Our Staff
Director, Robbie Sassoon received his Bachelor’s in Psychology from Yeshiva College and his MSW from Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Before Crossroads, Robbie has led programs for Jewish youth including at the Riverdale Jewish Center, S.A.R. Academy, Camp Moshava, and Bnei Akiva, as well as facilitated innovative programming on substance abuse, parenting, and teens at risk. He is an innovator — bringing together creativity, an entrepreneurial spirit, and administrative experience with his love of working with youth. Robbie made aliyah in 2008, when he led the English Division at Lander Institute to create a vibrant community for Anglos pursuing an education in English in Israel. Robbie became the director of Crossroads in May of 2010 and in his role has spearheaded key new programs including Crossroads’ crisis hotline and Mobile Unit. His influence has expanded Crossroads’ reach and increased the quality of its services.
Social Worker, Avishai Alge made Aliyah in 2013 from Boston Massachusetts. He received his bachelor’s in psychology from touro college, and went on to complete his masters in social work from the Wurzweiler MSW program at Yeshiva University.
Social Worker, Ayelet Berman received her B.A. in Social Work from the Hebrew University. As a student, she worked at Hadassah Ein Kerem and at Tahel, a crisis center for religious women and children.
Crossroads Theater Shed Artistic Director, CB Davies moved to Israel in 2003 when he was 16 years old from New Jersey. He studied Government at IDC with a background in conflict resolution and trained in theatre in NYC. He has been teaching drama at Crossroads since 2017. He has been very involved in the JET community having acted, produced, and designed for over 20 productions in Jerusalem. He believes in developing skills and bringing people together through the arts.
Social Worker, Nechama Glanz moved to Israel from New Jersey now she lives with her family in Beit Shemesh. She received her Bachelor in Psychology from Yeshiva University. She then went on to receive her Master in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work.
Social Worker, Deborah Heffes was born in Mexico, & moved to Canada in 2009. She completed her B.A. in Sociololgy at Yeshiva University & went on to earn her M.S.W. from Wurzweiler. As a student, Deborah worked at a public elementary school in the Bronx, New York, providing individual counseling to at-risk students, & facilitating therapeutic groups. She made Aliyah in 2020, initially joining the Crossroads team as a student, & has been here ever since.
Social Worker & Community Engagement, Reuven Hyman made Aliyah from Teaneck, New Jersey with his wife in 2013. After finishing his Bachelor of Art’s, Reuven completed his Master’s in Social Work with a specialization in Community Organization and Administration. Before joining Crossroads in 2016, Reuven worked in various professional leadership capacities in the not-for-profit sector. His extensive professional experience encompasses program planning and development, financial resource development, organizational development and strategic planning.
Social Worker & Outreach Coordinator, Daniel Sasson made Aliyah in 2003 from his hometown Miami. After completing his army service, he earned his B.A. in Social Work at Bar Ilan University in 2019. As a student, he worked with a variety of different people in the Social Services Department in Jerusalem. He then worked as a therapist and group facilitator at the “Yad Sarah” Family Center in Jerusalem. Daniel joined Crossroads in 2019.
Social Worker & Job Center Coordinator, Mira Schneider grew up in Toronto, Canada. After completing her B.A. in Humanities Studies from York University, she earned her M.S.W. from Wurzweiler, graduating with a certificate in Trauma Informed Practice. As a student, Mira worked at the Tachana L’briut Hanefesh, a mental health clinic in Jerusalem, providing individual counselling for people suffering from mental illness. She also completed a placement at Darkaynu, counselling young adults with special needs, while teaching a weekly social skills workshop to assist in their integration into adult life. In Toronto, Mira worked as an NCSY advisor, creating lesson plans for teenage students, while providing emotional support. She was also part of an multidisciplinary team in an out-patient care program at Baycrest hospital, creating weekly educational programs for clients and communicating client needs to family members. For the first two years following aliya, Mira worked as as a madricha in a seminary – working closely with post-high school students, providing emotional support throughout their year in Israel. Mira joined the Crossroads team in 2019.
Social Worker, Leah Schwartz got her bachelors in psychology from Thomas Edison State University before moving to Israel to complete her masters in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. (Leah has had many years of experience at several gap year programs.) Leah joined the crossroads team in 2023.
Clinical Advisor, Natan Sorensen was born in New York, and his family made aliyah in 1994. Since then he has been based in Jerusalem. Growing up in Jerusalem, and experiencing what it’s like to be an immigrant English speaker in Israel, allowed Natan to become especially attuned to the experiences of English speaking young adults in Israel. Natan earned his B.A. in religious studies from Bard College, and his M.S.W. from Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Natan began his career at Crossroads as a student intern during his first year of social work studies. He spent his second year of internship with the Jerusalem Mental Health Clinic, an outpatient clinic where he worked with adults living with mental illness. Natan joined the Crossroads staff in 2017.
Before finding his place in the field of social work, Natan worked as a video production assistant in Hawaii. He also spent time volunteering in an orphanage in Ethiopia, and with a sea turtle rescue project in Costa Rica.
Artists on Natan’s iTunes playlist right now: Koffee, Migos, Khruangbin, Tupac, Teebs, Tycho and Lusine.
Clinical Supervisor, Orli Tveria was born in Los Angeles, made aliyah in high school, received a Bachelors in social work from Hebrew University, received a Masters in social work from Bar Ilan University, and is a certified CBT therapist. Orli started working at Crossroads in 2004 in various positions including social worker, program and volunteer coordinator, assistant director. At the present, she supervises social workers and students and has a private practice in Jerusalem.