Staff and Board of Directors
American Friends Board of Directors
Ishaia Gol
Chairman
Ishaia Gol is a well-respected professional in the high end gem stones and jewelry, has offices in Israel, Geneva and NY Mr. Gol was born in Israel in 1951.
Ishaia Gol is the owner of Ishaia Trading Corp., a diamond company based in New York. Mr. Gol has over 40 years of experience in the large stone and fancy color diamond market. Throughout his expansive career Mr. Gol has gained an excellent reputation among his peers as an expert in colored diamonds. He has cut and traded some of the most important fancy color diamonds in the world. Mr. Gol’s extensive knowledge of the history of fancy color diamonds in the jewelry industry is an esteemed asset to the AFSMC.
Ishaia GOL is on the board of:
- Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer for more than 20 years.
- Chabad Children of Chernobyl
- Spirit of Israel
- University of Pennsylvania Hillel
- DMIA Diamond Manufacturers and Importers of America.
Mira Bar-Mashiah
President
Mira Bar-Mashiah brings a wealth of experience to Bayport Funding’s executive team. Ms. Bar-Mashiah was a principal of Mortgage Enterprise Ltd., a New York State Licensed Mortgage Banker, where she was responsible for establishing pools of mortgages for sale in the secondary market to mortgage conduits and investment firms, negotiating the terms of each transaction and supervising deliveries. In addition, Ms. Bar-Mashiah oversaw operations and regulatory compliance and was the firm’s underwriting manager for FHA and conventional mortgages.
Ms. Bar-Mashiah received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the City University of New York, Queens College.
Daphna Cramer
Vice President
David Bieber
Treasurer
Arnold Breitbart, M.D.
Secretary
Yariv C. Ben-Ari
Samuel L. Davis
Oren Fuerst, Ph.D.
Gili Gibli
Jane Gol
Brian Jedwab
Margarita Leinfelder
Mark Moskowitz
Dr. David Pulver
Sol Reuveni
Lily Saad
Florida Chapter Advisory Board
David Pulver, M.D.
Chairman
Gladys Mezrahi
Vice Chair
Anat Goldstein
Vice Chair
Binnie Sommer
Secretary
Luisa Cannella
Daphna Cramer
Robert Donoway, M.D.
Elyal Eli Halali
Tafft Gould
Karrie Griffiths
Gillian Hotz, Ph.D.
Caryn Linsey
Marc Narotsky
Lisa Pulver
Joel Sandberg, M.D.
Sammi Siegel, Ph.D
Sheryl Silver
Michael Stern
Mariana Wachter
American Friends Staff
Eric Heffler, CFRE
Executive Director
Eric Heffler is a Certified Fund Raising Executive with a passion for Israeli healthcare innovation. He previously served as National Executive Director of Israel Cancer Research Fund, where he oversaw a national staff of 15 professionals and raised funds to support world renown cancer researchers throughout Israel, including several at Sheba Medical Center. Having begun his career in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War as a field representative for National United Jewish Appeal, Eric went on to receive his Masters Degree in Fundraising Management from the New School University in New York. He served as National Major Gifts Director for American Friends of Magen David Adom, Executive VP of American Friends of The Open University of Israel, and also completed a capital campaign to establish the Jewish Chapel at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Eric is married, with two adult children, and resides in Mt. Vernon, NY, where he serves on the Board of Directors of his synagogue and founded the temple choir.
Dorit Basal
Associate Director
Dorit joined the organization in June 2019 as a development associate and quickly assumed a vast range of responsibilities. Her efforts have greatly enhanced outreach, which resulted in an increase in financial support for Sheba and its associated programs such as I-PEARLS, which cares for victims in the pediatric burn unit who are dealing with painful and debilitating scars.
Dorit is a native of Tel-Aviv, Israel and received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Queens College.
Alan Frent
Florida Regional Director
Alan Frent has more than three decades of experience in nonprofit and Jewish advocacy groups. Prior to joining American Friends of Sheba Medical Center, Alan was the Director of Development for The Everglades Foundation – an organization that works to restore and preserve one of the world’s most treasured ecosystems. An active lay leader both in South Florida and Syracuse, Alan has served on the Board of Directors for his synagogue, both the Syracuse and North Miami Jewish Federations, the Syracuse Jewish Community Center, Syracuse University and the Jewish Home of Central New York. Alan attended Syracuse University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services, and has worked in development and consulting roles for various organizations.
Guy Cohen
Houston Regional Director
Guy Cohen holds an MFA in Theater Directing from Tel Aviv University. He arrived to Houston, Texas in 2012 to be the Director of Cultural Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest Region. In his role Guy produced Israeli related arts and cultural events, produced and directed official ceremonies, and developed connections with supporters of Israel within the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. At the Israeli American Council (IAC) Guy established the Houston branch and served as the Regional Director and strengthened Houston’s Israeli-American community through engaging families, building partnerships and initiating innovative programs.
In Israel Guy served as the CEO of Notzar Theater in Israel with responsibilities in public affairs, fundraising, production, human relations, and planning yearly activity plans along with the Artistic Director.
Guy is married to Ronit who holds a MD/PHD and works at the Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine. Together they have two children.