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.
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.
Student Spotlight: Ophir Netzer
AFUH spoke with Ophir about what she is seeing among Nova survivors today, what science is revealing about trauma and consciousness, and where she finds hope amid ongoing pain.
From Physics to Diplomacy: Baidaa Obaid Finds Her Passion at University of Haifa
Baidaa Obaid, 22, grew up in the small Druze village of Sajur, and her journey through higher education has been anything but linear. Starting in engineering at another institution, she discovered her true calling in English Literature and Cognitive Science when she transferred to Haifa. Along the way, she found her voice in diplomacy as the president of the University’s Model United Nations program. In addition to that, Obaid also has her hands full as a research assistant in a neuroscience lab and a violinist. AFUH spoke with her about her path, passions, and advice for students charting their own journeys.
From IT Leader to Aspiring Diplomat: Amer Swatera’s Journey at University of Haifa
Amer Swatera, a second-year political science student at University of Haifa from Maghar, a small town in northern Israel home to Muslims, Christians and Druze, is balancing his studies with a career as an IT team leader. With a passion for diplomacy and a wealth of life experience, Amer brings focus, curiosity, and dedication to both the classroom and his future ambitions in the Foreign Service. He sat down with AFUH to talk about his experience at the University and his plans for the future.
Student Spotlight: Liad Abada – Rising from the Rubble
In this moving conversation, Liad shares what it means to stay grounded in purpose even as everything familiar burns away, and how University of Haifa has stood by him during the most difficult period of his life.
