Our Team
Israeli activist attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner has been at the forefront of defending Israel’s interests on the global legal stage. As a leader of Shurat HaDin–Israel Law Center, a Tel Aviv-based civil rights organization, she has spearheaded efforts to counteract campaigns that seek to delegitimize Israel and disrupt its security. Her innovative approach involves using legal avenues to challenge hostile activities targeting the Jewish state, including offensive litigation and direct confrontation of those who advocate for the BDS movement.
In her capacity as a legal advocate, Ms. Darshan-Leitner has led numerous campaigns against entities and individuals engaging in actions that harm Israel. Her efforts include seeking accountability from governments, financial institutions, and organizations that support hostile actions against Israel. In one notable case, she won a significant victory against Airbnb for removing listings of Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria.
In addition to her legal work, Ms. Darshan-Leitner has actively fought the misuse of social media platforms by extremist groups inciting violence and promoting hatred online. Her initiatives have focused on reducing the online presence of such groups on major platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik-Tok and YouTube.
Ms. Darshan-Leitner is also the co-author of HARPOON (Hachette Publishers), a bestselling book that chronicles the collaboration between many governmental agencies and campaigners and Israel’s Mossad in their efforts to weaken hostile groups financially. She has been recognized for her contributions to global legal activism, named one of the 50 most influential Jews by the Jerusalem Post in both 2016 and 2018, and was included in The Marker’s list of the 50 most influential Israeli women. A mother of six, including triplets, she holds a law degree from Bar-Ilan University and an MBA from Manchester University.
Rachel was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated summa cum laude from University of Pittsburgh and earned her law degree from Case Western Reserve University Law School. She was named a “Rising Star” by Law and Politics Magazine multiple years and was awarded Case Law School’s Distinguished Recent Graduate Award in 2007. Rachel’s trial practice in the U.S. included both criminal and civil litigation. After moving to Israel in 2010, Rachel joined Shurat HaDin, where she works on the Law Center’s activist campaigns and petitions, runs educational programming, and heads the development team. She also manages the network of volunteer attorneys who organized a “Legal War Room” in the wake of Oct. 7. Rachel’s work history also includes three years as VP Business Development for a U.S. legal services company. Rachel is married to Jeff Weiser of Cleveland, is the mother of 5 and grandmother of 3.
Shlomit was born in the U.S. She graduated Brooklyn College magna cum laude with a B.A. in Judaic Studies and earned her J.D. from Hofstra Law School. She then jumped feet first into the trenches of the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, eventually being promoted into the Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau and becoming a career prosecutor. After handling hundreds of cases and trying 50 complex and several press-worthy felony trials, she became a Supervisor in the Criminal Court Bureau, and then a Unit Chief in the Intake Bureau, in both of which she trained young Assistant District Attorneys in the art of prosecution. By the time she made Aliyah in 2020, she had been responsible for prosecuting thousands of cases in Queens County. Shlomit had also been honored by the N.Y.P.D. Holy Name Society for her successful conviction of a defendant, who was sentenced 54 years to life, for the attempted murder of an N.Y.P.D Sergeant he grievously injured. Shlomit, along with her partner Sally, followed their daughter to Israel, who enlisted in the IDF as a Lone Soldier in 2019 and of whom they could not be prouder. Joining Shurat HaDin, after the events of October 7, Shlomit returned to a world where she could once again help fight the good fight – this time on behalf of her fellow Jews.
Avi was born and raised in Jerusalem and holds an LLB from Ono Academic College, a B.Ed from Herzog College, and a B.Sc in neuroscience from Bar-Ilan University. Prior to joining Shurat HaDin, Avi interned at the office of Israel’s Civil Deputy Attorney General, Sarit Dana.
Avi joined Shurat HaDin in 2014, where he has taken on a range of important roles. He is involved in managing legal affairs with Israel’s High Court, a liason to the Knesset and governmental ministries, coordinating petitions and campaigns and gathering critical evidence for various international matters including complaints in the International Criminal Court. He also works closely with Israeli government officials on strategic initiatives. In addition, Avi serves as the academic director of Shurat HaDin’s annual New Law of War Conference. He occasionally teaches international law and criminal procedure at Ono Academic College and is currently pursuing an MA in Jewish Philosophy.
Leah was born in the U.S. where she received her B.S in Business and Computer Science at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Shurat HaDin Team in 2019, Leah worked as a Systems Analyst, Programmer, Database Manager and Office Manager. Leah works hand in hand with Shurat HaDin’s Chief Development Officer, managing Shurat HaDin’s fundraising back office, maintaining Shurat HaDin’s donor database, and working with fiscal sponsors. Leah is the mother of five married children and grandmother (Nana) to 9 beautiful grandchildren.
Philip was born and raised in Netanya, Israel, and graduated from Netanya Academic College with an LLB in Law. During his studies, he began working as a Paralegal at several prominent law offices in Israel, specializing in Commercial Litigation and Intellectual Property.
After completing his law degree, Philip chose to pursue his mandatory internship at Shurat HaDin. There, he worked on a wide array of .various projects, including organizing conferences, assisting in programs for students, and participating in missions to Israel. His dedication was pivotal in the success of these initiatives.
Following his internship, Philip transitioned into the role of Project Manager at Shurat HaDin, where he oversees the organization’s missions to Israel, manages internship programs for both Israeli and American students, and coordinates conferences, among other responsibilities.
In addition to his legal career, Philip is a former English Instructor in the Israeli Air Force, where he was honored with a Certificate of Excellence for his outstanding contributions.
Meir, a Chicago, Illinois native, immigrated to Israel in 2013. He holds a BA in Political Science and Biology from Lander College for Men in Queens, NY, an MA in Politics and Government from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and a LLB in Law from Tel Aviv University. Meir was drafted to the Nahal Brigade’s 932nd Granite Corps and currently serves in the Etzioni Brigade of the IDF.
As a legal intern aspiring to a career in law, Meir is committed to supporting efforts to advance justice and protect the rights of victims. Working with Shurat Hadin provides an opportunity to contribute to the fight against terror financing and uphold the rule of law while developing practical skills in advocacy and legal analysis.
Or was born and raised in Israel. Or completed his mandatory military service in both the Samson Unit and Brigade 91 during the Second Lebanon War, was honorably discharged from the IDF as a Chief Sergeant. He went on to receive his L.L.B. in law from The Academic Center for Law and Science, and his M.A., in Public Policy and International Relations, from Tel Aviv University. He received his joint L.L.M degree in 2024 from The College of Management, Rishon LeTzion and the International Human Rights Institute, Florence, Italy. He is currently a candidate to receive his teaching license. Or began his legal career interning at the D. Brotfeld Law Offices, where he practiced civil and commercial law. He later served as the Deputy Director of the Israeli Leadership Institute (“ILI”) and worked as the Head of Informal Education for Youth at the Rosh Ha’ayin Municipality. Driven by a sense of service and duty to fight the enemies of Israel and the Jewish people, Hikry joined Shurat HaDin in 2018 as a Legal Project Manager and worked on some of our most important cases. He went on to become our COO in 2021. Since October 7, Or went back into reserves for seven months under Brigadier General Gal Hirsch in the Hostage and Missing Persons Unit of the Prime Minister’s Office. Most recently, in February 2025 he ventured out on his own as President and Founder of his own strategic consulting firm, Amichai, and now serves as a Senior Strategic Consultant to Shurat HaDin. Or is married and the father of three children.
