Judith was born in Tel Aviv  in 1951 and was educated at Gymnasia Herzliya. She was an active leader in the community scouts and served as Women’s Corps and Nursing Officer in the Israel Defense Forces. At the end of her military service, she began studying psychology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem but as the result of the Yom Kippur war continued studying archaeology at Tel Aviv University. During the Yom Kippur war, she returned to military service as an officer responsible for hospitalized and injured soldiers. In 1974, she married Israel Yovel and together they have three daughters.
In her 30s, Judith began to study art therapy at Lesley College which gave her the opportunity, to work at the Tel Hashomer Hospital with patients suffering from head and spinal injuries and at Beit Loewenstein with patients suffering from head injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
 

When she completed the course, she began studying psychotherapy at Bar Ilan University where she met psychiatrist Dr. Yossi Hadar, who was her thesis advisor. Later, he initiated the establishment of NATAL and Judith has served as Chairperson of the association since its establishment. She works full-time on a volunteer basis.

 

Volunteerism and Prizes

• NATAL was awared the Israel Presidential Award for Volunteerism in 2008.
• Judith was selected for the Minister of Health’s Award for Outstanding Volunteers in 2005.
• Judith was selected for the Tel Aviv Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteers in 2005 (click here)
• Lady Globes selected Judith as one of the 50 most influential women in Israel in 2005.
• Judith was elected to the Management Committee of the Voluntary Nonprofit Sector in 2005.
• NATAL and Judith Yovel Recanati received an honorable mention in 2004 from National Council for Social Development.
• In 2004 and 2005, NATAL and Judith were awarded second place in a social entrepreneurship competition.
• Twice, in 2001 and 2004, Judith Yovel Recanati was a member of the Israeli delegation to the General Assembly of the United Jewish Communities of North America. On these two occasions, she was the representative of Israeli philanthropists and participated in a panel discussion regarding new philanthropic initiatives in Israel. She serves on the Israel Advisory Committee of the United Jewish Communities.
• Judith contributes to Israeli communities through her families Gandyr Foundation, which provides financial assistance  to numerous causes  such as, youth movements and the Partners Center for Third Sector Development in Israel. Judith has personally contributed to many institutions in Israel including the National Science Museum in Haifa, Israel Cancer Association, Tel Aviv University, the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the Leon Recanati Nursing Home and many other social organizations.