Hatashtit. Social Action
The Hatashtit Association (formerly Nitzanim) was founded in 2013 by the Avichai Foundation as an implementation arm for strategic development and guidance of local authorities in Israel. In 2019, the Association expanded its scope of activity and began supporting NGOs and social initiatives through a professional mentorship framework—in partnership with philanthropic foundations and the Ministry of Economy—within a project totaling ₪3.6 million. The Association has also established over 20 innovative social projects in collaboration with social entrepreneurs and philanthropic foundations.
The Association’s social projects focus on strengthening community cohesion, Israeli identity, reducing social gaps, alleviating poverty, rehabilitation following October 7th, trauma treatment, and strengthening ties with the diaspora. Each year, these projects assist tens of thousands of beneficiaries, with about 450 volunteers across the country. Additionally, Hatashtit mentors some 50–70 NGOs and social initiatives annually, providing professional support that includes: strategic development, program development, resource development and strategic partnerships, technology implementation, financial and organizational consulting, strengthening marketing and visibility, and embedding innovative management infrastructures.
Who We Are?
The Association’s core team is composed of consultants and experts with extensive experience in managing and initiating social projects, organizational development, resource development (fundraising), financial management, and cross-sector partnerships.
Michal Israel
Vice President
Specializes in creating partnerships between the socio-economic sectors to promote social leadership among marginalized populations, with a focus on Arab society. Michal has served in a variety of roles in social organizations such as The Hebrew Scouts Movement, Isha Le’Isha (Woman to Woman) and MATI (Jerusalem Business Development Center). She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Communication and a Master's degree in Nonprofit Management from the Hebrew University.
Inbal Freund
Co-Founder and CEO
Inbal is a social entrepreneur and organizational development consultant with an emphasis on philanthropy and the intersection of the social and economic realm. She advises philanthropic foundations and teaches philanthropy in various settings. To date, she has advised over 500 organizations. Previously, Inbal was the director of resource development for the Social Activism unit of The Jewish Agency for Israel and also served as its spokesperson for Israeli media. Previously, she was CEO of an organization that supports agunot (“chained women” unable to remarry unless granted a Jewish divorce) and a Beit Midrash for conversion, and was a Legacy Heritage Fellow at The Jewish People Policy Institute. Currently, she is a member of the ROI network of the Schusterman Foundation and a diplomat at the World Jewish Diplomatic Corps of the World Jewish Congress.
Eliad Melamed
Co-Founder
Eliad is an entrepreneur and social activist with 15 years of experience in the social sector. He holds a bachelor's degree in education and political science, as well as an MBA in nonprofit management in collaboration with the Mandel Foundation. Eliad works to reduce social gaps by empowering social projects and influencing policy change. He has served in various roles as a founder, CEO, CFO, project and department manager. He has supported the establishment of social businesses and impact funds, such as Eretz-ir, Penima (content tourism), urban renewal projects in Kiryat Eliezer and Hadar neighborhood, the Shahaf Foundation and the Beta Group, among others.
Noa Shani
Co-CEO
Noa has 13 years of experience in community and project management, resource development, project management and financial management. She is a specialist in fundraising from government sources and promoting organizational founding. Noa holds a bachelor's degree in geography and environmental studies and a master's degree in urban planning from Ben-Gurion University in the Negev. She has been supporting dozens of organizations for many years in managing complex processes to streamline tasks for effective social action.
Yael Yabes
Strategic Advisor - Specialization: Resource Development
With more than 20 years of experience in the third sector, Yael specializes in program development in education and welfare, cross-sector partnerships, and managing multidisciplinary teams. Her expertise lies in fundraising and in fostering collaborations that create meaningful impact. Born in Uruguay, Yael is fluent in Hebrew, English, and Spanish. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management.
Yarden Viener
Strategic Advisor - Specialization: Resource Development
Yarden has a multidisciplinary background spanning law, content, and resource development, with experience in public bodies, nonprofits, and social organizations. Over the years, she has developed expertise in project management, marketing content creation, fundraising, and donor relations in Israel and abroad. Entering the social sector out of a desire to combine legal expertise with values-driven work, Yarden believes that strong managerial and strategic foundations are essential for lasting social change. She holds an LL.B from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Rotem Goldschmit
Strategic Advisor - Specialization: Resource Development
Rotem is driven by a strong belief in the power of communities and civil society. She has extensive experience in community work and in leading educational and environmental initiatives both in Israel and abroad. Rotem excels at mobilizing partners, leading complex projects, and creating precise and meaningful connections between people and organizations. She works with sensitivity and a deep understanding of the field, constantly seeking the most effective ways to build authentic partnerships that drive change. Rotem comes from the worlds of ecology and sustainability and holds an MSc in Marine Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Tamar Guberman
Strategic Advisor - Specialization: Resource Development
Tamar brings extensive experience in building technological infrastructures in the private sector and developing organizational infrastructures and resources in the social sector, including work with the Branco Weiss educational organization. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Biochemistry and an MBA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Tamar combines a methodical, results-oriented approach with a deep belief in people and social organizations, helping them realize their full potential. She serves as a strategic advisor for resource development to nonprofits and social ventures.
Nikita Haimsky
Web Designer
Nikita is a designer and web developer specializing in digital solutions for nonprofits and social organizations. After years of providing independent digital consulting to NGOs, she now leads design and digital presence at the Association, bringing thoughtful and creative solutions tailored to the unique needs of the social sector. Her connection to the Association began through volunteering and grew from a genuine passion for community action and the vision of a connected, sharing, and united Israeli society.
Karen Cohen Weiss
Strategic Advisor - Israeli Philanthropy
Karen brings over 25 years of experience in the third sector, specializing in program development and solutions in community building, education, and identity. She has deep expertise in cultivating multi-sector partnerships and advising dozens of organizations and leaders. For two decades, Karen served as Project Manager and Deputy CEO at the Avi Chai Israel Foundation. She is recognized for her work in community building, volunteer cultivation, developing complex partnerships, organizational strategy, and grant writing. Karen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Organizational Consulting.
Yaara Kalman Vaknin
Incubator Department Manager, Hatashtit
Yaara is a certified public accountant with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in accounting. Her first introduction to the social sector came as a board member of the Pardesim Association, where she discovered how to combine business expertise with a passion for creating tangible social change. Yaara believes that the right financial tools can empower social ventures to grow, overcome challenges, and lead meaningful initiatives that positively impact Israeli society.
Herut Davidson
Strategic Advisor - Specialization: Marketing & Donor Relations
Herut has extensive experience working with nonprofits and organizations dedicated to strengthening Israeli society, providing strategic guidance in development, content, marketing, and donor relations. She believes personal skills are engines for growth - individual, communal, and societal - and works to strengthen these capacities in every project and partnership. Herut holds a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies from Shalem College. Convinced that the social sector is a central driver of change, she is dedicated to amplifying its impact. In addition, Herut manages the Association’s marketing portfolio.