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This is who makes up

Our Amazing Team

Founders

Rabbi Chaim Levine

Co-Founder &
President

Seattle

“There are precious few things in the course of life that first appear special, and then as you investigate and look more deeply, you find it is more than just special – it is magical.”

When the Second Lebanon War broke out in 2006 Rabbi Levine felt that he needed to do something. Hoping to help Israeli soldiers wounded in battle, he organized a group to travel to Israel. “We went to Rambam Hospital in Haifa, the main hospital where the injured soldiers were coming, and that is where Brothers for Life, was born.”

Before founding Brothers for Life with Gil Ganonyan and Yaniv Leidner, Chaim was the director of several Jewish organizations in Boston, Toronto, and Seattle. Most recently he was the director of Living Judaism, the organization that helped to initiate Brothers For Life.

As the executive director for BFL, Rabbi Levine designs, develops, and implements strategic plans for the organization. He motivates and mentors its members and set the direction for BFL Globally. Chaim lives in Seattle, Washington with his wife and two sons. His daughter and her husband live in Israel.

Yaniv Leidner

Co-Founder &
Chief Executive Officer

Tel Aviv

“I am 18 when the brown military envelope arrives. It is hard to remember the exact feelings that I had in those moments before joining the IDF – excitement, pride, anticipation, and a little tension.” 

Yaniv served as a company commander in the elite Duvdevan Unit 217 for seven years. It was during this time he honed his leadership skills that would later help him lead BFL.   It was the sixth night of Hanukkah in 2004 when Captain Leidner and his unit were called up to the city of Shechem to apprehend a terrorist who was responsible for several shootings, bombings and suicide attacks. During the mission a shootout began. “It all happened so fast – a life and death decision taken in a split second. A few minutes later I am being evacuated on a stretcher.”  Yaniv was shot through the hips and the bullet is still lodged there today. 

Yaniv is the acting CEO for Brothers for Life and is responsible for its daily operations.  Yaniv lives in Lod, Israel with his wife and five children. He holds a BA in Political Science and Communication and an MBA from Bar Ilan University.

Gil Ganonyan

Co-Founder &
Executive Chairman

Tel Aviv

“If someone would have told me while I was lying on my back of Al Aida refugee camp after having been shot in my neck, that I would soon after help start an organization helping thousands of soldiers like me, I would not have believed it.”

Gil served as a team commander in the elite Duvdevan Unit 217. His unit was sent to Bethlehem to catch the head of Hamas who was responsible for a series of terror attacks in Jerusalem. During this mission, he came face-to-face with the terrorist. “He put his gun to my neck and I put my weapon to his stomach. We shot each other at the same time.”  Gil was evacuated to the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem where he underwent a long rehabilitation process. The bullet had exited at the top of his spine leaving him paralyzed.

Gil, who thankfully regained his ability to walk, said he soon realized that although his life would never be the same he had gained a powerful new perspective – that he could help his brothers who were going through the same thing. “At the moment that I got my life back, I knew I had to do something meaningful.”

 With co-founders Yaniv Leidner and Rabbi Chaim Levine, Gil leads the BFL organization in its strategic direction, while continuing to support his brothers through their recovery journeys. Gil lives in Tel Aviv, Israel with his wife and two sons. He holds an LLB degree.

Officers

Amir "Smiley" Malka

COO - Operations Israel

Tel Aviv

Amir enlisted in the IDF’s Combat Engineer Corps in 2003. During the Second Lebanon War he was wounded during a ground operation. Amir went on to earn a degree in electrical engineering, and now oversees all of BFL’s operations in Israel.

Nechemiah “Chemi” Rubin

COO - External Relations

Tel Aviv

Chemi oversees all external relations, which includes BFL’s diaspora programs, delegations, marketing, and PR. During Operation Cast Lead (2008), Chemi was buried under rubble when a bomb detonated in a house he was searching. He suffered wounds to his face, eyes, and hands. After a long rehabilitation, Chemi joined BLF’s management team in 2015. He lives in a Moshav with his wife and their three children and holds an LLB degree.

KOBI MAMO

COO - Soldiers to Soldiers Projects

Tel Aviv

Kobi joined the Golani Brigade in 2008. During Operation Cast Lead his battalion was hit by friendly fire when they were mistaken for terrorists. Kobi was hit by shrapnel and saw many of his comrades die. He later developed PTSD. During his recovery journey, Kobi studied business administration, and now holds degrees in Business Management and Organizational Development. Kobi manages our Soldier-to-Soldier Programs and is a member of our management team.  Kobi lives in Rishon Litzion with his wife Hadar and daughter.

OUR TEAM IN ISRAEL

Gal Ben David

Sports Activity Coordinator

Tel Aviv

Aviv Brahanu

Facilities Coordinator

Tel Aviv

Maor Elkobi

Absorption & Guidance Director

Tel Aviv

Maor served as a commander in the Givati Brigade. After being shot twice during a mission in Gaza, he underwent a lengthy rehabilitation process. Maor works with new members and is often one of the first brothers at the hospital when a wounded soldier is admitted. He brings hope to soldiers now facing significant medical and emotional challenges.

MAAYAN GOTTESMAN

US Medical Project Coordinator

New Jersey

For over a decade, Maayan has been working in the non-profit field in different project and program management positions. Maayan joined BFL in 2017 helping the Medical Project team coordinate and execute the medical delegations. Maayan holds a master’s degree in clinical social work and works as a psychotherapist in Northern New Jersey.

Eitan Kariti

Maintenance Coordinator

Tel Aviv

RAFAEL KELLEN

Soldier Delegation Coordinator

Tel Aviv

Rafael organizes and leads rehabilitative soldier delegations. Rafael served as a commander in the IDF’s K-9 unit and was wounded in 2013 when he and his dog were ambushed. He was hospitalized for over a year and a half and underwent multiple surgeries. Since then he earned a degree in social work, and served as a director of a boarding school for at-risk youth, before joining the BFL team. Rafael lives in Geva Binyamin with his wife.

ALON MADAR

Deputy Social Program Coordinator

Tel Aviv

Alon joined border security in 2004 and completed the Commander’s course with honors. In 2006 he suffered serious injuries to his face during a violent demonstration in the Amona settlement. Alon lost his vision. Extensive reconstructive surgery has helped, but Alon is still impacted by his injury. That doesn’t deter him from giving his all to BFL.

BEN MARKOVITCH

Education & Vocational Coordinator

Tel Aviv

Ben joined the IDF’s Egoz unit in 2014. During Operation Protective Edge he was hit by mortar fragments while commanding the front squad of his battalion. After surgery at Barzilai Hospital, he opened his eyes and was greeted by BFL brothers. Ben credits BFL for his successful rehabilitation. Ben manages the scholarship program and helps guide our members to get their academic degrees. He lives in Ramat Gan with his wife Maayan.

YOGEV MOR

Regional Programs Coordinator

Tel Aviv

Yogev joined the IDF in March 2012 and served in the elite Maglan Brigade paratroopers’ unit. During Operation Tzuk Eitan in 2014, he was trapped in a house that had been wired with explosives and was buried under rubble. He suffered bodily burns and injuries, and damage to his lungs. Today, Yogev directs BFL’s regional programs throughout Israel. He lives in Kibbutz Ein Shemer with his wife Yual.

TAMIR MOVSHOVITZ

Medical Project Manager

Tel Aviv

In 2014 while serving as a company commander, Tamir’s legs were severely injured by a roadside bomb. Tamir participated in a BFL medical delegation to Seattle, where he was fitted with an ExoSym™ prosthetic brace, allowing him to walk without crutches for the first time since his injury. After serving nine years in the IDF, Tamir joined our team as the director of the very project that changed his life. 

SNIR PILUS

Director of Development

Tel Aviv

Snir joined the IDF in 2006 as a combat engineer. In 2014 during Operation Tzuk Eitan, his battalion was struck by an anti-tank missile while searching for a terrorist tunnel. Fragments tore through Snir’s body. After receiving treatment, Snir returned to his unit as a company commander. His leadership helped earn his company the Chief of Staff’s Citation. Today Snir serves on the BFL Development team as an External Relations Coordinator responsible for philanthropic partnerships. He lives in Kiryat Ono with his wife Tal and two children.

Roi Ratzabi

Logistics

Tel Aviv

OZ RONEN

Career and Vocational Manager

Tel Aviv

A battlefield doctor saved Oz’s life after he was shot twice by a sniper during Operation Protective Edge. BFL brothers came to his bedside and helped him through his initial recovery and decade-long rehabilitation. Now he works to help other wounded soldiers gain the career and vocational help they need to live productive, independent lives.

Tom Shecter

IT Administrator

Tel Aviv

Yaniv Suissa

Social Activities Coordinator

Tel Aviv

Itay Perry

CFO

Tel Aviv

Itay is an experienced CFO with a strong background in finance, management, and organizational strategy. Throughout his career, he focused on strengthening financial management, improving organizational processes, and supporting mission-driven organizations in achieving sustainable growth and impact. He brings a strategic and analytical approach to building effective systems that help management operate with clarity and accountability. Alongside his professional work, for more than a decade he has been actively involved in volunteering with various non-profit organizations, dedicating time to initiatives that strengthen communities and address diverse social needs

OUR Team IN DIASPORA

GUY RONEN

Executive Director

New England

Guy served in a special unit in the Nachal Brigade in both Lebanon and Gaza during the Intifada. He moved to Boston over 20 years ago, and worked as an executive in the banking industry and later as the director of the FIDF New England region. Guy learned about the importance of community building while growing up on a kibbutz. He brings his soldier spirit, deep organizational expertise, and love for community to BFL.

Jacqueline Kelly

Executive Director

South Florida

Jackie is originally from the Northeast. She moved to Israel to pursue her MA at Tel Aviv University, where her commitment to ensuring Israel’s protection as our homeland was solidified. Throughout her decade long experience as a fundraiser, she felt lucky to have the opportunity to continue to change lives through philanthropy and working with partners to ensure a safe and vibrant future for Jews. 

Jackie is truly excited to have the opportunity to help heal injured soldiers through philanthropic efforts and knowing that we directly help injured soldiers reclaim their futures.

Reut Zaro

Director of Operations

Toronto

With over 20 years of experience in operations and finance within the private sector, Reut joined BFL in 2024. She holds an honours bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations, bringing a large variety of experience and a unique perspective to the team. Originally from Israel’s northern district, Reut now calls Toronto, Canada, home. 

ANNA ESKIN

Strategic Support

Toronto

With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit, education, strategic operations, and community engagement, Anna joined BFL in 2025.  She holds an honors degree in Business. Anna brings extensive experience in program leadership, stakeholder engagement, communications, and project management, offering a collaborative and strategic approach to organizational growth and community impact. Originally from Israel, Anna now resides in Toronto, Canada.

Marina Kuznetsov

Operations Manager

Toronto

With extensive experience in operations, project management, and media production across the private and non-profit sectors, Marina joined BFL in 2025. She holds a master’s degree in Film and Media Studies from York University, bringing a strong background in strategic coordination, relationship management, and creative communications to the team. Marina is passionate about building meaningful connections and supporting impactful initiatives.

Yvette Tarko-Sabi

Executive Assistant

Vancouver

With over 20 years of experience in administration, operations, and community engagement within both the non-profit and private sectors, Yvette joined BFL in 2025 as Executive Assistant to the CEO. She holds a degree in Business and Economics, bringing strong organizational, relationship management, and communications expertise to the team. Originally from Israel, Yvette now resides in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Neuriel Shore

Executive Director

Southern California

Neuriel was born and raised in San Diego and have been living in LA since 2008. He came to LA to get his M.A. in Strategic Public Relations. Neuriel has been serving the Jewish people and the State of Israel professionally since 2010.

With an active war caused by October 7th and dozens of soldiers injured every week, Neuriel joined BFL in August of 2024, knowing that this was the role he was meant to embrace and serve our people through. To know that he is playing a role in caring for our soldiers, our defenders of democracy, our guardians for the Jewish people around the world, is one of the greatest honors of his life. 

SHRAGA STERN

US Regional Director – Chicago

Chicago

Shraga Stern was born in Israel to American parents. He served as a platoon commander in the Nachal Brigade and as an active officer in the reserves. In 2016 Shaga was stabbed multiple times during hand-to-hand combat with a terrorist. Today he still serves as an active reserve officer and is part of the BFL Development team responsible for building strategic and philanthropic relationships within the Chicago community. 

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