The Bloomberg-Sagol Center for City Leadership at Tel Aviv University opened the third cohort of its flagship leadership program on Monday, the Center said. A ceremonial launch is set for Tuesday, with co-founder Yossi Sagol, Tel Aviv University President Prof. Ariel Porat, representatives of Bloomberg Philanthropies, and alumni of prior classes. The program aims to strengthen local governance across Israel through transformative leadership training and practical tools.
Over the next year, 20 mayors and 40 senior municipal officials will participate in an intensive track covering transformational leadership, urban strategy and innovation, data and AI-informed decision-making, team leadership, and crisis management, according to the Center. Participants will complete a 360-degree leadership assessment, study with Israeli and international experts, and build an action plan for immediate impact in their authorities.
Diverse cohort of local leaders
Mayors selected include Alon Davidi (Sderot), Carmel Shama-Hacohen (Ramat Gan), Shai Kinan (Holon), Yariv Fisher (Herzliya), and Hanoch Zeibert (Bnei Brak). They join Shlomit Shihor Reichman (Jezreel Valley Regional Council), Tziki Tzvi Avishar (Kiryat Motzkin), Roman Peres (Yokne’am), Lin Kaplan (Tel Mond), Albert Tayeb (Kfar Yona), Nazar Abu Akl (Ara–Ar’ara), Taleb Abu Arar (Ar’ara in the Negev), and Yosef “Yossi” Naba (Tiberias).
The cohort also features Avi Elkabetz (Afula), Noam Juma’a (Beit She’an), Dafna Rabinovitz (Shoham), Yaki Ben Haim (Migdal Ha’emek), Ahmad Nassar (Arraba), Nahad Hazem (Shefaram), and Asif Izak (Hof HaCarmel Regional Council). The Center said the group reflects the breadth of Israel’s local authorities and communities.
Backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Sagol family
The Center was launched in 2022 and adapts the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership model to Israel, with annual cohorts of mayors and senior aides.
“After two successful cohorts, I see this vision being realized, mayors receiving world-leading management tools and delivering real change in public service,” said co-founder Yossi Sagol, crediting the partnership with Michael Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies for “an engine of change” in Israel’s local government.