Menu

Jewish Federations and Repair the World Launch Cohort 5 of The Catalyst

Jewish Federations of North America and Repair the World are proud to announce the fifth cohort of The Catalyst, a fellowship that prepares Federation professionals to design and deliver meaningful Jewish service opportunities in their communities. The Catalyst equips Federations to develop the leadership, strategy, and resources to make service a defining part of their communities’ Jewish experience, embodying the idea that volunteerism creates meaningful entry points into Jewish life and inspires lifelong engagement.


Cohort 5 consists of Federation professionals from 15 different communities across the United States and Canada. Catalyst fellows will receive expert training, peer learning, one-on-one support and grant funding over the course of five months, gaining deep expertise in Jewish service learning. Repair the World’s trusted pedagogical model includes issue-area education, Jewish learning, hands-on volunteerism, and reflection, ensuring each service opportunity is one that helps participants connect to the issue, their Jewish identity, and each other. 

 

The fellowship is grounded in the belief that when a Jewish Federation professional learns to lead through service, the whole Jewish community benefits. "At a moment when so many people are looking for meaning, belonging, and ways to make a difference, service offers all three,” said Beth Lipschutz, BeWell’s Director of Education and Training for Jewish Federations of North America. “The Catalyst helps Federations meet people where they are by inviting them into Jewish life through action. In the process, these fellows will strengthen their own communities and shape how our entire Federation system thinks about engagement."

 

“Across Jewish communities, people are looking for meaningful ways to put their values into action. Catalyst equips excellent Jewish professionals with the knowledge, skills, and resources to respond to that desire and cultivate and activate a vibrant local service landscape,” said Hannah Grossman, Repair the World’s Director of Education, Field Activation. “Fellows leave with the tools to create opportunities where community members can find purpose in addressing pressing needs and experience service as an expression of Jewish life. We’re thrilled to launch our fifth cohort and continue to grow a connected network of Federation professionals across North America who share a commitment to bringing transformative Jewish service learning to their communities.” 


The Cohort 5 fellows are: 
 

  • Abigail Goldberg, NextGen Outreach and Program Director – Jewish Federation of Louisville
     
  • Benjamin Zack, Philanthropy Officer – Minneapolis Jewish Federation
     
  • Laura Rock, Mitzvah Food Program Client Services Manager – Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
     
  • Lee Reisman, Director of Jewish Family Services – Columbia (SC) Jewish Federation
     
  • Marcy Lewis, Director of Family and Volunteer Engagement – Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix
     
  • Margie Stein, Community Connectors and PJ Library Coordinator – Greater Miami Jewish Federation
     
  • Megan Harkavy, Director of Education and Engagement – Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
     
  • Melissa York, Senior Director of Volunteerism and Advocacy – Jewish Federation Los Angeles
     
  • Oren Baray, Development Manager, Young Adults – Jewish Federation of Ottawa
     
  • Rachel Chernow, Social Worker – Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo
     
  • Rachel Shatz, Director, Volunteer Center – Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey
     
  • Rosalie Silberg, Young Dallas Leadership Associate – Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas
     
  • Sarah DeWoskin, Vice President, Engagement – Jewish Federation of Broward County
     
  • Sarah Eckstat, Program Manager of Jewish Family Services – Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines
     
  • Zachary Goldberger, Associate Director, Israel Connections – Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston


You can review the full Cohort 5 participant list here and learn more about the fellows here.