Meet The Team

Maayan Steele, originally from South Africa, is no stranger to the wonders of the animal kingdom; she enjoyed exploring the wildlife of the African bush with her family in her youth. 
​Maayan brings to our team a wealth of business management experience through her years of work both in the corporate and non-profit sectors.

Hailing from London, Jonny studied Economics & Politics at Bar Ilan University, and after working in investment finance, went on to become a licensed tour guide. Working in development, all his different talents come together to drive the museum forward, through financial reporting, operational strategy and special projects, and he sometimes gets to guide visitors as well!

Originally from Maryland, Ellen made Aliyah with her family in 2008. She worked for The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland and The Associated: Jewish Community of Federation of Baltimore, as well as for a range of nonprofits in Israel, including Ogen, MEOR and most recently, Ohr Torah Stone, before joining the team at the Biblical Museum of Natural History.  Ellen is thrilled to help spread the excitement she sees on the faces of so many museum visitors as they experience the connection between Jewish heritage, Israel and the natural world.

Esther grew up in Ramat Beit Shemesh. She is currently studying for a business management degree and enjoys working together with everyone on the museum team and assists in multiple departments, to make sure every visitor at the museum has an amazing experience. She coordinates group visits and activities, and loves seeing the wide range of visitors who come through the museum doors and leave with more knowledge and appreciation for both nature and Tanach. 

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Judy holds a BA in Business Management from Westminster University has many years experience in operational and administrative roles in the technology and pharmaceutical industries. At the museum, Judy is a crucial part in everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Judy made Aliya from the UK in the late nineties and lives in Bet Shemesh with her family.

Originally from New York, Chaim has raised a wide variety of both farm and exotic animals. He brings to the team vast expertise in animal husbandry from years working at the Jerusalem Zoo and managing the petting zoos of the Gvaot and Tekoa schools. At home with his wife and children, Chaim tends to his beehives, milks his goats, and grazes his flock of sheep in the beautiful hills around Tekoa.

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Hilik studied Zoology in Bar Ilan University. At the museum, Hilik coordinates the educational goals of the museum and works with the guides to ensure they have all the right knowledge and tools to give visitors the best experience possible. His three passions are the Bible, animals, and teaching - which makes Hilik and the museum a perfect fit. He lives in Tzur Hadassa with his wife Leah and four children.

Naomi moved to Israel from The Netherlands in 2011. At the museum, Naomi works to bring all different types of groups to the museum. When she is away from the museum, she studies graphic design. But she is never very far - she lives just a minute away in Moshav Eshtaol with her husband.

Born in New Jersey and raised in Israel, Avi’s lifelong passion for animals took on greater meaning when he joined Rabbi Slifkin’s zoology chug many years before the museum was even built. Later on he joined the museum as a volunteer and, after finishing high school, took a Sherut Le’umi (National Service) position in it. Having completed a professional training course in the care of exotic animals, Avi is now the Deputy Head of Animal Care.

Jerusalem born and bred, Yehonatan has gone on a fascinating journey that took him from hi-tech in Tel Aviv to being a guide in the museum. He is an animal lover (obviously) and passes on his knowledge and passion in the museum chug, where he inspires the next generation with hands-on animal time and original animal-related projects.

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Akiva moved to Bet Shemesh with his family in 2010 from Rochester, New York, and after attending yeshiva and a full army service, now lives in Ramla. Akiva plans to study biomedical engineering, and enjoys many hobbies including writing, hiking and archery. At the museum he guides tours and takes care of our wide array of live animal exhibits, but he is still hoping that we add his favorite animal, an octopus to the collection.

Noam grew up in the area of Bet Shemesh around the museum. In his spare time he likes to travel. He loves all animals - except mosquitos! At the museum, Noam makes sure the animal enclosures are maintained, and the animals are properly fed and cared for.

Iska started with us as part of her national service, and continues today as a valued member of the animal care team. Iska enjoys connecting with visitors and teaching them about the live animals in the museum. She lives in Givat Ze'ev with her family.