Meet the Team
Steve (Zvika) Sherman
CEO – Founder of Connect2Israelis.com
Steve (Zvika) Sherman was born in Haifa Israel. He emigrated with his family as a teenager to Long Island, NY and eventually settled in Philadelphia, PA where he graduated from Drexel University with a degree in industrial engineering and marketing.
Steve became the CEO/Founder of A+ Digital Communication inc.
specializing in cell phones, pagers, laptops and cellular data communication before the internet gained it’s worldwide popularity.
He then branched out into real estate development including investing, developing and building in the Greater Philadelphia region. Most recently, he returned to developing internet business to benefit the worldwide Israeli community and is now the CEO/Founder of Connecting2Israelis.com
Sally Mitlas
Creative Director of Connect2Israelis.com
Sally Mitlas was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Temple University. In 1997, she founded Mitlas Productions, LLC, a company that specializes in film production and event entertainment for social and corporate events. In 2007 she wrote, produced and directed the award winning documentary ‘A Hero in Heaven’ which chronicles the life of Staff Sergeant Michael Levin. This highly acclaimed film has won several awards, has been featured in numerous film festivals and has been broadcast on Israeli television networks, as well as worldwide events.
She has produced several award winning documentary films for a variety of institutions including for the Consulate General of Israel for the Mid-Atlantic Region, the Support Center for Child Advocates, the Caron Foundation and the National Liberty Museum. Ms. Mitlas combines her musical talents with her film production skills. An accomplished guitarist and vocalist, Ms. Mitlas is well respected in the performing arts community. She has been featured extensively at events including performances for two official presidential inaugural galas in Washington, DC. By combining her experience as a producer and director with a passion for music and the arts, Sally Mitlas combines her many unique talents in business and her devotion to the State of Israel to serve as the Creative Director of Connect2Israelis.com.com.
Lina Avallone
Special Consultant for Connect2Israelis.com
Lina Avallone was born in Portugal and emigrated to the United States as a young child. She is fluently bilingual in Portuguese and English and serves as a special consultant to Connect2Israelis. She brings years of experience from different positions and roles in diverse industries. While focusing on raising her family, she created a successful practice offering consulting and accounting services to private individuals and small businesses. Prior she was employed as Executive Assistant to the CEO of a distinguished producer and importer of specialty food products. It was during those years, she expanded her knowledge of product development and marketing.
Alex Trivane
Computers and Media Production Specialist for Connect2Israelis.com
Alex Trivane was born and raised in Philadelphia. A graduate of the Temple University school of Media and Communication, he serves as the Media Production manager of Mitlas Productions and provides similar services for Connect2Israelis.com.
Sharona Durry
Director of Marketing for Connect2Israelis.com
Sharona Durry was born in Kfar-Saba, Israel and has lived in Philadelphia since 1987. She earned her B.A. in education at Beit Berl College in Israel. Sharona has devoted her career to building relationships between Israel and the United States of America’ She founded ‘PhillyIsrael’, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening and revitalizing the region’s Israeli-Jewish community, building ties between that community and the larger Jewish community, and providing a sustained connection with the State of Israel within the Greater Philadelphia region. IAC was founded two years later in Los Angeles. She currently works closely with ‘IAC’ (Israel American Counsel) Philadelphia and Connect2Israelis.com by drawing upon her passion for building a united Israeli-American community that strengthens our next generation. Sharona serves on the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Israel Advocacy Committee, and formally served on the Israeli Consulate’s Events Committee