Meet the Team
They come from from all over the world and speak more than 15 different languages altogether. One thing they all have in common: their passion for languages and multiculturalism.
Here’s your chance to get to know them!
Willy Hayman
Willy Hayman
Co-founder
Hebrew/Spanish Teacher
Language Coach
8 languages
Born in southern Argentina and moved to Israel when he was 17, Willy knows what it is to be a “newcomer” and to not speak the native language of the country you move to.
“This experience made me understand that everyone is capable of learning a foreign language and that the most important thing is just to gain self-confidence.”
Since then, Willy learns languages on a daily basis, it became his second passion (after Rugby).
Languages: Spanish, French, Hebrew, English, Italian, Esperanto, Portuguese, learning Russian.
Jessica Tulchin
Co-founder
Hebrew/English/French Teacher
Language Coach
7 languages
Jess was born in the US, grew up in Belgium and moved to Israel when she was 18. From a very young age, she found passion and meaning in bringing different cultures together.
“For me, learning a language is discovering a whole new world, a new culture, other ways of living and thinking. The beautiful thing about learning languages is that you suddenly step out of your comfort zone and you break into someone else’s.”
When she’s not at Fluent, Jess spends most of her time playing rugby or biking around Tel-Aviv.
Languages: French, English, Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, learning Arabic.
Michal Lefkowitz
Head of Method
English/Hebrew Teacher
Language Coach
5 languages
Michal’s fascination with languages started in her bilingual house, with an American dad and Israeli mom.
She then started showing interest in Arabic when she moved to Jerusalem, and is now an avid language learner- currently working on mastering Arabic and learning French!
Besides being the brains and passion behind the pedagogy of the Fluent method, Michal is also a middle-school teacher in a public school.
When she’s not teaching, you may find her cooking (especially healthy and vegan food), knitting or hiking. Fun fact: her ultimate dream is to become a DJ!
Languages: Hebrew, English, Spanish, learning Arabic and French.
Nava Kasztan
English/Hebrew Teacher
Courses & Projects Coordinator
3 languages
Nava is the heart of our Language Immersion Courses! She brilliantly coordinates dozens of programs, and puts all her heart into helping students reach their language goals.
Born in Boston, Nava moved to Israel when she was a teen, and is perfectly bilingual (English & Hebrew). Being married to an Uruguayan gave her the motivation to start conquering her third language- Spanish!
When asked why she joined Fluent, she answered “I love teaching and really connected with Fluent’s teaching method and concept. I love seeing my students reach their goals!”
Languages: Hebrew, English, learning Spanish.
Avija Gross
Events & Community Lead
6 languages
The soul of our beautiful community of language lovers, with never ending energy and smiles- the one and only Avija!
Originally from Vienna, Austria, Avija has always had a deep passion for languages, which make her a perfect and natural fit to be the lead of our community.
When she’s not organizing another epic Language Exchange Event, you may find Avija studying, horse-back riding or surfing.
Fun fact about Avija: her biggest weakness in life is chocolate.
Languages: German, Hebrew, English, Spanish, French, learning Chinese.
Sarah Markowitz
Sales Process Manager
3 languages
Helping Fluent impact more people every day, Sarah is one of the most passionate people you’ll ge the chance to meet!
Born and raised in New York, Sarah is now a proud Tel-Avivian and an incredibly multi-facetted person.
Besides working at Fluent, Sarah is also a talented actress, an improv’ instructor, and she’s working on creating her own TV show!
Some of Sarah’s hobbies are: reading, dancing and hanging out with her cat.
Languages: English, Spanish, learning Hebrew.
Rachel Brink
English/Hebrew Teacher
3 languages
Meet Rachel, who brings beautiful energies everywhere she goes!
Originally from South Africa, Rachel moved to Israel when she was a teenager. Her life mission is to help others reach their goals and become fulfilled.
When she’s not teaching at Fluent, Rachel is a dedicated life coach and is studying to become a social worker!
Photography, travel, yoga, meditation, cooking, reading & learning about other cultures are some of the many things she is passionate about.
Languages: Hebrew, English, some Arabic and some Afrikaans, learning Spanish.
Jacqui Mautner
English/Hebrew Teacher
Course Coordinator
3 languages
If you don’t know Jacqui yet, you’re definitely missing out. As a teacher, her awesome personality makes language learning so much fun. As a colleague, you always want a big loving hug from Jax.
Besides being the only Australian on the team, Jacqui differentiates herself by using sarcasm as her superpower.
Things she loves to do in her free time: dancing, reading, or creating new material for English teachers.
Languages: Hebrew, English, learning Italian.
Gal Frachtenberg
Spanish/Hebrew Teacher
Language coach
4 languages
Born in Chile and raised in Argentina, Gal left her South-American childhood to settle in Israel.
Funny story: her parents seemed to have anticipated her move to Israel by giving her one of the most common Israeli names- though they inspired themselves from a Brazilian singer named Gal Costa.
Gal is that person everyone wants to have as a friend: fun, sweet and who makes the best Empanadas!
Languages: Hebrew, Spanish, English, learning French.
Inbar Harel
Hebrew Teacher
2 languages
Big-hearted and loving are words that come up when you think of Inbar. Inbar is one of those kind and giving spirits, and students often just fall in love with her.
Born and raised in Israel, Inbar was a commander of international lone-soldiers during her army service. This experience opened up her curiosity to learn about different cultures and ways of life.
She says she “really enjoys teaching Hebrew and being part of the process that connects between different people.”
Languages: Hebrew & English.
Tamar Kedmi
Hebrew Teacher
4 languages
Give it up for.. the amazing Tamar! A personality like no other, authenticity and natural charisma at its best.
Although she is originally from the center of Israel, Tamar is a very proud Yerushalmit (from Jerusalem).
Tamar is not only an (amazing) Hebrew teacher at Fluent, but also studying to become a social worker, and an active sexual educator.
Tamar also loves painting, dancing, acting, writing, playing the piano and.. rapping in the shower!
Languages: Hebrew, Italian, Spanish & English.
Stav Soroker
Events team & Hebrew tutor
6 languages
Fun fact about Stav: he uses the ‘International Phonetic Alphabet’ to learn languages and he says you should too!
Languages: Hebrew, English, Russian, Esperanto, learning Spanish and French
Ella Alhazov
Hebrew teacher
7 languages
Languages: Hebrew, English, Russian, Spanish, some French Portuguese & Turkish.
Nili Erlich
Events Team
6 languages
Nili grew up in a multicultural family (French & Israeli), and is passionate about getting to know people from different culture.
She is always fun to be around, and makes people feel comfortable within seconds (in 6 different languages!).
Besides being part of the Fluent family, Nili is all about opening her heart to others- she is studying to become a speech therapist, and works part-time as a counselor in a home for people on the spectrum.
Fun fact about Nili: another cat mom! She has 6 cats!
Languages: Hebrew, English, Arabic, French, German and Swedish.
Sapir Oved
English/Hebrew Teacher
2 languages
Mee our amazing teacher & tutor Sapir! Originally from a small town in Georgia, USA, Sapir is now living in Beer Sheva.
Sapir has the best positive energy, and she creates amazing connections with her students, you can tell how much she loves her job!
She decided to join the Fluent team because, in her words “their mission really resonated with me, and I wanted to be a part of a community whose purpose was to connect people”.
Things she loves to do in her free time: dancing and hanging out at cafes with friends.
Languages: Hebrew & English.
Maayan Bitton
Hebrew tutor
3 languages
Born and raised in the south of Israel (Mitzpe Ramon), Maayan is an amazing mentor and tutor for our Hebrew students.
In general, she loves to help others grow and thrive. She is a psychology student in Beersheva, and works part-time at an emergency center for children in need.
When asked why she joined us, she said: “I connect and believe in Fluent’s approach to education, and I love the people I get to work with”.
Maayan also loves swimming, baking and reading!
Languages: Hebrew, English and Russian.
Inbar Tzadok
English/Hebrew Language Coach
2 languages
Languages: Hebrew & English.
Mayan Camhi
English/Hebrew Teacher
5 languages
If you feel a strong rush of energy, good vibes, loud laughs and a stream of love coming in, that probably means that Mayan ‘is in the place’!
Born in San Diego to Mexican parents (spoke Spanish at home), and moved to Israel when she was 10 years old, Mayan is a natural fit in our family of culture and language lovers!
“Exploring different cultures and traveling is one of my biggest passions. I love learning about different ways of living and worldviews.”
Languages: Hebrew, French, English, Spanish, learning German.
Noa Hen
Hebrew teacher
4 languages
As someone who has always been involved with helping others and impacting her surroundings, we couldn’t be prouder to have Noa join our mission.
Noa was born and raised in Israel. She discovered her love for teaching Hebrew when volunteering to tutor Olim Hadashim (newcomers to Israel) on Zoom during Covid, and then when guiding lone-soldiers during her military service.
Besides teaching Hebrew at Fluent, Noa is also a bartender (you have to taste her cocktails!), loves dancing and also (what a surprise).. languages! In fact, she speaks Spanish and is currently learning Italian.
Languages: Hebrew, English, Spanish, learning Italian.
