Leadership & Legacy
Two Decades of Building Bridges.
Crossroads is the new operational arm of I&EYE (Israeli and European Youth Exchanges). We combine twenty years of pedagogical expertise with modern strategic execution.
Founded to create meaningful dialogue in a fractured world, I&EYE has facilitated youth exchanges that break down stereotypes and foster deep cultural understanding. Today, Crossroads adapts this legacy for a new era.
"Two Decades of Experience. A New Strategic Approach."
We move beyond traditional dialogue to provide "Elemental" tools—practical, cognitive frameworks that equip youth, educators, and leaders to combat polarization, identify manipulation, and tell their stories with resilience.
Building identity resilience through shared learning
Our programs serve educators, civil society leaders, Jewish organizations, and companies across Israel, Europe, and North America. We partner with funders and institutions to scale impact and measurable outcomes.
Executive Leadership
Executive Director
Hela Lahar
A visionary executive with nearly two decades of leadership at the intersection of civil society, diplomacy, and global Jewish peoplehood.
As the former CEO of Tech2Peace and Acting Executive Director of the OneVoice Movement, Hela has led high-impact initiatives combating polarization on the ground in Israel. Her deep expertise in Israel-Diaspora relations is grounded in years of fieldwork as a Jewish educator at Hillel (serving campuses including Columbia/Barnard, UPenn, and Temple) and as Director of the Jewish Peoplehood Education Center for the Reform Movement.
Hela holds a Master's in Diplomatic Studies from Tel Aviv University. At Crossroads, she leads the adaptation of the "Elemental" methodology, applying her unique bi-cultural perspective to bridge the gap between American and Israeli communities and equip a new generation with the tools for narrative resilience.
Founding Board & Academic Oversight
Founder & President
Dr. Shmuel Lahar
The Pedagogical Architect.
Born in a refugee camp in 1948 to Holocaust survivors, Dr. Lahar's life work is a testament to the belief that history need not dictate the future. A Harvard graduate and visionary educator, he founded I&EYE in 2007 with a singular mission: to replace the abstract concept of "tolerance" with the transformative power of human connection.
Dr. Lahar is the architect of the pedagogical methodology that underpins the Crossroads initiative. He pioneered the organization's signature "home hospitality" model, believing that true cultural exchange happens not in lecture halls, but in living rooms. Over nearly two decades, he has facilitated hundreds of multinational exchanges, bringing diverse youth from Israel and Europe together to challenge assumptions and dissolve prejudice.
Today, he serves as the organization's pedagogical anchor, ensuring that every innovation is rooted in deep experience and historical responsibility.
Partner with experienced leaders.
If your organization is navigating complexity and seeking a strategic partner, we would welcome a conversation about how we can work together.