About Us

Prof. Yoav Kohn, MD is Director of the Donald Cohen Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Jerusalem Mental Health Center, Eitanim Psychiatric Hospital. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, where he served as Chair of the Department (2013-2017). Prof. Kohn earned his MD at Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine and trained as an Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Hadassah Medical Center. Prof. Kohen has been the head of Beit Daniella’s Steering Committee since its inception.

Dr. Ayelet Meltzer is the Director of Hadassah Hospital’s outpatient day program and is a senior psychiatrist at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department of Hadassah Hospital, Ein Karem.

Joseph is a graduate of Yeshiva University and Fordham University Law School. After making aliyah in 2000, he worked for three years as Director of International Sales & Development for a family software business. He founded Leket Israel in 2003 after witnessing significant food wastage in Israel at a time of rising poverty. Joseph’s vision and steady hand have led the organization from a simple, one-man operation to Israel’s largest food rescue organization.

A lawyer by training. Michal holds a Master’s degree in gender studies, which she completed cum laude. In her law career, Michal specialized in the field of personal status, and worked in the State Attorney’s office. Thereafter, Michal spent 10 years working as a legal adviser in the Ministry of Welfare. In this role, she managed adoption cases, legal proceedings regarding child abuse, guardianship of people with special needs and children at risk. In September 2006, Michal began working at the JDC (Joint Distribution Committee ) where she developed many programs, some of which have been adopted by the Ministry of Welfare, operating in dozens of communities around the country. In addition, Michal also attended the Educational Leadership Program at the Mandel School of Educational Leadership. Michal draws upon her extensive experience in developing pilot programs to help Beit Daniella to establish its innovative program.

Rabbi Kannai studied at Yeshivat Hesder Har Etzion for 9 years, went on to the Hebrew University to complete a multidisciplinary BA in Arts and Psychology and then an MA in Clinical Psychology. Rabbi Kannai was a research fellow in Merkaz Shalem He also worked as a psychologist in Herzog Psychiatric Hospital and at Ezrat Nashim. Currently he serves as the therapeutic director of six Bayit Cham mental health clinics as well as working in private practice. Rabbi Kannai also teaches at Herzog College in the areas of Psychology and Education. In the past, he was as a Rosh Kollel (Head of a Community Talmudic Academy) of Torah M’Tzion in Memphis Tennessee. For the past 13 years, he has served as a community Rabbi of the Synagogue “Mitzpeh Ramot”in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramot.

Dr. Rachel Bachner-Melman, Founder and Director of "Koli, the Jerusalem Center for Recovery from Eating Disorders" is a Clinical Psychologist specializing in the treatment and research of eating disorders. She is a Senior Lecturer in the MA Clinical Psychology Program of the Ruppin Academic Center and the Master of Social Work program of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Dr Bachner-Melman has rich clinical experience in treating eating disorders, has published over sixty peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and presents regularly at conferences in Israel and abroad. Dr. Bachner is a member of the Eating Disorders Research Society and Director of Outreach of the Academy for Eating Disorders and a past president of the Israel Association for Eating Disorders.

Prof. Lichtenberg is the head of the closed first ward at the Kfar Shaul Psychiatric Hospital and the former head of the psychiatry department at the Hebrew University. With more than 20 years of experience in managing a psychiatric ward, Prof. Lichtenberg is the founder of Sotria-Israel, a home in the community that is an innovative home alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. Prof. Lichtenberg wishes to promote the culture and open nature of Sotria even within the confines of the closed department.

With an MA in Cognitive Sciences from Hebrew University, Miri is now a researcher at Tel Aviv University in the field of the new parental authority with regards to youth dropping out of educational institutions. As a national instructor in the Special Education Division of the Ministry of Education, Miri specializes in the integration of students with mental health issues into school frameworks. Miri, believes in creating rehabilitative educational frameworks suited to the needs of the growing population of youth struggling with mental health, that are oriented towards community integration. As a certified psychotherapist and family therapist, Miri treats children and teens struggling with mental health issues. She also trains therapists and educators in schools across the country, as well as being a DBT facilitator.

Carolyn Cohen is a Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Infertility Counselor. Based in London, UK Carolyn has worked in both Statutory (Hospital, General Practice, Social Services) and Voluntary settings with individuals and couples. In addition to maintaining a private practice, since 1998 Carolyn has been the Honorary Executive Director, Principal Social Worker and Psychotherapist at a UK charity, Chana; that supports couples and individuals with their challenges of infertility. Carolyn draws upon her extensive experience in developing and managing a non-profit therapy organization, to advise Beit Daniella on best practices in organization building and staff management.

Dr. Goldstein is a senior child psychiatrist at Shaarei Tzedek hospital. She earned her MD from the State University of New York Downstate College of Medicine, and she is a U.S. board certified adult and child and adolescent psychiatrist. Prior to her aliyah, she served as director of the Child and Adolescent Day Hospital at Zucker Hillside Hospital in New York. In addition to maintaining a private practice, Dr. Goldstein lectures nationally and internationally and provides in-service training to school faculties.

Jay Pomrenze worked at Bankers Trust Company for 26 years where he was a member of the firm's Management Committee. With the sale of Bankers Trust to Deutsche Bank in June 1999, Pomrenze joined Kelly Doherty to form their investment vehicle Cayman Partners. Jay began the next phase of his life in Israel. With degrees in finance and theology, Jay has served on various nonprofit and for-profit Israeli company Boards and is a founding Partner of Clarity KCPS, a global Israeli based Asset Management firm. He and his wife Huti are active in charity projects through their family foundation.

Edna holds a BA in Special Education and an MA in Educational Administration. Edna started off as a lecturer and a didactic instructor of Special Education at David Yellin College and then served as the principal of Alonim Junior High and High School- for students with learning disabilities. As a Ministry of Education Supervisor, she supervised 16 special education programs in Jerusalem and in the Jerusalem District. Amongst those, Eitanim Psychiatric Hospital and Retorno, a drug rehabilitation facility for youth. Edna was instrumental in setting up our unique Learning Center at Beit Daniella.

Dr. Fornari M.D. M.S. is the Vice Chair of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and the Director of the Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, including the Zucker Hillside Hospital & the Cohen Children’s Medical Center. He is also Professor of Psychiatry & Pediatrics at the Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Dr. Fornari is an Investigator in a PCORI-funded Grant entitled START (Suicide Treatment Alternatives for Teens) to determine the most appropriate treatment for suicidal youth. (2019-2024) Dr. Fornari is the Co-Editor of the book Evidence Based Treatments for Eating Disorders: Children, Adolescent & Adults (Nova Science Press: 2009 & 2014). Dr. Fornari has accompanied and advised Beit Daniella since its founding.