Creating meaningful experiences that engage young adults with Jewish community is among Jewish Federations’ most important work. It’s part of our broader vision for a vibrant collective Jewish present and future. Last year we announced a new effort aimed at boosting the skills of Federation professionals working directly with people in their 20s and 30s. Thanks to an investment from the Jim Joseph Foundation, we created the Next Gen Jewish Federation Fellowship, a 20-month comprehensive program offering participants the tools and training they need to lead their critically important work. Joining forces for the first time, the Center for Creative Leadership and  M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education are helping build a course that grows Federation professionals’ leadership skills and connects them more deeply to Judaism, while positioning them as innovators and leaders in the Jewish Next Gen space.

The first cohort of the Fellowship launched in May 2018. The second cohort launched in May 2019. Below is a list of 2019 Fellows. 

To learn more about the Fellowship, read the Program Overview and contact Eva Stern, Director, Next Gen Engagement, or Rabbi David Kessel, Associate Vice President for Young Leadership & Next Gen Engagement.

Meet Cohort 2:

Ethan Behling, Director, Center for Israel Engagement, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey

Hallie Eisenberg, Associate Director of Events, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

Nicole Erdfrocht, Director, The Network, Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Kelly Harris, Sr. Development Associate, NowGen, Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix

Derek Holodak, NextDor/Young Adult Engagement Coordinator, Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven

Stephanie Holtz, Assistant Director, Emerging Leaders & Philanthropists, UJA-Federation of New York

Shai Kartus, Development Executive, Emerging Leaders & Philanthropists, UJA-Federation of New York

Tara Kaufman, Director, GenMTL, Federation CJA of Montreal

Jodi Katzeff, Director, Education & Engagement, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Ariel Lapson, Israel & World Jewry Program Manager, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle

Jaynie Levinson, YAD Development Officer, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Donna Maher, Assistant Director, Iranian Community Outreach, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles

Samia Mansour, Communications & Event Manager, jHUB, Jewish Federation of Cleveland

Max Moline, Interim Director/Assistant Directcor, NextGen, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

Becca Near, Young Adult Engagement Coordinator, Jewish Federation of St. Louis

Rachel Rapoport, Director, JUF Young Families, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago

Elyse Saretsky, Director, Young Leadership Division, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago

Amanda Silverman, NextGen Manager, Jewish Federation & Family Services of Orange County

Sara Spanjer, Young Adult Division Director, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

Dona Standel, Leadership Development Program Manager, Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin & Sonoma Counties