Marissa Aaronson

she/her

New York Teen Program Associate

Marissa recently graduated from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary, with degrees in American Studies and Hebrew Bible, respectively. Marissa is passionate about Jewish education and sustainability and excited to have the opportunity to work at the intersection of those interests at Repair the World. In college, she helped lead the Hannah Weiss Sustainability Team at her university’s Hillel, advocating for more sustainable building-wide policies including compostable dishes and cutlery for Shabbat dinners and reusable water bottle fillers. Outside of work, Marissa is likely found doing yoga, hosting themed Shabbat dinners, or searching for the best green spaces in New York.

Jacki Altman

she/her

City Director, Miami

A Colorado native, Jacki has been an experiential educator for over a decade. After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a BA in Anthropology and Film Studies, Jacki adventured to Miami, FL and never left. Her love of working with young people and crafting intentional programs grew in her roles as Youth Director of Temple Beth Am in Miami, FL and as Events Planner of the Student Center Complex at the University of Miami. Jacki values learning and is proud to hold a Master’s degree in Community & Social Change (MS. Ed) from the University of Miami, as well as a Certificate in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR. Her recent community work includes managing the Social Justice Teen Fellowship, an action-oriented program for Jewish teens that examines social justice issues at their root through partnership with local community organizations. Jacki sees the world through a “we” lens. Her approach to social change is rooted in critical reflection, intentional action, and collaboration. Jacki believes that through collective work and the amplification of marginalized voices, we can upend systems of oppression and reimagine society. She is excited to work with Repair the World and serve the dynamic Miami community. Jacki loves puzzles, puns, and nerding out about TV shows/movies.

Michael Auerbach

he/him

City Director, Los Angeles

Michael (he/him) is thrilled to bring Repair’s fellowship program to Los Angeles, as he greatly believes in the power of service to bring people together in common cause. Previously, Michael spent six years as the Executive Director of Kinful – a K-12 social-emotional learning/intercultural exchange program connecting students in the U.S. with peers in South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Turkey, and Ukraine. His passion for pursuing social justice through service-learning began in the Peace Corps as a Girls’ Education & Empowerment Volunteer in Mauritania and was later bolstered while serving as a United States – China Friendship Volunteer (what a title!) in Chongqing. Following the Peace Corps, Michael served as a Shriver Peaceworker Fellow in Baltimore with the Choice Program, whose mission is to disentangle young people from the juvenile justice system by strengthening youth and family ties to their communities. After his fellowship, he became the AmeriCorps Program Director, and later Director of Public Partnerships, for Blue Engine in NYC, whose mission is to maximize the potential inherent in every classroom, teacher, and student, so that every learner thrives no matter their race, income level, or learning style. During this time he also served as a Franklin Project Ambassador at the Aspen Institute (now Service Year Alliance) advocating for inclusive and equitable pathways to service in America. Michael holds a Bachelor’s in International Studies from the University of South Florida, and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. In his free time, he enjoys surfing, playing video games, and telling everyone he meets why Deep Space Nine is the best Star Trek series.

Rendy Auguste

she/her

Senior Manager of Brand and Marketing

Rendy Auguste is a Communications and Marketing professional who works with nonprofits to grow their brand and create mission and vision driven marketing content. After spending 6 years working with nonprofits in the Washington, DC area, Rendy is back in Brooklyn, her hometown. She is passionate about elevating an organization’s voice, providing opportunities for enhanced visibility. Rendy wanted to continue working with a dynamic nonprofit that is making deeply meaningful impact in communities locally, nationally, and beyond. She is excited to instill her passion for effective communication as Brand and Marketing Manager at Repair the World. She is also excited to work with Repair the World communities to help them build connections with community members and partners. Rendy loves exploring wherever she calls home. So, you’ll find her at a museum, farmers market, coffee shop, or taking long walks through different neighborhoods. Rendy holds a Bachelors in Mass Communications from St. John’s University and a Masters in Strategic Communications from American University.

Laura Belinfante

she/her

Senior Director of Digital Strategy

Laura (she/her) is currently the Senior Director of Digital Strategy at Repair the World, focusing on ways to grow and scale an audience of changemakers online. She is a passionate advocate for social justice, technology, and the forgotten histories of Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews (including her own family’s history). Prior to joining Repair the World, Laura was a Product Manager on the research and development team at a technology startup. She also worked at the National Ramah Commission where she launched digital initiatives for the organization and their alumni community. Originally from California, Laura is a KIVUNIM alumna, a member of Schusterman’s ROI Community, an alumna of JDC Entwine’s Global Leadership program, and a graduate of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice’s Grace Paley Organizing Fellowship. She has been featured for her work on eJewishPhilanthropy, Times of Israel, and JTA. Laura holds a B.A. from University of California, Santa Barbara, in Anthropology, Global Peace and Security, with a focus on Technology and Entrepreneurship.

Lisa Bodziner

she/her

Senior Director of Development

Shana Bloom

she/her

Chief Program Officer

Shana is passionate about, and experienced in, understanding the systems and strategies that support organizational growth. Prior to joining the Repair the World team, Shana worked for 8 years at UJA-Federation of New York. While there she launched a volunteer initiative focused on strengthening non-profit organizations so that they could better meet their missions and the evolving demands of 21st century workplaces. Shana is a clinical social worker by training and started her career working in the foster care system as a trauma-informed family therapist. Through this work she developed a deep understanding of issues facing New York City’s most vulnerable, and has infused her clinical training into all elements of her professional work. Shana has a B.A. in Jewish Studies from New York University and an MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. She is a graduate of the Avodah Justice Fellowship and is a proud, third generation “Bronxite”, where she currently resides with her husband and two children.

Julie Busch

she/her

Manager of Growth Strategy Operations

After graduating from Northwestern University, Julie has worked as a theatre artist and educator, most recently coaching middle and high school students on test prep, essay writing, and college admissions at Private Prep and marketing children and families programs at the JCC Manhattan. She is thrilled to join Repair the World as the Virtual Programs Senior Associate. Originally from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Julie now resides in Brooklyn where you can find her watching reality TV and hunting for the city’s best fries.

Tori Burstein

she/her

Senior Manager, Office of the President

Tori (she/her) moved to Brooklyn to work as a Repair the World fellow, where she collaborated with a variety of local partners to support schools, youth programs, and build community through volunteering. Since then she’s stayed connected to Repair the World as an alumni ambassador, where she led a giving circle for young people to redistribute their stimulus checks to bail funds and COVID19 mutual aid. After her year as a Fellow, Tori joined the team at ZogSports as their Customer Experience Associate. Her passion lies at the intersection of sports and social justice, so when she’s not watching live football games from her laptop or following athlete activists on Twitter, you can find her volunteering for PowerPlays, a newsletter about sexism in sports. Tori grew up in Miami, Florida and is a proud alumnus of the University of Florida. Go Gators!

Sarah Cort

she/her

Regional Director

Sarah (she/her) is thrilled to join the team as the Midwest Regional Program Director. Prior to Repair The World, her passion for experiential education and relationship building led to a career as an overnight camp professional. She was the Summer Camps Director at McGaw YMCA Camp Echo for seven years. One highlight of Sarah’s tenure at Camp Echo is her work with families and staff to facilitate and implement the first all-gender cabins. While she spent her summers at camp, she led Taglit-Birthright Israel trips most winters, and was in the first cohort of Birthright Fellows. Prior to her role at Camp Echo, Sarah served as the Director of Education at KAM Isaiah Israel in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, where she ran the Religious and Nursery School programs. To better meet the needs of that community, she created Shoresh, a Shabbat-based experiential program, where children would attend Religious School on Friday afternoons, ending with family Shabbat services. Sarah has a degree in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University and volunteered for a year in Israel as an OTZMA Fellow, part of the Masa Israel Journey. Sarah is also on the board for Camp For All Kids, which facilitates racial diversity at overnight summer camps in the Midwest. Sarah is a St. Louis native and proud Cardinal’s baseball fan. She has been living in Chicago since 2012.

Caroline DeHaven

she/they

Teens Program Associate, Boston

Caroline, a native of New England, has cultivated a profound dedication to urban justice issues and community development from an early age. Her intrigue with hostels as a potential solution for homelessness and a platform for teaching independent living principles served as the catalyst for her leadership in organizing intercultural cooking classes at Hosteling International Boston. This experience unveiled to her the substantial impact that her combined skills in administration and communication could have on her community.

However, the onset of the Covid pandemic temporarily disrupted her educational pursuits and community engagement. During this period, Caroline’s involvement with Hillel offered her a fresh avenue to integrate her passions with Jewish learning. Within the framework of Hillel service initiatives, she played a pivotal role in orchestrating an annua Purim drag show that not only raised funds for the Trevor Project but also fostered discussions on topics related to gender identity. Additionally, Caroline facilitated on-campus Zoom cooking classes with a focus on mental health and “Tikkun Hanefesh.”

Caroline continued her dedication to this field during her two study abroad experiences in Sydney, Australia, and London, England.In Australia, Caroline made significant contributions during her time at Selina, a multifaceted hospitality company specializing in co-working, co-living, and wellness. Her role involved actively identifying and establishing valuable partnerships within the local and national community. In the UK, her work focused on affordable housing, requiring her to gain a comprehensive understanding of housing law in England.

In her leisure time, Caroline frequently immerses herself in intimate concert experiences, culinary exploration, and globetrotting adventures across the United States and around the world.

Daniel Etter

he/him

Senior Program Manager, Colorado

A rural Vermont native, Daniel’s early experiences with his local 4-H club inspired his lifelong commitment to helping others and affecting positive change. Combining this with his passion for soccer, he has worked for decades to build community and support youth development as both a coach and a Program Coordinator. In addition to serving as PTO Vice President at his children’s school and supporting a nearby community garden, Daniel has volunteered for years at his local JCC. A summer serving as the JCC’s Interim Assistant Camp Director helped him find his purpose in the non-profit sector and led him to ‘Repair the World.’

Daniel graduated with an English / Communications degree from Guilford College, where he was a 2-year captain of his soccer team, served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and worked both as a Tour Guide for the Admissions department and a Supervisor for the IT department. He then spent years writing, developing websites, and performing tech support as a freelancer, during which time he joined Starbucks as a part-time barista for their benefits. Although it was intended to be temporary, he embraced the company’s commitment to developing people and serving communities and made it a career. Progressing into a Manager Trainer role and winning numerous awards, he grew with the company and spent seven years developing teams, training leaders, and managing operations.

Daniel married his college sweetheart, Jordan, and settled in her hometown of Boulder, CO. Nearly 20 years later, they now have three children and still play soccer together.

Nathaniel Gaul

he/him

Program Manager, Atlanta

Nathaniel is a native ATLien, passionate about community involvement, and honored to be a part of the Repair the World Atlanta team. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2021 with a B.A in International Affairs and German. During his time in Athens, he became active in the boxing and theatre communities. Nathaniel is excited to combine his passion for coaching, social justice, and spirituality in this new role.

In his free time you can find him acting in and producing plays with Bubble Theatre Company.

Cindy Greenberg

she/her

President and CEO

Cindy (she/her) is the President and CEO of Repair the World, whose mission is to mobilize Jews and their communities to take action to pursue a just world, igniting a lifelong commitment to service. She was the founding executive director of Repair the World NYC, where she built a robust program focused on mobilizing the Jewish community to meet pressing local needs through service and learning in Central Brooklyn and Harlem. Previously, she worked for Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life for fifteen years, including as the executive director of NYU’s Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life. Cindy holds a masters degree in Non-Profit Management from NYU’s Wagner School and is the recipient of the Schusterman Fellowship, the Shirley Chisholm Women of Excellence Award, the Bed Stuy Campaign Against Hunger Harvest Heroes Award, and Hillel’s Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence award. Cindy lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Dan, and their three children.

Eli Greenstein Jacober

he/him

Senior Director of Growth Strategy

Eli grew up in the Oakland, California and is always looking for ways to connect to the diverse community around him through food. Prior to working at Repair, Eli helped found a non-profit focused on employment for adults with diverse abilities, worked as a corporate social responsibility consultant, and managed teams focused on compliance and operations work. Eli is grateful that he can now bring his creative solutions to this role and inspire others to engage with Repair to take action on both a local and national level.

Hannah Grossman

she/her

Director, Field Activation, Education & Learning

Hannah Grossman is an experiential educator who believes in applying Jewish wisdom to enact social change and build community. As a member of the Field Activation team, she is excited to help expand the field of Jewish service learning after serving as Repair the World’s New York Program Director and Family and Youth Senior Program Manager.

Hannah has spent over 10 years in the world of Jewish education as a curriculum writer, Assistant Director of the K-12 religious school at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, and as the Director of Education at Young Judaea Camp Tel Yehudah.  Combining her thirst for travel and community building, Hannah volunteered in the rebirth of Jewish communal life in the Czech Republic and served as a JDC Entwine Fellow in Mumbai.

Hannah earned Master of Arts degrees in Experiential Jewish Education and Bible from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She also holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Comparative Literature and Judaic and Near Eastern Studies, and a certificate in Coastal and Marine Sciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Additionally, Hannah spent a transformative year at the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators.

In her free time you can find Hannah biking, hiking, illustrating her children’s books, playing Frisbee, swimming laps, and volunteering as a reading tutor.

Lauren Halperin

she/her

City Director, Bay Area

Lauren has a strong background in community organizing through her time with the Sunrise Movement, Urban Adamah, Moishe House, and Repair the World. She’s passionate about creating programs that help people connect deeply with their neighbors, their spirituality, and themselves. Her experience with Jewish education, urban farming, and mutual aid has shaped her commitment to making a real impact through collaborative service opportunities.

Haley Harper

she/her

Senior Director, Development

Haley Harper is the Senior Director, Development at Repair the World, where she supports the organization’s fundraising goals through strategic grant writing, donor stewardship, and system optimization. Haley has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector in fundraising and community engagement roles, supporting organizations in telling their story to donors and stakeholders to drive revenue. Service has been a core tenet of her journey; her experience as an AmeriCorps member engaging refugee youth compelled her to join the Peace Corps, where she taught English and created sustainable teaching resources for educators in Rwanda. These were foundational experiences that solidified a lifelong commitment to service and bridge-building. Haley holds a degree in English and History from the University of Arizona, and enjoys reading, running, and volunteering with her husband during her free time.

Hilai Hemmat

she/her

Accounting Associate

Prior to working with Repair, Hilai was a Staff Accountant of Quality Branded LLC, a restaurant group that owns 13 different restaurants in Manhattan, NY and Denver. Before that she worked with Robert Half as their permanent Accounting Consultant. On behalf of Robert Half, she advised companies in different industries needing help with financial analysis, accounts payables, accounts receivables, billing, invoicing, and various other accounting and financial duties. She is adaptable to a wide range of softwares.

Hilai earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from York College, City University of New York. She specialized in Internal Auditing. Hilai is originally from Chicago, Illinois but became a New Yorker from Queens at the age of 14. She currently lives with her husband in Flushing. They are enjoying their time as newly weds. In her free time Hilai enjoys swimming, baking, and art. As hobbies, she also loves reading books, and listening to audiobooks.

Annie Herz

she/her

Senior Associate of Brand Ambassadors

Annie has grown with Repair through its service corps program, final fellowship iteration and now in her new role as Senior Associate of Brand Ambassadors, driven by a passion for building bridges with neighbors across issue areas in pursuit of a better future. Annie now resides in Los Angeles but is a midwesterner to the core and comes from Chicago, where she worked in corporate and consumer public relations to elevate leadership voices, drive product launch coverage and authentically connect with target audiences. With 4+ years of experience in strategic communications and relationship building, she is excited to elevate Repair’s voice and efforts in partnership with brand ambassadors. Annie is committed to curiosity and community – she can often be found in museums, at local markets or on a hike with friends exploring the world!

Hannah Kahn Glass

she/her

Program Associate, New York

Hannah Kahn Glass (she/her) earned her degree in film studies from McGill University in 2022 and has since been exploring life in Brooklyn, NY. Hannah spent her first year out of college studying at a Yeshiva and then transitioned to working as a professional cook. Throughout her diverse experiences Hannah has remained deeply committed to her roots in Jewish culture and spirituality weaving together her passions for food, writing, and social justice as a Jewish educator. Hannah is passionate about service and social action as a way of building interdependent local community. In her free time Hannah loves to cook elaborate Shabbat meals, learn new skills (currently working on guitar and Yiddish), and bike around Brooklyn.

Spencer Kaseff

he/him

Program Manager, Los Angeles

Lauren Koenig

she/her

Director of Data Strategy

Lauren is an enthusiastic, motivated and dependable analytics guru and community builder. She is the Director of Data Strategy at Repair the World, focusing on driving and improving Salesforce use while promoting a strong data-informed culture. Lauren has certificates in Salesforce Administration, Practicing Positive, Purpose-Driven Leadership, Youth Mental Health First Aid and Google Project Management. Lauren is also a PJ Library connector for young Jewish families in the Chicago suburbs. Before joining Repair, Lauren worked in corporate financial healthcare analytics. Lauren received her Bachelors of Science in Microbiology and Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology from The Ohio State University where she was a proud member of Alpha Epsilon Phi and served on the Hillel Board (she still has a love of football). Lauren lives in Buffalo Grove, Illinois and enjoys spending time with family (including her husband, two daughters) and friends!

Melissa Levine

she/her

Senior Director of Field Activation

Melissa has been at Repair the World since 2021, growing Repair’s immersive service work and now building out a strategy for our field activation work. She was born and raised in South Florida and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park where she formalized her passion for Jewish communal life and volunteering. Melissa has a career spanning various roles in Jewish nonprofits, including positions at the Foundation for Jewish Camp, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, and Hillel International. Melissa is excited to build the Jewish community through the important Jewish service and learning work at Repair the World. Melissa currently lives in Cooper City, Florida with her husband and three children, Logan, Darcy, and Owen.

Celia Livshin

she/her

Senior Director of Field Activation Strategy

A native Midwesterner, Celia started her career in coordinating weddings and events, before taking the jump into the Jewish non-profit sector. For the last 10 years, Celia has worked at BBYO coaching professionals across the Midwest, East Coast, and Canada to create opportunities and programs allowing thousands of teens to find their home in the Jewish world. Celia has a B.S. from The Ohio State University in Business Administration and Marketing, and a Certificate from Hebrew Union College in Experiential Education. Celia lives in Cleveland, OH with her husband, Gene, and their three children and rescue pup, Rooney.

Julia Malaga

she/her

Chief Operating Officer

Mike Martin

he/they

Program Manager, Boston

Janu Mendel

he/him

Senior Director of Community Impact

Janu was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica where he had his bar mitzvah in a sand-floored synagogue and developed his life-long love of reggae music. He completed his B.Sc. in Political Science in 2005 at the University of the West Indies. He immigrated to the United States in 2006, working in corporate business for seven years. Seeking something more meaningful, he found his home in Miami’s Jewish community and realized that this was where he belonged professionally. He was recruited as an Outreach Fellow for Temple Beth Am in 2013 and managed their young-adult engagement efforts for five years. Concurrently, he spent three years on staff as the Director of Engagement at the University of Miami Hillel. The opportunity to take a more active role in community building and civic engagement led him to his current role as founding Executive Director of Repair the World Miami. Janu is an alumnus of the Pardes Summer Program and Bend the Arc’s Selah Leadership Program for Jews of Color, as well as a member of the ROI Community and a current Wexner Field Fellow.

Micali Morin

she/her

Program Manager, New York Family Programs

Micali believes in the transformative power of mutual aid and is inspired by the endless passion and fervor of teenagers engaging in serving their communities. Micali first became involved with Repair in the Fall of 2020, when she served as a Corps Member with Met Council on Housing, a tenants rights organization in New York City.

A native of Massachusetts, Micali first learned about the impact of social justice through NFTY Northeast and throughout twelve summers at Crane Lake Camp. She is a proud graduate of NYU Tisch with dual degrees in Dramatic Writing and Journalism. She has taught at a number of synagogues across the northeast, educating and engaging with youth as they explore their own Jewish identities. In her free time, Micali freelance writes, experiments with new recipes, and pretends to know how to paint.

Trudy Morse

she/her

Manager, Jewish Education

Trudy (she/her) is the Manager of Jewish Education at Repair the World. Prior to working for Repair the World, Trudy was a  Springboard Ezra Jewish Education Fellow at Stony Brook Hillel cultivating diversity and inclusion across religious and cultural lines. As a queer Southern Jew who studied International Politics, Trudy loves combine her two passions of Judaism and social justice in this new position. Currently, Trudy is working on her MA Ed from the Jewish Theological Seminary. In her free time, you can find Trudy hosting Shabbat dinners, cooking multiple-course meals, reading, and walking her dog Leo with her fiance Marlee in the gorgeous Los Angeles weather.

Dahiana Tavarez Nanda

she/her

Controller

Dahiana is an experienced accounting and finance professional with a demonstrated history of working in the nonprofit industry. She takes a tremendous amount of pride in serving the not for profit sector and helping colleagues. Dahiana graduated with a BBA in Accounting from Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College. Her most recent roles were Finance Director at American Arbitration Association and Accounting Supervisor at The Legal Aid Society.

Dahiana lives on Long Island with her husband and their two children. During her free time, she enjoys traveling to new places and learning about new things.

Kate O’Bannon

she/her

Chief Strategy Officer

Kate (she/her) leads Repair’s strategic planning, works with Repair’s Board of Directors and key stakeholders, oversees development and digital strategy, and serves on Repair’s Executive Team. She enjoys fusing her passions for tikkun olam, Judaism, and relationship building with other passionate leaders on the Repair team. Prior to joining Repair in 2017, Kate worked at the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, where she supported the Foundation’s efforts to connect and support global networks of young Jewish adults. She started her career by completing a service year as a JDC Global Service Corps Fellow in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Kate studied at the University of Virginia and outside of work, serves on the boards and executive committees of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and Hillel at the University of Virginia. Kate is a recipient of the JPRO Network Young Professional Award. She lives in San Francisco, California with her husband, Clark, is an avid traveler, and can usually be found sipping on green tea and staying active through trying out the latest fitness trends, cooking (especially Asian cuisine as an homage to her Filipina heritage), and volunteering.

Ilana Pond

she/her

Senior Program Associate, Chicago

Raised in Chicago’s north suburbs, Ilana moved to the city in 2020 to pursue her degree at DePaul University. There she obtained her bachelor’s in Business Management with a minor in Community Service. Ilana was a DePaul Community Service Scholar and had focused her studies on food justice, environmental justice, and housing insecurity. She has worked in different segments of nonprofits, ranging from curating curriculum for the Telpochcalli Community Education Project developing their STEM Social Justice program, to distributing groceries at Care for Real and Nourishing Hope.

Growing up in a Jewish home, attending shul, and baking traditional Ashkenazi foods with her Bubbe created a special appreciation for her Jewish roots at a young age and this has continued throughout her life. In August 2022, Ilana was part of an Interfaith Leadership Delegation Trip to Israel/Palestine with Metro Chicago. There, she had an immersive social justice experience where the focus was to learn from people on the ground in both Israeli and Palestinian communities. While on her trip, she expanded upon Judaism and social justice, connecting both her passion for non-profit work and her Jewish upbringing.

Ilana took part in the Fall 2022 Service Corps with Chicago Repair and is thrilled to fill the role of the Chicago Senior Program Associate. During Ilana’s free time, you will find her reading, at a hot pilates class, or spending time with family and friends!

Samantha Pride

she/her

Director of Operations

Samantha (she/her) graduated from Oregon State University with a B.A. in Sociology and B.A. in International Studies. Her passion for service – learning programs and volunteering started when she served as a City Year AmeriCorps Member in Philadelphia. She later graduated with a M.A. in International Development and Social Change from Clark University where she completed original research in Brazil on women’s political attitudes. Samantha returned to City Year in New York to work as a Grants and Compliance Manager for their portfolio of city and state funding. In her role, she is looking forward to supporting the growth of Repair the World through among other things, building people friendly systems. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys hiking, reading, traveling and spending time with her husband and family.

Myer Rosenblum

they/them

New York Program Director

Myer Rosenblum (they/them) is a spirited advocate, leader, and changemaker. As the New York Program Director at Repair the World, they oversee Repair’s young adult programming across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Most recently, Myer managed LGBTQ voter engagement strategy at HeadCount and grew The Trevor Project’s volunteer program to support suicide prevention and crisis intervention services for LGBTQ youth. Throughout their career, Myer’s work has spanned from art advocacy programming for incarcerated youth to viral LGBTQ educational campaigns—always with deep roots in collective liberation and justice. They graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Richmond with a B.A. in American Studies and Gender & Sexuality Studies.

Outside of work, Myer volunteers as a crisis counselor for LGBTQ youth, reads as much trans literature as they can find, and frequents thrift stores and museums across the city. They currently live on ancestral Lenape land (so-called Brooklyn) with their cat and jungle of thriving houseplants.

Celena Ritchey

she/her

Program Associate, Bay Area

Celena Ritchey (she/her) is a midwesterner at heart and excited to continue her west coast adventures while joining Repair the World in the Bay Area. In 2018 she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Policy from The Ohio State University (Go Bucks). Her experiences at Ohio State prompted her to do a summer of service with AmeriCorps VISTA following graduation, which then inspired her to serve with Repair the World in their Detroit community as a Fellow in 2018-19. Since completing the Fellowship program, she has worked in the non-profit field in both Program Management and Volunteer Coordination roles. Celena is presently a board member for Women’s Environmental Network (WEN), and enjoys volunteering in local community gardens. If you ever need to find Celena, she recommends you check the thrift stores down Haight Ashbury or hop over to her SF house Instagram page to see where she’s walking.

Harriet Rivkin

she/her

Manager, People and Culture

Harriet (she/her) is a British-American education & nonprofit administrator, always keeping the value of tikkun olam front and center. Harriet has a BA in Arabic and French, and an MPA in Public Administration and Management, both from University College London. Harriet started her career teaching Hebrew school, raising money for a community center for the elderly, and serving as a City Year AmeriCorps Member in Detroit. Each of these experiences further instilled in her a passion for social and racial justice, local community service, and education reform. Since completing her Master’s, Harriet has combined her knack for creating systems with her dedication to social change as an Operations professional, and is now a proud member of the National Team at Repair the World! In her free time, Harriet can be found baking banana bread, singing cheesy songs, registering voters, and discovering more of NYC!

Andi Robik

she/her

Senior Financial Analyst

Andi Robik (she/her) is an experienced financial analyst with more than 8 years of experience in the Jewish nonprofit world and 11 years in corporate finance. Andi attended Lehigh University, graduated with a BS in Accounting and obtained her CPA license shortly after graduation while working at the accounting firm of Coopers and Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). Andi was most recently employed as the Budget Manager for the Union for Reform Judaism and had previously worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb in various analytical financial roles.

Andi grew up in the reform movement, spent a semester studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and has held many leadership roles in her synagogue including VP of Finance and President. She is excited to combine her love of Judaism with her professional skills at Repair the World.

Andi has been living in Glen Ridge, NJ for the past 27 years and is moving to Franklin, NJ in the coming months. She has three young adult children and a “senior wiener” (a 13-year-old dachshund). In her spare time she enjoys running, skiing, road biking, and both jigsaw and crossword puzzles. Andi can be found spending her vacation time on the beaches of Long Beach Island at the Jersey shore or the ski slopes in Vermont and Colorado.

Jared Rosenbloom

he/him

Regional Development Director

Jared comes to Repair the world with 10 plus years of nonprofit experience. From Synagogues to JCCS to BBYO, Jared has made a name for himself in the Jewish community establishing relationships and making a difference that inspires the next generation of Jewish leaders. Jared has a BA in Psychology from Ramapo College and a Masters in Nonprofit Management and Jewish Communal Service from Gratz college. Jared lives outside Philadelphia with his wife, step daughter and twin children.

Elizabeth Savin

she/her

Stakeholder Engagement Associate

Elizabeth Savin (she/her) is from Pittsburgh, PA and ventured south to Wake Forest University where she studied business and environmental science. After working in environmental education and equitable food distribution in Georgia, Elizabeth is excited to apply her communication and advocacy skills as the Stakeholder Engagement Associate. She enjoys working in collaborative roles where she can build relationships and forward community building initiatives. Outside of work, Elizabeth can be found exploring hiking trails, going for runs, trying new recipes, and relaxing with a good book.

Simcha Schwartz

he/him

Regional Development Director

Simcha (he/him) is the Regional Director for Repair the World. He is a passionate Jewish leader with over 20 years of experience in education, community building and executive non profit leadership. He co-founded and directed the Jewish Farm School, directed programs for Hazon Inc, American Jewish World Service, Teva Learning Center, and Eden Village Camp. Simcha is an ordained Chaplain by The Chaplaincy Institute, worked as a Chaplain and Director & Founder of Camp Heart for Vitas Healthcare. He was the Director of Development for Wilderness Torah and most recently, before joining Repair the World, was the Interim Executive Director for Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry. Simcha, originally from Chicago, lives 50 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge with his wife and son.

Darielle Shandler

she/her

Senior Associate, Operations

Raised in a small town in southern Virginia, Darielle Shandler graduated from Drew University with a BA in Theatre Arts and minors in Arts Administration and Jewish Studies, which included a semester abroad at Tel Aviv University. Following school, she pursued a career in stage management, which took her all over the world. She has seen theatre bring people together across beliefs, languages, and cultures.

During her time supporting North American programming at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, she rediscovered her enthusiasm for Jewish education and learning for learning’s sake. She also found a passion for solving problems with smarter systems, which she has loved bringing to Repair the World. For the past decade, she has been based in New York City, exponentially growing her library with little consideration for the size of her tiny apartment. In her free time, when she isn’t seeing or creating theatre, you can find her reading, crocheting, or skimming articles on productivity systems.

Lauren Silverman

she/her

City Director, Chicago

Lauren Silverman is from Long Island. She received her undergraduate degree from Franklin and Marshall College with a major in American Studies and a minor in Environmental Studies. She received her Masters in Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. Lauren worked for Vanderbilt Hillel in Nashville, Tennessee before moving to Chicago in 2017. She worked for the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago in the Young Leadership Division and the Jewish Federations of North America with the Jewish Changemakers Fellowship, where she focused on young adult engagement, programming, and leadership development. When she’s not working, she enjoys finding new coffee shops across Chicago, attending local Jewish programs, working out at Equinox, and planning her next trip.

Sam Sittenfield

he/him

Director, Field Activation, JSA Operations

Sam Sittenfield is a Philadelphia-based educator and facilitator. At Repair the World, he serves as Director of Field Activation and JSA Operations, building meaningful education and training experiences with partners in the Jewish Engagement and Jewish Social Justice field to grow the field of Jewish service. He plans, builds, and facilitates education and training in the topics of volunteer management, social justice, and Jewish experiential education. Sam is a proud alumnus of Repair the World’s Fellowship, Avodah’s Justice Fellowship, M2’s Senior Educator Cohort, as well as a certified Brooklyn Urban Gardener. Outside of work, you can find him fermenting vegetables in his apartment, volunteering at local gardens and parks, and organizing alumni from his high school.

Michaela Slutsky

she/her

Regional Director

Michaela is currently a Regional Director at Repair the World, overseeing operations, strategy, and development. Previously, she was an Education Consultant at The Jewish Education Project, after completing her Master’s at NYU Wagner/Skirball, an MPA in non-profit management and MA in Hebrew and Judaic Studies. Michaela also co-created RUACH: Emotional and Spiritual Support, an online mental health start-up to support the Jewish community at the beginning of the pandemic. Prior to that, Michaela was the Program Manager for the Applied Research Collective for American Jewry, a startup initiative from NYU Bronfman Center, developing an academic fellowship and communal Roundtable. Michaela began her career as the Program Director of Teen and Young Adult Services at Marks JCH of Bensonhurst in Brooklyn, NY, where her passion for experiential Jewish education and communal identity began. Michaela served as Camp Director at B’Yachad, a unique educational, overnight camping experience for Russian-speaking Jewish (RSJ) teens focused on Russian Jewish heritage and exploration of personal identity. Michaela is a native New Yorker whose family is originally from the FSU.

Rebecca Steinman-DeGroot

she/her

City Director, Detroit

Rebecca (she/her) is a Michigan native and is currently serving as the Director of Education for Dor Hadash, a supplementary Jewish education program of the Detroit Jewish Coalition, for youth and families in the city of Detroit. Rebecca recently moved to Detroit from Los Angeles, where she served as the Associate Director of Education for Limudim, the religious school at IKAR, a progressive spiritual Jewish community in LA. Rebecca has worked in education for over 17 years, as a teacher in the classroom, a tutor, an administrator, a mentor, and as a consultant. Rebecca is also currently in the second cohort of The Jewish Women of Color Resilience Circle and Transformational Leadership Fellowship through Dimensions Inc., a part of the Detroit iEngage Community Educators Cohort through the Shalom Hartman Institute, and is incredibly excited to be working at Repair the World Detroit to create intersectional, inclusive, diverse, and embracing community.

AvirLev Waxman

he/they

City Director, Boston

A lover of Torah, bad jokes, and liberatory politics, AvirLev has spent many years both professionally and as an activist in political, labor, and environmental movements. Now, he is excited to bring together a love of Judaism with deep service work, and hopes to help spread a radical and social justice oriented notion of tikkun olam. AvirLev defines his Judaism as traditionally-informed and mystically-inclined, and takes great joy in God-talk and Jewish spirituality. When not repairing the world, AvirLev can frequently be found making groan-inducing puns, singing as he walks down the street, and talking to strangers.

Katie Wexler

she/her

Senior Director, People and Culture

Katie Wexler (she/her) joined Repair the World in June 2021. Prior to working with Repair, Katie was Hillel International’s Director of Human Resources, supporting the ~150 professionals working for the Schusterman International Center. Her career with Hillel began in 2003 creating programs for graduate students and young professionals in the DC-area. She then went on to multiple roles with the organization including working with Hillels in the Former Soviet Union and Latin America, managing Grants and Accreditation and ultimately landing in the Talent space where she found her passion for People & Culture work. Katie earned her SHRM-CP HR Certification through the Society for Human Resources Management in 2020 and is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder. Katie lives in Kensington, Maryland with her husband and daughter. In her space time, Katie enjoys all things Broadway, baking and books (feel free to ask her for recommendations!).

Adir Yolkut

he/him

Senior Director of Jewish Education

A Teacher, Coach, Community Builder, and Storyteller, Rabbi Adir Yolkut has served as a Jewish educator and congregational rabbi for the past fifteen years. In that time, he has developed curricula, taught classes, and led service trips across continents that fuse the ancient traditions of Judaism with 21st century spiritual life. Serving in both the congregational and educational realms, Rabbi Adir brings a fresh and authentic take on what it means to live as a spirit-seeker in today’s world. As a weaver of modern ritual, he believes in the multi-vocal nature of the Jewish tradition and uses texts, music, movement, and meditation to craft personally curated lifecycle events, educational experiences, and consulting ventures.

Adir received rabbinic ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, where he also received a masters degree in Talmud and Rabbinics. He holds an AltMBA certification and is a certified CrossFit Coach. He strongly believes in the mind-body connection and is passionate about melding the worlds of physical and spiritual wellness in his teaching, coaching, and consulting.Outside of work, Adir loves hanging out with his wife Lauren, son Cal, and dog Louie. In his spare time, he is a pop culture fanatic, huge St. Louis sports fan, makes a mean cholent, and likes to make his own cold brew!