Prof. Javier Simonovich, Senior Facilitator, Supervisor, Lecturer, NATAL

A dedicated professional with over three decades of experience in emergency preparedness, clinical practice, and academic leadership. Prof. Simonovich holds a Ph.D. in Social and Economic Planning from the Architecture and Urban Planning Faculty, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (2001), and graduated in Social Work and Jewish Community Service in 1985 from Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, CA and Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Since completing his Ph.D., he has worked in three main areas: leading social and economic community development programs across regional councils, municipalities, NGOs, and the private sector with specialization in emergency preparedness and resiliency improvement; conducting teaching and social research at the Faculty of Human Services, the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College; and providing clinical work as a clinical social worker and psychotherapist for the Ministry of Security, Israeli Army, and private practice.

Prof. Simonovich served as Dean of Students at the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College from 2011-2018 and was Head of the Behavioral Sciences Department (10.2021 – 9.2023) and Head of the master’s Program in Social Work (since October 2023 to October 2025) at Zefat Academic College.

In the coming academic year 2025-2026, Prof. Simonovich will be teaching at the brand-new School of Social Work at the Western Galilee College.