Dr. Yisrael Levitz is the founding dean of The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim. He is a clinical psychologist, ordained rabbi, and Professor Emeritus of Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work, where he held the distinguished Bennett Chair in Pastoral Psychology and headed the school’s Psychopathology and Human Behavior departments. Prior to making Aliya in 1998, he was a practicing psychologist for over three decades and served as the first Dean of Students of both Yeshiva and Stern College.Dr. Levitz was appointed the Director of Supplementary Rabbinic training for the Wexner Program at Yeshiva University’s rabbinic seminary, where he pioneered the field of Rabbinic Counseling, and published a book with Dr. Abraham Twerski z”l entitled A Practical Guide to Rabbinic Counseling (Feldheim Publishing). He continues to teach smicha students at Yeshiva’s Gruss Kollel in Jerusalem, conducts an advanced training program in Experiential Couples Therapy, supervises therapists, and teaches Couples therapy at the Family Institute.Dr. Levitz is a Board Certified Diplomate in Marriage and Family Therapy, a Fellow of the Academy of Family Psychology, a member of the Israel Association of Couple and Family Therapy, and a noted lecturer on a wide variety of psychological and Judaic topics. He has recently completed a two volume memoir entitled “Generations” which was translated into Hebrew under the title Lapid Hanetzach.

Dr. Micha Belzer completed his Ph.D. and studies of psychotherapy, couple and family therapy in the Hebrew University. He is a certified couples and family therapist and supervisor by The Israeli Association for Couple and Family Therapy. His topic of research is “religious and secular mixed couples”. He is certified as a parenting coordinator by the CPI Institute in America helping separated and divorcing parents to focus on the children. He has over 20 years of therapeutic experience in a variety of therapy institutes and experience in teaching different aspects of therapy. He is the director of The Family Institute and maintains a private practice in Jerusalem.

Deena Mendlowitz earned an M.S.W. at Wurzweiler School of Social Work and a graduate degree in Assessment and Counseling at the Institute of Child Study at the University of Toronto. She worked in a wide range of social service agencies prior to making Aliya and completed postgraduate training in Family Therapy at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim. She served on the faculty of the Master’s program in Clinical Sociology at the Center of Foreign Studies. Deena is currently the Clinical Director of The Family Institute and maintains a private practice in the Beit Shemesh area.

Rivkah Menkes, M.F.T. earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Sociology from the University of North Texas and completed extensive postgraduate training at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim, specializing in children, families and survivors of sexual abuse. She is certified as a marriage and family therapist from the Israel Association of marriage and family therapy as well as an EMDR therapist. In addition to teaching and supervising at The Family Institute, Rivkah maintains a private practice in Jerusalem.

Bilha Fruchter is a social worker (MSW) and a therapist with over 20 years of experience in Israel, Canada, England and the U.S. She works with individuals of all ages who are coping with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues, and to explore and develop coping strategies to deal with various forms of abuse and trauma. For the last 8 years, Bilha has worked for Mercaz Meital, where the focus is working with children who have experienced sexual abuse and their families. She also currently supervises practicing therapists who are in a two year training program at Mercaz Meital, specializing in therapy with children who have experienced sexual abuse. For the last few years, Bilha supervises students studying in the School Of Social Work department at the Hebrew University. Lastly, Bilha is part of a team of therapists who provide short term therapy for teachers through the national teachers union.Bilha combines various therapeutic approaches including psycho-dynamic therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT), and task-oriented psychotherapy focused on understanding behaviors, choices or struggles that arise. Her methods are strength based, goal-oriented, based on her many years of experience.Bilha is centrally located in Katamon, Jerusalem.

Dr. Zev Ganz earned a master’s degree from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work of Yeshiva University and a doctoral degree from Smith College School for Social Work. He completed postgraduate training in Individual and Family therapy at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim with a focus on working with young children and their families as well as the treatment of child sexual abuse. He is a certified practitioner of the attachment- based model Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and has lectured and published widely on the topic of attachment and families. Zev currently serves as Rosh Tzevet of the Lamerchav/Kav L’noar mental health clinic in Ramat Beit Shemesh, is a clinical supervisor at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim, a lecturer at Machon Shiluv, and maintains a private practice in Ramat Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem.

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.

Aviva Zahavi-Asa, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., received her clinical license in California in 1989 and worked with at-risk children and adolescents for ten years before making Aliya in 1997. She completed post-Masters training at the Family Institute in 2009, and in 2011 completed advanced training in family therapy at the Magid Institute, School of Psychotherapy at the Hebrew University. Since then, she has received recognition as a certified couples and family therapist and supervisor by the Israel Association for Couple and Family Therapy. She is also certified as a social work supervisor by Hebrew University’s School of Social Work. She served for over 12 years as part of the clinical staff at Ma’ane, a therapy clinic under the auspices of Kiddum Noar of the Jerusalem Municipality, where she provided individual therapy to at-risk adolescents; family therapy to teenagers and their families; treatment to parents of at-risk youth; and where she supervised social work students, social workers and family therapists. In addition, she worked at Machon Shiluv in Jerusalem for over nine years providing couples and family therapy to a diverse client population as well as providing supervision to couple and family therapy interns. She has maintained a private practice since 2007 in Jerusalem and Efrat providing individual, couples and family therapy in both Hebrew and English. She joined The Family Institute staff in 2019 as a clinical supervisor.

Talli Yehuda Rosenbaum is an individual and couple therapist and is certified as a sex therapist and sex therapy supervisor by The International Association of Psychosexual Therapists (IAPST) as well as the Israeli Society for Sex Therapy (ISST). She cohosts the Intimate Judaism podcast and is co-author of the book “I am For My Beloved: A Guide to Enhanced Intimacy for Married Couples.” and co-edited the Springer textbook entitled “The Overactive Pelvic Floor.” She has authored over 40 journal articles and several book chapters on trauma and sexuality, sexual pain disorders, and sexuality and Judaism and is an associate editor of the Sexual Medicine Reviews. Talli earned a Masters in Clinical Sociology and Counseling and a certificate in Mental Health Studies from the University of North Texas in Neve Yerushalayim.

From the beginning her professional journey, Ta’ir Wasserman has been passionate about bringing couples a true understanding of what a fulfilling intimate life can entail. Ta’ir studied clinical psychology at the VU university in Amsterdam, and after moving to Israel, went on to receive her Kalla teacher and Balanit certificates from the Rabbinate of Israel. Since then she has continued working as both a marital and family therapist as well as a sexual health counselor. Ta’ir is a graduate of the post-master program in sexology at the Sexual Health Department (“Shesek”) of the Sheba hospital in Tel Hashomer. She serves the community by helping couples understand their intimacy and guides them towards a more understanding, intimate and satisfying relationship. Aside from her practice, Ta’ir lectures groups of women and community workers on sexuality at the Path center, Hidabrut and other institutions. Ta’ir had also created the “Dollit” doll, used by therapists, hospital staff, and kalla-teachers in sex education and counselling. Ta’ir Wasserman, her husband, and their seven children live in Petach Tikvah.

Sarah Beth Solomont received her Master’s in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1997. Since making Aliyah in 2003, Sarah Beth has been using her creative gifts to facilitate psychological healing and deeper self-understanding through art, play, and other forms of self-expression. She has worked successfully with individuals and groups of all ages and has led professional training workshops in Expressive Arts Therapy for therapists. Sarah Beth is a certified Somatic Experiencing practitioner and uses this specific trauma training to inform her work with clients and students. As an Expressive Arts Therapist and Creative Therapeutic Group Facilitator, Sarah Beth supports the therapeutic needs of the community through her specialized expertise.

Yoav Sidar is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Sex Therapist based in Jerusalem. He brings extensive experience in treating sexual dysfunction, libido disparities, and relationship challenges. His therapeutic approach integrates multiple methodologies, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), CBT, and psychodynamic therapy, tailored to each client’s unique needs. Specializing in working with individuals with disabilities, including mental health conditions, Yoav combines his clinical practice with academic work as a lecturer in the field. He also serves as a healthy sexuality educator, conducting workshops on the subject. His professional approach is characterized by a deep understanding of human diversity and individual uniqueness, creating a safe space for addressing intimate and emotional issues.

Rabbi Shlomo Cohen, a father of nine children was born in London. Rabbi Cohen received semicha from HaRav Yitschak Kolitz zt”l and HaRav Benzion Klein zt”l while studying at Yeshivat HaNegev, Netivot. Subsequently, Rabbi Cohen qualified as a Dayan with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and served as a Dayan in the bet din of “Ahavat Shalom”, Jerusalem, for fifteen years. During this time, Rabbi Cohen authored two books on Jewish monetary law “Pure money” volume 1&2, published by Targum Press. Today Rabbi Cohen is the Rabbi of the “Ahavat Yisrael” shul in Har Shmuel, and lectures at several institutions, on halacha and Jewish ethics, including HIT, SCE, Neve Yerushalayim, and Midreshet Tehilla.

Fran Ackerman, M.S.W., has worked directly with the pioneers of Family Therapy in the United States Drs. Murray Bowen, Salvador Minuchin, and Carl Whittaker. She is a former faculty member at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in New York City, the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, and the School of Social Work at Hebrew University. Her published work focuses on the clinical application of Bowen Family Systems Theory. In addition to being a Clinical Supervisor at The Family Institute, she maintains a private practice in Jerusalem.

Bracha Coopersmith, M.S. earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Sociology from the University of North Texas completed Postgraduate training in Family Therapy at The Family Institute of Neve Yerushalayim where she received extensive, specialized training in psychotherapy with children and their families. In addition to being the Coordinator of the Pinat HaYeled Children’s Unit, she maintains a private practice in Jerusalem.

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.

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.

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/

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.