Meet Oriya Ester Belous Maruani, an inspiring ISEF doctoral student at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in the Negev studying Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering.

She volunteers with the Young Scientists Center in David Tuviyahu school in Be’er Sheva where she encouraged a love of chemistry in students in 5th grade by explaining electrochemistry and the creation of electrochemical sensors to them, took them for a tour of the labs at the university along with Doctor Anat Milo of the chemistry department and Professor Hadar Ben-Yoav of Biomedical Engineering Department.

What a wonderful way to influence the future generation of Israel!

Meet Jenny Pinus, the accomplished COO at Dor L’Dor and a dedicated leader in training and development at ISEF. Hailing from the outskirts of Israel, Jenny’s ambition and expert management skills have earned her a bachelor’s in management and sociology, as well as an MBA from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

With her unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation, Jenny plays a crucial role in helping ISEF students achieve their academic goals.

ISEF provides not just financial support, but also a sense of belonging and community for students who are the first in their families to attend university, with role models like Jenny serving as inspiring examples.

For World Cancer Day, in February, we want to recognize the groundbreaking cancer research of our inspiring ISEF alumnus, Dr. Moshe Elkabets.

As the head of his own medical laboratory at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, his work earned him the 2017 Teva Founders Prize and Research Grant in recognition of his contributions to the field.

This prestigious award, given in collaboration with the Israel Academy for Science and Humanities, is a testament to his dedication to advancing cancer research.

We are proud of the impact his work has on the fight against cancer and the lives it will improve.

Noam Weizman is an outstanding ISEF alumnus, working as a Senior Medical Physicist at Hadassah Medical Center and pursuing his Ph.D. in Medical Physics at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Tragically, Noam was inspired to pursue a career in the medical field when his mother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and eventually passed away. This experience sparked a lifelong mission within him to help others in similar situations. His Ph.D. research is focused on developing new techniques using alpha emitters, with the aim of delivering more effective radiation treatments to cancer patients, while minimizing toxicity. By applying his expertise and dedication, Noam is making a significant impact in the fight against cancer and serves as a true inspiration to many.

Sivan Saadian, originally from Iran and now living in Haifa, is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical psychology at the University of Haifa.

As part of her immigrant background, Sivan felt compelled to excel in school as a means of compensating and being more included in Israeli society. With support from ISEF, she has blossomed as a student and is now in her 5th year.

Joining ISEF allowed Sivan to experience the power of community, finding peers with similar backgrounds and a passion for success. The support of her peers has been invaluable throughout her journey.

Sivan and ISEF are proof that with hard work and community support, anything is possible!

Exciting news from the ISEF Foundation!

 

Our mentoring program just kicked off with a bang!

At the opening meeting, our awesome mentors (who are all ISEF alumni) got to experience a full seminar on how to be effective mentors from Yenenesh Tadesse, a personal development coach.

They learned how to ask the right questions and build a solid plan for their students’ success. We’re thrilled to start our fourth cycle and can’t wait to see all the amazing things our students will achieve with the help of our fantastic mentors.

Big thanks to all the ISEF alumni out there for being our strength!

Well, it isn’t much of a secret…. Nina Weiner, Chairwoman Emerita of ISEF, is turning 90 this year!

Nina has dedicated her life to supporting students succeed in education by getting financial and community support they need to do so. Through her efforts that span decades, she has helped students achieve their dreams of higher education, allowing them to forge their own paths and make invaluable contributions to society.

To honor her this year on her birthday, we created a webpage where you can upload your birthday wishes, memories, and stories.

Visit https://lnkd.in/gezfzhqj to leave your wishes so that we can compile the messages into a tribute video for Nina and the ISEF community.

Let’s celebrate Nina’s remarkable life and legacy together!

ISEF doctorate students recently had a successful meetup which included a workshop emphasizing the importance of communication skills and conflict resolution led by executive coach Efrat Zanger. Efrat is a seasoned organizational consultant and team-development expert, who has written a book on organizational culture.

The students later enjoyed a discussion with Adi Keissar the founder of Ars Poetica, about the cultural and political dynamics of language, identity, and the impact of poetry on the cultural world in Israel.

Overall, it was an extraordinary meeting that served as a step towards equipping young Israelis from the periphery with the necessary skills to succeed in the academic and professional spheres.

Tal Bilia is a student at Sapir College studying social work. She is originally from the small town of Ofakim, where it is common for young people to continue working in their family’s business instead of pursuing higher education.

However, after learning about ISEF, Tal reached out for financial support and found that the program offered much more than just financial assistance. Through ISEF, she met a diverse group of students and gained valuable social and academic skills. Tal now wants to share what she has learned with her community in Ofakim and show them how they can expand their dreams and pursue a wide range of opportunities.

Tal Bilia’s journey through higher education and involvement with ISEF has allowed her to break from tradition and find ways to inspire her community to pursue their own dreams and opportunities.

Rachel Ben Efraim is an M.Sc. Environmental Engineer and Researcher studying at the Zuckerberg Institute for Water Studies, a branch of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Rachel’s work on the desalination of water is incredibly impactful, as it has the potential to provide clean, drinkable water to communities that may otherwise struggle to access it. In addition, her mentorship of younger generations is important for promoting diversity and inclusion in the fields of engineering and research.

By achieving her Ph.D. and working as an engineer despite coming from the Bukahrian community, where this is rare, Rachel is also breaking barriers and serving as an inspiration to others. Overall, Rachel’s work is not only significant for her community and Israel’s society but has global implications for improving access to clean water and promoting diversity in STEM fields.

She thanks ISEF for not only assisting her financially but for helping her influence and have a positive effect on the future of Israel.