Founding Members

 
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Asher Katz

Founder & Director

Asher was raised in Neve Daniel (near Jerusalem) by American Zionist parents who made aliyah to Israel from Los Angeles, in 1995. He studied at the Yeshiva of Otniel and graduated from the pre-army leadership academy of Ein Pratt.

During his army service in a specialized unit that locates terrorist tunnels on the Gaza borders, Asher encountered Israeli communities that were heavily affected by security distress in those areas. In response, he established "soldier communities", where active duty officers take residence within these challenged neighborhoods. The officers then spend weekends lifting spirits and helping fix destroyed houses and buildings. Six such communities exist today, drawing initiative and entrepreneurship to hard-hit locales. What makes them so special is a guiding principal that when today's young face modern day Zionist challenges, they build their adult lives around serving those missions.  The idea of “soldier communities” continues to grow and has also transformed into a vibrant movement. 


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Erez Eshel

Co-Founder & board member

During his army service, Erez held command positions in the Maglan unit, paratroopers and Nahal, and is currently a lieutenant colonel in the IDF reserves.

In addition to holding a master's degree from Tel Aviv University, Erez also served as former chairman of the Student Union at the institution. He is one of the founders of the Ein Prat pre-army academy, and co-founded several mechinot, including: Nachshon, Metzer, Maayan Baruch, Arava, Bnai Zion, Lachish and Tavor. From 2012-2014 Erez also served as a youth company manager in the Ministry of Education.

Erez is a member of the Kfar Adumim Moshav with his wife and their five children.


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Dan Ariely

Strategic Advisor & Content Developer

Through his research and his (often amusing and unorthodox) experiments, Dan questions the forces that influence human behavior and its irrational ways.

Dan is a professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University, and a founding member of the Center for Advanced Hindsight. He is the author of the bestsellers Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, The Honest Truth About Dishonesty, Dollars and Sense and Amazing Decisions -- as well as the TED Book Payoff: The Hidden Logic that Shapes Our Motivations. He is also a co-creator of the film documentary (Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies.


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Roni Flamer 

Co-founder & CEO, OR Movement

Roni has been positioned at the helm of the OR Movement for over a decade. He works closely with municipalities, officials, and business professionals to produce legislature and draw initiatives for development and economic growth.

In the last 18 years Roni initiated the ‘2048 -shared future’ vision for Israel, established 8 new towns, and helped more than 60 existing communities grow over 46,000 residents. He also constructed government decisions, worth billions of dollars, for the new centers of Israel in the Negev and the Galilee.

Roni is the recipient of the Presidential Award, Knesset Speaker Award, Prime Minister’s Award for Innovation and Initiatives, Yigal Alon Prize for Exemplary Pioneering Activities, and the 2013 Algemeiner Award for positively influencing Jewish Life.

Roni lives in the Negev, with his wife and their five daughters.


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Ester Rosenberg

American Founder & Operations Manager

Ester was born to Israeli parents from Haifa, and grew up in Tel Aviv and New York. She specializes in client experience and is a freelance Project Manager. Prior to her current role, she worked for tech startup, Romeo Power Technology, which manufactures Lithium Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles and Energy Storage. Her career includes skills in marketing, customer success, community management, event management/production, philanthropy, and strategic planning. Over the past 12 years she's executed a wide range of projects throughout London, New York, and Tel Aviv.

Ester is extremely passionate about charity work and chesed, including her family's foundation- Universal Kindness. She has a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Stern, and is currently residing in New York City.



Mentors & Leaders

 
Esther

Esther

Esther is a 15 year old student at Heschel. Her role with Me’ever includes recruiting and making the schedule for online activities taught by high schoolers. She also mentors in French, sign language, art classes, and more. She is extremely passionate about her mentorship work, and is especially looking forward to the 2020 Summer Program.

Peyton

Peyton Kesler is a founding member of Me'Ever. A current 12th grader, Peyton organized Saturday Shabbat events for pre-teenagers, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, and participated in various seminars. Peyton enjoys sports and fitness. He wrote a grant to bring a fruit and vegetable garden to a local elementary school.

Jack Cohen

Jack is a Senior at the Ramaz Upper School. He has a passion for all types of sports and enjoys spending time with his friends and family. Originally from Brazil, Jack takes pride in being fluent in 4 different languages. He is also very excited to get a chance to work with and to educate younger kids from his community with the Me’ever movement.

Jonah

Jonah

Jonah helped launch Adopt a Neighbor, where he matches families with the right tutors and recruits volunteers during the COVID pandemic. He has worked as a camp counselor, babysitter, and group leader at his synagogue. He plays varsity ice hockey, and has coached soccer. Jonah is also certified in Wilderness First Aid and aspires to train as an EMT.

Milla

Milla

One of the first members recruited for Me’ver, Milla has been a counselor for 5th, 6th, and now 7th graders. She is 17 years old and a senior in high school. In her free time Milla enjoys painting, kickboxing, and dancing!

 

Mentors & Leaders

 

Jake

Jake is a junior at the Ramaz Upper School. He loves to be active, spend time with his friends, and play sports. He also plays guitar, and is a part of of his school’s Guitar Ensemble. Jake is always looking to inspire and be inspired, and loves to make others around him happy and motivated! He joined Me’ever as another way to achieve that goal.

Jonah

Jonah helped launch Adopt a Neighbor, where he matches families with the right tutors and recruits volunteers during the COVID pandemic. He has worked as a camp counselor, babysitter, and group leader at his synagogue. He plays varsity ice hockey, and has coached soccer. Jonah is also certified in Wilderness First Aid and aspires to train as an EMT.

Milla