Tikvot Team

Steve Averbach z"l - Honory Vice President in perpetuity

43 years old, was married with four children. After making Aliyah in 1982 from the States, Steve served in the Israeli army in the Golani special force unit. As a policeman, he was part of a S.W.A.T team called Yassam and later on was a weapon and defence instructor in Jerusalem. Steve was injured on May 18, 2003 in a terrorist act in Jerusalem as a result of which he remained a quadriplegic. Lived in Tel Aviv with his family and was in addition to being Vice President ,the Tikvot spokesman. His goal was to help adults and children who are victims of terror rehabilitate their lives through sport.
Steve z"l passed away peacefully at his home in Israel on June 3, 2010

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Ehud Edelman - Co Founder

Ehud Edelman, born in Israel in 1945, married to Netta + three children.  For many years has been involved in philanthropic causes. The last ten years has served as General Manager of a South African company in Israel, Beck Tech, which is Jerusalem's number one Science Center.

Vic Essakow - Co Founder

Vic was born in Krugersdorp, South Africa; Vic made Aliya in 1976 with his wife Dolores and 3 children Jonnie, Sandy and Sue; Vic was involved in sport through out his school and university career and was the South African Javelin champion and record holder. Vic has always believed that a Healthy Body creates a Healthy Mind and this is the basis of what Tikvot is aiming to achieve; Rehabilitation of Body and Mind through sport.

Mervin (Rocky) Muravitz - Co Founder

Born in South Africa, Rocky made Aliya in 1977 with wife, Vera and two children, Simone and Gilad. From an early age he was involved in Sports Administration. As an ardent Zionist, Rocky served on several Zionist and Jewish Organizations and lead the March in Durban protesting the UN resolution equating Zionism to Rasicm.
As a firm believer in the medium of Sport as a tool for life enhancement skills, Rocky Co- Founded TIKVOT. He is involved with terror victims and soldiers from the time of their hospitalization, and is the main fundraiser of TIKVOT.

Albert Dadon AM - International Vice President - Australia

Chairman and founder of the Australian Israel Cultural Exchange, an organization launched on a by partisan basis on 2002 both in Canberra and Jerusalem by both then foreign ministers of their respective countries, Mr Alexander Downer in Australia and Mr Bibi Natanyahu in Israel. The join communiqué was the first between the two countries.

Dr. Jeffrey Elbaum - International Vice President -

Jeffrey is married to Florence and they have 4 children, Danielle, Karen, Sam and Morris
He is the managing partner of Elbaum, Krost, Elbaum Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in New Jersey, USA and has served on the board of Organizations benefitting Terror Victims for the past 5 years
Jeffrey has assisted in raising in excess of $500,000 for terror victims.

Jeffrey Essakow, born in South Africa. Presently resident in San Diego, California, Is the Chairman President and Co-Founder of the Challenged Athletes Foundation, an organization founded 15 years ago to assist challenged athletes get back in the game through sports.
In 2003 the idea of rehabilitating terror victims through sports in Israel was conceived and he co-founded together with Rocky Muravitz and Victor Essakow the concept which eventually resulted in Tikvot being formed.

Charlie Shrem - Head of Young Tikvot

Charlie was born and raised in the Jewish community of Brooklyn, NY, and immediately fell in love with Israel upon visiting for the first time. Currently studying in Brooklyn College and working as the Marketing Director for VixBlast, he devotes all his time to helping others. Charlie also writes for Image Magazine and The Jerusalem Post. He is the vice president of Shaare Shalom Youth and honorary past president of the Flatbush Tzedakah Commission, and has helped raise over $30,000 for Tikvot.

Bennie Penzik - Committee Member

Retired businessman born in South Africa. Immigrated to Israel in 1978 and, during an 18-year spell (1982-2000) in the UK, was involved in voluntary work with Ravenswood, caring for people with learning disabilities. Presently living in Ramat Hasharon.

Adv. Alon Taitelman - Committee Member

Alon is an advocate and lives in Ganei Tikva with his wife and 2 children. He has his own law firm which specializes in Insurance,and Real Estate in Israel and abroad.
He is currently representing terror victims in a law suit filed against the Arab Bank in the States.

Dr. Eyal Gur - Comptroller

Dr. Eyal Gur, Plastic Surgeon and Head of Microsurgery, Tel Aviv Medical Center
Leg amputated after being wounded in Lebanon 1982, swimmer and volleyball player, represented Israel at the Seoul (1988), and Barcelona (1992) Paralympics.
"In retrospect, both as a Doctor and an amputee, it is very clear that intensive sports training since I was wounded was the huge physical and mental force required to make me the active and emotionally the strong person I am today"

Adv. Raz Livnat - Comptroller

In addition to being an advocate and lecturer, Raz Livnat is involved with photographing, diving, skiing, waterskiing, motorcycling and writing poetry. He cooks at Beit Hashanti, a youth shelter once a week, and volunteers in Etgarim's activities.
Raz is married to Zohar and they have three children.

Married to Ruthi and has 3 children
CFO Yediot Achronot Newspaper
11 years was the financial officer and accountant of Africa-Israel Investments
BA Economics and Accountancy
MA Law

Michael N. Solomon, born in South Africa, Married with three. Made Aliyah in 1976.
1964 - Chatered Accountant SA
1979 - CPA Israel
Founded Solomon & Co in 1982 and is affiliated with Yardeni, Gelfand & Co.
Past Chairman Israel - SA Chamber of Commerce
Member of International Federation of Accountants
Is involved in many volunteer positions in Israel.

Born in Hobart (Tas.) Australia, and living in Israel since 1969. A librarian/information specialist by profession and still pursuing a career in that field. While raising a family, and working, always found time for volunteer work within the community, in particular with families who lost sons in action. Upon first hearing about the goals of Tikvot sports, she was very eager to be a part of the team and help in any way.

Simone Farbstein - Director

Simone has three beautiful daughters, Nitzan, Shaked and Ela , who follow the family tradition of helping less fortunate. As the personal side is very important for her, she visits the injured while in hospital and keeps in touch with them. When they are ready to do sports, she helps them choose the most appropriate sport and finds the best place for them to do it.