel XP students, while maintaining a successful career in digital marketing.
Rivka Siev
Campus Coordinator
Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, Rivka attended Weinbaum/Katz Yeshiva High School before heading to Israel to study in Midreshet Tehillah. After seminary, she made aliyah and spent a year working with Israeli children in Sheirut Leumi. Together with Yonatan Siev and their rambunctious daughters, Rivka has had the pleasure of living on Men's campus since 2018. After years of working in business administration, Rivka is thrilled to serve as the XP Staff as the Daytime Campus Coordinator.
Email: rsiev@israelxp.com
Bar-Ilan University Faculty
Rabbi Ari Kahn
Director of Foreign Student Programs,
Bar-Ilan University
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.
Email: Ari.Kahn@biu.ac.il
Alyta Pitaru
Director of Administration
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.
Email: Alyta.Pitaru@mail.biu.ac.il
Tsila Allon
Tsila Allon is a Multilingual Education expert, co-author of the Mifgash Lashon Hebrew language book for non-native speakers. She has 20 years of Hebrew teaching experience in prestigious institutions Including Yeshiva University, the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, Bar-Ilan University, and Tel Aviv University. Tsila has a BA in Business and Philosophy from the Hebrew University, and a Master of Fine Art from the City College of New York (CUNY). She is currently pursuing an advanced degree in Multilingual Education at Tel Aviv University. Tsila wishes to make language education a creative, rich, and
multidisciplinary experience.
Dr. Neal Bauer
Dr. Neal Bauer earned his B.A. at Queens College, CUNY in Psychology, M.A. in Psychology of Education at Teacher’s College, Columbia University and completed his doctorate at LIU Post. Dr. Bauer completed training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy at New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, and did his internship in neuropsychology at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center. In clinical practice, Dr. Bauer works with a range of individuals, treating various presenting issues such as depression and anxiety to life transitions and medical-related concerns. Dr. Bauer taught at Touro College in Brooklyn on the topics of cognition, behavioral neuroscience, and developmental psychology. There, he also served as the Special Needs Coordinator. When not teaching or practicing psychology, Dr. Bauer spends time with his family and enjoys the hills of Jerusalem.
Dr. Rut Bitan-Cohen
Dr. Bitan-Cohen earned her B.A. in Hebrew Literature & Hebrew Language from Bar-Ilan University, and her MA & PhD in Hebrew Literature from Bar-Ilan University. She has a Teaching Certificate in Hebrew (language, literature, and expression) from Bar-Ilan University, and teches Hebrew language and literature in a several academic institutions. Dr. Bitan-Cohen is an alumnus of Midreshet Lindenbaum, Jerusalem, where she studied for two years, and served in the IDF in the first Yeshivat-Hesder for women. She teaches Ulpan level 3.
Email: Rut.Bitan@biu.ac.il
Dr. Adam S. Ferziger
Earned his B.A. in Political Science/Jewish History and his M.A. in Modern Jewish History from Yeshiva University, his Ph.D. in Modern Jewish History from Bar-Ilan University and his Rabbinical Ordination from Yeshiva University. He is the recipient of numerous prizes, fellowships and grants. A chairman of International Academic Conferences and lecturer at several scientific academic conferences, Rabbi Ferziger has published dozens of publications.
Email: ksferz@gmail.com
Dr. Chani Hadad
Fifteen years ago, Chani Hadad made aliyah from New York. She brought with her a husband, five children (now six), an MA in Humanities from New York University, another MA in English from Brooklyn College, experience as an English instructor at Yeshiva University, CUNY, SUNY, and Touro, and a burning desire to continue teaching literature. Dr. Hadad earned her PhD in English Literature at Bar-Ilan University.
Email: chanihadad@gmail.com
Dr. Kenneth Mischel
Dr. Kenneth Mischel received his BA in Philosophy & Science from the University of Pennsylvania and his MS and PhD degrees in Financial Economics from Columbia University. After earning his PhD, Kenneth was a professor in the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, City University of New York. A committed Zionist, Kenneth (and his family) decided to give up the life of a tenured professor in America for the privilege of contributing to the development of the state of Israel. After making Aliyah, Dr Mischel created and managed high-frequency trading algorithms. He also created the automated pension advice system that is used by a major Israeli bank. Most recently, he founded WakeUp Pension, Israel’s first objective “robo” pension advisor.
Email: ken@wakeuppension.com
Miriam Schwartz
Earned her BA in Jewish Studies from Stern College for Women and her MA in Bible from The Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University. She trained as a Hidden Sparks Coach and worked with classroom teachers to teach them to identify and work with students with specialized learning needs. She is a seasoned educator with a passion for making her course material relevant and current. In addition to lecturing at Bar-Ilan, she is also a successful hi tech recruiter.
Email: miriam@rybtech.com
Dr. Frances Shalit
Earned her B.A. from Columbia University, her M.Sc. in Life Sciences from the Weizmann Institute of Science and her Ph.D. in Neuroimmunology, from Bar-Ilan University. Her expertise ranges from genetics, Biology, Immunology and Human Physiology to technology and business development.
Email: frances@birad.biz
Dr. Zvi Shimon
A very popular Bible lecturer at Bar-Ilan University. He was awarded a president's scholarship during his doctoral studies and his dissertation was awarded the Churgin award for best dissertation in Bible by the Bar-Ilan Bible department. He received his baccalaureate from Bar-Ilan University, a Masters degree from Yeshiva University and his Ph.D. from Bar-Ilan University. Dr. Zvi Shimon lectures regularly at national and international Bible conferences including the Herzog study days and conferences of the Society of Biblical Literature. His book "Human Choice: Biblical Narrative and the Drama of Choice" (Heb.) by Magnes Press presents a new approach to biblical theology focusing on the role of human choice in the biblical narrative. He is an alumnus of Yeshivat Har Etzion where he studied for seven years and authored a weekly article for the Virtual Beit Midrash of Yeshivat Har Etzion.
Email: shimonzv@gmail.com
Dr. Sigal Shlomo
Dr. Sigal Shlomo teaches Hebrew at the Ulpan in the Foreign Student Programs at Bar-Ilan University in Israel. Dr. Sigal Shlomo also teaches academic writing and editing in the Department of Hebrew and Semitic Languages at Bar-Ilan University, where she received her Phd from at 2005. She wrote her dissertation on generic sentence in biblical wisdom literature. Her research interests are syntax and style in the Hebrew language throughout the ages.
Email: Sigal.Shlomo@biu.ac.il
Dr. Chana G. Tannenbaum
Academic Coordinator and Senior Lecturer
Dr. Chana G. Tannenbaum is Academic Coordinator and a senior lecturer at Bar-Ilan University. Dr. Tannenbaum has an Ed.D in Education, an M.A.. In Ancient Jewish History and a B.A. In Judaic Studies. In 1993, she received the Baumel Award, a prize bestowed upon the most outstanding faculty member at Yeshiva University. Since making making Aliyah in 1997 with her family, Dr. Tannenbaum has taught in many one year programs, served as the founding Dean of Shaalvim for Women, and lectured to adult women all over the country. She has been with this program for over fifteen years, and is also a certified safety monitor.
Email: drctann@gmail.com
Maya Beneli
Maya Beneli was born and raised in Bergenfield, NJ. After high school she took her gap year at Israel XP and is looking forward to coming back as a madricha! She will be making Aliyah and completing her degree in psychology.
Yonatan Bensoussan
Yonatan Bensoussan is originally from Toronto and made aliyah. Yonatan learned in Yeshiva in Jerusalem for two years post high school and then served in the IDF as combat soldier is the Nachal brigade. Yoni loves Hashem and Am Yisrael, and plans to want to pursue social work and rabbinic ordination.
Binyamin Erlbaum
Binyamin Erlbaum is from New York, went to DRS for High School, and attended yeshiva at Lev HaTorah. Binyamin made aliyah and served in the elite IDF Paratroopers. Binyamin is a fitness and health trainer as well as studying for a degree in Sports Therapy.
Esther Erlbaum
Esther was raised in New York and attended Midreshet Torav V'Avodah in Israel. She has an associates degree in illustration and a bachelors degree in Animation from Fashion Institute of Technology. Esther is also a black belt in Krav Maga and has taught classes in New York for the last 3 years. She made aliyah in 2024.
Naomi Friedman
Naomi is originally from Denver Colorado and moved to Pennsylvania before high school. She attended Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY) and made Aliyah during her seminary year. Following her Aliyah, she did Sherut Leumi at Nefesh B'Nefesh. Naomi is currently studying in Bar Ilan University.
Ethan Kesler
Ethan Kesler grew up in Teaneck. He graduated from Binghamton University with a degree in Business while concentrating in Business Analytics and Management Information System and Math. Ethan was a campus leader in the Jewish community at Binghamton. Ethan made aliyah and hopes to draft to the IDF after this year.
Natan Krombein
Natan was born in South Africa and made aliyah with his family at the age of 11 to Modiin. Natan is studying computer engineering and physics at Bar-Ilan Univerity, after which he will be drafting into the Israel Defense Forces.
Naphtali Shapiro
Naphtali is originally from the UK, and studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush) for two years. Naphtali then made aliyah and joined the Hesder program at Yeshivat Har Etzion. Naphtali will be studying criminology at Bar-Ilan University .
Esther Weinberger
Esther was born and raised in Los Angeles. Post-high school she spent 2 years in Jewish studies at Meohr seminary, as well as volunteering in Israel. Esther is certified in phlebotomy and personal training. She is making aliyah to be a first responder with Magen David Adom.
