Michal Guttman
Head of Content and Knowledge Management
The Varda Institute for Community Building

Born in Jerusalem, Michal Guttman served for 13 years in senior roles in Israel’s national and local government before relocating to the United States. For the past two decades, she has worked in Israel and globally to develop platforms that connect and engage Israelis with Jewish communities worldwide and strengthen Jewish frameworks of belonging.

She directed the G’vanim Leadership Program at the OFJCC in Palo Alto. She later expanded it nationally as Head of IAC Engage at the Israeli American Council, where she led the organization’s community-building strategy across North America. Building on this experience, Michal co-founded Belong, a collective impact initiative that fosters closer connections and collaboration between Israelis and world Jewry.

For the past five years, she served as Co-Director of Hakhel, the Jewish Intentional Communities Incubator, supporting more than 130 communities worldwide. Today, she leads Content Development and Knowledge Management at the Varda Institute for Community Building, an international center advancing the practice and impact of community building.

Michal holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in Public Policy and Management from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.