Opening its doors 19 years ago with a small group of 24 students, Midreshet AMIT has since grown to full capacity with over 60 students this year, hailing from countries all over the world. Longtime director Ilana Gottlieb recognized the need to expand her leadership team to better serve the seminary’s growing community—and Midreshet AMIT is thrilled to welcome Yonit Mhazri as its new director.
Gottlieb will move into her new role as dean, and she and Mhazri will work closely to manage the day-to-day operations of the program. This shift will allow the seminary to expand its opportunities, give students more individualized attention and deliver an exceptional gap-year experience.
“I am truly excited for the year ahead,” said Mhazri. “Stepping into this role is, for me, a tremendous opportunity to work with our dedicated team to bring the Midrasha to new heights.”
A native Israeli, Mhazri has many years of experience in the educational world, both in Israel and the U.S. Together with her family, she did her first shlichut at Hillel Torah Day School in Skokie, IL, before returning to Israel to earn her bachelor’s degree in education at Orot Israel College. She then worked at Midreshet Machon Maayan as project and students coordinator, before accepting another shlichut at The Moriah School in Englewood, N.J., which just finished this year. Now back home in Israel and embarking on a new chapter with Midreshet AMIT, Mhazri has a unique understanding of her students, having exposure to the communities in which they grew up, as well as the seminary experience.
“Yonit’s combination of U.S. and seminary experience and her unique Israeli flair complement the fantastic professional team at AMIT. Her talent and enthusiasm will bring great energy to our students and staff as this new year begins,” Gottlieb said.
Volunteering
In a team effort, Mhazri and Gottlieb will work together to strengthen the academic and pedagogical aspects of the midrasha. “I will also be responsible for leading the volunteering program, organizing trips and shabbatonim and managing the midrasha staff,” added Mhazri.
Midreshet AMIT is uniquely located near AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled, a youth village for disadvantaged children who live on site in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem. The seminary students routinely visit the children, aged 5-15, who benefit tremendously from the kindness and attention. The close affiliation with Beit Hayeled provides Midreshet AMIT students with a front-row seat to these children’s journeys to better circumstances and is a rare and inspiring experience that resonates deeply with the girls.
In her work with the students, Mhazri will focus on this special connection. “At AMIT we place great importance on the values of giving and acts of service, both through our deep connection to Beit Hayeled and through meaningful encounters with communities throughout the country.”
Connecting With Alumni
Gottlieb’s warmth and approachable personality have helped her develop close relationships with many students over the years. With the seminary’s alumni community growing significantly over the years, and many taking on leadership roles and even seats on AMIT’s board, Gottlieb wants to focus more of her efforts on supporting them as they begin their next chapters.
“The world is harder to navigate now and one of my goals is to keep our alumni who are going off to college anchored in their Judaism, connected to Israel and engaged with AMIT’s mission. We want to support and strengthen them to ensure their foundation of learning and volunteering continues,” shared Gottlieb.
Mentioning one alum who learns on the phone with a former teacher in the mornings, Gottlieb noted that alumni who opt to stay in Israel—for university, sherut, or aliyah—would also benefit from increased programming and support.
The seminary’s special connection to AMIT, Israel’s leading educational network, provides valuable resources, strong community connections and a reliable support system that directly benefits students and staff. Gottlieb sees tremendous value in tailoring some of the groundbreaking initiatives from the AMIT Network for Midreshet AMIT. For example, the TATZAM program for emotional support could enhance the inner, personal development that takes place in seminary.
Forging Strong Bonds
In addition to chesed, Midreshet AMIT prioritizes students’ connection with the Land of Israel. Tiyulim and trips deepen students’ knowledge of the country, both culturally and geographically, while reinforcing their relationship to the people and communities of Israel. “We will also emphasize building a strong bond with the State of Israel through greater fluency and confidence in Hebrew, and through a serious engagement with Torah study in a way that is personal and meaningful for each student,” shared Mhazri.
“Our goal at Midreshet AMIT is to meet students where they are and help them have a formative year in which they connect to Torah, Israel and each other. The more great personalities we have and the more professional tools we can use, the more incredible program we can run,” said Gottlieb.
After “developing a special bond with the Englewood community” during her time there Mhazri is looking forward to building relationships with a new cohort of students—this time at home. “Shlichut is a way of life for us,” she said, “and I am excited to continue now in Israel, together with the young women of AMIT.”
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