Rabbi Doron Perez is the Executive Chairman of World Mizrachi. Since assuming his position as the head professional of World Mizrachi in 2014, Rabbi Perez has focused on organizational transformation, providing a wide range of inspirational programming with Mizrachi currently active in 32 countries worldwide. Rabbi Perez also serves as President of the World Zionist Organization. He previously served the South African Jewish community for 15 years as the Rabbi of the Mizrachi Movement, Senior Rabbi of the Mizrachi Shul and the Head of Yeshiva College schools.
Rabbi Perez has a BA in education and an MA in Jewish history, and has authored two books: Leading the Way, a collection of writings on some of life’s most important issues; and The Jewish State – from Opposition to Opportunity, a manifesto on Zionism and Jewish statehood.
Rabbi Danny Mirvis is the CEO of World Mizrachi and the Rabbi of Ohel Moshe Synagogue in Herzliya Pituach.
Dublin-born and London-raised, Rabbi Mirvis is an alumnus of the Hesder program at Yeshivat Har Etzion. In 2021, he returned to Israel after serving as the Senior Rabbi of Mizrachi Melbourne. During his six years in Australia, he led the Melbourne Beth Din review of Conversion Practices and Procedures and served as Vice-President of Rabbinical Council of Victoria.
Drawing on his experience in Diaspora Jewish communities and the Israeli non-profit sector, Rabbi Mirvis also advises major philanthropists on charitable giving and strategic initiatives in Israel.
Rabbi Hillel Van-Leeuwen
Head of Leadership Development and Head of Shlichut Center
Born in Chicago and raised in Israel, Rav Hillel Van-Leeuwen spent three years as a shaliach in Toronto, Canada, where he taught at TanenbaumCHAT. Before joining World Mizrachi as the Head of Leadership Development, Rav Hillel served as the Head of the Overseas Program at Midreshet Yeud.
Rav Reuven Taragin, a Wexner fellow and musmach of the Israel Rabbanite, completed a B.A. in Science and Philosophy at Yeshiva University and an M.A. in Jewish History and Education at Touro College (Israel). He is the Dean of the Overseas Students at Yeshivat Hakotel, and serves, with his wife, Shani, as the Educational Directors of World Mizrachi. They also lead the Beit Medrash Program in Camp Moshava IO during the summer. They have six children and live in Alon Shvut.
Rabbanit Shani Taragin received her B.A. and M.A. in Tanakh and Talmud from Bar-Ilan University and is a graduate of Nishmat’s Keren Ariel Program for certification as a halachic advisor (yoetzet halacha) in issues of family purity law. She is Educational Director of Mizrachi Lapidot and Matan Eshkolot Programs for Educators Programs for Educators, and the Rosh Beit Midrash of Mizrachi-Tzemach David Women’s Learning Hub, Mizrachi Lapidot, and Yeshiva University in Israel Women’s Torah Studies Program. Rabbanit Taragin serves on the advisory committee for the World Mizrachi Shalhevet program for shlichim and lectures throughout Israel and North America on topics of Tanakh and Jewish Law. Shani and her husband, Rav Reuven Taragin, are the Educational Directors of World Mizrachi. They also lead the Beit Medrash Program in Camp Moshava IO during the summer. They have six children and live in Alon Shvut.
Leah made Aliyah from Atlanta, GA in 2012. Engaging in freelance work for over 15 years, Leah’s diverse experience includes work for businesses and non-profit organizations. In addition, she has taught Graphic and Web Design courses in a popular online design school. Leah holds degrees in the fields of Interactive Media and Digital Design.
Daniel was raised in the UK, where he graduated with a law degree from UCL and was heavily involved in communal work. He staffed several tours to Israel, then worked for the Israel Experience department of the UJIA prior to making Aliyah. He then joined World Mizrachi as Programs Director and Director of Communications, where he is responsible for content, marketing, as well as the planning and execution of World Mizrachi’s programs and events.
Rabbi Binyamin Zimmerman is an author and innovative Jewish educator who, among other roles, serves as the Educational Director of the Zomet Institute of Halakha and Technology, Co-Director of Matan-Mizrachi’s Advanced Women’s Learning Program and founder and director of H.E.S.B.E.R. (hesber.org), an organization dedicated to producing powerful educational materials for students and communities.
Rav Bentzi Mann is the Director of Mizrachi’s Schools Department. Rav Bentzi was born and raised in Israel to olim from the USA. He is an alumnus of Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh Hesder program and the Chai Roi Leadership Institute at Bnei David Eli, received his B.Ed with the highest honor from Orot Yisrael, and holds an MBA from Hebrew University. In 5782, he returned to Israel following a successful 4-year shlichut in London, UK, as Senior Rabbi of Mill Hill East Jewish Community, and as a teacher, informal educator and chaplain (UJC) at JFS high school. Rav Bentzi was a leading educator for several Tribe summer camps, Shabbatons, and programs, and also taught Talmud at Bet Limmud – a partnership between LSJS and Mizrachi UK.
Rabbi Yossi Goldin is Director of Young Israel in Israel, Branch Coordinator for NCYI, and heads the Shuls Department at World Mizrachi. He is also Israel Immersion Coordinator and Placement Advisor for YU/RIETS in Israel.
Aleeza Ben Shalom
Director of Jewish Continuity
Aleeza Ben Shalom is a globally-respected matchmaker, dating coach, and author, best known for her role in “Jewish Matchmaking” on Netflix. With decades of experience, she is now scaling her efforts from one Jew at a time to one Jewish community at a time, leading the Jewish Matchmaking Movement in partnership with World Mizrachi.
Maxine made Aliyah from Manchester, England, where she trained as a baker, pastry chef and cake decorator, working for many years in that profession. Before joining World Mizrachi, she worked at the Sheraton Plaza (now Leonardo Plaza) in Jerusalem, and as an office manager in hi-tech companies. In her spare time, she bakes and cooks, and has various creative hobbies, including jewellery-making and crocheting for which several people in our building have been recipients!
Born in South Africa and raised in the United States, Jacqui made Aliyah to Israel and spent many years at Midreshet HaRova, helping shape meaningful Torah-centered educational experiences. Since 2014, she has also served at Camp Stone in various leadership roles, working to cultivate vibrant, values-driven Jewish community and youth leadership.
With a Master’s degree in International Development and over 15 years of experience in informal education, Jacqui currently serves as Assistant Programs Director and Assistant Communications Director at World Mizrachi, working to strengthen Jewish identity and advance the organization’s Religious Zionist mission.
