Samantha Berinsky

she/her

City Director, Atlanta

Raised in the south, Samantha (she/her) is a lover of college football and good BBQ. For the past 5 years, she has lived in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two goldendoodles. A recent Master’s graduate in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institution of Jewish Learning & Leadership and proud alumni of the College of Charleston BA Jewish Studies program, she thrives on serving as a connector in her Jewish community. For much of her career, Samantha has served as an Engagement Professional in the synagogue sphere and looks forward to expanding her Jewish connections and knowledge as she joins Repair the World. By nature, she is deeply passionate about social action and ensuring the world is an equal and just place for all. When she’s not at Repair, you’ll find her out on the Atlanta Beltline with friends, making a new friend everywhere she goes with dogs in tow!

Lisa Bodziner

she/her

Southeast Development Director

Hazel Garrity

she/her

Fellow, Atlanta

My name is Hazel Garrity and I am new to repair and Atlanta! I am so excited to get to know everyone and the city better. My dog Canela and I are originally from a small town in Connecticut, but we’re loving the culture and community that has been so welcoming. I haven’t had a lot of experience integrating my religion with the service work I’ve done before, and I am so grateful to get the chance to do so. I’m looking forward to the next two years and love Repair!

Janu Mendel

he/him

Regional Director, Southeast

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.

Palmer Rubin

they/them

Fellow, Atlanta

Palmer Rubin is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design. They previously completed the Jeremiah Fellowship for Bend The Arc in 2020 and the Serve The Moment Fellowship in 2020-2021. They’re dedicated to finding equitable services for all people in Atlanta, prioritizing those most affected, and living by the Jewish value of “tikkun olam.”