Our Staff
Sharona Israeli-Roth
Founding President
& Executive Director
With a wealth of experience as an educational entrepreneur, Sharona has successfully created and managed several education-related startups demonstrating her passion for building purposeful organizations from the ground up.
She excels in project development, management, team leadership, and fostering cross-collaboration across business departments to optimize results. She has a remarkable track record of building high-energy, successful, motivated, and collaborative initiatives that foster a sense of community around value-based action.
Born in Jerusalem, Sharona's 25 years of work have had a profound impact on both the Bay Area and Israel. In Israel, she played a pivotal role in the creation and launch of the Eastern Mediterranean International School, a prestigious high school certified by the International Baccalaureate (IB) in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Education.
More recently, Sharona envisioned, founded, and led OFEK Hub, an international, Israel-centered education platform offering online classes for individuals of all ages. OFEK Hub has served more than 6,000 students since its inception. Drawing on her extensive experience as an educator, she brings invaluable insights to her leadership roles.
Sharona holds a master's degree in Educational Administration and a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Education. Her passion for innovation in the educational space along with her deep-rooted commitment to Jewish education have positioned her as a driving force behind EarlyJ's transformative vision.
Under Sharona's guidance, EarlyJ is poised to revolutionize Jewish Early Childhood Education, creating a lasting impact, while fostering the growth and development of young minds.
Sharona lives in San Francisco with her husband and two daughters.
Maayan Sorek
Director of Operations
Overseeing all day-to-day operations, Maayan brings extensive experience to her role, having previously worked as Senior Operations Manager at the Israeli American Council's OFEK Hub.
Maayan has volunteered with the Israeli Scouts in New Jersey for many years. Originally from Israel, Maayan now lives in New Jersey. She holds an MBA from Ben Gurion University in Israel and an LLB and BA from IDC in Israel.
Lital Goldberger Raz
Project Manager
Lital was born and raised in Kibbutz Gesher Haziv in the Israeli Western Galilee. She has been living in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2007. Lital is an early childhood education professional with over 20 years of international experience in Jewish education and program management. Before joining EarlyJ, she led the Hebrew immersion program (Ulpanon) at the Palo Alto Oshman Family Jewish Community Center.
Lital holds a Bachelor’s degree (summa cum laude) in Special Education from Beit Berl College in Israel and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Santa Clara University, California.
Lital is passionate about building communities and creating impactful programs that strengthen connections to Israel and Jewish life. She is committed to fostering inclusive spaces that support individuals and families on their Jewish journeys.
Lital enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, photography, and spending quality time with her two teenage children, her husband, their Beagle, and friends.
Zehava Dahan
Early Childhood Higher Education
Program Facilitator
Zehava Dahan is a highly experienced and dedicated Jewish educator, having devoted 30 years of her career to the Bay Area's educational landscape. Her roles as both a classroom teacher and an administrator have allowed her to leave a significant impact on the lives of students and educators alike.
One of the most exciting aspects of her work is creating a warm and inclusive environment through strong partnerships with teachers, parents, and learners. Zehava understands that a supportive and collaborative atmosphere is vital for fostering a positive learning experience, not just for the students but also for the educators involved in the process.
In her role as the Head of the Hebrew and Judaic Studies Department at Brandeis Day School in San Francisco and as the Education Director of Or Shalom Jewish community she enhanced students’ understanding of their Jewish cultural and heritage and their connection to Israel. Her leadership has contributed to building a strong team of educators and the enrichment of Judaic education within the school and the wider community.
Her work as the Enrichment Educational Manager of the Israeli American Council’s OFEK reflects her dedication to providing comprehensive and well-rounded learning experiences beyond the conventional classroom setup.
Throughout her career, Zehava’s goal has been to create inquisitive, engaged, and caring learners. Her focus on fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and empathy sets the stage for all to become lifelong learners and compassionate human beings who contribute positively to their communities.
