A girl beside a Galilee stream, wearing a shirt that reads “There is no other place”

About us

Who we are

Hubayta — Back to the Galilee is a grassroots movement based and focused on Israel’s northern frontier, with a mission to leverage the regional crisis to reimagine the Eastern Galilee. Emerging from the crisis of October 7th that has led to the evacuation of 42 northern communities, with over 90,000 residents for over 14 months of ongoing war, we stepped in to make sure this major crisis will be the regional turning point for reshaping its future.

We aim to build economic growth engines, advance innovative regional education systems, invest in our community’s resiliency, and revive the Galilee’s pioneering legacy, together with our many tri-sectoral partners. We believe that a civic movement with exceptional execution capabilities has always been the way to reimagine reality in the history of the Jewish people. We aspire to these standards.

The team of Hubayta are, first and foremost, local leaders of the region. Our team is seasoned, well-experienced and execution-focused. Our impact in the region is already being felt across all our areas of activity, and we hope to expand this impact and rebuild the Galilee for decades to come.

We are a nonprofit organization supported by philanthropy and income generated through our own business models. Strategic partnerships bring together businesses, civil society and the public sector.

Our vision

We believe that a thriving Galilee is the key to a secure northern border for Israel.

Where we work

The Eastern Galilee and the Golan.

Our goal

Attracting 5,000 skilled professionals and changemakers to the region

How we make it happen

We focus on three areas: economic development and quality employment, education, and sport and culture. These are the areas where we believe civil society can make a meaningful difference. The projects we advance are designed to draw people to the region for decades to come.

Our principles

01
We move fast,
We wait for no one
02
If it’s not regional, it’s not interesting
03
Galilee led
Local leadership
04
The Galilean story is our strength

What drives us

Our team

Tom Lahad, Ayelet HaShahar Chair & Founder Board
Lior Rochman, Ayelet HaShahar CEO HQ
Binny Shalev, Hoshaya Board Member Board
Noga Kali, Malkiya Chief of Staff HQ
Noga Gil-Bassi, Ma’ale Gilboa Head of Regional Education Education
Regev Avner, Kidmat Tzvi Head of Economic Development Biz.Dev
Ofri Eliyahu-Rimoni, Yesod HaMa’ala Head of VOICE, Regional Marketing & Branding VOICE
Revital Shlomo, Kiryat Shmona Talent Centre Manager Talent Centre
Shiri Ohayon, Bar’am Workspace Manager, HUBayta HUBayta
Gal Ohayon-Buhnik, Ayelet HaShahar Tech & BD Community Manager HUBayta
Yotam Dagani, Lehavot HaBashan Head of Strategic Partnerships Education
Moria Ben-Arev, Ayelet HaShahar HR Manager HQ
Elisha Donchik, Dan Regional Educators Community Manager Education
Kinneret Gerti, Dan Education Coordinator Regional Education
Maayan Zohar, Shechania Head of Educators Leadership Program Center Education
Nadav Teflitz, Amir Educators Leadership Programs Coordinator Education
Tzlil (Lili) Madlasi, Kela Content & Social Media Manager VOICE
Aviv Gilboa, Lehavot HaBashan Recruitment Coordinator Talent Centre
Erika Shait, Kiryat Shmona Recruitment Coordinator Talent Centre
Keshet Lan, Dafna Recruitment Coordinator Talent Centre
Shaked Porat, She’ar Yashuv Recruitment Coordinator Talent Centre