Yael Baumgold, 29, Executive Director

Throughout my work with Jewish communities in Europe and with Jewish youth in Israel , I was exposed to the challenges facing young Jews today. As A secular Israeli Jew, these experiences renewed my link to Judaism, in its wide context and meanings, leaving me with a strong feeling of obligation for connection and continuation of the Jewish story. The Jewish Salons project met my understanding of the need to maintain and widen a Jewish cultural language as a possible link for young Jews around the world.

Benny Bailey, 38, Project Initiator and Chairman.

"In 2004 I got involved with a group of young Jews from all around the world who deal with common issues and realities that young Jews face in the 21st century (koldor.org). I found this experience more then interesting and apparently my Jewish chakra opened. After traveling to a few European cities I eventually thought of the Jewish Salons project as an attractive framework for young Jews and their families and friends to celebrate Jewish life = Jewish culture".

Aside from the "Jewish Salons" Benny is a social-worker focusing on intimate partner violence and co-owner of café "Tazza D'oro" in Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv.

Yasha Rozov, 38, Project Design and Creative Director.

My interest lies where art and society meet. I am constantly concerened with the interplay of my identity and how that may feed on producing art and culture and it's relationship to Judaism. I believe art can impact the discourse on Jewish identity in our times in a constructive, thought provoking way.

Itay Mautner, 34, cultural addict, creative planner;

For many years now I have been wandering around the massive and fascinating art and culture scenes in Israel. Over the years I have transformed my love of these themes into various fields of communication. At my peak I hosted a culture show on Israel 's main TV channel, edited an art and culture magazine, had a radio show and wrote various columns in the daily newspapers.
The Jewish Salons is a direct continuation – bringing out the best of Judaism by means of dialogues and artistic methods.

Tami Eyal Belaga, 40, advertiser, mother of three children, Chair of Board.

An advertising consultant free-lancer; previously worked for Israeli TBWA Global Advertising office as chief customer manager. "My father was a historian of Jewish communities and due to that we lived in several European cities as I grew up. The Salons idea sparked in me an enthusiasm that answers a strong personal need, to continue my father's path in may own way".

Boyana Grubeshich, 27, student in Hebrew Culture & Multidisciplinary program in the Arts at Tel Aviv University.

Having been born in the former Yugoslavia and raised in Israel , I feel that my transcontinental travels, work with Jewish communities and interaction with a variety of people are helping me to 'bridge' the gap between my Judaism, Israel & modern urban life. I feel like I am renewing my own Jewish story and making it much stronger. The Jewish Salons project is a means to realize dialogue between young Jews all over the globe, sharing common concerns and interests.





Roni Aboulafia, 37, director of documentary films and journalist.

Roni wrote and directed a variety of TV Documentary series', news magazine shows and entertainment programs. Her credits include the PBS documentary series “Life 360” in New York as well as stories for the NBC News magazine show Dateline. Her projects were featured at the 2004 Jerusalem Film Festival and at the Sundance Film Festival 2005 among numerous film festivals worldwide.





Keren Keiles,34, Graduate of law, art history and conceptual design in the public space.

Works as a content and creative director of interactive marketing centers. She joins this project as part of a continuous voyage for her simple essence, this time through Jewish values.