Our Team
At Otef Lev
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.
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.
Lihi Cohen
Co-Founder
Lihi Cohen holds a B.A. from the "Ofakim" Honors Program at the University of Haifa, combined with studies in Psychology. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Psychology at Bar-Ilan University, while integrating clinical work, academic research, and social engagement. Her thesis study focuses on focusing on therapist flexibility.
She 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 a member of the research team at the “B’shvil Hamachar” (Path to Tomorrow) non-profit organization.
Lihi coordinated the initial mental health support system within "Otef Lev" after October 7th, 2023. She has a central part in expanding access to mental health services by promoting the implementation of the Stepped Care Model in Israel and developing innovative training programs.
Avishag Shaham Hadad
Director, Community Mentors (Amit BaKehila) Program
Avishag is an attorney and holds an MA in Public Policy from Tel Aviv University.
She brings extensive experience in policy advancement, regulation, and government relations, having previously worked with WIZO Israel as well as leading lobbying. She has led major public campaigns and legislative processes, including the Electronic Monitoring Law, the Pay Transparency Law, and the new salary agreement for Ulpan teachers. Her expertise lies in building cross-sector partnerships, driving social innovation, and leading systemic projects in the fields of education, health, and welfare.
Avishag is married and a mother of two daughters. She practices yoga, enjoys reading and is an active member of her neighborhood book club, loves cinema, and volunteers with the Tzofei HaHoreSh Scouts tribe.
Ravit Shimshi
Implementation & Development Team, Community Mentors (Amit BaKehila) Program
Ravit holds a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Business Administration. She is trained in "Psychological Skills in Emergency and Disaster Situations" from Reichman University.
During the war period, she took part in developing the Resilience Command Center at Reichman University and served as a teaching assistant in the university’s resilience course. She leads and actively supports in Safe Zones.
In her daily life, Ravit strives to be a listening ear and a positive presence for those around her. In her free time, she practices meditation and breathing exercises, engages in personal development, and explores the world of consciousness. She spends much time in nature and enjoys dancing frequently.
Ravit believes in the power of every individual to find within themselves the wisdom, sensitivity, and inner strength needed to help themselves and to grow from every challenge and life experience.
Yuval Shay
Coordinator and Development Team, PWP-ISRAEL Program
Yuval holds a BA in Psychology from Reichman University and is currently pursuing an MA in Child Neuro-Rehabilitation Psychology at the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo. She serves as the Coordinator of the PWP-ISRAEL program.
After working for a period in the high-tech industry, Yuval returned to the field of mental health. Over the past two years, she has worked as a Resilience Trainer at Clalit Health Services, a role that involves providing emotional support, strengthening coping skills, and assisting individuals facing stress-related challenges.
Concurrently, Yuval has contributed to two research projects. The first, part of the “Alpha Project,” focuses on epigenetics, where she helped develop a new index (eCMS) to evaluate systemic gene expression and assess the impact of stress on the risk of psychopathology. The second project, inspired by the events of October 7th, examines psychological leadership and investigates the role of community-led initiatives in supporting mental health during times of crisis.
Reut Kimchi Ron
Development Team, PWP-ISRAEL Program
Reut Kimchi Ron is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and a PhD candidate in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Bar-Ilan University. She serves as a mental health officer in an elite combat unit and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Israeli Association of Clinical Psychology.
Previously, she lectured in both undergraduate and graduate psychology programs at Bar-Ilan University and worked as a military psychologist in the IDF, conducting selection and psychological assessments in classified units within the Intelligence Corps.
Amit Amidan
Development Team, PWP-ISRAEL Program
Amit Amidan holds a BA in Psychology from the Academic College of Tel Aviv–Yaffo and is currently pursuing an MA in Clinical Psychology at Bar-Ilan University. As part of his training, he provides psychotherapy at the university's community clinic and at the Shalvata Mental Health Center, while conducting research on the effects of psychoactive substances on neural and psychological processes related to the perception of social touch.
Over the years, Amit has gained extensive experience working with diverse populations in education, emotional and rehabilitative support, as a guide for individuals with special needs and people living with mental health challenges, and as a "resilience supporter" at Clalit Health Services. Earlier in his path, he also served as a youth guide during his gap year, consistently bringing curiosity, empathy, and a deep passion for people.
Amit is fascinated by the richness of human experience.
In his free time, he loves traveling the world, being in nature, diving, climbing, practicing meditation, and especially hiking with his dog and spending time with his partner, family, and friends.
Shir Chaski
Development Team, PWP-ISRAEL Program
Shir Chaski is an MA student in Clinical Psychology at Bar-Ilan University and a researcher in the Rehabilitation Psychology Lab under the supervision of Prof. Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon. As part of her training, she provides psychotherapy at Holon's community mental health clinic and at Bar-Ilan's community clinic.
She holds a BA with honors in Psychology, Management and Conflict Resolution, and Israel Studies from Ben-Gurion University. During her studies, Shir participated in the Department of Developmental Psychology's excellence program and the Moshe Foundation's Leadership Program, and worked as a research assistant in Prof. Naama Atzaba-Poria's Developmental Psychology Lab.
Shir has extensive experience in educational and rehabilitative work with children and adolescents, including integrating children with special needs into mainstream education, serving a year of national service in the "Alumim" residential rehabilitation home, supporting young adults in a therapeutic community, and volunteering with at-risk toddlers in a WIZO daycare center.
Lian Grupper
Development Team, PWP-ISRAEL Program
Lian Grupper is an MA student in Clinical Psychology at Bar-Ilan University and a researcher in the Trauma and Stress Research Lab under the supervision of Prof. Danny Horesh. As part of her training, she provides psychotherapy in the child and adolescent clinics at Shalvata Mental Health Center and at Bar-Ilan's community clinic.
She holds a BA in Psychology with highest honors from the University of Haifa, where she participated in the "Research Apprenticeship" and "Nativ" excellence programs and worked as a research assistant in psychopathology and memory research labs.
Lian also works at Natal's "One Soul" helpline, supporting individuals coping with military service-related PTSD, and at Ofek Metam, where she trains students preparing for admission exams to graduate psychology programs. Following the outbreak of the Iron Swords War, she volunteered in military reserve duty at the Home Front Rehabilitation Center, supporting soldiers returning from combat incidents.
Nati Biton
Southern Region Coordinator, Community Mentors (Amit BaKehila) Program
A social worker, lecturer, and researcher at the School of Social Work at Sapir Academic College and Ben-Gurion University. He provides individual and group therapy in the fields of mental health and LGBTQ+ community.
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).