Mifrasim's Facilitators
Our team of facilitators consists of group counselors, clinical social workers, and other trained therapists, with different academic backgrounds and specializations. But they all have something in common: The knowledge and skills to leverage the journeys at sea into an experience that encourages meaningful personal and collective change and growth.
Elad Tal
Degree- MSW
Elad is a graduate of the Israeli Naval Academy, a psychotherapist, a facilitator, guides interns and students, and is a family and couples therapist. He is the director of a therapeutic station in Zichron Yaacov and provides consulting services, training and treatment for various organizations (Ministry of Defense, boarding schools, local municipal councils, Netal and more).
"Mifrasim for me: throughout my years of mental health work, I have seen the power of the destruction of man on individuals and on society, but at the same time, I saw the powers of human repair and healing. This is also how I learned about the intensity of destruction, healing in nature in general and at sea specifically. Starting Mifrasim for me was the decision to combine groups of people with wide open space and to use the sea as corrective and healing forces for individuals and society".
Ayelet Levav
Degree- Political Science and Labor Studies (B.A), Labor Studies (M.A)
"Almost everything important to know about action out of uncertainty, resilience and leadership, you can learn from humanity's travels at sea” (Captain of Change).
Ayelet helps managers and teams succeed in an era of constant change. She uses tools, insights and inspiration from the sailing world to create a journey of successful organizational or personal change. Formerly vice president of human resources at several international technology companies.
"Mifrasim for me is where the people, the endeavor, and nature help me maintain optimism concerning the future of the Israeli society".
Nir Zamir
Degree- Psychology and Political Science (B.A) Business Administration and Organizational Consulting (M.A)
Nir is a former senior civil service executive, currently engaged in consulting and mentoring.
"Unfortunately, we are gill-free, so the marine environment is particularly complex for us. To succeed at sea, you have to recognize and respect it. We must try to harness the forces that operate at sea to meet our needs while working as a team, just like in real life. A sailing vessel is a perfect particle accelerator for individual and group learning processes”.
Mifrasim for me is where good women and men, dreamers and practitioners alike gather, and I'm lucky to be part of them.
Ravid Cohen- Hagai
A social worker and certified couple and family therapist.
Ravid guides groups of bereaved siblings in "Mifrasim.”
She sees the sea as an endless space for the soul, bounded only by the safe land of the shore...
Ravid believes in the healing powers of sailing at sea in which people can work together and separately.
"I’m grateful for the privilege of being part of Mifrasim’s mission and family, and love the message that Mifrasim spreads on the water"
Joana Sivan
Degree- Social Worker M.S
Joana is a certified couple and family therapist. She has over 20 years of experience in therapeutic work in Israel and abroad with individuals, couples, families, and groups.
Joana specializes in bereavement and loss therapy. She guides professional teams and accompanies management processes, as well establishing treatment centers. She accompanies people in dealing with crises and family difficulties, different life situations and complex reality. Joana uses Mindfulness, Yoga and Mind & Body Psychotherapy.
"Mifrasim for me combines the healing power of the sea with the group work and everyone's personal journey. The vessel allows each participant to overcome physical and mental challenges. For me it is a privilege to be part of this unique venture that brings together many of my life's values and loves".
Gal Balva
Degree- Clinical social worker for trauma treatment- MSW
Gal uses outdoor therapy desert journeys for youth and young people on the spectrum and for girls and women. An individual and group therapist in the clinic of nature, she accompanies youth with mental challenges and their families, and treats victims of sexual assault.
A social worker at the "Reducing Profits" organization for supporting youth without a family or a home.
"Mifrasim for me is a new challenge- coming out of my comfort zone, an exciting and intimate encounter with special people".
Adi Apel Tal
Degree- M.A
Adi is a certified Group Facilitator on behalf of HUC.
Adi guides groups in a wide range of fields in educational support and trains teachers and principals. She works as a facilitator at the 'Shalom Hertman' institution in Jerusalem.
Since Mifrasim was established, Adi accompanies, guides and facilitates the skippers.
"Mifrasim for me is an opportunity to test group guidance outside of the familiar setting, expand boundaries, meet special and loving people and embark on an adventure of personal and group discoveries".
Anat Shemla
Degree- PhD in education, master in clinical social work, certificate studies in psychotherapy.
For many years Anat was engaged in education at school and in the academy. Over time I was drawn to the field of emotional therapy and specialized in it. Today I accompany teenagers and adults who face lifes adversities - personal crises, difficulties in relationships, loss and bereavement.
"The sea has always been a second home for me - I studied seamanship in school, have a skippers license, instructed in the navy, and accumulated many hours of maritime activity. In the sea I discovered my strengths, my ability to deal with extreme situations, and the responsibility to act to achieve my goals".
"Mifrasim for me is a place that allows personal empowerment, cooperation and teamwork. As a dynamic therapist, I believe that being at sea encourages a sense of freedom and introspection, moments of meditation and dedication to emotional processes".
Revital Rabinovich Rut
"Mifrasim for me is a possibility and a privilege. Connecting people to the sea, and finding in it a home, healing, and themselves".
Nicole Lynn
Degree- Social Work MSW
Nicole is a certified couples and family therapist, and instructs teams at centers for family and couple therapy and well-being centers.
She graduated from a bereavement and loss course and leads bereavement and grief groups. Nicole graduated in sexual therapy from Bar Ilan and specializes in the sexual therapy center at Shiba Tel Hashomer.
"I accompany people in crises, in the most difficult and painful moments of their lives. For me it is a great privilege and honor to help and support a person in these moments. To create a safe place where you can touch, share and not be alone".
"Mifrasim for me is an amazing project that combines the experience of sailing on an impressive sailing ship while dealing with the changing conditions that the sea poses, together with the meaning and content aimed at people who are dealing with deep and painful emotions. The project allows a unique opportunity for healing through the powerful experience of the sea and the emotional and supportive process created in the group.
For me it is a very exciting experience!"
Hagar Lahav Itzhaki
Degree- MA in Social Work and Sociology
Matrimonial and family therapist and certified group facilitator.
Specializing in the field of loss and bereavement.
Guides the group of IDF widows in Mifrasim.
"Mifrasim for me is the right to connect people with the power of nature. I believe in the healing power of the group and in personal and group processes that are possible in the special space of the sea".
Moshe Riany
With a rich past as a Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain Management in various key companies, I have spent the last few years working as an independent consultant, providing guidance to business executives, constructing business plans, setting targets and objectives, and fostering team development.
For over 15 years, I have also been actively involved in volunteering with at-risk youth in diverse settings.
"At this point in my life, I utilize the vast knowledge and experience I've gained throughout the years and devote a significant portion of my time to community engagement through 'Mifrasim,' the social ship.
Within 'Mifrasim,' I have led expeditions aimed at cultivating adaptive managers tailored to the specific needs and definitions of their respective units, as well as working with groups of at-risk youth".
Adi Reifen
"As a drama therapist with an M.A. degree and extensive experience working with trauma-affected populations, I find myself able to blend my passion for therapy with the vast sea that opens up my heart and contains everything.
Therapeutic work allows me to form meaningful connections when people invite me into their private spaces, enabling me to be a partner and confidante.
As a daughter of a sailor, it has always been a part of my life. When I'm in the sea, my breath opens, and everything else disappears. When I'm on the boat surrounded only by water, I feel free and complete.
The groups I've facilitated and the people I've met, including the fantastic team of therapists, taught me that at sea, one encounters difficulty, pain, nausea, anger, frustration, laughter, and happiness. The sea takes it all in and introduces us to new spaces within ourselves".