our team
Founders of the Delphis association

A board member
Mia Elser
Graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology at the Technion and a master's and third degree in marine ecology at the University of Haifa. One of the founders of Mahmal'i (former chairman of the association). As a researcher at the association, she helped write the action plan for marine mammals in Israel and its implementation, and to this day coordinates the dolphin surveys on the northern coast of Israel, the issue of sea pollution and the causes of mortality in dolphins along the coast, and the study of the Mediterranean monk seal. Marine ecologist, research associate at the Institute of Marine Studies, Haifa University. A diver and marine science teacher at the School for Naval Officers in Acre. Mia aspires to work for marine mammals in Israel and to bring about significant achievements also in the field of legislation, which will enable the
their continued existence.

Director of the Dolphin and Sea Center
Aviad Sheinin
Founder and director of the Dolphin and Sea Center, the educational body of the Delphis association, and director of the super carnivore field at the Maurice Kahn Center for Marine Research at the University of Haifa. Graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in marine ecology at Tel Aviv University, and a PhD at Haifa University (coastal dolphin population and the interrelationship with fishing in Israel). Coordinated the maritime activities of the "Weaving" and compiled the report on the state of nature in the Mediterranean Sea (2013). Aviad is a member of the scientific committee of the ACCOBAMS Convention for the Conservation of Marine Mammals in the Mediterranean Sea, a member of the ECS Executive Committee and a member of the IWC Expert Committee on the issue of innocence. Delphis aims to add Israel to the list of countries that have signed the International Convention for the Protection of Marine Mammals, and to take care of educating future generations to love the sea and the environment.

Director of Education
Raphaela Babish
Has a master's degree (MA) in environmental policy management and planning, and international relations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Engages in environmental education in various forums, among other things as the national coordinator of the climate field in the Ministry of Education, director of the Globe Israel program, as well as the head of the department of environmental sciences and agriculture at Beit Berel Academic College. In addition, Rafaela teaches environmental science at Shem High School, and is studying for a PhD at Tel Aviv University in the field of sustainability and social responsibility of businesses. Since 2008, she has been managing the education sector in the association and since its establishment - has also been responsible for the training, activities and content at the Dolphin and the Sea Center.

A board member
Moore Harnick-Bloom
A lawyer by profession, with a bachelor's degree in law from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (as part of her training she also studied at Georgetown University in London). Member of the board of the association. Volunteer for marine mammals since 2004.

Treasurer of the association
Yiffit Brenner
She has a graduate research degree in zoology from Tel Aviv University and a graduate administrative degree in natural resource management from the University of Haifa. Operational manager of the "Dolphin and Sea Center", the association's educational center, and serves as the association's treasurer.
Email: treasurer@delphis.ngo

Spokesperson for the association, manager of content, digital and social media
Mirit Friedman
Journalist, graduate of "Tutola", the School of Communication and Journalism, on track for a bachelor's degree in communication and political science, graduated from the social media management course at the New Media College from NDI-TECH and has an international and commercial skipper's license. Mirit has been involved in content and media since 2001 (news editor, founder and editor of children's magazines, editor-in-chief of book publishing, etc.) and has been volunteering for marine mammals since 2007. From 2022, she serves as editor-in-chief of the Israeli edition of National Geographic.
Email: media@delphis.ngo

Audit committee member
Shay Gricero
Graduated with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and management and a master's degree in business administration from Beer Sheva University. Loves the sea and animals and has been a swimmer since a young age. Volunteer for marine mammals since 2010.

A board member
Anat Bahar
An active volunteer for marine mammals since 2012. Active in marine surveys, in producing special events (such as the Ashdod dolphin swim), in samples in hafa cases and more. In addition, Anat is active at the Maurice Kahn Marine Research Station continuously and assists in the super-predator project as the person responsible for the establishment of the dolphin and shark tissue database as well as participating in shark tagging and guitarfish surveys. A former worker at the Center for the Rescue of Sea Turtles, at the Nature and Parks Authority and a volunteer at the Ecotion Association.

Founding member
Zvika Lazar
Graduated with a BSc in computer science from the Technion and works as a software engineer at Intel's development center in Haifa. A volunteer for marine mammals since 2005. Zvika aims to work to reduce the cruel animal food industry by reducing consumption.

member of the board of directors
Yaron Haitovich
Industrial and management engineer and has a master's degree in business administration. CEO and owner of a global project management company. Volunteer for marine mammals since 2006.

member of the board of directors
Eyal Beagle
Graduated with a bachelor's degree in marine science in trawler, a master's degree in marine and coastal management at the University of Oldenburg in Germany, and in environmental planning at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands ("Marine planning as a complex system in transition; the case of the Mediterranean region of Israel"), and a doctoral student at the University of Haifa ("Biomass of supercarnivores in the habitat the Eastern Mediterranean Pelagian"). Director of the Super Predator Laboratory at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station.

Founding company
Limor Barak
Graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Technion (BSc) in biotechnology and food engineering and a master's degree (MSc) from the Nature Conservation Research Institute at Tel Aviv University (detection of a biological marker for marine pollution). Engages in water treatment processes using various technologies. A member of the Delphis committee out of love for the sea, faith and identification with the activities of the association for the preservation of the sea and the marine mammals living in it.

member of the board of directors
Yair Golan
Has a bachelor's degree in economics and management. Engaged in the field of information systems.
He has been a nature photographer for about 25 years, focusing on dolphins, foxes and jackals.
Voluntarily active in many areas of life and especially in the various areas of nature.
Volunteer for marine mammals since 2004. Social activist and volunteers in enforcement in the areas of public space and environmental quality.

A board member
Merav Hadari
Loves Adam and the Sea, guides children and youth in informal settings for more than 20 years. Diver, skipper and volunteer for the preservation of the marine environment and the coasts of Israel. Currently engaged in the field of quality assurance, regulation and sustainability in industry and agriculture. Certified M.A. Environment and Energy from Tel Aviv University (2021). Microbiologist, with an M.Sc in Environmental Sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2009). Has a B.Sc. in Marine Sciences and the Marine Environment, Fishing Campus, Rupin College (2004).

member of the board of directors
Eran Cohen
Graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a specialization in technology. An information systems manager by profession and in recent years also an entrepreneur and startup, deals with business consulting and raising capital for entrepreneurs and start-up companies. Loves the sea, animals and nature.