More than

Alumni

Tzippy Hotovely

Former Minister of Diaspora Affairs. UBA Tel Aviv

Roni Alsheich

Head of Israeli Police Force. YBA Netiv Meir

Dr. Yonina Eldar

Professor of Electrical Engineering, Technion. UBA Tel Aviv

Rabbi Yaakov Ariel

Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan. YBA Kfar HaRoeh

Michal Tikuchinsky

Head of Bet Midrash, Herzog College. UBA Tel Aviv

Esther Tafata-Gardi

Judge. UBA Chadera

Rabbanit Rachelli Fraenkel

Nishmat and Matan Hilchata Institute. UBA Tel Aviv

Dr. Aliza Bloch

Mayor of Bet Shemesh. UBA Arad

Zevulun Orlev

Former Member of Knesset. YBA Nechalim

Chief Justice Zvi Tal

Supreme Court of Israel. YBA Kfar HaRoeh

Neta Ariel

Director, Maaleh Film School. UBA Segula

Yaakov Amidror

Former Major General. YBA Netiv Meir

Naftali Bennett

Prime Minister of Israel

Natan Barak

Founder of mPrest systems Iron Dome technology. YBA Ohel Shlomo

Dudu Fisher

Cantor and performer. YBA Nachal Yitzchok

Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom

International Center of Ethiopian Jewry. YBA Or Etzion

Professor Shulamit Levenberg

Biomedical engineer. UBA Kfar Pines

Rabbi Rafi Peretz

Member of Knesset. YBA Netiv Meir

Matan Kahane

Minister of religious services. YBA Netiv Meir

Pnina Tamano-Shata

Member of Knesset, Minister of Aliyah and Integration. UBA Tzfira

Rabbanit Dr. Leah Vizel

Dean, Orot Israel College. UBA Kfar Pines

Yifat Hadad

Judge, District Court UBA Segula

Revital Swed

Former Member of Knesset Criminal defense attorney YBA Kfar Pines

Rabbi Menachem Burstein

Founder and Dean, Machon Puah YBA Chadera

Rabbi Haim Sabato

Author, Rosh Yeshiva of Maaleh Adumim YBA Netiv Meir

Professor Yossi Leshem

CEO, Environmental Protection Agency YBA Nachal Yitzchok

Professor Yedidiah Stern

Israel Democracy Institute YBA Nachal Yitzchok

Laizy Shapiro

Director of "Srugim" YBA Karnei Shomron

Justice Noam Salberg

Supreme Court of Israel YBA Yavneh

Efrat Rebhun

Judge, Magistrate Court UBA Amana

Dr. Yehudit Flint

Geneticist UBA Kfar Pines

Dr. Rivkah Brooks

Pediatrics, Hadassah Medical Center UBA Kfar Pines

Dr. Harel Pinchas

Bar Ilan University YBA Meron

Ariella Avitan

Founder, Sde Bar Fashions UBA Kfar Pines

Inspirational words from our graduate Avichai Shelli:

YABA’s graduates are leaders in every sector of Israeli society.

Our 100,000+ alumni have already made a tremendous impact on Israel and the world.

YABA alumni weave threads of Torah values, moral courage and dignity throughout Israeli society, forming a beautiful tapestry that contributes to the strength of Israel.

We
must
be
doing
something
right.

YABA’s graduates are leaders in every sector of Israeli society.

Our 100,000+ alumni have already made a tremendous impact on Israel and the world.

YABA alumni weave threads of Torah values, moral courage and dignity throughout Israeli society, forming a beautiful tapestry that contributes to the strength of Israel.

We must be doing something right.

Our graduates have achieved success in a variety of fields:

Academia

Professor Moshe Adad, Head of Criminalogy Dept., Bar Ilan University, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Professor Emanuel Aticus, Historian, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Professor Yishai Bar, Professor of Law at Hebrew University, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Natan Barak, Developer of the Iron Dome, Yeshivat YABA Ohel Shlomo

Professor Menachem Ben-Sassoon, Former President of Hebrew University, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Prof. Yonina Eldar, Electrical Engineer, Ulpanat YABA Tel Aviv

Dr. Yehudit Flint, Molecular Biologist, Ulpanat YABA Kfar Pines

Prof. Yona Franke, Jewish Literature, Hebrew University, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Dr. Gideon Henman, Linguist, Bar Ilan University, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Rabbi Dr. Daniel Hershkowitz, Past President of Bar Ilan University, Yeshivat YABA Yavneh

Rabbi Prof. Yitzchak Kraus, Former President, Herzog College, Yeshivat YABA Yad Avraham

Dr. Shulamit Levenberg, Stem cell researcher Ulpanat YABA Kfar Pines

Oz Lev-Ron, Chief Agronomist, Hasalad Co. Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Prof. Benny Mazuz, Head of Cardiology, Bikur Holim Hospital, Yeshivat YABA Ohel Shlomo

Dr. Dani Ofen, Biologist, Researcher, Weizman Institute, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Prof. Yedidya Stern, Senior Fellow, Israel Democracy Institute, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Rabbanit Dr. Leah Vizel, Dean of External Education, Orot Israel College, Ulpanat YABA Kfar Pines

Dr. Yoni Yehuda, Director, School of Animal Interventional Therapy, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Arts & Entertainment

Roni Armon, Activist, founder Indimedia Israel, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Muki Better, CEO Gush Katif Museum, Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Joseph Cedar, Award winning film director, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Eliaz Cohen, Poet, Editor, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Udi Davidi, Singer, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Rabbi Lior Engelman, author, teacher at Yeshivat Ateret Cohanim, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Dudu Fisher, Singer, Cantor, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Yisrael Fried, CEO of Galei Tzahal Radio, Yeshivat YABA Yad Avraham

Avi Friedman, Animator, Illustrator, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Moshe Katz, Producer of “Kolbotek” TV show, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Mordy Kirshner, CEO, “Arutz Meir” Cable Channel, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Admiel Koosman, Author, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Jackie Levi, Comedian and Radio Personality, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Yair Orbach, Comedian, Yeshivat YABA Yad Avraham

Shuli Rand, Singer, Actor, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Government

Aharon Abuhazera, former MK, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Dr. Michael Ben-Ari, former MK, Historian, Activist, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan, former MK, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Naftali Bennet, MK, Yeshivat YABA Yavneh

Aliza Bloch, Mayor of Bet Shemesh, Ulpanat YABA Arad

Gilad Erdan, MK, Minister of Environmental Protection, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Moshe Feiglin, Leader of Zehut, Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Tzipi Hotovely, Former MK, Deputy Minister of Transportation, Ulpanat YABA Tel Aviv

Zvulun Kalfa, Former MK, former Gush Katif leader, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Maimon

Yaakov Katz, former MK, founder of Arutz Sheva, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Yisrael Katz, MK, Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Shimon Lankri, Mayor of Akko, Yeshivat YABA Pirchei Aharon

Rabbi Yitzchak Levi, former MK, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Malachi Levinger, Mayor of Kiryat Arba, Yeshivat YABA Mateh Binyamin

Avraham Michaeli, former MK, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

IDF/Police

Roni Alsheich, Head of Israel Police Force, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Maj. Gen. Yaakov Amidror, former National Security Advisor, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Prof. Yishai Bar, Prof. of Law, Hebrew Univ., former IDF general, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Yoni Chetboun, former MK, former IDF officer, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Maimon

Maj. Gen. Yochanan Danino, former Chief of Israel Police, Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Brigadier Gen. Yair Naveh, Former Deputy Chief of Staff, IDF, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Maj. Gen. Rafi Peretz, Minister of Education, former Chief IDF Rabbi, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Elazar Stern, MK, former IDF General, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Brig. General Ofer Winter, commander of the Fire Formation, Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Major General Moti Yogev, commander, MK, Yeshivat YABA Kfar HaRoeh

Israel Prize Laureates

Rabbi Chaim Drukman, Head of YABA, Yeshivat YABA Kfar HaRoeh

Prof. Nahum Rackover, Hebrew Univ. Prof. of Jewish Law, Yeshivat YABA Kfar HaRoeh

Tzvi Tal, former Supreme Court Justice, Yeshivat YABA Kfar HaRoeh

Prof. Gil Tzorfati, linguist, Yeshivat YABA Kfar HaRoeh

Torah

Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan, Yeshivat YABA Kfar HaRoeh

Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, former Chief Rabbi of Rishon LeTzion, Yeshivat YABA HaDarom

Rabbi Uzi Beinenfeld, Rosh Midreshet Orot Etzion, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Rabbi Avi Berman, CEO Orthodox Union, Israel, Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Rabbi Zefania Droro, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Kiryat Shemona, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Rabbi Yaakov Fisher, Rosh Yeshivat Neve Shmuel, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Rabbi Shraga Fisherman, Rector, Orot Israel College Master’s Degree Programs, Yeshivat YABA Nechalim

Rabbi Yanki Friedman, CEO, Noam/Tzfiya Educational Network, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Rabbi Simcha Hacohen Kook, Chief Rabbi of Rechovot, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Rabbi Micha Halevi, Chief Rabbi of Petach Tikvah, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Rabbi Ahrela Harel, former Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Hesder Shilo, Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Rabbi Shimon Heksher, Rosh Yeshivat Hakibbutz Hadati Ein Tzurim, Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Ofakim, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Rabbi Shimon Lapid, Rosh Kollel at Or Etzion, Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Alon Moreh, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Rabbi Moshe Levinger, founding leader of Gush Emunim, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Rabbi Dov Lior, Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Arba, Rosh Yeshivat Nir, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Rabbi Yaakov Medan, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Har Etzion, Alon Shvut, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Rabbi Zalman Melamed, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Beit El, Chief Rabbi of Beit El, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO, “Darka” educ network, Rashi Foundation, Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Rabbi Avi Reznikov, Rabbi of Icholov Hospital, Tel Aviv, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Rabbi Shlomo Rosenfeld, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Shadmot Neriya, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Rabbi Chaim Sabato, author, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Maale Adumim, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Gedalia Schreiber, President of Cong. Yeshurun, Jerusalem, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Rabbi Sharon Shalom, Rabbi of Kehilat Kedoshei Yisrael, Kiryat Gat, Yeshivat YABA Or Etzion

Rabbi Yuval Sharlo, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Petach Tikvah, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Rabbi Boaz Sherman, Rosh Mechinat Kiryat Malachi, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Rabbi David Stav, Chief Rabbi of Shoham, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Rabbi Chaim Steiner, Yeshivat Merkaz Harav, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Rabbi Zvi Yisrael Tau, Rosh Yeshivat Har Hamor, Yeshivat YABA Hadarom

Rabbi Yehoshua Weizman, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Maalot, Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir

Uri Orbach, former MK, author, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Zevulun Orlev, former MK, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Rabbi Shai Peron, former MK, Yeshivat YABA Aderet

Harav Hanan Porat z”l, former MK, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Nisan Slomianski, former mayor of Elkana, Yeshivat YABA Nachal Yitzchok

Eliahu Suissa, former MK, Yeshivat YABA Pirchei Aharon

Penina Tamnu-Shata, MK, Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ulpanat YABA Tzfira

Avi Vertzman MK, former mayor of Beer Sheva, Yeshivat YABA Ohel Shlomo

Motti Yogev MK, former Director of Bnei Akiva Israel, Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh

Rav Chaim Drukman

Head of Ulpanot and Yeshivot Bnei Akiva

Rav Drukman is the spiritual leader of Religious Zionism. Rav Drukman studied in Yeshivat YABA Kfar Haroeh as well as Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav, where he was a student of Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook. Rav Drukman is one of the founders of the yeshivot hesder movement including Yeshivat Hesder YABA Or Etzion and Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh. Rav Drukman has been President of YABA since 1996. In 2012, Rav Druckman received the Israel Prize for his contribution to society and education.

Elchanan Glatt

Elchanan has served as CEO of YABA since 1996. From 2013-2015, he was CEO of the Office of Religious Services directed by Minister Naftali Bennett and Deputy Minister Eli Ben-Dahan.

Elchanan has led the establishment of over 30 new YABA institutions, both in Israel’s center and periphery. Prior to this, Elchanan was Secretary-General of the Bnei Akiva youth movement in Israel.

Rabbi Dr. Yona Goodman

Rabbi Dr. Yona Goodman is Vice President of Education and Pedagogy at YABA. He also serves as a member of the Hemed Council, the highest statutory body that outlines national religious education policy in Israel. Rabbi Dr. Yona has held teaching positions at Orot College of Education and is a member of several think tanks on religious education. He has a Ph.D. in Education from Hebrew University.

Shuki Sat

Shuki Sat is CFO of YABA. Prior to this, Shuki was the Executive Director of Ulpanat YABA Shirat HaYam, Yeshivat YABA Kinor David and Yeshivat YABA Mateh Binyamin. Shuki was a senior advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and is a board member of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council as well as the Lev Binyamin Association. Shuki holds degrees in economics and business administration.

American Friends of YABA

Rav Shlomo Kimche

Rav Kimche is Vice Chairman of YABA. Rav Kimche, who made aliyah at the age of eight, founded Yeshivat YABA Orot Yehuda where he served as Rosh Yeshiva for 20 years. Rav Kimche fundraised and coordinated the building of Yeshivat YABA Orot Yehuda’s expansive campus. Rav Kimche is a dynamic speaker in both Hebrew and English and has lectured in shuls and schools around the world.

shlomok@yba.org.il

Alan Wildes

Alan Wildes is President of the YABA board. He has been the Executive Director of Cushman & Wakefield, the world’s largest independent real estate services firm, since 2011. He holds a MBA in Organizational Management from Columbia University and a BA from Yeshiva University. Mr. Wildes is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Westchester Day School.

YABA Board Members:

Joe Aronow

Jason Bokor

Josh Fogelman

Shari Gluckstadt

Jeffrey Goldstein

Terri Herenstein

Elie Himmelfarb

Joshua Landes

Ira Press

Ari Raskas

Hank Sheinkopf

Interesting Facts About YABA:

More than 90% of YABA students complete their bagriut (matriculation) exams, compared to a national average of around 75%!

Three out of every four principals of hesder yeshivot are YABA alumni!

Close to 100% of YABA students serve in the IDF/sherut leumi. This is well over the national average of a 70% conscription rate!

Israel’s first Ethiopian air force pilot is a graduate of Yeshivat YABA Bnei Brak.

Three young women who won the International Bible Quiz attended the same school, Ulpanat YABA Amana.

Natan Barak, an alumnus of Yeshivat YABA Ohel Shlomo, won the Israel Security Prize for his work in developing the Iron Dome.

YABA supports gender diversity in executive roles: women head half of our girls’ high schools. Encouraging female leadership is one of YABA’s priorities.

At Yeshivat YABA Pisgat Zev, students commit to joining the Israeli Air Force. A special curriculum trains them for careers in Israeli Air Force technology.

Tzvi Tal, former Israeli Supreme Court Justice and now 93 years old, was a member of the first class at Yeshivat YABA Kfar HaRoeh.

Yeshivat Hesder YABA Or Me’ophir is a mechina program for students of Ethiopian origin where 100% of students complete their IDF service! This success rate is 25% higher than the national average.

Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir has produced many outstanding IDF generals. Incredibly, Brigadier General Rafi Peretz (current Minister of Education), General Elazar Stern, General Yair Naveh and General Yishai Bar were all graduates of the same class at Yeshivat YABA Netiv Meir!

At Yeshivat YABA Kiryat Herzog, students attend classes at the Jerusalem College of Technology that lead to a degree in computer science.

Yeshivat YABA Ohel Shlomo has a class for gifted students, the only class of its kind for religious students in the south of Israel.

Olim are welcome at YABA. At Yeshivat YABA YTA, the curriculum is taught in English to help support new olim.

YABA graduates influence every area of society, including the government. The average Knesset has at least 10 MKs who are graduates of YABA. In a recent Knesset, a full 15 percent of MKs were YABA alumni!

Our Graduates