Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Welcomes New Cohort to the Jewish Ideas Fellowship

Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) is proud to announce the 2024-2025 cohort of the Jewish Ideas Fellowship. The fellowship, now in its third year, supports emerging post-college Jewish leaders by deepening their Jewish learning and strengthening their leadership skills.

"We are thrilled to welcome a new group of Jewish Ideas Fellows and provide them with a pathway to channel their curiosity and their desire for deep engagement with Jewish thought into their work to build meaningful relationships and dynamic communities," said fellowship director Rabbi Rachel Gross-Prinz, M.A.R.E. '16, '19, Dean of Students at the New York campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. "Our fellows enjoy unparalleled access to HUC-JIR's skilled and supportive faculty, coaching and mentoring from experienced innovators and community builders, and a diverse cohort of peers across North America."

From October-May, fellows participate in 6-8 hours of monthly study and practice, focusing on Jewish thought, literature, and culture. Through beit midrash sessions, hevruta (paired study), and small peer mentoring groups, they practice giving and receiving feedback, testing new ideas, and integrating leadership frameworks into their work. Each fellow also completes an independent project that combines their Jewish learning with personal leadership goals, culminating in a contribution to their community.

Recent project titles include:

• Hineini: A Disaster Trauma Reflection Guide for a Post October 7th World
• The Challenge of Jewish Institutional Belonging in an Age of Insecurity: A Framework for Strategic Planning
• Destigmatizing Death and Dying through Art
• Lev Shomea: A Synagogue Mentorship Program
• Pickle Jews? Building Jewish Identity Through a Non-Institutional Framework
• Crafting a Grounding Ritual for Advocacy

Reflecting on their experience, 2023-24 cohort member Grace Elizabeth Dy, Outreach and Events Manager at the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Washington said, "I am incredibly grateful for the Jewish Ideas Fellowship and the meaningful community we created together. We had the privilege of learning Torah from wonderful teachers and peers in ways that were both challenging and accessible, all while being encouraged to share our own Torah too, especially through our independent projects. This fellowship has reignited an invaluable sense of connection, purpose, and clarity as I continue exploring what it means to be a Jewish professional."

The HUC-JIR Jewish Ideas Fellowship past faculty and mentors have included leaders and innovators from across the country. JIF is made possible in part through the support and collaboration of each fellow's home community or organization.

HUC-JIR is committed to building a learning community that represents the diversity of the Jewish Community. Jews-by-choice, Sephardi Jews, Mizrahi Jews, Jews of Color, people of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, LGBT2QIA+ people, and people who come from poor or working-class backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The virtual nature of the program allows for greater accessibility, and draws emerging Jewish leaders from various backgrounds, identities, and in this current cohort - 12 different states. Faculty and mentors are chosen to support the identities, interest areas and leadership growth-edges of each unique cohort of fellows.

Emily Bogdan is the Program Manager for Social Justice at Central Synagogue in NYC. She loves finding ways to ritualize special moments and hosting Shabbat dinners with her husband. Emily runs a local Rosh Chodesh circle and facilitates a group for partners of clergy students to learn, connect, and provide support for one another. She enjoys crafting, traveling, and spending time outdoors.

Jonathan Chamberlin is an adult convert to Judaism who finds deep meaning in connecting with people through sacred text study, social activism, and open-hearted conversation. After seven years in the tech sector as a mobile software engineer and project manager, he quit his job to study at Pardes Institute in Jerusalem. Upon returning to the U.S., he transitioned into the Jewish professional world and has worked at Temple Shaaray Tefila in New York City for the last two years. Jonathan is passionate about climate justice, pluralism, and spirituality's connection to mental health.

Carly Collins, originally from Orlando, Florida, now lives in Eugene, Oregon, where she works at Hillel at the University of Oregon. With a background in hospitality, she eventually found herself drawn back to Jewish community work. Outside of her job, Carly enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and spending quality time with loved ones.

Miranda Dipaolo grew up in North Carolina and has lived in NYC for three years. She works at Central Synagogue's religious school as an administrator and 4th/6th-grade teacher. She considers Central Synagogue her professional Jewish community, while she engages with other Jewish spaces in the city personally. In her free time, she enjoys reading, biking, and crocheting.

Samantha Fomera is a member of Central Reform Synagogue (CRC) in St. Louis, where she works with Missouri 4-H as MU field faculty. She is passionate about disability justice and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, rooted in her Jewish values.

Lily Ginsberg works in development at a Jewish school and tutors B'nai Mitzvah students at her shul. Recently graduated with a BA in English, Lily considers Chicago her Jewish home, though she isn't originally from the area.

Noé Granados, from Anaheim, California, is a member of HaNefesh OC. He recently completed a year-long fellowship as a Legislative Assistant at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

Simon Heil, based in Silver Spring, MD, works as a fundraiser for the International Rescue Committee. Having completed his conversion to Judaism in March 2024, Simon is passionate about Jewish ritual and study, always seeking to deepen his connection to his identity.

Katie Heinzer moved to the D.C. area after college and works as the Engagement & Family Education Director at Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase, MD. Outside of work, she enjoys visiting museums, sewing, and creating pottery.

Lainey Komerofsky lives in Austin, Texas. She grew up in Reform Jewish communities and became passionate about Jewish education through her involvement with NFTY. A 2022 graduate of the College of Charleston, Lainey now works at Congregation Beth Israel as the Youth Education and Engagement Coordinator. She hopes to one day study to become a rabbi.

Joshua Leavitt, originally from New York and now in Chicago, works in development for The Ark and volunteers in fundraising for Chicago's first Jewish Congregation. He has been building a career rooted in tzedakah. Joshua has taught Jewish detective stories for the Tikvah Fund, mentored JFNA Jewish Changemakers Fellows, and led Israel trips with Shorashim. He is also a proud tortoise dad.

Erika Levy lives in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she coordinates the religious school at Temple Anshe Hesed. She also works as an assistant manager at a local store and enjoys reading and amateur art when time allows.

Rayna Lifland, originally from Fairfax, Virginia, lives in Durham, North Carolina, and works at UNC Hillel as the Jewish Education Fellow. She also engages with Moishe House and Chabad Young Professionals. Her hobbies include anthropology, painting, and puzzles.

Rory Martin lives in Northern Colorado with their wife and is the founder of Keshet Mutual Aid of Northern Colorado.

Alyson Martinez lives in Boca Raton, Florida, and holds a B.S. in Psychology. She teaches Kindergarten at Temple Beth El and serves as the youth advisor. She is currently on a gap year before applying to law school. When not working or studying, she enjoys going to the beach or a concert.

Emet Marwell is a queer and trans Jew of Color living in the traditional unceded homeland of the Nonotuck, Nipmuc, and Pocumtuc peoples, also known as Western Massachusetts. Emet is grateful to call both Temple Shalom (Chevy Chase, Maryland) and Congregation B'nai Israel (Northampton, Massachusetts) his Jewish communities. Emet enjoys text study, cooking, and playing with his two rescue dogs.

Avishai (Avi) Mazzeo is a professional musician in St. Louis, Missouri, and a resident of the queer/trans-focused South City Moishe House Pod. Avi is an Italian-Sephardic Jew who is enthusiastically involved in the Jewish community in St. Louis, and is currently working with other queer and trans Jews in St. Louis to form a coalition focusing on providing opportunities and resources for queer and trans Jews to engage with Jewish religious and spiritual practices. Avi is currently working on an Italian-Sephardic Shabbat program to educate other Jews about this beautiful but little-known minhag.

Hannah McGinty is based in Denver, Colorado and is the Executive and Clergy Assistant at Congregation Har HaShem. Previously, she was a professional classical singer. Hannah considers herself to stradlle the Reform and Conservative communities, loving both. She enjoys weaving, hiking, and spending time with her dog, Zephyr.

Julianna Orkin lives and works in York, PA, as the Coordinator of Jewish Student Life at York College and as the Religious School principal at Temple Beth Israel. Her local Jewish community is made up of both her students at Hillel and friends from the synagogue. Her hobbies include writing, nature photography, and aerial fitness.

Hillel Rubin lives in San Diego, CA, and is involved with several synagogues and Camp Tawonga. He is married and has two cats, Sprout and Honey.

Channa Schachet-Briskin is a New Jersey-based multidisciplinary artist, songleader, puppeteer, and Jewish Educator with a Master's Degree in Interactive Digital Media. For her thesis project, she developed a prototype for Hebrewglyphics, an alternative teaching tool that uses icons, audio, humor, and accessibility features to help students with learning differences prepare for their B'nei Mitzvah.

Maggie Sonenshine is an educator at Central Synagogue in NYC. She grew up in Southern California and studied Early Childhood and Special Education at New York University. In her current position, she loves engaging with Central's youngest students though music, play, and experiential learning. In her free time, she enjoys solving crossword puzzles, crocheting, and playing guitar.

Madeline (Maddy) Stein lives in Chicago, working for her family's business, where she is a third-generation worker. She was previously a teacher and feels lucky to have a Jewish community that is spread out all across the country and world, spanning generations, gender, and ethnicity. She enjoys running, ceramics, and jumping into Lake Michigan year-round.

Susan Zandemanego, a high school math teacher in New Jersey, is actively involved with Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, which has helped her embrace her Judaism after a secular childhood. She is preparing for her adult B'nai Mitzvah in 2025 and enjoys reading and spending time with her cats.

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