Meet CJP's 2011
PresenTense Boston Fellows!
Sonni Bendetson
Gateways to College at Gateways: Access to Jewish Education
Boston-native Sonni Bendetson works as program associate at Gateways: Access to Jewish Education. As a high school student, Sonni attended Prozdor, where she participated in the Etgar L’Noar (now Gateways) Teen Volunteer Program. Passionate about this experience, Sonni went on to study child development at Tufts University, where she formed two social ventures, completed a fellowship in writing and was inducted into the Honos Civicus Society. Sonni graduated magna cum laude from Tufts in 2009.
Gateways to College is a Jewish education program that brings young adults with special needs, ages 18-30, to college Hillel centers to celebrate Shabbat with a community of peers. The group of participants, comprised of 4-6 young adults with special needs and 8-12 undergraduate student volunteers, will engage in a curriculum focused on developing friendships, Jewish lifestyle skills and social skills. Tufts University will host the pilot program this spring.
Gateways to College is a Jewish education program that brings young adults with special needs, ages 18-30, to college Hillel centers to celebrate Shabbat with a community of peers. The group of participants, comprised of 4-6 young adults with special needs and 8-12 undergraduate student volunteers, will engage in a curriculum focused on developing friendships, Jewish lifestyle skills and social skills. Tufts University will host the pilot program this spring.
Dan Brosgol
Making Jewish Men at Kesher Newton
Dan Brosgol is the Executive Director of Kesher Newton and an Instructor at Prozdor of Hebrew College. A lifelong Bostonian, he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education from Northeastern University, with a specialization in Jewish Educational Leadership from Hebrew College. When not working or writing, Dan enjoys running, reading, and sports. Dan lives in Bedford with his wife and three children.
Jewish boys are going off the grid at an alarming rate as they enter adolescence, and people are beginning to realize that the needs of these boys must be addressed if we are to keep them engaged in Jewish activities. I plan to develop a program with a system of experiences, including regular study outside of class, sports, vacation programming, and retreats, to build community with adolescent Jewish boys in a uniquely Jewish, male-only context.
Jewish boys are going off the grid at an alarming rate as they enter adolescence, and people are beginning to realize that the needs of these boys must be addressed if we are to keep them engaged in Jewish activities. I plan to develop a program with a system of experiences, including regular study outside of class, sports, vacation programming, and retreats, to build community with adolescent Jewish boys in a uniquely Jewish, male-only context.
Brian Fox
On Both Feet
Leveraging 10 years of professional experience in the Jewish community combined with a 13-year background in improvisational theater, Brian Fox collaborates with clients to build skills in the areas of communication, teamwork and leadership. Within the nonprofit sector, Brian has served in management positions for organizations including Birthright Israel, Hillel, and the L.A. Bureau of Jewish Education. A graduate of The Second City Conservatory, Brian has tackled roles on stage, and in commercials and film.
On Both Feet is a consulting company that integrates improvisational theater techniques with lessons from Jewish tradition to create interactive training and experiential education programs. On Both Feet works with organizations to identify and strengthen competencies in the areas of communication, teamwork and leadership. As a result, professional staff and lay leadership learn how to listen more acutely, cultivate genuine relationships, heighten creativity, and embrace shared responsibility for problem-solving – all through a Jewish lens.
On Both Feet is a consulting company that integrates improvisational theater techniques with lessons from Jewish tradition to create interactive training and experiential education programs. On Both Feet works with organizations to identify and strengthen competencies in the areas of communication, teamwork and leadership. As a result, professional staff and lay leadership learn how to listen more acutely, cultivate genuine relationships, heighten creativity, and embrace shared responsibility for problem-solving – all through a Jewish lens.
Elisha Gechter
The Jewish Teacher Corps
Five years ago Elisha moved from Riverdale, NY to attend the Hornstein Heller program at Brandeis University. She graduated with an MA in Jewish Leadership and an MBA in Non-Profit Management. She was a Senior Development Officer in YLD at CJP for three years and is now the Associate Director of Adult Learning at Hebrew College. Jewish education and cooking are her passions and she combines the two in her blog www.elishasdoubleportion.blogspot.com
The Jewish Teacher Corps would send recent college graduates from the Boston area to teach for a year in non-urban Jewish community day schools across the country who have trouble finding passionate teachers. All participating graduates would receive intensive training before beginning to teach and would continue to be mentored by a local contact during their year of teaching. Both communities and fellows would be impacted by this empowering experience.
The Jewish Teacher Corps would send recent college graduates from the Boston area to teach for a year in non-urban Jewish community day schools across the country who have trouble finding passionate teachers. All participating graduates would receive intensive training before beginning to teach and would continue to be mentored by a local contact during their year of teaching. Both communities and fellows would be impacted by this empowering experience.
Sarah Gogel
Global Potential (GP)
Sarah Gogel, from Paris, France, co-founded Global Potential in 2007 in NY. She now runs GP in Boston while attending Northeastern Law School and the Heller School for a J.D. and a Masters in International Development. Sarah holds her A.B. in Sociology from Harvard and a Masters in Social Work from Wurzweiler Social Work School. She has worked for ten years in development, advocacy and human rights in France, Israel, Nicaragua, India and the U.S.
This venture will expand the inner-city youth empowerment program, Global Potential (GP), www.global-potential.org, to Israel and Jordan for its cultural exchange immersion phase. GP currently runs its 1.5 year program in Boston and New York, including 1.5 months of cultural immersion, leadership and community service in the Dominican Republic/Haiti and Nicaragua. GP Israel/Jordan will engage the Jewish community in youth empowerment through social justice and cross cultural work based on Jewish and humanistic values.
This venture will expand the inner-city youth empowerment program, Global Potential (GP), www.global-potential.org, to Israel and Jordan for its cultural exchange immersion phase. GP currently runs its 1.5 year program in Boston and New York, including 1.5 months of cultural immersion, leadership and community service in the Dominican Republic/Haiti and Nicaragua. GP Israel/Jordan will engage the Jewish community in youth empowerment through social justice and cross cultural work based on Jewish and humanistic values.
Danielle Herzberg
Elder News Feed
Danielle Herzberg is a proud employee at Hubspot, a Cambridge start-up that has inspired her to start a social venture of her own. After graduating from University of Pennsylvania and spending 2 years in management consulting, Danielle now spends her days teaching marketers and business owners how to market their businesses online.Danielle grew up in Brookline, MA and now lives in the South End.
The project aiming to increase independence within Independent Senior Housing intends to do so through extremely simplified technology. The goal of this venture is to restore some autonomy to Russian-speaking elders who currently rely on staff, children and grandchildren to get access to even the most basic information. The proposed solution will be a very simple computer screen that provides useful information such as weather reports, bus routes, and coupons through an easy-to-use digital interface.
The project aiming to increase independence within Independent Senior Housing intends to do so through extremely simplified technology. The goal of this venture is to restore some autonomy to Russian-speaking elders who currently rely on staff, children and grandchildren to get access to even the most basic information. The proposed solution will be a very simple computer screen that provides useful information such as weather reports, bus routes, and coupons through an easy-to-use digital interface.
Rina Hoffman
The Binah School
Rina Hoffman is a passionate believer that all Jewish children deserve access to meaningful, educationally-appropriate Jewish education. As a founding member of The Binah School, Rina is deeply involved in designing, teaching and administering the school’s first pilot program. She is the Teen Volunteer Coordinator for Gateways and has worked as a social worker and administrator for a variety of educational and community-based programs, including the nationally-recognized youth development agency, Our Piece of the Pie.
The Binah School is a new educational initiative that combines the best of contemporary, research-based educational practices and traditional, text-driven Orthodox Jewish studies to create a rigorous, personalized academic experience. Utilizing Project-Based Learning as a core methodology, the school is currently offering a pilot program to eight homeschooled girls as a first step in developing a full-scale middle and high school for girls, which is slated to open in 2012 in Sharon, MA.
The Binah School is a new educational initiative that combines the best of contemporary, research-based educational practices and traditional, text-driven Orthodox Jewish studies to create a rigorous, personalized academic experience. Utilizing Project-Based Learning as a core methodology, the school is currently offering a pilot program to eight homeschooled girls as a first step in developing a full-scale middle and high school for girls, which is slated to open in 2012 in Sharon, MA.
David List
Prozdor@Home at Hebrew College
David List currently serves as the Director of Student Life for Prozdor of Hebrew College. David holds a BA from the University of Hartford and a MJEd from Hebrew College. Prior to his working at Prozdor, David was the youth director at Congregation Beth El of Sudbury, Massachusetts. David lives in Waltham with his wife Chanit Brenner List and they are expecting their first child in March.
Prozdor@Home students will be engaged in 21st century learning using 21st century tools. Prozdor@Home is an innovative way to reach the larger Jewish community of adolescent learners who are not able to access Jewish learning in synchronous real time. Prozdor@Home will harness the power of the online community and help students connect on and learn about various topics regarding Jewish communities, Jewish idenity, social justice, philosophy, ethics, arts, Israel and text.
Prozdor@Home students will be engaged in 21st century learning using 21st century tools. Prozdor@Home is an innovative way to reach the larger Jewish community of adolescent learners who are not able to access Jewish learning in synchronous real time. Prozdor@Home will harness the power of the online community and help students connect on and learn about various topics regarding Jewish communities, Jewish idenity, social justice, philosophy, ethics, arts, Israel and text.
Elyse Rast
G.I.R.L.S. Group
Elyse Rast has Master's Degrees from BU and Wheelock and has 15 years of teaching experience in the Boston area. She taught at six local synagogues and created four youth groups and ten Jewish girls' groups. Currently, Elyse is the Holocaust Educator for JCRC and the NE Holocaust Memorial. She, also, teaches Holocaust history and runs girls' groups at Prozdor Hebrew High School. Elyse plans to begin a Ph.D. program at Lesley next Fall.
G.I.R.L.S. Groups engage the next generation of Jewish women. To ensure a strong future, relevant connections and useful tools are essential for today’s teenagers. Through ritual, text and study, we explore issues such as gossip, body image, friendship and consumerism. The girls participate in activities, skits and games to learn effective ways of communication and how to be strong Jewish leaders. This program simultaneously strengthens girls' lives while creating solid Jewish foundations.
G.I.R.L.S. Groups engage the next generation of Jewish women. To ensure a strong future, relevant connections and useful tools are essential for today’s teenagers. Through ritual, text and study, we explore issues such as gossip, body image, friendship and consumerism. The girls participate in activities, skits and games to learn effective ways of communication and how to be strong Jewish leaders. This program simultaneously strengthens girls' lives while creating solid Jewish foundations.
Michael Reichman
The Sounding Board
Michael Reichman continues to cultivate a diverse artistic career. He has served as Co-Director of Prism & Program Manager at Boston’s New Center for Arts and Culture and has performed at
the Scotia Festival of Music, Sunflower Music Festival, Bay View Music Festival, New England Conservatory’s Tuesday Night New Music Series, New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall, and Kansas City's historic Blue Room and Gem Theater. As a soloist, he has also appeared with the rock band Julia Knew, the National Flute Association’s Jazz Flute Big Band, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra. Born and raised in Kansas City, he received his Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance with distinction from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and Master of Music in Conducting from the New England Conservatory.
The Sounding Board (TSB) creates offbeat music productions to engage audiences in social, cultural, and political dialogue. TSB infuses each production with a mix of classical and popular music, multimedia elements, guest contributors, and audience participation--both live and online.
the Scotia Festival of Music, Sunflower Music Festival, Bay View Music Festival, New England Conservatory’s Tuesday Night New Music Series, New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall, and Kansas City's historic Blue Room and Gem Theater. As a soloist, he has also appeared with the rock band Julia Knew, the National Flute Association’s Jazz Flute Big Band, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra. Born and raised in Kansas City, he received his Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance with distinction from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and Master of Music in Conducting from the New England Conservatory.
The Sounding Board (TSB) creates offbeat music productions to engage audiences in social, cultural, and political dialogue. TSB infuses each production with a mix of classical and popular music, multimedia elements, guest contributors, and audience participation--both live and online.
Rachel Silverman
Homegrown Judaica
Rabbi Rachel Silverman, Associate Director of Prozdor, was ordained from JTS in May '10. She has spent 5+ summers working on the senior leadership team of Camp Ramah in New England, and currently serves on the leadership team of KICKS - an erev-Shabbat community at Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline. Rachel is, perhaps, most famous for creating the “Real Men Marry Rabbis” T-shirt, of which hundreds have sold worldwide.
Online Jewish Artist Marketplace - a site where artist and patron can interact with one another. Visual artists will have an online store where they can sell their pieces. Performance artists will have a page where they can present themselves for hire.
Online Jewish Artist Marketplace - a site where artist and patron can interact with one another. Visual artists will have an online store where they can sell their pieces. Performance artists will have a page where they can present themselves for hire.
Morris Singer
Boston Haifa Legal Partners at CJP's Boston-Haifa Connection
Morris A. Singer is an attorney, with focuses on intellectual property and juvenile law. Additionally, he serves as a committee member on CJP's Boston-Haifa Connection. Morris received his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School, and also studied law at the University of Haifa. He is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and New York. Before law school, Morris acquired a background in software and entrepreneurship by starting a business developing open-source software for non-profits.
Boston Haifa Legal Partners is a program for young lawyer in Boston and Haifa, Israel, who collaborate on academic, professional, and social justice projects that impact the legal communities and improve the justice systems in both America and Israel. A program of CJP's Boston-Haifa Connection, Boston Haifa Legal Partners work to build an ecosystem of collaboration among legal professionals in Boston and Haifa through a comparative law journal, a blog, and an attorney referral service.
Boston Haifa Legal Partners is a program for young lawyer in Boston and Haifa, Israel, who collaborate on academic, professional, and social justice projects that impact the legal communities and improve the justice systems in both America and Israel. A program of CJP's Boston-Haifa Connection, Boston Haifa Legal Partners work to build an ecosystem of collaboration among legal professionals in Boston and Haifa through a comparative law journal, a blog, and an attorney referral service.
Sami Stein
Chadash: A New Young Adult Community
Sami Stein is currently a first-year graduate student in the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership program- MBA track at Brandeis University. She is interested in the intersection of business management and Jewish organizations, and worked for Kellogg Management Education for Jewish Leaders at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management prior to attending Hornstein. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received a BA in Hebrew and Semitic Studies and Jewish Studies and a certificate in Business.
The idea is simple: the other side of the river needs more consistent Jewish programming. I want to create a vibrant and accessible community of pluralistic, welcoming young Jewish adults specifically adapted to the Cambridge/Somerville community.
The idea is simple: the other side of the river needs more consistent Jewish programming. I want to create a vibrant and accessible community of pluralistic, welcoming young Jewish adults specifically adapted to the Cambridge/Somerville community.
