The Alma Research and Education Center is a non-profit (501c3) and bipartisan organization with the mission of making in-depth geopolitical knowledge about the Middle East accessible to English speakers. In addition to offering field briefings at various lookout posts along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and Syria, we also provide lectures and workshops around the globe based on our daily research and analysis of the developments in Israel’s border conflicts. Because all of our research team reside in Israel’s northern border communities, we are uniquely equipped to combine our professional expertise and background with a first person perspective of how the conflict is affecting life near Israel’s borders. Our work addresses the changing cultural climate and current trends in Muslim societies in light of other events in Israel’s neighboring countries, while focusing on how they all impact the IDF’s security challenges along Israel’s volatile northern border. The Alma Center is funded by private philanthropists from all over the globe who believe in our cause.
Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Sarit Zehavi is the founder and president of Alma – a nonprofit and an independent research and education center specialized in Israel’s security challenges on its northern border. Sarit has briefed hundreds of groups and forums, ranging from US Senators, Congressmen/women and politicians to senior journalists and visiting VIP groups in Israel and overseas. Sarit scripts numerous position papers and updates focusing on Lebanon, Syria and Israel’s national security challenges. She served for 15 years in the Israeli Defense Forces, specializing in Military Intelligence. Sarit holds an M.A. in Middle East Studies from Ben-Gurion University.
Sarit Zehavi and her husband Yaron are raising their 5 children in the Western Galilee.
CEO
Director of the Research Department
Speaker and Digital Content Manager
Colin David
Graphic and Video Editor
Lisa Zecharia
Bookkeeping
Hala Hino
Social Media Coordinator
Henry Zaher
Logistics & Reservations Coordinator
Roy Cahanovich
A researcher and expert on Iran, Islam, and terrorism.
Military Affairs Correspondent and analyst
Ph.D. in Conflict Resolution
Brigadier General (Res.)
Colonel (Res.) Miri Eisin
Former Israeli PM advisor and government spokesperson.
IDF Intelligence officer, Geopolitical Speaker, Lecturer
Brigadier General (Ret.) Ilan Lavi
Former Chief of Staff of the IDF Northern Command
Mr. Philip Lazerus
Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (ret.), Project Manager – M.A. in Political Science (Middle East & Israeli National security)
Dr. Dina Lisnyansky
Geopolitical expert on Middle East affairs and Islamic movements
Brigadier General (Res.) Erez David Maisel
Former chief of the International Cooperation unit in the IDF.
Defense engagement & border stability expert
Dr. Eric Mandel
Founder and Director of MEPIN™, the Middle East Political and Information Network
Cliff Sobin
Attorney, Author with a special interest in modern Israeli history
Brigadier General (Ret.) Ram Yavne
Former head of Strategic Planning division, IDF
Alma is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) education and research organization made possible in part by the Galila Foundation.