By Orit Gutman
Yoav Partnership2Gether Committee Chair
With deep emotion and great responsibility, I’m stepping into the role of chair of the Yoav steering committee for the Partnership2Gether between Yoav, Israel, and the Lehigh Valley. This is a great privilege, especially in such a complex time when community resilience, solidarity, and a sense of belonging are not just values but necessities.
Over the past seven years, I’ve served on the committee as part of the dedicated and involved team that worked tirelessly, even during times of uncertainty, crisis, and challenge. Together, we have weathered major events from the Covid pandemic to the ongoing war that began on October 7, 2023. In these difficult periods, the importance of maintaining deep, meaningful connections between our communities has become more evident than ever.
I learned from Mati Rechavi-Tzarfati, former head of the Yoav Regional Council and one of the founders of the partnership, that Jewish peoplehood is not a theoretical concept but something that is built through real, personal relationships. In 2022, I had the opportunity to travel to the Lehigh Valley with fellow committee members. We were received with open arms: Lori and Houman Ahdieh opened their home and hearts to us, Lehigh Valley P2G chair Miriam Zager and Jeri Zimmerman and Aaron Gorodzinsky of the Jewish Federation accompanied us throughout our stay, and we were privileged to celebrate Israel’s Memorial and Independence Days together. These moments were transformative for me and will remain etched in my memory.
Later, we were honored to host members of the Lehigh Valley committee here in Israel. That visit sparked strong personal connections. My husband and three sons bonded deeply with Rachel and Howie Levin and their lovely children, Micah and Penny. This personal experience highlighted for us the incredible similarity between our communities and created a true sense of belonging, mutual destiny, and shared identity.
When I was recently asked to take on the role of chair, I knew this was a true mission. I follow in the footsteps of Hanna Bechar, who led the Yoav partnership committee with wisdom, sensitivity, and determination. I’m grateful that she will continue to walk alongside me, together with all our amazing committee members in Israel and abroad.
In addition to my volunteer work in the partnership, I serve as the executive director of For the Community, a joint initiative of Tkuma, NATAL, and the Israeli Association of Community Centers (IACC). Our mission is to strengthen resilience and support recovery in communities affected by the October 7 attacks and the war that followed. My role focuses on developing partnerships, leading social and community initiatives, and guiding local resilience-building efforts in the Gaza envelope.
Previously, I served as CEO of the Yoav Community Centers Association for culture, sports, and community, and directed centers in Gan Yavne, Shafir, and Gedera. I have also worked in leadership roles at the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Academic College and led youth and educational programs at Chinuch L’Psagot. I hold a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences and an MBA in business administration, specializing in organizational and business psychology. I am a former Israel Defense Forces officer in the Paratroopers Brigade and continue to volunteer as a speaker and in civil society initiatives.
The Yoav-Lehigh Valley partnership is more than just a program. It’s a living bridge between people, cultures, and families. It’s a profound expression of our mutual responsibility as one people. In a time when so many feel isolated or overwhelmed, these connections are a vital source of strength and hope.
I truly believe that the more we deepen our relationships and build mutual trust, the better the future we ensure for our children, both in Israel and the Diaspora. I’m honored by the trust placed in me and hope to carry this mission forward with all of you as partners.
May this be a year of renewed connection, healing, and good news—and may all our brothers and sisters return home soon