Our Staff and Leadership
The Caspari Center has a mixed Israeli and international staff who work together with a broad network of associate teachers, lecturers, and scholars.
Executive Staff:
International Director / CEO: Knut H. Høyland Contact, Email 
Knut H. Høyland (M.Div) has served as International Director / CEO of the Caspari Center since 2007. He holds a master of divinity from the Norwegian School of Theology in Oslo, Norway and is an ordained Lutheran pastor. He currently serves as member of the editorial board of the journal Mishkan. He has lived in Israel for 17 years and is currently living in Jerusalem.
Israel Director: Alexander Goldberg Contact, Email 
Alec Goldberg (M.Sc.) has served as Israel Director of the Caspari Center since 2009. His primary responsibility is development and oversight of the center's ministry to local Messianic congregations. He has been living in Jerusalem, Israel, since 2003, when he immigrated from Russia together with his family.
Program Staff:
Director of International Studies: Jakob W. Nielsen Contact, Email
Project Coordinator: Rita Kontorovich Contact, Email
Project Coordinator: Hanna Lindberg Contact, Email
Project Coordinator: Sanna Erelä Contact, Email
Project Coordinator: Jennifer Nataf Contact, Email
Administrative Staff:
Administrator: Jennifer Nataf Contact, Email
Graphic Designer: Heidi Tohmola Contact, Email
USA Staff:
Administrator: Michelle van Loon Contact, Email
Volunteers:
Volunteers play an important role at our Jerusalem center. Are you interested in volunteering?
Board of Directors and Partners Council:
The Caspari Center is governed by the Caspari Center International Board.
The members of our board are:
Jim Galvin (Chairman)
Jim Galvin is an organizational consultant specializing in strategy, effectiveness, and change. Jim holds a doctor of education degree in curriculum and supervision from Northern Illinois University. He holds an M.A. in Christian formation and ministry from Wheaton College, where he also completed his undergraduate work in Christian education. Jim is the author of several books, including Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional. Jim has served as a member of the Caspari Center board since 2004 and as chairman since 2008. He lives in Elgin, Illinois.
Rolf G. Heitmann (Secretary)
Rolf Gunnar Heitmann is the CEO/General Secretary of the Norwegian Church Ministry to Israel, a position he has held since 1997. He holds a master of divinity degree from the Norwegian School of Theology in Oslo and is an ordained Lutheran pastor. Since 1985 he has served in various positions within the areas of Jewish evangelism and Jewish-Christian relations. He is the chief editor of the periodical Misjonsblad for Israel. He is at present board member of the Ebenezer Senior Citizens' Home, Haifa, and Joint Mission to Israel, Tel Aviv. Rolf has served as a member of the Caspari Center board since 2005. He lives in Oslo, Norway.
Bill van Loon (Chief Financial Officer)
Bill van Loon is a project manager for ADP, Inc. Bill holds an M.A. in religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a B.S. in business administration from Elmhurst College. Bill has been a board member of the Caspari Center since 2007. He also serves as a chaplain for the Mundelein, Illinois, Police Department. He lives in Round Lake, Illinois, USA.
Per R. Eriksen
Per Reinert Eriksen is assistant professor at Evangelical Lutheran University College, Oslo, Norway, and has for seven years served as principal of this University College and the Bible School of Oslo. He holds a master of divinity degree from Norwegian School of Theology and is an ordained Lutheran pastor. He has for many years been involved in Christian-Jewish relations and was a Board member of Norwegian Church Ministry to Israel for several years. He has served in various positions in the Diocese of Borg, Church of Norway, and in different organizations. He has been a board member for the Caspari Center since 2008. He lives in Fredrikstad, Norway.
Magnus Riska
Magnus Riska is an ordained pastor of the Finnish Lutheran Church. He served as Senior Pastor of the Immanuel Church (Jaffa) in 1998-2001 and as Resident Scholar at Caspari Center in 2003-4. Riska holds a PhD in Old Testament Exegetics and is External Docent in OT Exegetics at the University of Helsinki. He is specialized in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Members of the International Board are approved by the Caspari Center Partners Council. The Partners Council consists of representatives of international partner organizations and meets once a year.
Read more about our partners.