Our Leadership
Maish Isaacson - Chairman
Maish was born in Pretoria and made Aliyah from Johannesburg in 2001 with his wife Jocelyn and their 3 children. He founded and owned the iconic Meatland store in Ra'anana, providing Anglos and Olim with a "taste of home" for over 25 years after having much success with Pie Works in South Africa. Maish is passionate about community and philanthropy. In addition to Telfed, he is also an active volunteer in the Chevrah Kadisha, ZAKA and the police force - Maish is the highest ranking Police Officer in Ra'anana, serving with the rank of Captain. He has served as a member of the city council of Ra'anana, obtaining the position of Deputy Mayor. In his spare time, Maish also volunteers as a Medical Clown, bringing joy and comfort to patients in Meir hospital. He is the proud grandfather to 5 grandchildren. This is Maish's 4th term as a chairman of Telfed and he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience - his previous terms of office being between 2007- 2009, 2009 -2011 and 2015-2017.
Debbie Dash - Vice Chairman
made Aliyah in 2005 with her husband Gideon Hack and their daughters, Ma’ayan and Danielle. Debbie is a social worker who has been active in community development throughout her career. Volunteerism is an important value and she has assisted various organisations in Canada and Israel. Debbie has been a Telfed volunteer since 2017.
Shiri Berzack White
made aliyah in 2012 joining her sister who was already settled in Modiin with her family. She grew up being involved in the Sandton shul community as well as Bnei Akiva SA. In 2010 she was the Sganit Rosh Machaneh for Bnei Akiva camp. Over the past 10 years in Israel she has lived mostly in Jerusalem and recently moved to Tel Aviv. She works in high tech and is currently in a startup in Tel Aviv, living the Israeli dream. In 2016 her parents joined her and her sister in Israel and they eagerly await the Aliyah of the other 2 sisters still in Johannesburg.
Dave Bloom
was born in Zimbabwe and made Aliyah in 1973 as part of a Habonim garin. He is married to Gail and they have two daughters and seven grandchildren. Gail and Dave were founder members of Kochav Yair where they have lived since 1986. Dave has been involved professionally in the high-tech and the media industry for over 40 years including senior positions at Reuters. He is currently a partner at Exsys. Dave is a professional Personal Historian. He has been an active Telfed volunteer for nearly 30 years and has held several positions including chairman of the Telfed Media Committee, SASI Committee and Telfed History Project and is a past Chairman of Telfed itself.
Shely Cohen
was born in Johannesburg, went to King David Linksfield. Shely grew up in a very Zionist home, and from a young age was involved in Betar. She went to 10 camps (the best times) and grew into the leadership of the movement. After school, Shely did Mechina at the Hebrew University, but decided to go back to SA and study at Wits. She married her childhood sweetheart, Barry Cohen, in 1993, and they made Aliyah together in 1994. They have 4 Israeli-born children who all say ‘Ja’ and ‘lekker’ and ‘just now’ like real South Africans. “I think that my heart and soul were always in Israel, and it just took my body 22 years to catch up... I feel absolutely blessed and privileged to live in our Jewish Homeland, and I love maintaining my South African connection by volunteering at Telfed,” says Shely. Shely is the Chairman of the Scholarships Committee, “the most amazing committee to be involved with, as we work towards helping students achieve their goals and contribute to society.”
Clinton Ephron
After completing his accounting articles at Grant Thornton / Kessel Feinstein in South Africa, Clinton joined Glencore in 1994. He worked in various capacities in the group’s coal trading division in the Istanbul, Zurich and South African offices. Clinton’s final role at Glencore was that of the CEO of Glencore Coal South Africa before his emigration to Israel in 2017. Clinton currently focuses his time on philanthropic initiatives centered on Jewish, Israeli and sporting initiatives. Clinton sits on a number of Telfed committees, including the Fundraising Committee (which he chairs).
Allan Feinblum
made Aliyah together with his wife Carol and their 3 daughters after a successful business career and many years serving the Johannesburg Jewish community, primarily in the building of the King David Sandton School and serving on the Board of Jewish Education. For over a decade, Allan has served Telfed on the Directorate and Executive and also been involved in fundraising and special projects, and has chaired various committees currently holding position of Chairman of Isrentco. Allan has concurrently served on the Finance Committee of Beth Protea.
Gabey Gordon
made Aliyah from Johannesburg to Ra’anana with her husband Mike and their four children. Gabey has always volunteered and welcomed the opportunity to volunteer in Israel through Telfed, and in English! Having made Aliyah with teenage children, Gabey maintains that making Aliyah with teens is possible.
Robby Hilkowitz
made Aliyah in 1993 from South Africa via 6 years in Australia. His wife is from Victory Park and they have four children, two of whom were born in Israel and two in London. Robby invests in early stage financial services companies and is a director of several philanthropic organisations, which deal with aged care, poverty relief and personal debt management and extraction. He supports South Africa in rugby, Australia in cricket and Chelsea in football. Robby is the past Chairman of Telfed.
Alan Lipchin
made Aliyah with his wife and two gorgeous girls in 2019 - 6 months before the outbreak of Covid when the world changed! With over 20 years experience in IT, he moved into the high tech industry in Tel Aviv. Alan volunteered at the Jewish Board of Deputies in South Africa for over 25 years and is passionate about Israel and ensuring that incoming Olim find the right opportunities to succeed. In his off time, he enjoys cycling and swimming, and spending quality time with his family and friends.
Batya Shmukler
made Aliyah in 1991 in a garin Aliyah from Betar. She and her husband, Jonathan, have 4 children – all Israeli born. Batya is an English teacher by profession. She has always been an active participant in community affairs, starting with her involvement as a madricha for Betar. She has volunteered for other organisations in Israel and has been an active Telfed volunteer for the past 15 years. The South African community has always been her soft spot and she is proud to be affiliated with Telfed. Batya is the former chairman of Telfed’s ESP Committee and a past Chairman of Telfed.
Paul Weinberg
made Aliyah in 1996. Paul is a lawyer with over 25 years of experience and holds a BA LLB from Wits University and an MBA from Tel Aviv University and North Western University, Chicago. Paul founded and today manages a corporate and commercial law firm in Tel Aviv. Paul was one of the founding members of the Mevaser Zion community in Tel Mond and is still a member of the management committee. Paul sits on the directorate and the executive of Telfed. Paul and his wife, Hayley live in Tel Mond and have five boys.