Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare
Lab Members
Heba Adileh
Lab Executive Manager and ERC Project Coordinator
Heba is a Ph.D. student at the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her dissertation focuses on children's perceptions of home in political and health contexts. In addition to her Ph.D. studies and work, she is happily married to Ahmad and is the mother of two incredible children, Aser and Raseel. In her free time, Heba enjoys drawing, spending time with her family, being in nature, and practicing yoga.
Michal Alihanov
Graduate Student
Michal is a student at the Faculty of Communication Disorders at Hadassah Academic College and a research assistant at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Michal was born in Israel, but her family repatriated from Ukraine in 1992. In her free time, Michal likes to read, watch movies, and cook. Her research interests include aphasia and neurogenic linguistic disorders in adults, autism spectrum disorders and motor speech disorders.
Elena Bondarenko
Research Assistant
Elena is a practical psychologist who received her MA in Psychology at the National Academy of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. After graduating from the Academy, she worked as a psychologist in a secondary school. Elena currently works as a practical psychologist in the Educational Psychology Service of Jerusalem and is a researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The research centers on the topics of immigration, acculturation, and family. In 2019, Elena repatriated from Kiev to Jerusalem because she wanted to live in the capital, in a city full of centuries-old history and beauty, and also to learn Hebrew. In her free time, Elena loves walking around the city, traveling around the country and beyond, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends.
DINA GUTKIN
Research Assistant
Dina is a research assistant at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at a biotech firm.
Next year she will start studying at the Faculty of Biology at the Hebrew University.
Dina was born in Jerusalem, and her parents repatriated from Moscow in the 1990s. In 2020, Dina completed her service in the Israel Defense Forces. In her free time, she likes to sew and cook.
ASYA ISAAKYAN
Student, Research Assitant
Asya received her BA in Social Work in the country of exodus — Armenia. During her studies, she often participated in student exchange programs in Germany After becoming acquainted with German culture and language, she decided to change her profile, and after repatriation in 2016, she entered the University of Haifa in the program Germany and Europe Studies. Her research interests include German-Israeli relations, immigration, and integration. Asya is a junior researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and she also works as a madriha in the Sohnut Jewish agency. In her free time, she likes to hike and travel.
ESTER KREMER
Research Assistant
Ester is a BA student in the Social Work Department at the Hebrew University. She currently works as a research assistant. She holds equivalent degrees in education and computer engineering, demonstrating her multidisciplinary interests and expertise. Ester is socially active, particularly in advocating for disability rights. She serves as a board member in Lishma and Tzahi associations. She is also a member of the Parents of Children with Disabilities Forum in Jerusalem and the Coalition of Parents to Children with Special Needs. Additionally, Ester is a lecturer on disability-related topics in the Education Studies Department at Ono College. She is a mother to seven children and a grandmother to four.
Yael Ovadia
Research Assistant
Yael is a BA student at the School of Social Work at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is undergoing practical training at the Child Abuse Prevention Project, Haruv Institute. In addition to her studies, Yael works as a research assistant. She finds great enjoyment in her academic pursuits. She lives in Jerusalem, where she shares a home with her friends. She also likes sports and practices weekly. She particularly enjoys running in her free time. Additionally, she is talented in writing and participates in innovative writing classes.
JULIA POLONIK
Student, Research Assistant
Julia is studying Psychology and Exact Sciences at the Open University of Haifa and is an assistant study coordinator at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is a member of the Isef organization, which seeks to reduce social inequality and provide equal educational opportunities in Israeli society. Julia repatriated with her family in 2007 from Belarus at the age of 12. After school, she enlisted in the army as a coordinator of public army requests and was demobilized in 2015. In her free time, Julia meets her friends, runs by the sea, and likes to read.