A Life of Service: Or Kadosh’s Commitment to Community and Helping Others
For University of Haifa student Or Kadosh, making a difference in the lives of others has always been a driving force. From volunteering with at-risk youth and Holocaust survivors to serving in the Israel Police’s intelligence operations, her experiences have been shaped by a deep commitment to helping those around her.
Now pursuing a B.A. in Criminology and Human Services through the University’s Raveh Ravid Program, Or is building on that commitment while preparing for a career in human resources. With the support of the University of Haifa, she is combining her academic ambitions with her passion for community service and her determination to make a meaningful impact.
Building Bridges: Snir Dagan’s Journey Toward a Life in Diplomacy
University of Haifa student Snir Dagan, 26, originally from Moshav Ein Yahav in southern Israel, has long felt a responsibility to serve Israel and its people. Now, through his studies in political science and international relations, he is turning that commitment into a path toward a career in diplomacy — one he hopes will allow him to strengthen understanding between Israel and Jewish communities around the world.
Leading the Fight Against Antisemitism: A Conversation with Dr. David Barak-Gorodetsky
Head of the Elizabeth and Tony Comper Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Antisemitism and Racism and Director of the Ruderman Program for American Jewish Studies at the University of Haifa, Dr. Barak-Gorodetsky speaks to us about building a global academic field, the launch of CASA, and what comes next in the fight against contemporary antisemitism.
Stitching Memory: A Fashion Graduate Turns Grief into Art
Yifat Mandabi is a 46-year-old mother of three from Haifa. She moved there from Eilat during her army service in the Navy, fell in love with the city, and has lived there ever since.
Building New Pathways: A Conversation with Kalanit Kleemer on the Northern Lights Initiative
When the University of Haifa launched its Northern Lights Initiative this past April, it was addressing a gap that had been quietly widening for decades. Israel’s Druze citizens are required to enlist at 18 and often serve in elite IDF roles, but many have bypassed higher education in favor of immediate employment after years of service, leaving a growing educational divide within the community. Developed in partnership with the IDF Human Resources Directorate, the Defense Ministry, and with support from the Jewish Federation of Chicago and the Jewish Federations of North America, the program offers discharged Druze soldiers a structured bridge into academic life. Kalanit Kleemer, Head of Administration in the Dean of Students Office, sat down with us to share how it came together.
Bridging Worlds: University of Haifa Doctoral Student Reimagines Arabic Classical Music for the Modern Age
Onn Yosef Kadosh grew up in a musical household in Tel Aviv, where his father placed an oud in his hands and set him on a path that would shape his life’s work. Today, as a doctoral researcher at the University of Haifa and recipient of the prestigious Prof. Emeritus Robert Elbaz Scholarship for Outstanding Doctoral Students, Kadosh is developing a pioneering new compositional framework he calls “The Expanded Maqam” — an effort to bring the deep modal tradition of Arabic classical music into conversation with contemporary art music, without losing what makes it unique.
Student Spotlight: Kamela Mohammad Zaid
Kamela Mohammad Zaid grew up in Fureidis, a village in the Haifa district, with a childhood dream of studying medicine and a deep commitment to her community. A social activist, volunteer, and muralist, she is now a first-year student at the University of Haifa’s Herta and Paul Amir School of Medicine. For Kamela, being part of this inaugural class carries special meaning. Studying alongside students from different backgrounds and traditions, she sees the University’s diversity not as incidental but as essential preparation for the kind of physician she hopes to become.
Student Spotlight: Lee Avior Ovadia
Lee Avior Ovadia is a second-year student at the University of Haifa, studying Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics. She is also a Major in the IDF reserves who has served nearly 400 days since the war began, leading teams responsible for relocating hospitals into protected spaces under fire. Released from nearly seven years of combat service in August 2023, she was called back just weeks later. Through it all, she remains on track to graduate on time, supported by a faculty that has gone above and beyond.
Student Spotlight: Daniel Yehudai
In recent months, with the start of Operation “Roaring Lion,” I was called back to reserve duty as an officer in the IDF’s Intelligence Directorate. Since beginning my medical studies at the University of Haifa in October 2025, I have served nearly 60 days of reserve duty. This has been a particularly complex and intensive period in my life, as I balance my commitment to serving and protecting the country with my desire and determination to continue my studies.
Student Spotlight: Shanny Aya Bittom
Shanny Aya Bittom is a 26-year-old medical student in her first year at the University of Haifa’s medical school. Born in the United States and raised in Rishon LeZion, she now lives in Herzliya with her partner and their cat.
