YOZMIM OFEK (R.A.)
We help survivors of the October 7 attacks and others affected by the war rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship, meaningful work, and renewed hope.
Through personalized business guidance, professional mentorship, and a supportive community, we help each participant take the next step at their own pace.
We envision a future in which people affected by the October 7 attacks and the war have the support and opportunities they need to rebuild their independence, confidence, and sense of purpose through entrepreneurship and meaningful work.
After trauma and loss, returning to work can mean more than earning a living. It can mean reconnecting with your strengths, rebuilding confidence, and finding a renewed sense of purpose.
Yozmim Ofek is an Israeli registered nonprofit organization established with the support of the Shaharit Institute and FNL. We help people affected by the October 7, 2023 attacks and the war explore entrepreneurship as a path toward meaningful work and greater economic independence.
We support people affected by terrorism and war, whether or not they have been officially recognized as victims by Israeli authorities. Participants receive guidance as they explore business ideas, develop practical plans, launch new ventures, or restart businesses disrupted by the conflict.
Our approach begins with the person. We consider each participant’s circumstances, goals, and readiness to return to work, helping them move forward in a way that feels manageable and meaningful.
Yozmim Ofek was selected to be part of the Shahar community of initiatives established in response to the impact of October 7, 2023.
We begin with each person’s needs, strengths, and aspirations. Entrepreneurship is a tool for creating opportunity, and the individual remains at the center of the process.
We help participants explore professional paths that reflect what matters to them, with the flexibility to choose how and when to move forward.
We combine practical business knowledge with an understanding of how trauma and major life disruptions can affect a person’s return to work.
Building a business can feel isolating. We create opportunities for participants to learn from one another, share experiences, and develop supportive professional relationships.
Rebuilding a professional life takes time, practical tools, and people who can help along the way. Our programs combine business development, personal resilience, and community support. We guide participants from exploring an initial idea to planning a business, taking their first steps toward self-employment, or restarting an existing venture.
Structured programs for participants developing a new venture, returning to self-employment, or relaunching an existing business. These programs combine professional instruction, practical business planning, and peer support to help participants turn their goals into manageable actions.
Practical learning opportunities in entrepreneurship, marketing, sales, customer service, business management, and business resilience. Participants gain tools they can apply to their own ideas and businesses.
Personalized guidance from experienced business professionals. Mentors help participants think through decisions, address business challenges, and build the skills and confidence to move forward.
For some people, the right next step is to develop a business gradually while keeping their current job. We provide guidance for participants exploring this approach, helping them consider their available time, resources, and professional goals.
We also work with companies, educational institutions, and other organizations seeking to better support people affected by trauma, including military reservists and security personnel. Our offerings include:
Training to recognize and respond to the effects of post-traumatic stress and trauma related to armed conflict.
Workshops on welcoming military reservists and security personnel back into workplaces and academic settings.
Talks on entrepreneurship, personal resilience, and navigating major life challenges.
Your professional experience can help someone turn an idea into a plan, work through a business challenge, or find a clearer direction. We welcome volunteer business mentors, instructors, and professionals with experience in:
Whether you lead a single workshop or provide ongoing mentorship, you can contribute practical knowledge and encouragement as participants rebuild their professional lives. Interested in volunteering? Send us a brief introduction describing your professional background and how you would like to contribute. Our team will get in touch to explore a suitable opportunity.
Help someone build a professional future. Your support helps make that next step possible.
Founder and CEO
Roni Gabriel Sade is a social and business entrepreneur, lecturer, resilience facilitator, and mental health advocate who draws on both professional and lived experience. He brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing and business development and owns a storytelling and marketing consultancy. He also teaches at Sapir Academic College, facilitates resilience initiatives, and serves as a lived-experience advisor in mental health. His experience living with an invisible injury related to his military service informs his commitment to helping people reconnect with their abilities and build meaningful professional futures.
Clinical Advisor
Michal Ariel is a social worker and cognitive behavioral psychotherapist with extensive experience working with members of Israel’s security services. She spent more than two decades with the Israel Prison Service, holding a range of professional and leadership roles, including managing teams of social workers. Alongside her private psychotherapy practice, Michal serves as an external consultant to the Rehabilitation Department of Israel’s Ministry of Defense. Her clinical experience includes anxiety disorders, grief and bereavement, major life challenges, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Education and Community Leader
Yael Adar is an education and community development leader and a mother of four. Over the past two decades, she has held senior roles in education, including leading education departments in the Eshkol Regional Council and Mitzpe Ramon. Her eldest son, Tamir Adar, served on the civilian emergency response team at Kibbutz Nir Oz. On October 7, 2023, he was wounded while defending his community and kidnapped to Gaza. His remains were returned to Israel for burial after 746 days. Yael brings educational leadership and a deeply personal understanding of loss and community recovery to the board.
Strategic Consulting, Marketing, and Business Development
Dror Barak owns a strategic consulting firm specializing in marketing, sales, and business development. He brings extensive experience in organizational management and business strategy, helping businesses and organizations plan for growth. Dror is committed to helping people recognize their strengths and build sustainable professional futures.
Strategy, Competitive Intelligence, and Market Research
Roi Ben-Ami is a strategic consultant and business owner specializing in business strategy, competitive intelligence, and market research. He lectures in Israel and internationally and advises entrepreneurs, CEOs, and organizations on business development, opportunity assessment, and informed decision-making. His work draws on business, academic, and social perspectives.
Director of a Special Education Division
Barak Fima is a senior executive in the nonprofit sector with extensive experience managing complex organizations, leading multidisciplinary teams, and overseeing substantial budgets and organizational resources. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership and command positions in nonprofit organizations and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). His experience includes leading organizational change and development, designing and implementing strategic plans, developing services, and building partnerships with public institutions and businesses. Barak holds a master’s degree in Family Studies, a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a bachelor’s degree in Management and International Relations. He has also completed professional training in coaching, mediation, and group facilitation.
Head of Career Development, Sapir Academic College
Nitza Nakan serves as Head of Career Development at Sapir Academic College. She is a career counselor, group facilitator, and social activist. Her work focuses on helping people strengthen their professional confidence, develop their employment skills, and translate their aspirations into practical career opportunities. She brings extensive experience supporting both individuals and groups through professional transitions.
Head of Innovation, Atid Education Network
Michal Shulman is Head of Innovation at the Atid Education Network, a serial entrepreneur, and a leader in educational technology and artificial intelligence in education. She founded StartUpKids, an entrepreneurship program, and leads initiatives that help diverse communities develop entrepreneurial skills and explore new opportunities.
Educator and Media Professional
Michael Sharbat is an educator who works with young people who have disengaged from traditional educational settings. He is also a media professional, a radio broadcaster at Radio Lev HaMedina 91FM, and a lecturer at Ariel University’s Practical Engineering College. His work reflects a belief in the power of education and communication to expand opportunities and support personal growth.
