36 Under 36: Visionaries for a New Era

The New York Jewish Week has released its third annual “36 Under 36” list, highlighting new innovators in the New York area who are reshaping Jewish life here and abroad. Of course, New York being New York, many of the names are connected to initiatives with national and international reach.

This year’s list recognizes young Jewish adults under the age of 36 who are leading the charge when it comes to blending Torah with environmentalism, innovating Jewish education, and working to make the world a more just, secure place.

“At a time when so much concern is being voiced about a younger generation disenfranchised with Jewish life, it’s heartening and inspiring to discover young men and women in our community who are leading the way with passion and innovation,” noted Jewish Week editor and publisher Gary Rosenblatt. “We’re proud to showcase them and their accomplishments.”

More females than males made this year’s list, which includes an advocate for those with autism and other disabilities, the founder of an online micro-loan site benefiting Palestinian micro-entrepreneurs, and the pioneer behind a Jewish charter school in New York.

Following, in alphabetical order, is the complete list of 36ers for 2010:

1. Sam Adelsberg, empowering Palestinian micro-entrepreneurs through Lendforpeace.org
2. Jessica Balaban, founding exec. Dir. Of Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues
3. Micah Bergdale, Web entrepreneur turned Jewish community activist
4. Sara Berman, Hebrew Charter School Pioneer
5. Dr. Joyce Brown, physician, mentor, animal lover
6. Yael Buechler, Jewish educator who wears her passion on her nails
7. Dr. Efraim Chalamish, young Jewish diplomat
8. Rachel Neima Chasky, popularizing microfinance within the Jewish community
9. Craig Dershowitz, president of Artists4Israel
10. Adi Ezroni, popular Israeli actress turned human rights advocate
11. Sara Mina Gordon, The Yiddish mash-up artist
12/13. Gabrielle Carlin and Ben Jablonski, founders of JNFuture
14. Maya Kadar, helping distressed Israeli youth
15. Gilah Kletenik, Orthodox congregational intern
16. Naomi Maryles, first female attorney on American Beth Din
17. Ari Ne’eman, founding President, Autistic Self Advocacy Network
18. Rachel Neumann, founding board member of Repair the World.
19. Nati Passow, co-founder and director, Jewish Farm School.
20. Daniel Pincus, co-chair, ACCESS NY.
21. Hindy Poupko, executive Dir., Council of Young Jewish Presidents.
22. Susanne Goldstone Rosenhouse, social media rock star
23. Danya Rutenberg, taking feminism and Judaism seriously, and putting it in print
24. Stephen Rutman, co-director, Park Avenue Synagogue High School Food Pantry.
25. Dmitriy Salita, Jewish boxer fighting for Jewish pride
26. Charlie Schwartz, founder, Mediamidrash.org.
27/28. Alison Laichter and Yael Shy, founders of the Jewish Meditation Center in Brooklyn.
29. Yoav Sivan, Israeli journalist and LGBT rights activist.
30/31. Vivian Lehrer and Yoni Stadlin, co-founders of Eden Village Camp
32. Mitzi Steiner, co-founder, Jewish Education Workshop (J.E.W.), a beit midrash that bridges gaps on college campus
33. Sheva Tauby, director of iVolunteer.
34. JT Waldman, the Talmudist of comic books
35. Rabbi Mendy Weitman, founder, Jewish Latin Center NYC
36. Eli Winkelman, director, Challah for Hunger.

For profile information on each of the “36”, check the Jewish Week‘s website.