Ora Derovan

Ora Derovan is the Chief Executive Officer of Ulpan La-Inyan, a premier institution dedicated to teaching Hebrew language skills. Ora Derovan leads Ulpan La-Inyan with a mission to make Hebrew learning accessible, engaging, and effective for learners of all backgrounds. Under her leadership, the ulpan offers a variety of programs tailored to different needs, including group Hebrew courses for beginners and advanced speakers, corporate language training, and customized lessons for professionals, new immigrants, and children. With a focus on practical, everyday communication, Ulpan La-Inyan uses a unique, research-based methodology to help students speak Hebrew with confidence in a warm, encouraging environment. Through her work, Ora continues to inspire thousands of students to embrace Hebrew as a tool for deeper cultural connection, professional growth, and everyday life in Israel.

Ora holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s in Jewish Studies, bringing over two decades of experience in Jewish education across both formal and informal settings. At the age of 15, Ora made aliyah independently, an experience that not only led her to achieve fluency in Hebrew but also ignited her passion for assisting others in mastering the language. Since assuming leadership of Ulpan La-Inyan in 2014, she has been pivotal in expanding the organization’s reach, enabling thousands of students worldwide to learn Hebrew.

Beyond her role at Ulpan La-Inyan, Ora is a certified Yoetzet Halacha, having completed her training in 2003. She also serves as both a couples counselor and fertility counselor at Nishmat, reflecting her deep commitment to Jewish education and community support.

Ora’s professional journey encompasses significant academic contributions. She taught at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY) from 2002-2012. She served as a Research Assistant at Bar-Ilan University from February 2013 to December 2021, where she prepared foundational materials for book publications in the Bible department and conducted research for the Oxford Handbook. Additionally, she directed and taught at the Women’s Beit Midrash for English speakers in Ramat Gan, initiating evening classes for women seeking advanced Torah learning. Her teaching tenure at Nishmat – The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women spanned from September 2012 to December 2021, where she educated women of all ages from around the globe.

In November 2023, Ora authored an article reflecting on her experiences and observations as an American-born Israeli, providing insights into her personal background and perspectives. 

Through her diverse roles and unwavering dedication, Ora Derovan has made substantial contributions to Hebrew language education and Jewish learning initiatives, positively impacting communities both in Israel and internationally.