Executive Committee

Chairperson

Melvin Berwald

Melvin was for 40+ years a real estate lawyer, practising from the London law firm he
founded in 1983. He advised banks and investors in Hong Kong, Singapore and
elsewhere in Southeast Asia. He was a UJIA trustee in the UK and served for many
years on the Jewish Agency Board of Governors. He is now Chair of IBCA and UJIA
Israel, and volunteers with an Israel-based law centre. He and Sharman have
children and grandchildren in London and Tel Aviv.

Vice Chairperson

Joseph Beenstock

Born in Manchester in 1941 where he worked as a Chartered Surveyor. He lived there most of his life before retiring and moving to Israel with his wife in 2011.

Joseph's favourite hobby is travelling especially to the Far East and South America. Here in Israel, he regularly makes tiyulim to all parts the country, as there is just so much to do and see in this wonderful country.

He has three children and six grandchildren living in London.

IBCA President

Brenda Katten

United Kingdom - Chaired British WIZO, the Zionist Federation, Jerusalem 3000 and the Hillel Foundation.

Professionally worked as a Relationship and Education Counsellor.

Israel - Chaired World WIZO’s Public Affairs Department. Co-chaired Europeans for Israel. Chaired ESRA and is current Chair of IBCA which she formerly chaired from 2006 – 2009

Represented Israel at the Annual Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York for 7 consecutive years.

Has been IBCA Chairperson twice.

Currently writes a regular column in The Jerusalem Post.

Honorary Secretary

Deborah Oppenheimer

Deborah Oppenheimer recently joined the IBCA Executive following retirement from the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) where she held the position of Director of International Relations for over twenty years. Deborah was recently appointed Secretary of IBCA.

Aside from IBCA duties, Deborah is a qualified Zumba instructor.

Deborah, who made Aliyah almost 50 years ago from Manchester, England, is a former member of Habonim.

Honorary Treasurer

David Phillips

Born and bred in London, David emigrated to Manchester when he married Judith.

A Chartered Accountant by profession, David runs a Brand and Licensing Consultancy.

David was Chairman of Manchester JSoc, Chairman of UJIA Young Marrieds, President of Whitefield Hebrew Congregation for 5 years and on its Executive for over 10 years, serving in every capacity, which means that he has great experience in management and planning!

David spends many hours online advocating for Israel and sees his involvement in IBCA as a natural progression.

Events Coordinator

Judith Phillips

Born and bred in Manchester, married to David and with a growing family in Israel, Judith together with David divides her time between the UK and Netanya.

Judith was a JP on the Manchester Bench and served on various committees including UJIA Young Marrieds, Manchester Benevolent Society and The Genesis Appeal. She also founded and ran The North Manchester Jewish Carers Support Group.

Judith is very enthusiastic about IBCA and sees her dual life as a great opportunity to spread positive news about Israel to Britain and the Commonwealth.

Honorary Membership Secretary

Judi Herman

Born in Harrogate in 1961, graduating from Sheffield University with a BA (Hons), Judi received an MBA from City University Business School.

After working in International Marketing for CBS Records and Account Management roles with data-processing companies, she took a career break to bring up 3 sons before working with her husband, Ivor, until retirement in 2021.

In the UK, she was on JSoc, Kindergarten, Cheder Education and Youth Management committees. She organised hospitality rotas for visiting Rabbonim and proof-read weekly Shul newsletters.

She made Aliyah in 2023 and is looking forward to utilising her organisational and liaison experience with IBCA.

Head of Business Operations

Ivor Herman

Ivor Herman made aliyah in 2023 with his wife, Judi. He brings extensive experience in the technology and business sector, having served as Commercial Director of Opal Wave Solutions, an IT consultancy specialising in SAP and enterprise performance management solutions.

Communications & Marketing Manager

Olivia Eder

Olivia Eder made aliyah from Manchester, UK, in 2013. She has worked as a freelance editor, historical researcher and writer and transcriber. She has edited several published books and has organised fundraising and educational events, including programmes focused on women’s health. She is married with three children.