"I feel sorry for the person who was killed but I feel sorrier for the people left behind."
Koby Mandell
Speaking to a classmate at the funeral of an Israeli father of six, murdered by terrorists three months before Koby was murdered
The Koby Mandell Foundation helps bereaved mothers, fathers, widows, orphans and siblings to rebuild their lives and create meaning out of suffering.
Rabbi Seth and Sherri Mandell established the Koby Mandell Foundation in 2001 after their 13 year old son Koby Mandell and his friend Yosef Ishran were brutally murdered by terrorists near their home in Israel.
Their personal loss led the Mandells to envision a system of support programs that they hoped would make a real difference in the lives of people who had lost parents, children or siblings through terrorism, war, or other tragedies.
The Mandells took their vision to professional therapists and grief counselors for refinement. The Koby Mandell Foundation soon developed a three-tiered model of support including informal therapeutic programming, recreation/ relaxation programming, and community building /social integration programming.
Today, The Koby Mandell Foundation is the largest provider of emotional support services for the thousands of bereaved Israelis who have lost an immediate family member to terror or tragedy via multi-faceted therapeutic programs.
These unique programs are focused on teaching the tools necessary for victims of trauma to translate their pain and suffering into positive personal growth, deeper interpersonal relationships, and active community leadership. Most programs are provided free of charge, combining formal, informal, and recreational therapeutic techniques that foster an environment of healing and emotional support.
meet our staff
Rabbi Seth Mandell
Rabbi Mandell has been involved in Jewish education programs since 1982. He served as Director of the Hillel Foundation at the University of Maryland. During that time, the Hillel program became one of the largest and most active Jewish college educational programs in North America. A seasoned orator, Rabbi Mandell speaks globally about The Koby Mandell Foundation and current topics in Israel.
Moshe Aron
Moshe has over 20 years of experience in informal educational work and touring programs, including director of Step Forward's training center for youth with cerebral palsy and director of projects at the Jerusalem Hebrew University.
Shani Gordon, CPA
After becoming a CPA in Baltimore , Md. Shani made aliyah with her family to Efrat where she has been a resident there for over 25 years. Shani has been working for the Foundation since 2003 and also serves as comptroller for the Efrat Medical Center.
Dena Wimpfheimer
Dena has worked in the fields of media relations, public relations and entertainment event production for more nearly 18 years. Originally from New York, Dena received her degree in Media Studies from Queens College of the City University of New York prior to moving to Israel in 2001.
Sherri Mandell
A certified pastoral counselor, Sherri runs healing groups for bereaved mothers and manages the women's healing retreats. She won a National Jewish Book Award in 2004 for her spiritual memoir, The Blessing of a Broken Heart (Toby Press, 2003). She is also the author of The Road to Resilience: From Chaos to Celebration (Toby Press, 2015).
Eliana Braner
Eliana Mandell Braner started as a camper and went on to become a division head at The Koby Mandell Foundation camps.
She has an MA in psychology and communications from Ariel University and previously was the director of MASA programs for Sachlav touring companies.
Judy Rosenstark
Originally from Monsey, NY, Judy made Aliya in 1991. She worked as a computer programmer in the Federal Reserve Bank of NY prior to Aliya and then as a dental assistant in Gush Etzion. Judy received her BA from Michlalah Jerusalem College for Women and Yeshiva University.
Jeremy Wimpfheimer
Jeremy has served as communications consultant, working intensively on numerous high-profile public affairs and political campaigns. Jeremy received his BA in Political Science and History from Rutgers University with concentrations in Political Communications and International Relations prior to pursuing a Masters Degree in Israeli Politics and Society at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Roy Angstreich, MSW
Roy has served as Executive Director of the Foundation since its founding in the Spring of 2002. Since his Aliyah from New York City in 1991, he previously served as Administrative Director of Beit Midrash L'Torah (Jerusalem) and Director of Camp Ariel. He received his BA from Yeshiva College and MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work , Yeshiva University
Ami Haziza
Director - Machane Koby V'Yosef
And Educational Programs
Ami has been with The Foundation since 2005 , becoming Director of Camp Koby in 2012. Ami serves as the Director of the High School Division of the Education Department of the Moetza of the Shomron, having served in the past as the Co-ordinator of the Division for Youth at risk, teacher and Dormitory Supervisor
Ami has a BA in Education and a MA in Educational Counseling.
Rabbi Gil Elmaleh, PhD
Camp Rabbi & Psychologist
Rabbi Dr. Elmaleh is the Dean of Students at Yeshivat Torat Shraga and has worked in summer camps for more than 25 years. He was Head Counselor at Camp Simcha, Educational Director at Camp Lavi/Camp Mesorah. He is the Founder and Director of Yair Leolam, which teaches Jewish youth about the importance of doing chessed and becoming leaders in their communities.
our board
Tekoa, Israel
New York, NY
Dobbs Ferry, NY
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Cory Baker
Riverdale, NY
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Lee Lasher
Englewood, NJ
Philadelphia, PA
Englewood, NJ
Manhattan, NY
Lawrence, NY
