Guy Gardi
Executive Director
Born in Kibbutz Ein Harod to one of the founding families, Guy has been living in Jerusalem for 35 years. He is one of the founders of "Beit Israel", a community that lives and works in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem, where he still lives and works today. He has been the executive director of Elul since 2019.
In 2022 he became chairman of the Executive Committee of "Rashut HaRabim" – a network of 40 Jewish-Israeli organizations that are working together to make the public space in Jerusalem tolerant and open to all.
He managed the "Morasha – kol Israel Haverim" program, which trained students and staff to facilitate and promote dialogue circles in schools.
He is a graduate of the Mandel School for Educational Leadership and holds a master’s degree in pluralistic Jewish education from the Hebrew University and Hebrew Union College.
Shir Nativ
Manager of Logistics and HR
Shir is a resident of Bat Ayin in Gush Etzion and a member of the Board of Directors of the Gush Etzion Development Company. She was the logistics coordinator of the Yesodot organization, and the director of the office of the CEO of the Gush Etzion Regional Council. Shir is studying for a BA in Communication at the Open University. She graduated from the Political Speaking course at the Center for Political Training. She is a certified art instructor and a graphic artist.
Noa Saharvani-Sadan
Program Director
Born in Kibbutz Beit Kama, holds a Master's degree in Hebrew Literature with distinction from Ben-Gurion University. She has engaged in educational and organizational consulting, and has managed library, cultural, and community affairs. She facilitates reading and writing workshops and serves as an editor and cultural entrepreneur. The manuscript of her book 'Golem' earned her a scholarship from the Heksherim Institute for the Research of Jewish and Israeli Literature and Culture.
Shlomi Perlmutter
Pedagogical Coordinator and Beit Midrash Facilitator
A native of Kibbutz Mefalsim, Shlomi directs and coordinates the main Elul Beit Midrash, learning communities in Jerusalem and throughout the country, facilitation courses, and student groups. Shlomi helped found the “Sweepers” movement for Yom Haatzmaut, a Beit Midrash for seniors in elementary schools, an initiative for ecological cemeteries, 'Life is a Movie' discussion circles following movies, and more. Shlomi is a devout Zionist and a researcher of modern Zionist and Jewish thought.
Mariana Kornfeld
Manager of “Literary Elul”
Mariana has managed the field of literary events at Elul since 2022. She is mother to Richie and Tamara, a researcher of Israeli thought, a theater director (flamenco performance of the Song of Songs "White Bride Black Bride"), a creator, and a writer ("Core Curriculum for the Jewish People"). She lives in Kiryat Yovel and is a neighborhood activist promoting the beauty of Jerusalem.
