Our team
Zehud is made up of a team of seasoned educators and passionate leaders, committed to empowering the next generation to help Jews in the diaspora thrive.
Meet our Founder
Tal Bassali, Founder and Executive Director
Tal started Zehud for very personal and meaningful reasons. Raising a young family in Venice, Italy, Tal was concerned about her children getting the best possible Jewish and Hebrew education. She found limited resources across Europe, and she realized the Jews of Europe were facing a problem.
Jewish continuity was on the line, and Tal took it upon herself to change that.
Tal travels throughout Europe speaking to audiences around the themes of what a universal Jewish Education looks like, Hebrew as the language of the Jewish People, and why tribalism has no place in Jewish education. She has supported hundreds of parents in determining their own ethos for Jewish Family Culture in their homes.
Learn more about Tal’s story and the story of Zehud in this video:
Meet our administration
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Tal lives in Venice, Italy, in an antique Jewish Orthodox community that enjoys over 500 years of colorful history. She has fallen hopelessly in love with Jewish Europe and runs The Zehud Jewish Online School & Foundation for Jewish Life in Europe. With a background in marketing and management, Tal runs Zehud with the passion and precision it deserves.
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Yael Dahan joins Zehud from iTalAm, where she worked for many years as the coordinator of Jewish Schools in Europe & in Asia.
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Nina holds a B.A and a teaching certification in special Ed. and Literature through the Kibbutzim Seminary College in Tel Aviv. She has over 15 years of experience teaching in Israel and the United States. She's done a variety of workshops in leading international Hebrew teaching programs (iTalAm, Milk and Honey, Bishvil Ha’ivrit, and more), and she wrote the curriculum for Zehud’s hachana (preparatory) program. She also has a Teachers-Mentor Certification through the Pinches Foundation. She brings a passion for Jewish education to Zehud as our Principal.
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Rav Johnny Solomon is the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) of Webyeshiva where he teaches a range of classes, and also offers confidential spiritual coaching, halachic consultations, and Torah study sessions as #theVirtualRabbi to men, women and couples. Rav Johnny has extensive educational experience, and serves as Zehud's Educational Director.
Meet our teachers
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Ha’Morah Nina holds a B.A and a teaching certification in special Ed. and Literature through the Kibbutzim Seminary College in Tel Aviv. She has over 15 years of experience teaching in Israel and the United States. She's done a variety of workshops in leading international Hebrew teaching programs (iTalAm, Milk and Honey, Bishvil Ha’ivrit, and more), and she wrote the curriculum for Zehud’s hachana (preparatory) program. She also has a Teachers-Mentor Certification through the Pinches Foundation. She brings a passion for Jewish education to Zehud as our Principal.
Ha’Morah Nina lives in New York (USA).
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Ha’Morah Zviya has an undergraduate degree in comparative Hebrew literature and Jewish history from Haifa University, and a teaching certificate from Michlelet Oranim. She has 11 years of experience in teaching Judaism and Hebrew as a second language to children and adults in Israel and worldwide.
Ha’Morah Zviya lives in Germany.
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Ha’Morah Chanie has an undergraduate degree and specialization in teaching Hebrew as a second language. She’s a Hebrew teacher in Israel and Europe with more than 30 years of experience. Chanie’s background is in teaching a diverse range of students - from elementary school to high school and adults, in France and Switzerland.
Ha’Morah Chanie lives in Israel.
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Ha’Morah Sima has a degree in teaching and in special education from Bar Ilan University. She has 15 years of experience teaching in elementary school in Israel and in the U.S.
Ha’Morah Sima lives in Pennsylvania (USA)
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Ha’Morah Channa has a teaching certificate and undergraduate degree in education and Jewish History. She has over 15 years of experience teaching Hebrew language and Jewry, primarily in Rome, Italy and in Israel
Ha’Morah Channa lives in Israel.
Meet our board of directors
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Alisa Coleman is a former Chief of Staff in the Knesset, and previously worked for the Yesh Atid party and for Jerusalem U. As the current Director of the Department of Aliyah and Absorption in Bet Shemesh, Alisa brings her passion for worldwide Jewish life to Zehud.
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Ofer Glanz is a skilled executive with broad experience in corporate and non-profit sectors, excelling in multicultural, global settings. He is a consultant in the HiTech Industry, received his master's degree in Law from Bar Ilan University, and is the chairman of the board of Modiin Water Supply Corporation – “Mei Modiin”. Ofer’s community-focused work bridges corporate standards with education and Jewish identity initiatives.
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Barry Kislowicz has over a decade of experience working with leaders, companies, and schools, helping them develop strategies and systems that lead to success. As Senior Director at Scott Goldberg Consulting, he offers executive coaching that empowers individuals and teams. Barry has also served in leadership roles at Herzog College, Educating for Impact, and CET, bringing a unique approach to educational innovation and organizational growth.
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Daniel Needlestone is a consultant and pedagogical adviser specializing in Microsoft 365, with a focus on training, communication, change management, and user adoption. He moved to Oslo from the UK, where he lives with his family. He’s an active member of the Jewish community of Oslo, currently responsible for the community cheder. As a board member of Zehud, Daniel uses his skills as a pedagogical adviser in an IT consultancy working with change management and user adoption.
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Eli Ovits brings 20 years of leadership and management experience across five continents, transforming organizations through strategic planning, business development, and clear communication. As the former Global CEO of Limmud, Eli strengthened Jewish life and spearheaded initiatives that led to major donations and partnerships. Eli is known for his vision and integrity, always fostering collaboration and purpose in diverse environments.
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Ruben Pescara is a real estate lawyer with extensive experience assisting Italian and international investors, funds, and corporations in acquisitions, cross-border transactions, and asset management. As a partner at Nunziante Magrone, he leads the Real Estate team, advising on projects in offices, hospitality, retail, and more. Ruben excels at understanding client needs and navigating complex property deals.
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In addition to being Zehud's Educational Director, Rav Johnny sits on our Advisory Board, offering his insights and wisdom to help guide the direction and growth of Zehud.
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Anna Veronese was born in Venice, Italy. Since 2009, she has been living in Paris with her husband and three children. She holds a BA in Archaeology, an MA in History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and an MA in Information Science from the CNAM Institute in Paris. She works for Ta Shma, a French Beit Midrash in Jerusalem, and for Akadem, the French main digital platform of Jewish content. She is a member of the board of Kehilat Ayeka, a new Modern Orthodox community in Paris; she is responsible for liturgy and is involved in the community Bet-Midrash, Kol-Elles. She is currently in Maharat’s Beit Midrash program. She is passionate about Italian Jewish traditions, rich and composite in both customs and liturgy, which she studies and passes on to the next generation.
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Rabbi Dr. Zarum is Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS), formerly known as Jews’ College, where he holds the Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought. He also serves as Scholar-in-Residence at the Central Square Minyan in Hampstead Garden Suburb. He has a PhD in Theoretical Physics from King’s College London, an MA in Education from University College London, rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Sacks zt”l and the Montefiore Kollel, and is a graduate of the Mandel Leadership School in Jerusalem. His writings on Bible, philosophy, education, and Jewish life regularly appear in the Jewish press, academic journals, and book collections.
