Noa Epstein provides executive leadership in all aspects of MEET’s program design and implementation, with a particular focus on the alumni program. Noa is responsible for developing and executing programmatic, operational, and financial strategies that achieve MEET’s mission and vision. Noa has extensive experience in leading cross-border educational projects and business development in the Middle East. A Cambridge MBA graduate and Gates scholar, Noa led a consulting project for Google’s investment in Palestinian hi-tech and was Department Director at the Peres Center for Peace. She is a United World College (UWC in Norway) graduate and holds a BA (Summa Cum Laude) from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She speaks five languages, including Arabic, and won the Women of the Future Award (UK) in 2011. Outside MEET, Noa enjoys making pottery and travelling with her family.
Management Team
Chief Operating Officer and Co-Director
Mustafa Hussein, Student Relations Manager
Mustafa Hussein leads MEET’s highly selective recruitment process. Under his leadership, MEET consistently recruits a deeply diverse and talented applicant pool comprised of the region’s top students and young leaders. Mustafa is also a key contributor in the development and implementation of MEET’s Deeper Understanding curricula. Mustafa is qualified as a Computer Graphics Engineer, and previously worked for the Children Cancer Unit at Hadassah, Ein Karem Hostipal. Beyond MEET, Mustafa’s interests include photography and graphic design.
Talya Schwartz, Program Manager
Talya Schwartz leads a diverse range of MEET’s programmatic and administrative initiatives, including the management of MEET’s summer and year-long programs, the coordination of MIT instructors and support staff, and ensuring maximum impact through ongoing program measurement and evaluation. Previously, Talya spent 10 years as a Program Director for a youth education program in New York and as a researcher in international education policy and reform. She received a B.A. in Comparative History from Rutgers University and an M.A. in Education Policy and Management from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Outside of MEET, Talya enjoys health food, riding her bike, and adventures abroad.
Philip Weiser, Director of Development
Philip Weiser is responsible for identifying, developing and stewarding MEET’s partnerships with individual, foundation, corporate and government donors. He also contributes to the organization’s PR and Web communications. Prior to joining MEET, Philip worked for Oxfam America. Philip has lived in Switzerland, Australia, Japan, France and the U.S. He holds a B.A. in Government from Clark University and a C.E.P. in Political Science from Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris.
Moran Chen, Alumni Relations Coordinator
Moran Chen develops and coordinates MEET’s alumni programs, events and communications. Prior to joining MEET, Moran worked as a facilitator in a joint project of Keren Dorot and the Academy-Community Partnership at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Moran holds a B.A. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, an M.A. in Gender Studies from Central European University (Budapest, Hungary) and an M.A. from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Outside of MEET, Moran is active with a women’s group that advocates for social change in Jerusalem.
Inna Belkin, Administrative Manager
Inna Belkin leads the management of MEET’s financial bookkeeping and audit processes. In addition, Inna manages process-level organizational policy and procedure and is responsible for ensuring that MEET’s labs are an effective operational hub for students and staff. Inna holds a B.A. in Sociology, Anthropology and International Relations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is currently pursuing a MBA from Open University of Israel. Inna enjoys exploring new cultures and is an avid cook.
Zohar Shevach
Zohar Shevach is a MEET graduate (Class of 2008), who serves as a Y2 mentor for the yearlong program. A dedicated alumnus, Zohar has spent the past three years tutoring and recruiting students and also served as a teaching assistant and mentor at MEET. Zohar is currently in her third year of studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, pursuing a Bachelors degree in computer science. She has in the past worked as a teacher and as a private tutor. Zohar enjoys travelling and getting to know new places, sports, reading books, and listening to music. Her favorite quote:
“One must be something in order to do something” / Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
George Khoury
George Khoury is a dedicated MEET alumnus who has been serving as a Y1 and Y2 mentor in the yearlong program for the past three years. George is also MEET’s computer lab manager. George is currently an undergraduate student at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he intends to pursue a degree in computer engineering. Outside MEET, George loves computers, science, especially physics, music, learning and teaching, and activities that have a positive impact on the world.
Sadek Jabr
Sadek Jabr is a mentor for MEET’s Y1 students. He is a MEET alumni (Class of 2009) who is currently in his second year of computer science and business studies at Birzeit University. Sadek also runs a small business for Web and program developing. Sadek views this position as an opportunity to give back to MEET and is excited to offer his knowledge and skills to current MEET students.
Max Goldman, Chief Technical Officer
Max Goldman is responsible for developing the software and IT infrastructure used by MEET program management, instructors, and students. He is one of MEET’s longest serving volunteers. In 2004, after finishing his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with Computer Science at MIT, Max left the US for Jerusalem to join MEET’s first instructor team. Over the following two years, Max completed a Master’s degree at the Technion while traveling to Jerusalem regularly to mentor and develop MEET’s yearlong projects. Max has also formerly headed MEET’s technical curriculum development and led teams of summer instructors. He is now back at MIT working toward a Ph.D. in Computer Science.
Kim Jackson, Student Group President
Kim Jackson is the president of the MEET MIT student group. Kim graduated from MIT with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in May of 2010 and is now a Master’s student in the same department. Her research relates to Human Factors of aerospace systems. Outside of academics, Kim enjoys traveling, running, hiking, and playing the piano. Kim first became involved with MEET as a Year 2 instructor in the summer of 2008 and she then returned as Head of Instructors during the summer of 2010. She is now excited to stay involved in MEET from the other side of the ocean.
Adam Marcus, Head of Curriculum
Adam Marcus is the MEET Head of Curriculum at the MEET MIT student group in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Adam is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Computer Science at MIT, where he studies Database Systems and Social Computing. Outside of school, he has spent several summers at companies including Google, IBM, ITA, and FactSet. Since participating in MEET as a Year 3 instructor in the summer of 2009, he has been excited to contribute to MEET’s curriculum in any way possible.