Staff

Our staff is comprised of: administration, social workers, interns, teachers, and volunteers.

Director Robbie Sassoon was raised in the Bronx, NY. He received his Bachelors in Psychology from Yeshiva College, Masters in Social Work from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, and Rabbinical Ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University. Over the past ten years, Robbie has developed and led programs for youth in formal and informal Jewish education, 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 has proven himself to be an innovator; bringing creativity, an entrepreneurial spirit, and administrative experience together with his love and interest in working with a youth population. Most recently, Robbie made aliyah in 2008, spearheaded and directed the English Division at Lander Institute creating a vibrant community for Anglos living in Israel, that are pursuing their education in English. Robbie became the director of Crossroads in May of 2010.

Assistant Director & Case Management Coordinator Orli Tveria was born in Los Angeles to an Israeli father and an American mother. She spoke only English at home until age 14, when her family made Aliya. After graduating high school, completing national service, and studying in seminary, she received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. While in school, she volunteered at Or Shalom, which provides counseling for children living in foster homes. Orli completed her fieldwork at a Beit Shemesh health clinic providing medical assistance to families and children, and at Gan Harmony’s outreach program in Jerusalem that prepares English-speaking children with learning disabilities for the mainstream Israeli school system. She joined Crossroads in 2003.

Social Worker & Intake Coordinator Tsvi Rosby was born in Chicago and made aliyah in 1996. After completing his army service in a Hesder program combining military duty with religious study, he earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Moreshet Yaakov College in Rehovot in 2004 while continuing advanced torah studies. Throughout his torah and academic studies, he held teaching and mentoring positions with at-risk children and teens. Tsvi earned his BA in social work at Bar Ilan University in 2007. As a student of social work, he worked in the mental health clinic of Beit Shemesh in the “Enosh” department with people suffering from mental illness. The following year Tsvi worked in “Retorno” rehabilitation community as a therapist and group facilitator with people recovering from drug and other addictions. Tsvi joined Crossroads in 2007.

Social Worker & Outreach Coordinator Leah Sacks grew up in Harrisburg PA and is a graduate of the Rabbi David L. Silver Yeshiva Academy, Susquehanna Twp. High School, and Brandeis University. While at Brandeis, she worked at a domestic violence shelter. Leah volunteered in Thailand for 6 months at a drop-in center for Akha hill tribe street kids, and then went on to get her M.S.W. from Washington University in St. Louis. She completed her fieldwork on the forensic unit of a psychiatric hospital, in Yokneam/Megiddo with the Jewish Agency’s Y2K program, and at the St. Louis chapter of the American Red Cross. Immediately after graduation in 2007, Leah made aliyah, then worked in the Safety Department of Hebrew University as well as a Madricah for a community mental health amutah. Leah joined Crossroads in 2008.

Social Worker Lauren Isaacs was raised in Liverpool and completed her education in England, receiving her MSW from Middlesex University. Her clinical experience has included work with older adults, young adult mental health clients, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and youth at risk. In addition, Lauren has participated in volunteer projects including a women’s shelter in England, an educational program in Peru, a children’s home in Buenos Aires, and a teen group home in Israel. Before moving to Israel, Lauren worked for the Norwood Children & Families Social Work Team. In 2009, Lauren moved to Israel and began work with a micro-finance organization helping African Refugees in Tel Aviv. Lauren joined Crossroads in 2011.

Social Worker Danielle Salber grew up in NY, came to Israel to study at Haifa University, and made aliyah in 2005. Danielle completed a master’s in clinical sociology with a major in family therapy. She interned at Kavlanoar working with at risk adolescents and their parents, worked as a dorm mother for post high school seminary in Jerusalem, developed and ran art and drama therapy groups for at risk and normative seminary girls. Danielle trained for two years at the family institute at Neve Yerushalayim, working with individuals couples and families, received certification in family therapy, and completed an additional clinical internship in narrative therapy. She received her MSW from Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Danielle began at Crossroads in 2009, completing a one-year clinical internship, and joined our staff in 2011.

Social work student Moshe Goldberg grew up in Baltimore, and graduated from Beth T’filoh high school. He moved to Israel in 2003 and completed his army service. Moshe worked the night shift on the streets as a volunteer for Crossroads outreach program in 2010-2011. Additionally, he has been involved with mentoring program at Kav L’Noar. Moshe is currently studying for his Master’s at Neve Yerushalim, and is fulfilling his internship at Crossroads as a social work student beginning in the fall of 2011.

GED coordinator Brittany Browning was born in the US and came to Israel at age six. She grew up in the North, later in Herzelia, and then moved to Jerusalem. She earned her BA at Wake Forest University and received her MA in Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Brittany currently is the secondary school counselor at the Anglican International School in Jerusalem. She began at Crossroads in 2005 as a volunteer in our clubhouse. For the past four years, Brittany has worked as the coordinator of the GED program.


Clinical Supervisor Yasmin Fulder-Heyd was born in London and made Aliyah with her family in her early childhood. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and completed her MA and Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at City University, London, 2005-2010. Yasmin was one of the initial members of outreach and staff social workers at Crossroads from 2001-2003. She moved to London, and worked as a counselling psychologist at Roehampton University student counselling service, Neasden and Watford medical centres and Winton Primary School. In addition, she worked as a psychology lecturer at City University in London and maintained a private clinical practice. Yasmin moved back to Israel in October 2009 and lectures at the Interdisciplinary Center, Hertzelia. She returned to Crossroads in 2010.

Director of Communications & Development Manager Melissa Kamins Armoza was raised in northern California. After receiving her BA from Brandeis University, Melissa worked for a special education institute in NYC where she developed a life-skills educational program for learning disabled and autistic children. In 1992, she entered Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences where she received her Master’s and advanced postgraduate degree in psychology. Melissa lectured in CU undergraduate courses including Developmental Psychology, Social & Personality Development, and Children at Risk. She designed and led a 5-year research program conducted in the NYC public school system examining children coping with setbacks. Melissa presented her research findings at APA, APS, EPA, APSC, and Headstart conferences 1996-1997. Results were published in the journal of Developmental Psychology, 1999. Melissa made aliyah in 1998, and has three children. She joined Crossroads in 2007.


Crossroads is professionally supervised by the division for the Advancement of Youth at the Jerusalem Municipality.