
Who Can Apply
• A full time professional in your organization and new to working in the Jewish communal field: at least one year and at most 3 years.
• Committed to personal and professional leadership growth
• Leadership potential in your organization and in future Jewish communal opportunities
• Organizations must be a Supporting Organization of Na’aleh
Applications for the next cohort of Friedman Fellows will be due by the end of July 2028, with interviews to follow.
Check out the FAQs page for goals and expectations
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE DATES OF THE KADIMA LEADERDHIP COHORT IN YEAR ONE: (Thursdays)
September 17, 9:00 – 10:30 (Supervisors attend this first session with their Fellows)
October 15, Retreat 8:30 – 4:30
November 19, 9-12
December 10, 9-12
January 14. 9-12
February 11. 9-12
March 11, 9-12
April 8, final session 9-12. Closing ceremony 12 – 1:30 (Supervisors/Execs invited)
Previous Friedman Fellows
2027/2028 Fellows
Amy Bittenger, Director of Operations, Temple Isaiah
Sophie Cohen, Director of Development, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
Carlos Domacasse, 4Front Program Associate/Diller Coordinator, 4Front
Melanie Halbert, Israel and Engagement Coordinator, Goucher Hillel
Elizabeth Hart, Member Engagement and Development Associate, Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Abagail Israel, Aquatics Supervisor, Jewish Community Center
Leah Kliegman, Marketing Manager, The Associated
Liza Koh, Program Director, Elijah Cummings Youth Program
Olivia La Fiandra, Development Associate, The Associated
Gabby Levine, Director of Volunteer Experiences, Imadi
Emily Merritt, Director of Mental Health and Compliance, Jewish Community Services
Hillary Rappaport, Director of Engagement, Maryland Hillel
Sarah Simmons, Assistant Camp Director for Adamah Adventure Camps at Pearlstone, Adamah
Josh Singer, Assistant Director of J Day and Youth Programs, Jewish Community Center Aliya Smelkinson, Director of Teen Education, Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Brooks Walter, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Partnerships and Donor Development, The Associated
2025/2026 Fellows
Dora Berg, Financial Wellness Associate, The Associated
Megan Brantley, Director of Community Relations, Baltimore Jewish Council
Rachel Gordon, Assistant Director, Johns Hopkins Hillel
Sarah Hiller Spevack, Data Manager, Jews United for Justice
Sarah Huston, Collections Manager, Jewish Museum of Maryland
Kate Kirby, Associate, Partnerships, The Macks Jewish Connection Network
Will Linker, Senior IT Helpdesk Associate, The Associated
Isabel Lunken, Engagement Associate, JCC
Rachel Pototsky, Senior Associate, Family Experiences, Macks Jewish Connection Network
Michelle Price, Israel Travel Recruiter, The Associated
Abbi Sacks, Special Projects Coordinator, The Associated
Sam Sobel, Baltimore Climate Action Coordinator, Adamah
Barak Stockler, Assistant Director, Goucher College Hillel
Jodi Teitelman, Program Associate, Jewish and Volunteer Experiences, The Macks Jewish Connection Network
Stacey Weinberg, Judaic Curriculum Specialist, Jewish Library of Baltimore
2023/2024 Fellows
Brittni Barcase, Manager, Prevention and Wellness Education, JCS
Allison Berger, Senior Associate, Macks Center for Jewish Connections
Jesse Cerrottti, Senior Director of J Camps, JCC
Beth Denaburg, Educational Farm Manager, Pearlstone/Hazon
Maggie Hoffman, Archivist, Jewish Museum of Maryland
Sarah Machlis, Development Associate, Young Adult Division (YAD)
Ilana Matheson, Development Associate, The Associated
Rebekah Waltemeyer, Senior Associate of Campaign Management, Beth El Congregation
2022 Fellows
McKenna Bates, Israel Engagement Associate, Towson Hillel
Stern Christian, Lead Educator, Pearlstone Center
Sarah Jacobs, Israel and Overseas Associate, The Associated
Julie Mazer, Marketing Project Manager & Digital Strategist , JCC
Dawn Savage, Assistant Director of Student Life, UMD Hillel
Marisa Shultz, School Program Coordinator, Jewish Museum of Maryland
Matan Zeimer, Community Organizer, Jews United for Justice
2021 Fellows
Natasha Baum, Marketing Coordinator, The Associated
Sarah Brody, Director of Marketing and Development, WITS, Maalot
Ali Duhan, Senior Development Associate, IMPACT, The Associated
Clara Feigelson, Jewish Sustainability Educator, Pearlstone
Allison Feldman, J Camp Coordinator, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Stacy Jarvis, Israel Education Associate, Center for Jewish Education
Rabbi Rory Katz, Chevrei Tzedek
Adi Singerman, Program Associate, Chai Lineline
2020 Fellows:
Rebecca Brown, Development Associate, Women’s Philanthropy, The Associated
Sara Evangelista, Program Director, Johns Hopkins Hillel
Briana Felsen, Associate Area Director, AIPAC
Elliott Goldberg, Assistant Director -Operations, The Edward Myerberg Center
Rabbi Ariana Katz, Hinenu: The Baltimore Justice Shtiebl
Rianna Lloyd, Baltimore Community Organizer, Jews United for Justice
Leora Match, Program Director, Towson University Hillel
Diane Seegull, Program Coordinator, Baltimore Hebrew Institute
Matt Peterson, Assistant Director of Government Relations and Communications, Baltimore Jewish Council
Evan Willner, Israel and Overseas Engagement Associate, The Associated
2019 Fellows:
Danielle Ashendorf, Stoler Early Childhood Education Site Director, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Michelle Cherry, Director of Alumni Relations, Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School
Shira Heideman, Park Heights Program Director, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Donna Kasoff, Director of Endowment Development, The Associated
Andrea Levin, Program Associate – Non-Profit Partnership, Jewish Volunteer Connection
Noah Mitchel, Assistant Director of Community Relations, Baltimore Jewish Council
Jen Brown Platt, Assistant Director, E. B. Hirsh Early Childhood Center
Sarah Rovin, Young Adult Engagement Manager, Pearlstone Center
Jacqueline Yahr, Director of Charitable Planning, The Associated
2018 Fellows:
Alex Ade, Program Associate, Jewish Volunteer Connection
Rebecca Ellison, Development Associate, IMPACT, The Associated
Brian Hertz, Engagement Associate and Ezra Fellow, Johns Hopkins Hillel
M J Kurs-Lasky, Director of Student Life, University of Maryland Hillel
Elizabeth Piper, Social Media Specialist/Health Educator, Jewish Community Services
Cantor Jennifer Rolnick, Beth Israel Congregation
Alyssa Sapia, Coordinator, Baltimore Hebrew Institute
Jeffrey Snyder, Middle School Coordinator/4Front Program Associate, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
2017 Fellows
Andy Katz, Executive Director, Beth Israel Congregation
Laura Green Kendal, Kids Center Director and J Day Camp Assistant Director
Chaya Lasson, Jewish Hospice Program Manager, Gilchrist Services
Marisa Obuchowski, Israel and Overseas Engagement Associate, The Associated
Talia Orencel, Director of Engagement and Social Justice, University of Maryland Hillel
Sara Rubinstein, Special Needs Director, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Maddie Suggs, Director of Public Affairs, Baltimore Jewish Council
Rachel Walkins, Finance and HR Coordinator, Pearlstone Center
2016 Fellows
Lauren Gluck, Logistics Coordinator, Baltimore Chapter, Atlantic Seaboard NCSY
Rebecca Chinsky, Senior Director of Recreation and Maccabi, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Samantha Kahan, Diller Teen Program Associate, Jewish Volunteer Connection
Ari Paskoff, Assistant Camp Director, Capital Camps and Retreat Center
Janna Zuckerman, Program Manager, Center for Jewish Camping, The Associated
Abby Weinstock, Operations Director, Pearlstone Center
2014 and 2015 Fellows
Corinne Bernstein / Lexie Kahn, Engagement Associate, University of Maryland Hillel
Rabbi Rachel Blatt, Director of Congregational Learning, Beth Israel Congregation
Risyl Edelman, Northwest Neighbors Connecting, CHAI
Rachel Feldman, Hospitality Director, Pearlstone Center
Courtney Federoff, Disability Services Team Leader, Jewish Community Services
Sara Feldman, JOIN for Teen Supervisor, Jewish Community Services
Stephanie Hague, Israel and Overseas Associate, The Associated
Rafi Hakiminia, Head Mashgiach, Pearlstone Center
Andy Harkavy, Director of BEIT-RJ, Baltimore Area Reform Jewish Education
Brad Kerxton, Middle School Director, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Joseph Levin-Manning, Director of Engagement, UMBC Hillel
Emily Peisach, Early Childhood Coordinator/Noah’s Ark Camp Director, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Daniela Levine, Senior Development Associate, The Associated
Autumn Sadovnik, Director of Lifelong Learning, The Edward A. Myerberg Senior Center
Liz Schuman, Senior Development Associate, The Associated
Reeut Singerman, Digital Marketing Manager, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
2012 and 2013 Fellows
Molly Amster, Director of Volunteer Services, CHAI: Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc.
Melissa Berman, Assistant Director of Arts & Culture, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Sora Brill, Donor Center Community Campaign Associate, The Associated
Brad Cohen, Director of Education, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
Marisa Danto, Development Associate, The Associated
Carly Frank, Development Associate, The Associated
Rabbi Kelley Gludt, Director of Congregational Learning, Beth Am Synagogue
Nechama Goldman, Coordinator of Information and Experiential Education, Association for Jewish Outreach Programs
Ilana Knobel, Special Events and Catering Coordinator, University of Maryland College Park Hillel
Caren Leven, Director of Congregational Engagement, Temple Oheb Shalom
Rabbi Darren Levin, IO Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, Johns Hopkins University Hillel
Lane Levine, Community Network Director, CHAI: Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc.
Amanda Max, Children Services Director, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Lara Nicolson, PJ Library Baltimore Coordinator, Macks Center for Jewish Education
Morris Panitz, Program Director, Pearlstone Center
Rabbi Jessica Shimberg, Associate Director for Jewish Life and Learning, University of Maryland College Park Hillel
Ahuva Spetner, Program Director, Bais Yaakov School
Loryn Strauzer, Assistant Director of University Admission, Towson University
2010 and 2011 Fellows
Cara Behneman, Jewish Student Life Coordinator, UMBC Hillel
Rebecca Cohen, Development Associate, University of Maryland College Park Hillel
Carly Cowley, Engagement Associate, Johns Hopkins University Hillel
Jonathan Falk, Program Director, Johns Hopkins University Hillel
Adam Goldberg, Director of Engagement, Towson University Hillel
Yona Gorelick, Engagement Director, Goucher College Hillel
Tanya Gutsol, Engagement Associate, University of Maryland College Park Hillel
Stacy Israel, Special Needs Coordinator, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Sarah Langert, Development Associate, The Associated
Rivka Malka Perlman, Outreach Director, Sinai Alliance (WOW!)
Jakir Manela, Director of Kayam Farm, Pearlstone Center
Allison Mondell, Program Director, Johns Hopkins University Hillel
Michelle Ostroff, Senior Associate, The Associated’s Center for Community Engagement and Leadership
Rabbi Yisroel Porter, Director of Jewish Family Programming, Etz Chaim Center
Stephanie Rosenau, Program Associate, ACHARAI: The Shoshana S. Cardin Leadership Development Institute
Mickey Rubin, Director of Engagement, Towson University Hillel
Dodi Samuel, Foreclosure Prevention Coordinator, CHAI: Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc.


