Viv Anstey (Director)

Viv is a serial social entrepreneur, being the catalyst for numerous start-ups in the SA Jewish scene. In addition to establishing EOLI, Viv has helped birth Midrasha Adult Education Institute incorporating Melton, Limmud SA, Jewish Literary Festival, PJ Library, Tikkun, the SA Jewish Museum and Jewish trauma network. She has Masters Degrees in Social Work and in Jewish Community Service from Brandeis University. She is a recipient of numerous local and international awards including the Eric Samson Mendel Kaplan Communal Service Award in 2021. She is passionate about Jewish continuity & community.

Nicole Merdjan – Support Manager

Nicole is an award-winning account manager and strategic leader with prior experience in advertising, market research and customer relationship management. She pioneered South Africa’s first POS-integrated rewards program, later managing customer loyalty and financial services in the retail space. Her expertise spans HR, operations, marketing strategy and management. Nicole is Operations Manager at the Eliot Osrin Leadership Institute, bringing a dedicated, solution-oriented approach, and is leading the first mobile and professional volunteer programme in South Africa – The Step Forward Volunteer Programme. She is an EOLI graduate.

Chairman: Ronnie Stein

Ronnie Stein held the position of CFO at The Foschini Group for 19 years. He recently retired and remains on the supervisory board and is a member of the Risk, Nomination and Board Audit Committees. Ronnie holds the following positions in the Cape Town Jewish Community: On Board of Governors, Trustee of the UJC, Trustee of the UHS (United Herzlia Schools), Trustee of the CSO, Chairman of the Eliot Osrin Leadership Institute, Chairman of the Herzlia Foundation Trust, and former chair of Allocations Committee.

Natalie Barnett

Since she left the corporate world over twenty years ago, Natalie has been privileged to be able to contribute her skills in a number of NGO’s and community organisations as a volunteer. She has wide board and advisory committee experience (YAD, Ikamva Labantu, CT Holocaust and Genocide Centre, Midrasha Adult Education Institute, United Herzlia Schools) and has mentored individuals in various roles. She is passionate about EQ, education and community, is able to see the bigger picture and identify how to integrate various aspects for the greater good.

Alison Berk Katzeff

Alison’s involvement with Community began 27 years ago. Her current position as Chairperson of United Jewish Campaign (Cape Town) has increased her involvement both locally and in Israel. Alison is excited about the Community – its challenges, successes, trials and tribulations. She keeps a strategic view with specific focus on the overall future of the community, the changing face of philanthropy and transition to future generations – locally and worldwide. Alison’s leadership roles include UHS, CT Jewish Community Priorities Board, Yeshiva of CT, CT Jewish Board of Deputies and Claremont Wynberg Hebrew Congregation.

Philip Krawitz

As Chairman of Cape Union Mart, Philip understands that the quality of a company can only be equal to the quality of its people. As a Communal Leader he realises that a Community can only be as strong as the quality of its leaders. Philip currently chairs the Boards of Trustees of both Herzlia and The United Jewish Campaign. He also serves as a trustee of many organisations, including CSO and the Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre. He is proud to be involved with The Eliot Osrin Leadership Institute, aiming to future-proof our community by developing outstanding leaders.

Tamar Lazarus

Tamar Lazarus, born and raised in Israel, came to Durban South Africa after serving in the IDF, married Ronald and raised three children. She relocated to Cape Town in 2002. She is Honorary President of WIZO SA, Vice Chairman South African Zionist Federation and Treasurer of Bnoth Zion WIZO.

Adam Mendelsohn

Adam is Professor of History, Cohen Chair in Jewish Civilisation, and Director of the Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies at UCT. The Centre, the only of its kind in Africa, conducts research focused on Jews in southern Africa, past and present.

Bernard Osrin

Bernard works in the financial services industry. His community involvement includes Herzlia, Highlands House, United Jewish Campaign and the NSRI. Bernard currently chairs the Allocations Committee.

Myra Osrin

Myra’s experience in the community is extensive: Past Chairman Bnoth Zion /Wizo (1980-81); Western Province Zionist Council (1984-1988); Cape Town Holocaust Memorial Council (1989-1999). Founder of Cape Jewish Chronicle (1984); Founder and Honorary Director of Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre (1999).

Abigail Smith – Ethical Leadership

Abigail is a certified Advanced Coach Practitioner and accredited Mediator with 20+ years’ experience in South African and international non-profits, including public health, education, and mental health. She helps individuals reach their full potential and live intentionally. An ICF-aligned coach and accredited Enneagram (IEQ9) practitioner, Abigail believes embracing challenges leads to joy and fulfillment. Abi serves on the EOLI Team.

Alexi Silverman – Leadership Succession

In her portfolio on EOLI’s Talent Scouting track, which includes leadership and succession, Alexi will drive EOLI’s Circle – an initiative that aims to ignite authentic connections within our Young Adult community. She will be involved in creating a space to nurture new forms of leadership and community engagement to inspire growth and facilitate positive change. With her extensive experience as an educator, facilitator and learning designer Alexi has crafted immersive learning experiences and fostered meaningful connections with individuals and groups.

Dvorah Stein – People Development Strategy

Dvorah Stein is a Founder, Leadership Coach, Team Coach and Facilitator, and the driving force behind The Hive. She is a People and Culture Strategist with a background in Industrial Psychology and over 20 years experience in leadership, HR, and learning and development. Dvorah partners with leaders and teams to build self-awareness, alignment, and cultures that enable performance and belonging. Her integral, whole-person approach blends strategy with human insight, supporting leaders to think differently, act with intention, and lead with clarity, courage, and impact. Dvorah serves on the EOLI team and faculty.

Ashley Hurwitz – Schools’ Programmes

Ashley has over 30 years experience in Organisational Change Strategy Consulting; Corporate Communications, Leadership Development and Coaching, and HR Management. Ashley has a BA Honours Degree in Industrial Sociology and and BA degree in Industrial Psychology. Ashley is an EOLI graduate.

Michelle Stein – Funding & Financial Sustainability

Michelle Stein focuses on fundraising development and sustainability strategy, by upskilling and implementing best practice. Her work will ensure an investment vision for EOLI, as well as span the community to create engaged, philanthropic leaders who actively participate in a culture of meaningful giving. Founder of Handmade Fundraising, Michelle has extensive experience as a fundraising consultant and trainer, specialising in high-value fundraising from major donors, corporates, trusts and foundations. She has worked in both in the UK and South Africa, building relationships with some of the globe’s biggest philanthropic families.

Russel Berman

Russel has over 25 years’ sales experience in healthcare and banking. As co-founder of Spark ATM Systems in 2005, he led the sales strategy that grew the business into a 5,000-ATM network across South Africa. Now trading as NCR Atleos, he has served as Managing Director since 2021. Russel is an EOLI graduate.

Miriam Leichtling

Miriam is an independent fundraising strategist with 20+ years of experience advising universities, Jewish organisations, and global non-profits. Specialising in revenue diversification and optimization, she helps institutions navigate pivotal moments of growth. Miriam has advised on initiatives totalling nearly $100M. Based in Cape Town, she leverages deep Jewish communal expertise to guide global clients from uncertainty to research-grounded growth, focusing on cross-border philanthropy and institutional resilience while upskilling senior leadership for long-term success. Miriam is an EOLI graduate.