Our Staff

In 2001, Dikla Gol left a secure job to cast her fate with a group of dreamers...
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Lifsha Feldman

Founder

Lifsha Feldman, Meshi’s founder, was a kindergarten teacher and the mother of 10 children. When her ninth child Ruchama was stricken with brain damage following complications from surgery, Lifsha—together with her mother Hadassah Zuravin—moved mountains in the fight to create a means to best rehabilitate Ruchama and other children in need. Her near-legendary efforts would bring her to harness the nation’s top rehabilitation specialists and therapists, make contact with parents of disabled children who shared her needs and dreams, and eventually to win the respect and cooperation of Israel’s government leaders and medical establishment. Her vision to create the Meshi Children’s Rehabilitation Center came of her love, unshakable faith, and indomitable will, which touched every aspect of her unflagging labors to give disabled children the best care. Lifsha’s sudden death in 2009 at age 45 was an extraordinarily painful loss to Meshi’s children, parents, staff and to all of Israel.

Lifsha Feldman was born in the U.S., and immigrated to Israel in 1970. She was married to Rabbi Shlomo Feldman, a noted rabbi and scholar.

Hadassah Zuravin

Co-Founder

A talented counselor who had worked professionally with youth-at-risk, Hadassah Zuravin's vision and determination transformed the lives of disabled children and their families throughout Israel as she assumed responsibility for developing the Meshi center. Together with her daughter, the late Lifsha Feldman,z"l, Hadassah helped build the original infrastructure in Israel, and then turned to bringing Meshi's needs to the attention of dear friends and supporters in America. Her late husband, Rabbi Efraim Zuravin, was renowned and respected for his leading role in Jewish education in both Lakewood, New Jersey, and in Israel-with Hadassah at his side to assist and bolster his efforts.

Debbie Jonas

Chair, American Friends of Meshi

Together with her husband Howard, Debbie Jonas is one of the leading Jewish philanthropists in the USA. She was among the first to champion Meshi’s cause, reaching out to lend her support and encouragement from the formative days of the Center’s creation. Debbie initially became acquainted with Meshi during Hadassah Zuravin’s first fundraising trip to the U.S., fostering an ongoing, staunch partnership with the organization. “Meshi is a magical place,” she says, as she works tirelessly to involve and inspire others in aiding Meshi’s children. Born in New York, Debbie Jonas graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and from Harvard University. The mother of nine children ranging in age from seven to 27, she is now a recent law school graduate who is clerking for a federal judge. Despite her extremely demanding schedule, she has always found time to devote untold hours in personally assisting the sick and the needy.

Asher Zuravin

Administrative Director

Born in the United States, Asher came to Israel as a youngster with his family. His late sister Lifsha Feldman, z"l, personally selected him to join the Meshi team, where he is responsible for the smooth and efficient administration of Meshi's programs, and the complex interaction with various government ministries and the country’s HMOs (Kupot Cholim). He brings to Meshi a rich background in commercial ventures and in the building industry. Asher Zuravin resides in Jerusalem with his wife and nine children.

Dr. Amichai Brezner

Head Medical Advisor

Dr. Brezner, an internationally recognized expert in pediatric rehabilitation, heads Meshi’s medical advisory board which is composed of leading Israeli physicians. He personally oversees Meshi’s professional staff, and provides regular training and consultation at Meshi’s early childhood center and elementary school. Dr. Brezner serves as the director of the Pediatric Rehabilitation Department at Sheba Medical Center (at Tel Hashomer Hospital), which annually treats over 2000 children with chronic disabilities. Dr. Brezner has published widely in renowned professional journals, and is currently involved in clinical trials in cooperation with the U.S. National Institute of Health and the Israeli Health Ministry, testing new methods for rehabilitation of multi-handicapped children.