Esther Marcus, M.S.
Esther Marcus, M.S. earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Sociology from the University of North Texas, and completed Postgraduate training in Family Therapy at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim. Esther has extensive experience working with families coping with psychiatric mental health challenges as a therapist, and clinical supervisor at “Milam” in Jerusalem.
She is also an Adjunct Professor in the Wurzweiler/Sara Schenirer MSW Program, and maintains a private practice in Jerusalem.
Marcela Finaret, M.S.W.
Marcela Finaret is a clinical social worker (M.S.W) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is a certified therapist and supervisor by the Israeli Association for Couple and Family Therapy. She is a certified supervisor for social workers and social work supervisors. She is a certified coordinator and supervisor in parental coordination. Additional training: group therapy, emotionally focused couple and family therapy (EFT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). For 10 years, Marcela was the director and supervisor of the addiction’s unit in northern Jerusalem and the department of social services in southern Jerusalem. She was the director of the Jerusalem municipal center for couple and family therapy for 7 years until 2023. At the center, Marcela developed and led unique programs such as parental coordination, parenting coaching for divorced parents, and working on relationship difficulties between parents and children in high-conflict divorce situations. Marcela provided group and individual supervision to the therapy staff and trainees, including supervisor training. Currently: Marcela provides individual, couple, and family therapy at her private clinic in Har Adar. She supervises and teaches trainees at the Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim and provides group supervision for trainees at Shiluvim Institute. She provides group and individual supervision to therapists and social workers in various public frameworks such as couple and family therapy centers and the Ministry of Defense. She supervises parental coordination teams nationwide and teaches various courses at the Central School for Training Social Workers.
Silvana Winer, M.A.
Silvana Winer earned an MA degree in Psychology at the Hebrew University and is a certified Couple and Family Psychotherapist.
She conducted pioneering OD Projects in Israel as part of the ‘Organizations and Communities’ Program’s staff lecturing and leading groups at the Ben-Gurion University Behavioral Department and later as program developer and trainer at the Shahar haNegev Social Services Unit. She coordinated, treated, trained and supervised in the area of Addictions on behalf of the Israeli Authority, the National Addiction Division of the Welfare Ministry and in several Therapeutic Communities and Youth rehabilitation centers.
Currently a therapist and Director of Maagalim Center for Psychotherapy that she founded in Zur Hadassa where she lives.
Rivkah Weiss, M.S.W.
Rivkah Weiss, M.S.W., is a psychotherapist in private practice in Jerusalem. A clinical social worker, she graduated with honors from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, and has since completed advanced psychotherapy training at the Israeli Psychoanalytic Institute. In the past she served as the clinical director at Kav L’Noar. She is also a certified clinical supervisor from Hebrew University. In addition to teaching at the Family Institute, Rivkah is an adjunct professor at Wurzweiler School of Social Work and Sara Schenirer.
Chana Levitan, M.S.
Chana Levitan, M.S., is a couple’s therapist, educator, speaker and author with over thirty years of teaching and counseling experience. Although Chana’s essential training is in Family Systems Theory, she is also certified as an Imago therapist. In addition, Chana’s training as a trauma therapist (certified in EMDR and IFS) allows her to weave trauma therapy into the work that she does with couples—a therapeutic intervention that she finds extremely productive.
Chana has lectured extensively across the globe on the topics of dating and marriage, and has counseled thousands of men and women. Her best-selling book, “I Only Want to Get Married Once” (Grand Central Publishing) is a clear and practical guide to choosing the right marriage partner. Translated into a number of foreign languages, including Chinese, it is making a positive impact out there in the world.
Her second book, “THAT’S Why I Married You” (Gefen Publishing)—is a practical guide for couples to not only learn to live with their personality differences but to actually love with their differences.
Chana’s latest project, Marriage Mastery 2023, is a program designed for newly married couples (married under two years) to divorce proof their marriages from the get go. This is the first project offered by the Jewish Marriage Alliance, a non-profit organization that is staffed by Chana, Dr. Yisrael Levitz, Dr. Susan Heitler and Chaya Sarah Rabi.
Chana lives in Jerusalem with her husband and children and is presently working on her third book, which explores the secrets to longevity and lasting joy in a marriage.
For more information, please visit: https://chanalevitan.com/
Rivkah Harel, M.S.W.
Rivkah Harel, MSW, graduated with honors from the Master’s program, majoring in Practice at the Hebrew University.
Couple and family therapist – certified by the Israeli Association for Couple and Family Therapy. (Studies at the Shiluv Institute – Jerusalem)
Graduate of the Child-Youth Psychotherapy program at Bar-Ilan University. (Certificate studies).
Supervisor of graduate students on behalf of the School of Social Work – Hebrew University.
Rivkah’s professional experience includes over 30 years of direct treatment of adolescents and young adults, supervision of therapists and staff, family therapies and parenting guidance, at the Youth and Young Adult Advancement Division and Family Response.
At the same time, she supervised social work students at the Hebrew University.
Today:
She teaches at the Medical School – Hebrew University.
She treats and supervises at a private clinic in Jerusalem.
She supervises at the Family Institute – Neve Yerushalayim.
Moshe Hoffman, M.A.
Clinical Psychologist supervisor – Psychotherapy and Psychodiagnostics. Certified Family Therapist, Certified Family Therapy supervisor. Private clinic and supervisions in public organizations. Supervises, teaches, and treats (individual, couple, and family therapies) with an integrative approach focused on emotion, attachment, and mentalization.
Elisheva Atalai, M.A.
Elisheva is a licensed, Israeli psychologist with a specialty in marriage and family therapy. Elisheva received her BA in psychology from Bar Ilan University and her MA in psychology from Tel Aviv-Yafo Academic College. Elisheva worked in the Educational Psychological Services of the Jerusalem municipality for twelve years. In that capacity, she treated children and adults, and provided psychological consultation to staff members and parents. She also worked exclusively with families under the auspices of the Family Therapy Center of the Jerusalem Educational Psychology Services.
Currently, Elisheva has a private practice in Jerusalem and Mazkeret Batya where she works with individuals, couples, and families. In addition, Elisheva teaches psychology at multiple colleges and also teaches a course on family therapy in the Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim.
Dr. Stacey Leibowitz-Levy
Dr. Stacey Leibowitz-Levy is an experienced psychologist with wide ranging skills and expertise in the areas of trauma, anxiety, stress, and adjustment issues in adults and children. She has extensive experience in the training and supervision of mental health professionals in trauma work. Stacey was a board member of the South African Institute of Traumatic Stress Studies (SAITS) and has run self-care and supervision groups for trauma practitioners working with war veterans, refugees and torture survivors. She participated as an expert panel member in the development of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) intervention model for torture survivors. She worked as an academic at the University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, South Africa) for twelve years and has publications in in the trauma field. Stacey made Aliyah with her family to Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Joan Kristall, M.S.W.
Joan B. Kristall, M.S.W., earned a Master’s degree in social work at the University of Denver and received a certificate in trauma treatment from the Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Training and Education in Baltimore, MD. Prior to her aliyah, she was Clinical Coordinator for the Shofar Coalition, a collaborative community program for survivors of childhood trauma. Currently she is a clinical supervisor at The Family Institute and maintains a private practice in Jerusalem and Efrat.