About Oranim Educational Initiatives
Oranim Educational Initiatives was founded in 1986; a travel company geared for the young traveler and offered Jewish oriented programs to Israel and to destinations around the world. Oranim operated the first Taglit-Birthright Israel program in 1999 and as of 2008 is the largest organizer with over 44,000 international alumni and 8,000 Israeli alumni. Over the years, we have also developed unique travel programs based on the communality of the Jewish People. We encourage travel to Israel and to learn about the history and heritage of Jews across the globe. A special point of interest is the Jewish contribution to the society of the land and city where they lived.
As a company founded and run in Israel, and at the center of Jewish life worldwide, we are just the people to turn to when looking for a special, out of the ordinary look at the Jewish People. Shlomo (Momo) Lifshitz recognized the importance of Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) and in August 2006 he fulfilled a long-time dream as Oranim Educational Initiatives operated the first successful Israel Service Corps - Community Involvement program with eleven volunteers. Two years since its inception, Israel Service Corps continues to interject positive and hopeful messages to communities throughout Israel and the world. Oranim Educational Initiatives proudly stands behind each dedicated and committed participant that contributed their time to Israeli community members who benefited from their acts of kindness.
Our Team
Shlomo (Momo) Lifshitz, President - Oranim Educational Initiatives
Momo is the founder and president of Oranim Educational Initiatives, Israel's leading educational travel company. His vision of securing the future of Israel and the Jewish People has been a guiding light through his entire career. Born in Tel Aviv in 1956, he served with distinction in the Israeli Army, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel and saw action in the first Lebanon War (1982). He acquired a B.A. from Bar Ilan University in Sociology and Political Science, sociology and high-school teacher's certification. Momo left the army in 1984 and joined the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI). Momo has a certification from the Israeli Ministry of Tourism as a Specialist in Israeli Tourism.
Zvi Geva, Director - Israel Service Corps
Zvi Geva grew up in Rehovot, Israel, and studied in the Sde Boker Environmental High School in the Negev. He then served as a Merkava Tank Commander in the IDF. Zvi holds a BA in Business and Communications from the Tel-Aviv College of Management, and a Masters Degree in Jewish Education from the Baltimore Hebrew University, where he received the Eugene Silberman Award in Israeli and Middle Eastern Studies. Zvi spent the last six years living in Reisterstown, Maryland with his wife and three sons. Zvi is a nationally-licensed teacher and served as a NETA Program Master teacher. He was nominated for the Disney Award for Creative Teaching and the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for excellence in Jewish education. Until July 2008, Zvi was the head of the Hebrew program, the Israel Education program, and the director of Jewish life in the Shoshana S. Cardin School in Baltimore, Maryland. During 2007-2008, Zvi also served as principal of the Columbia Jewish Community School, a congregational school in Columbia, Maryland. For the last six years, Zvi has worked with a large number of additional schools and organizations throughout Maryland to help develop love for Israel through his innovative and exciting programs. These programs are known for being accompanied by a healthy dose of humor and an ever-lasting love and passion for the Jewish tradition and Zionism. In July 2008, Zvi and his wife and three sons had moved back to Israel and are living in Moshav Beit Hashmonai.
Ofir Teva, Regional Coordinator - Israel Service Corps
Ofir was born in Israel and moved to Toronto with his family at an early age. Upon completing his undergraduate degree in Psychology at York University (Toronto, Ontario), Ofir decided to reacquaint himself with family, friends, and the people of Israel by embarking on a personal journey back to Israel. Since his first participation with Taglit-Birthright Israel: Oranim trips in 2003, Ofir has staffed multiple North American trips. In 2007, after researching various programs in Israel, Ofir made the decision to pursue a long-term volunteer program through Oranim's Israel Service Corps. Ofir enjoyed the freedom to design his own volunteering schedule and be involved in projects matching his own interests. After completing the 5 months, he chose to stay in Israel and join the Oranim team.
Naama Lupo, Regional Coordinator - Israel Service Corps
Naama was born in Haifa and raised in Ramla. After she finished her national service in education, she began her studies at Bar Ilan University, majoring in English Linguistics. In addition to her undergraduate studies, Naama also trained to be an English teacher. Throughout her studies, she helped children, teenagers, and young adults of various backgrounds to learn English. As a student, Naama was a participant on a Taglit-Birthright Israel: Oranim trip as part of the mifgashim experience. Since then, she has remained active and involved with Oranim programs.
Yoni Franks, Marketing & Recruiting Coordinator - Israel Service Corps
Yoni was born and raised in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Son to an Israeli mother, he grew up with a love and passion for the State of Israel. After graduating with a B.A. in Communications in Marketing and Organizational Management, Yoni was the Youth Director for a local synagogue in Jupiter, Florida. He knew his path in life would eventually lead him to Israel and through Oranim's Israel Service Corps - Community Involvement program, he spent five months volunteering in Israel's city of Ramla. It was there where he established the Ramla School Boys Football Club, taught English to High School students and helped in an after school program. Yoni made Aliyah in December 2007.
Ask yourself...
- Are you planning to embark on a long-term commitment?
- Just completed your university degree and going through a transitional period in life?
- Looking to enrich your life with meaningful work?
If so, Israel Service Corps Community Involvement or Internship Experience may be what you are looking for! Click here to fill out a preliminary application today.
