A delegation of school principals and educational leaders from the Central Arava region of Israel, traveling to Australia to learn, connect, and build lasting partnerships.
The Arava–Australia Partnership is part of Partnership2Gether, the Jewish Agency's global network connecting Jewish communities in Israel and around the world through long-term, people-to-people relationships grounded in shared Jewish identity and joint action.
Established in 1997, the Partnership connects the Central Arava — a remote desert region in southern Israel, where small communities are spread — with the Australian Jewish community. On both sides of the world, volunteer groups work together across education, arts, community, and regional development.
In the Arava, education is a central pillar of community life, deeply connected to nature, sustainability, and a strong sense of belonging. The Arava community opens its doors to Australian school groups, youth movements, families, and individuals, welcoming them into a unique way of life that deepens their connection to Jewish heritage.
Team building, professional learning, inspiration, and exploration of new ideas for meaningful connections within the Arava education system.
Represent the Arava education system and share its unique story — a model of education deeply intertwined with nature, community, and identity.
Build personal and professional relationships among educational leaders, institutions, and communities as a foundation for ongoing dialogue and shared commitment.
Strengthen Jewish identity and the connection with Jewish communities in Australia, reinforcing mutual responsibility across communities.
Create continuity through insights, relationships, ideas, and plans that can continue to be developed and flourish after returning to Israel.
We are a group of education leaders from the Central Arava, a remote desert region in southern Israel, where small communities are spread. In the Arava, education is a central pillar of community life, deeply connected to nature, sustainability, and a strong sense of belonging. Click on any card below to read a full profile.
Jewish Agency
"I value genuine relationships and often find that the most meaningful collaborations begin with a personal conversation, shared curiosity, and trust."
Director of the Arava–Australia Partnership at the Jewish Agency, leading community and people-to-people connections between the Arava and Jewish communities in Australia. She has coordinated the Education Department in the Eilot Regional Council. Following October 7, she coordinated senior leadership roles in regional educational leadership during a complex and sensitive period. Prior to that, she held senior leadership roles in regional education. In addition, she held responsibility for the school development of a school leadership program that included leading the establishment of a new regional elementary school in the Arava.
Deepening professional relationships between educational leaders from the Arava and their counterparts in Australia. The most important goal is learning from each other and building connections that can continue afterwards, growing into ongoing educational and community-based projects. Particularly interested in models of school leadership, community engagement, and partnerships that strengthen both professional exchange and long-term personal connections.
Strengthening connections at the leadership level. While there are already meaningful relationships, a key challenge is to build stronger ties between principals, managers, and community leaders so they can create wider impact within their communities.
The Arava's strong and unique community model — the way education, leadership, and community life are deeply connected. The Arava is a remarkable region whose close relationships, a strong sense of belonging, and spirit of community create a supportive environment for both learning and growth.
Learning and exploring new ideas. Loves spending time in nature, being with her family, and staying active through sport — especially swimming. These things help her stay grounded, energised, and connected to what matters most.
Family: Married to Assaf (grew up in the Arava, works in agriculture)
Children: Mother of three (two older children currently living in Australia)
CONTACT
Arava Regional Council
"I value honest conversations and often find that I learn the most through simple, open dialogue."
Many years of experience in education, mainly working with youth and in complex educational settings, including leading and developing programmes for at-risk young people. Throughout his professional journey, he has learned the importance of combining structure with deep human connection in order to create meaningful and lasting impact. Born in Kibbutz, studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Understanding people and situations in depth, and helping individuals and teams move forward even in complex or uncertain circumstances. Leads in a way that is attentive, grounded, and practical, while maintaining a broad strategic perspective.
Working within the ongoing reality of war, which deeply affects communities, staff, and students. The challenge is to continue providing stability, care, and direction while people are carrying both personal and collective concerns — and at the same time, maintaining a sense of purpose and keeping education a meaningful and forward-looking space.
The close connection between education and community in the Arava, and the way small communities make strong relationships and personal attention possible.
Family: Father of four: Naomi, Yaris, Ruck, and Asad
Background: Born in Kibbutz · Studied at Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hobbies: Enjoys being outdoors, exploring nature. Loves good music and meaningful conversations.
CONTACT
Shitim Darca Regional Secondary School
"My main passion is nature and hiking. I especially enjoy multi-day hikes, making them part of all I do about long-distance travel."
In her 26+ years at Shdim Davka school, she began as a science teacher and homeroom teacher in middle school. She has progressed through various leadership positions and management roles. She completed a school leadership program that included a study visit to London. For the past eight years, she has served as principal of the regional secondary school (Years 7–12).
Adi is a former student studying the family lived in Australia for a year and a half, where Adi worked at Carmel School in North. This gave her the opportunity to learn from a different educational system and she is now specifically interested in engaging with it from a school leadership perspective.
Family: Married to Odeh
Children: Eitan (Year 8), Maayan (age view below EF)
Lives: North of the Central Arava
CONTACT
Central Arava Regional Council
"Nature is an important context for learning in our kindergartens, and learning happens in the process of playing, exploring, and asking questions with children."
Early Childhood Education Manager at the Central Arava Regional Council since 2023, where she leads and manages all early childhood education services across the region and oversees programme development, staff management, and strategic planning. Previously worked in the Social Services Department managing budgeting processes and coordinating volunteer programmes. Earlier in her career, worked as a Parenting Support Specialist, providing lactation consulting, developmental guidance, and sleep consulting to families.
Most kindergartens in the Arava spend significant time outdoors in nature — whether in the yard or on walks around the community — and learning takes place through asking questions and exploring together with the children. The Arava works through a two-tiered model involving both the regional council and individual communities, which requires close cooperation in the kindergarten system.
Family: Married to Alon · Mother to Yoav (14), Omer (12), Mika (9)
Background: Grew up in the Arava
Hobbies: Loves dancing · Loves traveling in the desert and around the country
CONTACT
Arava Regional Council
"I am an open person who genuinely values human connection and is always curious to learn and grow."
Over 20 years of work in both formal and non-formal education. Studied at Seminar Hakibbutzim College, where he developed the educational philosophy that continues to guide his work today. Career path: began as a counselor in a residential youth facility for court-removed teens — 10 years as a high school educator — 9 years as principal of a regional elementary school.
Creating tailored programs that allow every child to feel part of the whole while receiving the personal support they need. Combines strong pedagogical vision with deep human connection, ensuring that every student feels they belong.
The Shdim Educational Campus model — a unique framework that brings together three distinct educational spaces under a unified vision, offering genuine educational choice in a small geographically and community distinctive region.
Music is a central part of his life. Loves guitar and saxophone, and enjoys listening to music in a deep and meaningful way. Passion for travel, both in Israel and abroad. Drawn to nature, quiet places, and the challenges and experiences of the journey.
Family: Married to Miri
Children: Neri (18), Avi (16), Neta (4)
Background: Born and raised in Ein Yahav · Raising his children in the Arava
CONTACT