Our People

Miriam Peretz is an Israeli educator, who lost two sons in battle in Lebanon and Gaza.

Born in Morocco, she made Aliyah with her family and moved to Be’er Sheba. She earned a BA in Literature and History and became a teacher. She settled down in Ofira, a settlement in the Sinai Peninsula, with her husband.

In 1982, following the evacuation from the Sinai Peninsula, Peretz’s family moved to Giva’at Ze’ev. On November 25, 1998, her oldest son, First Lieutenant Uriel Peretz, was killed in an ambush in the security belt in south Lebanon. He was 22 years old. On March 26, 2010, she lost her son, Major Eliraz in battle in Gaza. He left a wife and four children.

Today, Peretz lectures on leadership, Judaism, and Zionism to Israeli youth and IDF soldiers.

In 2014, she was selected to light a torch in Israel’s official Independence Day ceremony. In 2016, she received an honorary degree from Bar-Ilan University

Mahareta Baruch-Ron is the Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv who holds the social welfare and services portfolio and the culture portfolio.

Born in Ethiopia, Baruch-Ron immigrated to Israel when she was 10. In 2001, she co- founded and chaired Hiyot, an organization which provides social, educational, and economic aid to immigrants from Ethiopia. She also co-founded Olim Beyahad, an organization, which promotes leadership and excellence among university graduates who immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia.

In 2005, she finished second in The Ambassador, a reality television show, which trained future Hasbara agents.

In 2013, Baruch-Ron ran as a Meretz Party candidate in the Tel Aviv municipal elections. She placed third in the party and joined the municipal coalition.

Baruch-Ron chairs the refugees’ forum and the Tamrach forum, which serves Jews who immigrated from Ethiopia. She is proactive in her opposition to over-policing and racism.

She represented Tel Aviv at the Milan Food International Convention in 2015 and advocates for healthy nutrition for people of all ages. In 2016, she was a delegate in the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.

Baruch-Ron holds a BA in Psychology and Human Services and an MA in Organizational Sociology from Haifa University.

She is married to businessman and author Eran Ron. They have three children.

Rachelle Sprecher Fraenkel is a Torah educator at Nishmat, The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women and the director of Matan’s Hilkhata Institute (Advanced Halakha Program) at Matan Women’s Institute for Torah Studies. She became an international speaker after her son, Naftali Fraenkel, was kidnapped and murdered along with two other Israeli teens in 2014.

Fraenkel serves as a Nishmat halakhic advisor for families observing the rabbinic laws of niddah and was in the first graduating class of Matan’s Advanced Talmud Institute. She has also studied at Bar Ilan University, Lindenbaum, and Nishmat.

Together with Bat Galim Shaer and Iris Yifrach, she was invited to speak to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Rachelle Fraenkel became a public leader, a national heroine, and a religious heroine during the 18 days when her son and his friends were missing. People from all backgrounds admired her because of her restraint, her faith, and the profound statements she made about the prayers offered for the three boys’ return.

According to Haaretz, “When Rachelle Fraenkel recited the Kaddish [at her son’s funeral], the chief rabbi said ‘Amen’: The Mourner’s Kaddish has never before been recited in public in Israel by an Orthodox woman of such stature and in front of cameras.”

In 2015, the Jerusalem Unity Prize was created in memory of the slain teenagers. Fraenkel is one of the prize’s judges.

Lihi Lapid is a bestselling author, journalist, and speaker about contemporary women’s issues.

A weekly columnist for Yediot Ahronot, Lapid has also written three bestselling novels, Secrets from Within, Woman of Valor, and I Can’t Always Be Wonderful, as well as a bestselling children’s book. Woman of Valor explores the real life struggles of women in modern society and tells the story of her life as a mother of an autistic daughter.

Before becoming a writer, Lapid was a professional news photographer and the first in her field in the IDF.

Her husband, Yair Lapid, is the founder of the Yesh Atid Party and a respected politician. Lapid lives with her husband and their two children in Tel Aviv.

Prof. Rivka Carmi is an Israeli pediatrician and geneticist and the President of Ben- Gurion University of the Negev (BGU). She is the first female president of an Israeli university.

After graduating from Hadassah Medical School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, she completed a residency in pediatrics, a fellowship in neonatology at the Soroka University Medical Center, and a fellowship in medical genetics at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard University Medical School.

Carmi was the Director of the Genetics Institute at the Soroka University Medical Center, and in 2000, she was elected Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at BGU.

Carmi has chaired the Israeli Association of Medical Deans and she is a founding member of the UK-Israel Science Council. In 2011, she was appointed chairperson of the Promotion and Representation of Women in Higher Education Institutions Committee.

In 2013, Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni appointed Carmi to be part of the Rivlin Committee, which examined the compensation agreement for workers at the nuclear research facility in Dimona. In 2014, she served on the Locker Committee, which examined Israel’s national defense budget. In 2015, Carmi led the Israeli Medical Association’s task force, which examined the status of women in medicine.

Carmi has received many awards for her work, including the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Yated Organization for Children with Down Syndrome, the Award for Peace from the Canada International Scientific Exchange Program, and the Women of Distinction Award from the Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America, and she was named an Honorary Commander of the British Empire.

Rivka Ravitz is the first Haredi woman to be the President of Israel’s Chief of Staff. In addition to her full-time position, Ravitz is a Ph.D. candidate in public policy. She is also the mother of 11 children. i24 News has profiled this remarkable woman. She has stated that while some in the Haredi community do not want women to represent them, she thinks that this will change over time.

Prior to joining the World Jewish Congress, Sonia served for 14 years as Acting Director General & CEO, and as Chief Operating Officer, of World ORT, the largest Jewish educational and vocational training NGO in the world, with past and present activities in over 100 countries which works for the advancement of Jewish and other people through training and education with more than 200.000 beneficiaries.

In this role, she was responsible for the management of internal operations including serving as intermediary between organizational departments, overseeing the submission of projects and reports to international ORT organizations, US Federations, major donors, foundation and corporations including responsibility for all donor relations’ management, supervising relationships with fundraising countries and overseeing fundraising activities within the headquarters in the UK and in regional offices in the USA and Western Europe.

She was also in charge of overseeing the production of all PR materials and publications, managing and mentoring a professional team of 16, overseeing World ORT’s operation in Israel, including full budget and programmatic oversight. Sonia led missions and visits to organizational operations worldwide and oversaw World ORT’s formal relations with government and non-government organizations and UN agencies.

Prior to being appointed as Chief Operating Officer Sonia served as World ORT’s Head of International Liaison Department and Head of Israel and FSU desk.

Between 1992 and 1999, she was project manager in the Liason Bureau of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. Prior to that she served in the office of the Israeli Ambassador to Finland in Helsinki.

Sonia Gomes de Mesquita served in the Israel Defense Forces and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. She was also the head of the Educational Negev Unit of the IDF Southern Command and the head of the Command’s Communications Department.

Sonia holds a Bachelor of Art in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies from Ben-Gurion University, Israel, and a Master of Arts in Business Management Marketing from Middlesex University, London.

Michal Cohen served as Director General of the Education Ministry for four years, and previously filled different managerial roles in the public service, most recently as the Ministry’s Senior Deputy Director and Director of the Pedagogic Administration. During the course of her professional career, she has led significant, large-scale pedagogic and structural reforms and innovative initiatives. Michal holds an MA degree in education from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a diploma in Organizational Consultation for Education Systems from Tel Aviv University, as well as MA in Law from Bar Ilan University. She serves as General Director of Rashi from September 2017.

Orna Hozman-Bechor is the Chairwoman of Ashdod Port.

She served in the IDF Intelligence Corps. In 1995, she served as MK Silvan Shalom’s parliamentarian aide, and in 1998, she began working at the Ministry of Science. In 2001, she served as the chief of staff at the Ministry of Treasury and in 2003, she held the same position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2006, Hozman-Bechor returned to the private sector and was appointed VP of business development of the Gilad Lobbying Company.

In 2007, Hozman-Bechor founded OHB, a strategy and government relations firm. In 2009, she was appointed the CEO of the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee. In 2011, she was appointed the CEO of the Ministry for Regional Cooperation, and she promoted gender equality and the development of Israel’s periphery areas.

In 2010, Globes Magazine named Hozman-Bechor one of the 40 most influential people in Israel under the age of 40.

In 2013, she was appointed the CEO of the Ministry of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water, and in 2015, she was appointed the CEO of the Ministry of Interior. In 2017, she was appointed the chairwoman of Ashdod Port.

Hozman-Bechor earned a BA in business from Thames Valley University (West London University), and an MBA from Bar-Ilan University.

Adi was born and raised in Hod Hasharon, Israel. She is a leader and an acclaimed social entrepreneur.

At the age of 16 she founded K’nafaim Shel Krembo (Krembo Wings), Israel’s first and only youth movement for kids with and without special needs. She is also the founder of Zikaron BaSalon, an alternative and increasingly popular way to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. She was formerly head of Education & Economic Impact at Google. With the goal of transforming Israel’s education system, Adi left Google to found Inclusive Israel, of which she is currently the CEO. Inclusive Israel is a nonprofit that promotes inclusive education in Israel through a network of public inclusive schools. Adi is the recipient of numerous awards (the first of which she received at age 18), including the 2005 Tamari Award and the 2006 Bernstein Award for Social Leadership. In 2008 LIONS declared her: “Israeli Woman of the Year” and she was also the recipient of the Ernest and Young Social Entrepreneurship Award. Adi received the prestigious President’s Award in 2009, and in 2013 received the Rappoport Award for leading social change in Israeli society. The following year Adi was elected by TIME Magazine as one of six future world leaders, and was chosen to speak about social entrepreneurship at the U.N. In 2016 Adi was honored by World Rotary and received the Paul Harris award and that same year received the title of Honorary Fellow from IDC Herzliya. In 2017 she received an Honorary Fellow from the Gordon College of Education and the Light Award from the Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel.

Bat-Sheva Moshe is the CEO of Unistream, an organization that aims to increase social and economic mobility in Israel by introducing underprivileged Israeli teens to the business world. The organization has 30 employees and 2,000 volunteers who work in 70 youth centers throughout Israel.

In 2010, Moshe became the director of Unistream’s Entrepreneurship Center in Acre, and in 2012, she served as a recruitment consultant in ManpowerGroup. In 2012, she returned to Unistream as the Director of Development and Training.

At the age of 30, Moshe became Unistream’s CEO. This year, Marker Magazine named Moshe one of the most promising Israelis under the age of 40.

Moshe received a BA in Communications, Media Studies and Human Resources from Haifa University and an MA in Organizational Consulting. She is a graduate of Microsoft’s International Mini MBA Program.

Racheli Ebenboim is an Ultra-Orthodox entrepreneur, a feminist activist, and a lecturer on ultra-Orthodox society, Haredi feminism, employment, and other topics.

A strong believer in the unity of the Jewish people, she has said, ”Although we are different tribes, we are one people. Our mission is to find our common denominators so that we can be synchronized and balanced. This task is not easy. It requires sobriety, courage, and a lot of hope from all of us.”

In 2012, at the age of 26 and as a mother of two children, she was appointed the CEO of Meir Panim, an organization that has 45 employees and 8,000 volunteers.

Ebenboim is the founder and chairwoman of Movilot, a vocational leadership program for Jewish women. She is a research fellow at the Israeli Institute for Democracy and a board member of the Jerusalem-based organization, Ruach Hadasha. Ebenboim is the head of the Ultra-Orthodox department at Shaharit Institute.

Adina Bar-Shalom was born in Jerusalem, Israel, and is the eldest daughter of the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel.

In 2001 Adina Bar Shalom founded the Haredi College in Jerusalem. For this she was awarded the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement for her efforts in advancing higher education in the ultra-Orthodox sector.

Yochi Brandes was born in Israel in 1959 to a family of Hassidic rabbis. With degrees in both Biblical Studies and Judaic Studies, she has been a prominent and sought-after lecturer on the Bible and on Jewish cultural topics for many years.

One of Israel’s bestselling writers, she is the author of seven historical novels and two non-fiction books, all centered on Jewish ideas, history, and culture. She has been awarded the Book Publishers Association’s Platinum Book Prize for all her novels, including The Secret Book of Kings.

Lavie is a senior lecturer of communications (currently on unpaid leave) at the School of Communication at Bar-Ilan University, an author, publicist and public activist. Her research focuses on the media, multiculturalism and the role of women in Judaism and the public sphere. Her public activity focuses on issues related to gender equality, religion and state, communication, culture and Jewish identity, the relationship between the military and society, strengthening the relations with the Diaspora and Israel’s character as a Jewish and democratic state. Lavie is one of the most prominent figures in Jewish cultural discourse in Israel. In her researches and writing she seeks to find answers in the past to current problems and to introduce them to the public and the political arena.

Lavie is married to Attorney Tzuriel Lavie and resides in Netanya; she has four children and two grandchildren. After their marriage, in 1987, the couple served as emissaries of Bnei Akiva in Durban, South Africa.

She is a sought-after lecturer in Israel and around the world on various topics, such as: women in the Jewish world, Jewish culture and identity, politics and Israeli society, Israel – Diaspora relations, advancing the status of women, communications and gender.

Lori Palatnik is the Founding Director of Momentum (formerly JWRP). She is a world-renowned Jewish educator, speaker, writer, and media personality, who has lectured all over the world. Lori has authored four books: Friday Night and Beyond, Gossip, Remember My Soul, and Turn Your Husband Into Your Soul Mate. In 2014, Lori was named one of the ten “Women to Watch” by Jewish Women International in recognition of her contribution to Jewish women throughout the world. Hadassah named Lori one of the “Most Outstanding Jewish American Women of Our Time” and Izzy included Lori in its “Global Jewish 100” list for moving Jewish culture forward. In 2020, Lori was selected to light the “Diaspora” torch at the national ceremony for Israel’s 72nd Independence Day.

Lori lives with her husband in Jerusalem.

Ben Pery is responsible for Momentum’s organizational strategy, financial oversight, and culture development. Additionally, he oversees the movement’s day-to-day operational and educational management, administration, and impact.

Ben previously served as Vice President of Operations for the Peres Center for Peace. He oversaw the construction of their new building in Jaffa, and spearheaded numerous social projects. Ben also had the privilege of working closely with Israel’s ninth president, the Hon. Shimon Peres, and his inner team of advisors. Between 2003-2007, Ben was an associate attorney at Barnes & Co., a law firm in Tel Aviv, where he worked in international corporate law.

Ben is a graduate of Tel Aviv University’s Political and Public Leadership Studies Master’s Program for Executives, and also holds an LL.B/J.D degree from Tel Aviv University.

Ben lives in Maryland with his wife and three children.

Adrienne is a Momentum Trip Leader.

Adrienne was a Canadian television personality specializing in fashion, style, and beauty for almost two decades before becoming a senior lecturer and community liaison at the Village Shul in Toronto, as well as an international Jewish educator. Adrienne has appeared on all major Canadian television networks and has served as the event host for dozens of charities and organizations.

Adrienne and her husband live in Toronto and have two sons.

Allison joined Momentum in 2018. She oversees video strategy delivering engaging branded content.

She previously worked as the Digital & Social Media Coordinator for Aish Global, and as the Assistant Sports Editor for The Jerusalem Post. Allison received a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications with a concentration in video production from the Pennsylvania State University.

Allison lives in South Florida with her husband and daughter.

Amy joined Momentum with over 25 years of experience in accounting, financial management, business advising, and business ownership.

Amy previously served as the managing partner of Cantor, Goldman & Company, P.C., CPA, where she worked with clients across a wide range of industries, including government contracting, business, and nonprofits. Amy also co-founded Hemingway Homes with her husband. An active lay leader in the Jewish community, Amy has served on the boards of Adas Israel Congregation and BBYO, led the PTA of Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, and participated as a board volunteer at the University of Maryland Hillel. Amy is a CPA and holds a degree in business administration from the University of Maryland.

Anna joined Momentum in 2017, with 15 years of experience in facilitating informal Jewish education and leadership programs in Israel, the FSU, and North America.

She previously served as the Director of Hillel at the Technion and Haifa University. She also held positions at the Oranim College of Education and at the Jewish Agency for IsraeI. She served as the Central Emissary for the Jewish Agency in New York, specializing in community organizing and program development for Russian-speaking Jews in North America. Anna completed her service in the Israel Defense Forces as a lieutenant with honors, and holds a bachelor’s degree in human services and political science, and an MBA in nonprofit management from Haifa University.

Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Anna now lives in Israel. She has two children.

Andrea joined Momentum in 2018.

Andrea previously served as the Executive Director of Jerusalem U, a film education organization based in the Old City in Jerusalem. She helped launch an international campaign called Step Up for Israel, which educated about anti-Israel sentiment and BDS on college campuses. Andrea also worked in marketing and advertising for the Public Broadcast Publishers and ran the Book and Cook Fair, a gourmet food show. Andrea grew up working in the Norman Rockwell Museum in Philadelphia, which was owned by her family.

Andrea lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and three children.

Carmi manages Momentum’s database and provides database support and innovation to Momentum’s development, marketing, and finance teams.

Carmi previously worked in a workforce development non-profit as their Database Analyst. Working with over 20 different teams,

Carmi oversaw mission alignment, database infrastructure, and all program reporting. He worked with the development team to ensure deadlines were met and helped business development build out projects to provide stability for the organization.

Carmi lives in Pikesville, MD, with his wife and son.

Chaya joined Momentum in 2018.

Chaya previously served as an office manager and executive administrator for the KwaZulu-Natal branch of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, and for the Jewish Durban Club. She has also worked as an executive assistant at an international shipping company and with a professional orchestra.

Chaya lives in Israel with her husband.

Dana joined Momentum in 2015.

Dana previously served as the Director of Garin Tzabar International, the Director of the StandWithUs Fellowship, and the Youth Leadership Program Director for OneVoice Israel. Dana also founded Tzemach, a student-led, grassroots organization with the goal of deepening Zionist values and awakening social responsibility among Israeli students. Dana is a board member of several Israeli nonprofits, a mentor in multiple social entrepreneurship programs, and a Schusterman Fellow. She received a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and a master’s degree in public and political leadership from Tel Aviv University. Dana is also certified in Jewish peoplehood studies and facilitation.

Dana lives in Kadima, Israel with her husband and four children.

Dori Botts has joined Momentum in 2022 as a Regional Engagement Director.

Dori has a BS from the University of Illinois in Education. After a couple of years as a high school English teacher, Dori began a career in sales and business development in medical devices and pharmaceuticals. However, Dori found her passion for nonprofit work 10 years ago as a development officer raising money for social causes and medical research in the Madison, Wisconsin area.

Dori is a dedicated board member for the Literacy Network, a non-profit which aids adult learners in their pursuit of literacy gains so they can become citizens, get a GED, or simply participate more fully in American society. She is also a volunteer within the Jewish community and is an active member of her temple. Most recently, Dori was the Chief Development Office of an international nonprofit startup.

Dori lives in Middleton, WI with her husband and 2 kids (ages 17 and 12), and their dog and cat. In her spare time, Dori loves yoga, boating, hiking, birdwatching, and spending time with her family.

Dorina joined Momentum in 2017. She previously worked as the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Embassy of Israel’s Head of Security in Washington, D.C., where she planned and produced diplomatic visits, and worked with State Department and White House officials to achieve Israeli security objectives. She served as a First Sergeant in the Israel Defense Forces from 2007-2009.

She will receive a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maryland in December, 2019.

Dorina lives in Maryland with her husband and three children.

Before joining Momentum in 2015, Galia was a successful Momentum Community Leader in Santiago, Chile.

Galia has previously served as the Executive Director of Aish Chile and the Associate Director at the Queens College Hillel. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from the Catholic University of Chile, and a master’s degree in public administration with a specialization in public and nonprofit management and policy from New York University.

Galia lives in Santiago, Chile with her family.

Gila H. Madjar joined Momentum with over 20 years of experience in global relationship management.

Before joining, she was a successful community leader of the Momentum trip to Israel from New England IAC. She previously owned ADYL Travel Designers, which focused on educational travel. She also served as a board member and project manager for the Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco counties in Florida and served as a Holocaust commemoration advisory board member to the North Carolina Governor.

She received a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the University of Tampa and a master’s degree in Educational Counseling from the Israeli Academic College.

Gila lives in Massachusetts with her husband and four children.

Ilene joined Momentum in 2017.

Ilene previously served as the Operations, Digital Leader with the GE Healthcare Communications team, where she supported a portfolio of digital platforms for both internal and external communications. Ilene has also worked at Northwestern Mutual, Sears Holdings, and NDS Technologies in Israel. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications from Columbia College in Chicago.

Ilene lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband and two children.

Ivonne Bengio works with our partners in Latin America, South Africa and Australia. Ivonne has been part of the Momentum family for years, serving as a Community Leader and a Momentum translator, and she also helped run Conferencia Momentum, our Latin American leadership conference.

Ivonne has extensive experience in the world of Jewish non-profits, having previously worked with a range of Jewish nonprofit organizations, including Aish Hatorah, NCSY Chile, and Shabbat Project Chile. While working with the Shabbat Project, Ivonne led a challah event with over 3,000 participants. Ivonne received a bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University, with a major in marketing and a minor in management.

Ivonne lives in Chile with her husband and four children.

Janet joined Momentum in 2019. As a staff accountant, Janet’s work includes administering payroll and benefits, as well as budget planning and financial reporting.

Janet previously worked as a business manager at a Jewish Montessori school, as a budget analyst at the National Institute on Aging, and as a high school math teacher. She received a bachelor’s degree in secondary math education and an MBA in finance and entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland.  

Janet lives in Rockville with her husband and four children.

Jenna joined Momentum in 2021.

Jenna has been involved with nonprofits in Israel and the United States. Previously, Jenna was the Director of Grants at the Birthright Israel Foundation. Her portfolio included the management and writing of more than 20 annual grants and the building of internal processes to advance relationships with foundations and key professionals. Jenna holds a masters in Global Migration and Policy from Tel Aviv University and worked as graduate student intern at United Nations Office for Refugees (UNHCR) in Tel Aviv, where she assisted in the evaluation of local nonprofit grantee programs for refugees and asylum seekers from African countries.

Jenna lives in New Jersey.

Jennifer serves as the IT staff lead and ensures our entire team has the tools, systems, applications, and training they need.

Before joining Momentum, Jennifer was the Information Systems Manager and Salesforce Administrator at Honeymoon Israel. Previously, she was the Operations Manager at Hillel at Arizona State University and the founder of her own consulting firm that provides Salesforce integrations, enhancements, and customized instances to clients.

Jennifer holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of Arizona. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

Jessica Minnen Berkowitz is a writer, ritualist, and liturgist committed to the discipline of delight. Before coming to Momentum, she was a part of the founding team of OneTable where she served as Director of Jewish Learning for seven years.

Jessica is a sought-after educator who has taught for Hillel International, Jewish Federations of North America, the JCC Association of North America, Foundation for Jewish Camp, and Birthright Israel, among others.

Originally from Paducah, Kentucky, she is an alumna of Washington University in St. Louis, the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Paideia: The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden, Baltimore Hebrew University, and received her Rabbinical Ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary. She is a past Fellow of Reboot, the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Women’s Leadership Mission, and the Ruskay Institute for Professional Leadership. Jessica and her family live in Denver, Colorado.

Jody Portnoff Braunig completed her Master of Social Work at Tulane School of Social Work and for 15 years worked in the Jewish Communal world as the Adult and Older Adult Director at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center, Assistant Director at Tulane Hillel and Director of Planning, Allocations and Community Relations for the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans. After five years at Jewish Federation, Jody was hired at Girls on the Run New Orleans and was Executive Director there for seven years. Jody is a Grant Writer for Wild Fundraising and was the first Executive Director for Grant Factory, a nonprofit providing professional pro-bono fund development and grant writing support to small and new nonprofits.

Jody is actively engaged in a variety of non-profit boards spanning social, educational, religious, and professional areas. Jody is married to a wonderful guy from Shreveport, LA and is the mother of two boys, Billy, and Max. Jody loves Mardi Gras and is a Float Lieutenant for the Krewe of King Arthur and a rider in the Krewe of Iris. During her free time, you can find Jody at both of her son’s travel baseball games.

Judy joined Momentum in 2018 after participating in the MOMentum Year-Long Journey. She previously served as an administrative assistant in Momentum’s marketing department.

Judy previously worked as a finance administrator for a computer staffing firm. She also worked as a television producer, creating promotional spots for television news shows. She received a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin.

Judy lives in Rockville, Maryland with her husband and children.

Judy joined Momentum in 2017.

She previously served as the Director of Advancement and Donor Relations at the JCC in Minneapolis. She was also the Program Director at Aish Minnesota, and the Training & Event Manager at Charthouse Learning.

Judy lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and two children.

Katelyn Vaughan joined Momentum in the Spring of 2022 as the HR Coordinator. She previously worked for Beth Sholom Congregation of Frederick, MD where she was the Office Manager. She also served as Director of Education for Congregation Kol Ami, located in Frederick, MD. She has over 10 years of experience in HR roles and 12 in Office Management. She holds over 32 certifications in Human Resource Management, Microsoft Administration, Project Management, and LOMA.

She holds a bachelor’s in history and two master’s degrees in history from Hood College in Frederick, MD. She is currently enrolled in a PhD program through Maryland University.

Katelyn lives in Frederick, MD with her Partner and 3 children.

Kayla Frankel joined Momentum in 2013. Her responsibilities include trip logistics and management, interfacing with tour operators, and supporting program department operations.

Kayla first joined Momentum as a Momentum Community Leader in Indianapolis. She previously taught in Indiana’s public school system. She has served as a lay leader on her children’s school board and in her synagogue’s sisterhood. Kayla received a bachelor’s degree in family studies and human development from Syracuse University.

Kayla made Aliyah with her husband and four children in 2013, They live in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

Lani Preis joins the Momentum team after many years of involvement in the Momentum community. She is an alumna and former Madricha of the MOMentum Trip to Israel, and the president elect of the JWC, our local Atlanta partner.

Most recently, Lani led her own consulting firm that created and implemented marketing strategies for small and medium-sized businesses. Previously, Lani was the Marketing Director at the Jewish Federation of Atlanta, where she designed and developed fundraising campaigns, oversaw numerous events, and developed strategic planning documents. She has also been involved with several start-up business ventures.

Lani lives in Atlanta, GA. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

Leah Lubel joined Momentum in 2021. In her role as an Executive Assistant, she supports the CFO and COO.

Before joining Momentum, Leah worked as an Executive Assistant at a DC based non-profit and as a Special Projects Coordinator at Beth Jacob Atlanta.

Leah grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Georgia. She lives in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC.

Leora joined Momentum in 2021 as the Israel Relationship and Project Manager. She has been involved in Israel education and advocacy since 2011, having interned for StandWithUs and American Jewish Committee during her studies at Boston University. Since making Aliyah in 2014, Leora served as a lone soldier in the IDF and worked as a guide at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. She is currently pursuing an M.A in Creative Nonfiction Writing at Bar Ilan.

Leora lives in northern Israel with her husband and daughter.

Lynn joined the Momentum team in 2021. She considers it a full circle moment, as her own Jewish journey was catalyzed when she experienced the Momentum Year-Long Journey in 2013.

Prior to joining Momentum, Lynn was a Program Manager at H&R Block for 14 years, where she developed a strategic framework to optimize the franchise network and was a three-time recipient of the H&R Block CEO Award. Previously, she worked for Hallmark Cards, where she spearheaded a new publication. She also started her own business, which designed, manufactured, and sold products in multi-state territories representing many manufacturers.

Lynn holds a Bachelor’s from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) through the International Franchise Association.

Maya joined the Momentum team in 2021. Maya is an experienced multi-disciplinary manager with a unique blend of operational, analytical, and legal expertise.

Before joining Momentum, Maya was the General Manager for Barlev Architects, Ltd., where she conducted financial analyses, negotiated contracts, and managed all facets of the firm. Maya has also held managerial positions at Relocation Jobs and Tnuva.

Maya is a lawyer certified by the Israel Bar Association. She received both her LLB and MBA in Global Marketing from Tel Aviv University. Maya lives in Israel.

Megan Webb joined Momentum in 2022 as a Relationship Development Manager.

Before joining Momentum, Megan was the Development Manager at Nexleaf Analytics, where she worked with foundations and individuals working in global public health, while securing more than $13MM in funding for the organization. She previously served as the Development Manager with the International Rescue Committee as well as the Director of Youth Programming at the JCC in Omaha, Nebraska. Megan holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Megan is actively engaged in a variety of non-profit organizations spanning environmental, social, humanitarian and educational areas.

Melanie Weintraub joined Momentum as a Project Manager, Partnerships + Programs, in July 2022.

Before joining Momentum, Melanie served as a Program Associate for the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. She was a member of the REALITY Team, where she managed the Advisory Board, recruited for their Israel journeys, and assisted in global travel experiences in partnership with key grantees.

Melanie was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and the Middle East from the University of South Carolina and is currently pursuing an M.Ed. in Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development from the University of Georgia.

Melissa Stein comes to Momentum with extensive experience in managing partnerships, cultivating donor prospects in the region, and maintaining new relationships with partner organizations and leaders.

Melissa previously served as Causematch VP of US Sales. Her former titles include National Program Director at the Jewish Woman Entrepreneur and Managing Director at Aish Philadelphia Women’s Division, where she focused on partnership development and leadership.

Nisa joined Momentum with over 20 years of leadership experience in 2020. She is overseeing the Program Department and the growing list of partnership organizations.

She has previously been involved locally and nationally with The Shabbat Project creating infrastructure, empowering Jewish leaders, and collaborating with a global team. Nisa spear-headed a partnership with Myriad Women’s Health resulting in a national campaign called The Pink Challah Bake Initiative helping to shift the paradigm around hereditary genetic cancer. She is an active community member serving on local boards and volunteers for various organizations.

Nisa lives in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband and 4 children.

Reut joined Momentum in 2019, and she has vast experience in Israel’s public sector.
Reut previously served as an advisor to Dvir Kahana, the Director Manager of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, responsible for public and media relations.Prior to that,

Reut has held various public office roles such as an “Hayamin Hachadash” party spokeswoman, MK Advisor at the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) and Spokesman and Media Advisor at Jerusalem’s Municipality.

Reut served in the IDF Spokesman’s Office for 6 years and continues to serve as a major in the reserves. Reut holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Asia Studies from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and master’s degree in public policy studies from IDC.

Robyn joined Momentum with over 20 years of experience as a development professional. She has focused on fundraising and donor relations, including program management, donor stewardship, and relationship-building among staff, boards, and lay leadership.

Most recently, Robyn served as a Senior Director in Yeshiva University’s Department of Institutional Advancement. She also served as the New York Regional Fundraiser and Alumni Relations Director for Brandeis University, and has worked at Columbia University.

Robyn lives in Englewood, New Jersey, with her husband and three children.

Ronit oversees Momentum’s education, leadership development, and evaluation programs. She joined Momentum with over 20 years of experience in those areas.

Ronit previously served as a consultant, helping Jewish institutions navigate systemic changes, adapting and implementing new pedagogies to manifest their educational vision. She is the founding designer and trainer of Hebrew College’s congregational project-based learning professional development, and has taught for a range of innovative adult learning initiatives. Ronit is a graduate of the Pardes Jewish Educators Program, and holds a Ph.D. from MIT’s Sloan School of Management.

Ronit and her family live in the Boston area.

Ruth has worked with Momentum for over 10 years and directs Momentum’s leadership team to maximize their talent and effectiveness. With 25 years of experience in enriching Jewish community life, Ruth has worked as a Jewish educator, a director of outreach projects and organizations, and a certified Life Coach. In her work to build Jewish life, she has served on the Board of several Jewish organizations.  Ruth received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. She and her husband live in Washington, DC. They have seven children and 14 grandchildren.

Sharon started working for Momentum in early 2022. Her past experience involves creating a non-profit called the Oscar Litwak Foundation. The Foundation identifies the need and brings donations to hospitals across the USA and internationally. Along with her husband, she’s developed the Foundation as well as coordinated hundreds of volunteers in support of the non-profit’s mission to better the lives of hospitalized children. Sharon comes to us with a Master of Health Science from Johns Hopkins University.

Sharon is also a Momentum alum and has volunteered with us since 2015 in the LA area. She recently helped to recruit for and participated in the 2021 November Health Care Heroes trip. Sharon lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three daughters.

Stephanie Smartschan joined the Momentum team in 2021. She has long been a dedicated and active member of the Momentum community, serving as a Community Leader with the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

Previously, Stephanie was the Director of Community Development & Operations for the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. During her decade at the Federation, she also served as the Director of Marketing and managed Women’s Philanthropy. In her previous career as a journalist, Stephanie wrote award-winning pieces for the Cape Cod Times and the Patriot Ledger and worked for the Boston Globe.

Stephanie lives in Allentown, PA with her husband and two daughters. She holds a B.A. in journalism from Northeastern University.

Tamar joined Momentum in 2021 as Israel Relationship and Project Manager. After being deeply involved in strengthening several Jewish communities around the world she worked as an Onward Placement Specialist at Israel Experience, where she was responsible for the recruitment of new candidates and developing new partnership opportunities, as well as the Alumni Coordinator at the Rothberg International School. Tamar’s passions include connecting people to one another and creating innovative collaborations for a greater cause.

Tamar lives in Jerusalem with her husband Amir

Tova Dworkin joined Momentum in 2020. She previously worked at OpenDor Media, where she provided comprehensive support of organizational fundraisers, including list management, donor research, and logistics management for fundraisers’ events.

Tova lives in Philadelphia.

Yaakov manages Momentum’s database and provides database support to Momentum’s partners. He also provides support to the leadership development, accounting, and recruitment teams.

Yaakov previously worked in product development and business consulting for Oracle Corporation, and also directed the first branch of Aish on Campus at the University of Maryland, College Park. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Whitman College, and a master’s degree in operation research from Northwestern University. Yaakov received rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Aish HaTorah.

Yaakov and his family live in Israel.

Yael Rosen comes to Momentum with extensive professional and volunteer fundraising and special events experience. Most recently, Yael served as the Associate Director of Development for Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA. She has also worked at Starlight Children’s Foundation and the United Jewish Appeal. As a volunteer, Yael has served in many roles in non-profit organizations specifically serving Jewish causes, youth, and education.

She lives in Agoura Hills, CA with her husband and two sons.

With more than ten years of experience in the non-profit field, Zahava joined Momentum in early 2022.

Prior to joining Momentum, Zahava served as the Director of Israel and Jewish Advocacy at the Baltimore Jewish Council and the Assistant Coordinator for the Chicago chapter of YACHAD/NJCD. She studied at Darchei Binah Women’s School for Advanced Torah Studies in Jerusalem, received her bachelor’s degree in Judaic studies from Touro College, and a master’s in public administration with a focus in non-profit management from the University of Baltimore.

Zahava lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband and three children.