Who We Are?
The Otef Lev Team
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Dr. Hadas Shaharabani Saidon
Co-Founder and Co-Director
Clinical Psychologist (PhD) and Certified Mediator. She serves as the Academic Director of the PWP-ISRAEL program at the Mifrasim (Sails) Institute for Psychotherapy Research and Training at the Academic College of Tel Aviv–Yaffo.
Throughout her career, she has combined academic teaching and research with clinical work, providing psychological therapy for adults in her private practice. Over the years, she has led various community and educational initiatives, including violence reduction programs, restorative justice efforts, communication skills development for children, adults, and communities, and mediation training.
Hadas is an engaged citizen and active volunteer in environmental initiatives, public mental health services, and democratic civic engagement—both at the local and national levels. She is among the leading voices in the "No Mental Health Without Democracy" community, which strives to strengthen Israel’s identity and future as a liberal democracy.
Prof. Nurit Yirmiya
Co-Founder and Co-Director
Professor Emerita of Clinical and Developmental Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Nurit’s career weaves together research, teaching, and clinical practice, alongside extensive public service.
She previously served as Director of the Leifer Center for Women’s and Gender Studies and as Dean of Students at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. During her tenure, she initiated and led an innovative volunteer program supporting children and youth at risk who lack family support—an initiative that received funding from the Israeli Council for Higher Education and donor backing.
Prof. Yirmiya also served as the Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Science and Technology, where she managed the ministry’s research fund and its international scientific collaborations. She chaired the Forum of Chief Scientists of Government Ministries and headed the National Council for the Advancement of Women in Science and Technology. She also served as the Israeli Co-Chair of the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (GIF) and was a board member of the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) and a member of the British Council-Israel.
In recent years, she has deepened her study and practice in the fields of mindfulness and compassion, leading workshops and seminars for the general public, clinical and educational teams, and parents. Nurit is an active volunteer with Orr Shalom, a non-profit organization for children and youth at risk, as well as other social initiatives.
Since October 7th, in collaboration with Dr. Hadas Shaharabani-Saidon, she has been working to advance and implement the Stepped Care model for mental health support in Israel.
Nurit lives in Ramat Gan with her partner, Prof. Raz Yirmiya. They are the parents of four children and grandparents to three granddaughters. In her free time, Nurit enjoys Nia, cycling, yoga, Pilates, and hiking in nature.
Ravit Shimshi
Operations Coordinator
Ravit Shimshi serves as the Operations Coordinator at Otef Lev. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Business Administration, and has completed specialized training in Psychological Skills for Emergency and Disaster Situations at Reichman University.
During a time of conflict, Ms. Shimshi played an integral role in establishing Reichman University's Resilience Operations Center. She currently contributes to the academic sphere as a teaching assistant for the university’s resilience course.
In her professional work, Ms. Shimshi strives to be an attentive and perceptive resource for those around her. Her personal practices include meditation, breathwork, and continuous self-development, with a particular interest in the study of consciousness. She also finds nourishment in nature and expressive movement through dance.
Ms. Shimshi is guided by the belief that each individual holds innate wisdom, sensitivity, and inner strength to meet life’s challenges and grow through them.
Lihi Cohen
Lihi Cohen holds a B.A. from the "Ofakim" Honors Program at the University of Haifa, combined with Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Rehabilitation Psychology at Bar-Ilan University, integrating clinical, research, and social engagement.
Lihi provides therapy at the Community Service Clinic at Bar-Ilan University, the Pediatric Rehabilitation Department at Sheba Medical Center, and the Sderot Resilience Center. Previously, she worked at the "CBT Center – Expert Clinic" in Haifa, served as an instructor in the “Access for All” program, and was part of the research team for the “B’shvil Hamachar" (Path to Tomorrow) non-profit organization.
Currently, Lihi is a researcher in the Neuropsychology and Aging Lab at Bar-Ilan University and is a PhD candidate focusing on therapist flexibility.
Since October 7th, Lihi has been sharing the leading of the initial mental health support system within the "Otef Lev" initiative. She is taking a central role in making mental health services accessible, by promoting the implementation of the Stepped Care Model in Israel, and developing training programs.
Yoni Yeruham
Yoni Yeruham holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Reichman University and has a background in instruction and management within mental health frameworks.
He volunteers with the “Atalef” foundation as part of the “Buddy Line” program, which supports security personnel coping with challenges related to military service and combat experiences.
In his free time, Yoni enjoys water sports and dedicates his time to freediving, fishing, and sailing. He is married to Noa and the father of Ramon.
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Nati Biton
Southern Region Coordinator
A social worker, lecturer, and researcher affiliated with the School of Social Work at The Sapir Academic College and Ben-Gurion University. He provides individual and group therapy in the fields of mental health and LGBTQ+ individuals
עוטף לב׳ - סיוע נפשי ישראלי, מבית החמ״ל האזרחי הוא מערך שהוקם בעקבות אירועי ה-7 באוקטובר על מנת לסייע בתחומי בריאות הנפש לכלל תושבי ישראל.
אנחנו מתמחים בסיוע לכל תושבי הארץ, כולל סיוע במציאת מענים ספציפיים לאותם עשרות אלפי התושבים שנאלצו להתפנות מבתיהם ושוהים בריכוזי מפונים או במסגרות דיור אחרות (מפונים ומתפנים).