Orna Barbivai
| Orna Barbivai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
September 5, 1962 Israel |
| Allegiance |
 Israel |
| Service/branch |
 Israel Defense Forces |
| Years of service | 1981–2014 |
| Rank |
 Aluf (Major general) |
| Unit | Manpower Directorate |
| Commands held |
|
Orna Barbivai (Hebrew: אורנה ברביבאי; born September 5, 1962) is a Major General in the Israel Defense Forces and the former head of its Manpower Directorate. She was the first woman to be made Major-general (Aluf), the IDF's second highest rank.[2][3][4]
Biography
Growing up in a family of eight children in Afula, Israel, Barbivai is the daughter of Tzila, a Jewish immigrant from Iraq, and Eli Shochetman, a Jewish immigrant from Romania. She was drafted into the IDF in 1981 and has spent her entire career as an officer in the Manpower Directorate.[3] Barbivai holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences and Humanities from Ben Gurion University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Haifa University. She is also the graduate of the "Turn-point" administration course for senior military officials.[1]
Military career
Barbivai was the first female to hold the IDF positions of Chief Adjutant Officer of a Command, Chief Adjutant Officer, Head of the Ground Forces' manpower section and head of the Individuals' Sector in the Manpower Directorate.[1]
On 26 May 2011, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved her appointment as head of the IDF's Manpower Directorate, replacing Maj. Gen. Avi Zamir. The promotion of Barbivai, a mother of three, to the rank of Major General was praised by Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni who said that "there is no rank that is too heavy for a woman’s shoulders, and there is no doubt that Brig.-Gen. Barbivai was appointed because of her talents."[3]
On 23 June 2011, Barbivai received her Maj. Gen. ranks and the Manpower Directorate command during an official ceremony at the Chief of Staff headquarters in Camp Rabin.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 "ראש אגף כוח אדם - אלופה אורנה ברביבאי" [Head of Manpower Directorate - Maj. Gen. Orna Barbivai] (in Hebrew). IDF Spokesperson's Unit. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ↑ Greenberg, Hanan (26 May 2011). "IDF names first female major general". Yediot Ahronot.
- 1 2 3 Katz, Yaakov (26 May 2011). "IDF makes history: First woman to be made major general". Jerusalem Post.
- ↑ "Brig. Gen. Orna Barbivay to be first woman major general in IDF" (Press release). Israel Defense Forces. 26 May 2011.
- ↑ Piotrkovsky, Shlomo (23 June 2011). "אורנה ברביבאי הועלתה לדרגת אלוף" [Orna Barbivai raised to Aluf rank] (in Hebrew). Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
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