New NIF Executive Director

Dear Friends,

We are very excited to announce that, with the unanimous and enthusiastic endorsement of the NIF Board of Directors, Rachel Liel has been selected to serve as the new NIF Executive Director in Israel.  

As we all know, Rachel has directed SHATIL for 12 extraordinary years.  During this period, Rachel has expanded and improved the capacity building services provided to Israeli civil society organizations, shaped several unique and influential leadership development programs, and developed an exciting portfolio of projects that promote social change for women, minorities, youth at risk and many other marginalized groups. 

Rachel also has served as an effective spokesperson and fundraiser for NIF, establishing personal relationships and professional partnerships with many of our key donors.  She also recently led SHATIL through an innovative and successful strategic thinking process, which will serve her well as she helps devise, with the new CEO, a strategic planning process that will guide NIF for the next five-10 years. 

In assuming her new position, Rachel will be asked to fill Eliezer Yaari’s very large shoes.  From the beginning of his tenure, when he conceived and orchestrated the hugely successful “Signing Anew” program, to his recent efforts in promoting the elimination of racism from the football field, Eliezer has brought an incomparable creativity and passion to the role of NIF-Israel Director.  During the past five years alone, Eliezer has ensured that NIF played a role in the fight against the route of the separation barrier, reducing the chances of violence around the Gaza disengagement, ensuring better service to Jewish and Arab victims during the post-Lebanon reconstruction effort in the North, and securing new opportunities for Israel’s Russian population.   We have all benefited from his considerable communications savvy and his wise political instincts, as well as his ability to describe for our diverse donors the many challenges – economic, social, political and security - that Israel faces on a daily basis.

We and the Board are confident that not only have we selected the best qualified candidate to serve as the Director of NIF-Israel, but that the entire organization will benefit considerably from the continuity that Rachel’s selection provides.  We intend on utilizing the coming months to ensure a smooth handover and to celebrate Eliezer’s tenure as NIF-Israel Director, with events both in Israel and the United States. 

We are sure you will join us in congratulating Rachel and wishing her the most success.

Naomi Chazan, President                                                   Larry Garber, CEO