Asher Afriat is the founder and President of Israel Seminar Group, and the driving force behind it. An avid storyteller, he is considered one of Israel’s most prominent guides, informal educators and advocates, integrating in-depth experience with a strong sense of service. His talent lies in his ability to make the beauty and complexity of Israel accessible to any visitor who wants to experience it first-hand. Asher is highly dedicated to his clients and committed to the vision that stands at the base of Israel Seminar – creating life changing experiences.
CEO
Moran Horwitz
Moran was born and raised in the southern city of Sderot. After her army service, Moran moved to Beer Sheva to earn her degree in economics and accounting from Ben Gurion University of the Negev. She relocated to Tel Aviv to start her professional career as an intern at PWC and has been living in Tel Aviv for the past eight years. Prior to working at Israel Seminar, Moran was a Manager of Financial Systems for one of the biggest supermarket chains in Israel. At Israel Seminar, Moran is accountable for managing the company.
SENIOR TRAVEL ARCHITECT
Shilgit Miara
A true Israeli, Shilgit was born and raised in this country, and would rather live nowhere else. Tourism has always been her passion, and her unique name and charming personality make her unforgettable. Implementing her extraordinary social skills and vast experience, Shilgit is a true multi-tasker ensuring that each and every client is 100% satisfied and as passionate about Israel as she is. Shilgit speaks fluent French, Spanish and English and enjoys peaceful evenings at her moshav home with her husband and three children.
Director of Content
Shani Marciano Sade
Shani is a born and raised Israeli from Holon (a city located 5 minutes from Tel Aviv). After completing her 3.5 years of military service as an education officer she felt like she wanted to contribute more to her country, so she joined the Jewish Agency and instructed in American summer camps for 2 consecutive years. She continued to complete a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and East Asia studies in Hebrew university in Jerusalem. After that she wanted to reconnect with Israel and the best way to do that is to join a special training program sponsored by Israeli Ministry of Tourism and Birthright for tour guides so she could literally feel every rock, walk every path, and climb every mountain. For the past 9 years she has been helping tourists to get the best experience in Israel by planning and executing countless visits using her unique perspective and vast experience. She currently holds the position of Director of content, meaning she is the mind behind all the experiences you will go through with us, experiences that are unique, the kind that stays with you long after the trip is over. In this period of time, she is also a devoted mother to 8-year-old Ella 5 year old Assif and 1 year old Ivri David.
Director of Operations
Miriam Stetson
Miriam, was born and raised in London, UK, and has been in Israel since 2005. Miriam studied Business Management and after making Aliyah, Miriam studied Interior Design and Architecture before stepping into the world of tourism.
With over 10 years of experience, Miriam is now the Director of Operations of Israel Seminar.
Finance & Admin. Manager
Sol Polonsky
Sol was born and raised in Kibbutz Or HaNer, located within the Gaza envelope. Her parents hailed from Argentina and moved to Israel due to their Zionistic values and intended to pass on their love for the country on to their children. Sol enlisted in the IDF as a medic in a classified Air Force unit, where she served for 6 years. When the opportunity to work at Israel Seminar presented itself to Sol, she knew this was the company that aligned with her values and ideology. Her love for Israel and the Negev where she grew up drives her mission at Israel Seminar every day. In her spare time, Sol loves to attend the theater, listen to live music and spend quality time with her family.
Bookkeeper
Yula Falko
Client Success Manager
Rena Arbel Haviv
Rena was born in Toronto, Canada and grew up in Jerusalem. She has worked in the tourism industry for the past ten years, handling diverse clients.
Rena holds an MA in nonprofit management, and worked in the non profit sector for a couple of years before getting into tourism.
She lives in a small town with her husband and 2 boys.
Client Success Manager
Noa Diamant
Noa was born and raised in Tel Aviv and has promised to never leave it. After graduating from Thelma Yellin School of the Arts, she served as a Psychotechnic Evaluator for the IDF. Continuing with this line, she proceeded to Psychology BA studies in Herzliya’s Interdisciplinary Center (IDC, now known as Reichman University). Currently she is pursuing a Neuroscience Masters degree in Bar Ilan University. Prior to working in Israel Seminar, you could find Noa behind the bar in Tel Aviv’s chef restaurants and nightlife scene. At Israel Seminar, Noa is a Client Success Manager, but also contributing her strong verbal skills in content-writing.
Client Success Manager
Mali Vergara
Mali was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Mali moved to Thailand to earn her MBA degree at Prince of Songkla University. Over the course of her career she has held a variety of positions, including Front Office Manager in one of Thailand’s biggest hotel chains, and Audit Manager in Israel. Her career in hospitality spanned more than a decade before she moved into the travel industry. Over the past five years she has planned and executed trips for VIP tourists using her experience and skills. Currently, she is working at Israel Seminar as a Client Success Manager. One of her latest projects includes managing the visit to Israel of the Ecuadorian President’s delegation, Guillermo Lasso.
Client Success Manager
Noga Ivgi
Noga was born and raised in Jerusalem but recently moved to Tel Aviv. With a background in tourism and hospitality, she is dedicated to creating personalized travel experiences for her clients. Noga is a passionate traveler who takes pleasure in meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. She is currently pursuing a degree in behavioral sciences and aspires to travel throughout the world.
Client Success Manager
Amit Tamir
Amit was born in San Diego, California. Her family returned to Israel shortly after and has lived ever since in a small moshav called Magshimim. As soon as she set foot in the country, she fell in love with it. As part of her military service her job was director of an operations room in the Air Force. Over the course of two years, she was responsible for overseeing the air and ground fields of the Nevatim air base (the F-35 planes). For the past year, Amit has worked at the Israeli seminary as a client success manager and has a true passion and love for the profession. Her goal is to convey to all customers her enthusiasm for Israel and the beauty and history that is found there.
Client Success Manager
Keren Sagi
Keren was born in the US, and was raised in Israel. After her military service she relocated to NY to work and study. During that time she earned her B.A. from Hunter College and worked for the UN Procurement Department. After a decade in NY she returned to Israel and has been living in Tel Aviv for the past 7 years.
Keren is an experienced client success manager who demonstrates commitment to excellence and ethical principle in the workplace. With a proven ability for working under pressure, she uses her strong leadership and multitasking skills to promote efficiency and teamwork.
Client Success Manager
Nina Voss
Nina was born and raised in Jerusalem. After her army service, Nina moved to Beer Sheva to earn her B.A in Middle Eastern Studies at the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, and later earned her M.P.H in Disaster Management from Tel Aviv University. Prior to working at Israel Seminar, Nina worked as a Missions Coordinator for AIPAC in the Jerusalem Office. At Israel Seminar, Nina is a Client Success Manager.
Client Success Manager
Aviya Mizrahi
Aviya was born and raised in a small city in the central district of Israel. Aviya served the IDF as an operation room coordinator in the Air Force. She was responsible for overseeing the air and ground fields of the Nevatim air base (the F-35 planes). Aviya is a new client success manager in our company and loves her job especially because of her love for Israel and it’s diversity.
Client Success Manager
Elizabeth Wainer
Liz was born and raised in the US, but fell in love with Israel after several visits. She made Aliyah in 2021 following her graduation from Ohio State University where she studied Strategic Communications. Her professional career began with working in customer success in a hi-tech company. She decided to bring her skills to Israel Seminar so she could share her passion for Israel with others. Now a true Tel Avivian, her heart is full from seeing others fall in love with the country she now calls home.
Client Success Manager
Carmel Ben David
Originally hailing from Jerusalem, Carmel nowadays lives and breathes the vibrant city of Tel Aviv.
In her military service she was responsible for the logistics of IDF’s volunteers.
Before working at Israel Seminar she worked at an advertising agency and used to run her own self-designed hat company.
She recently gained her Bachelor’s degree in Communication & Business Administration from Reichman University, but quickly realized her passion resides in the field of tourism and lifestyle.
Other than being a Client Success Manager at Israel Seminar, in her free time Carmel enjoys traveling and exploring the world as well as superbly hosting her friends and cooking for them.
Client Success Manager
Sarah Klein
Sarah was born and raised in the Big Apple (New York). After graduating from the University of Connecticut and traveling the world, she relocated to Israel. Having gained ample experience in the field of Human Rights, International Law, and Social Impact during her Master’s in Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, she began her career as a Client Success Manager to continue her passion of making people happy. Sarah enjoys traveling, hiking with her dog, and continuing to discover all of the hidden gems that Israel has to offer.
