Julia Marks graduated from Tulane University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Development and Spanish, along with minors in Latin American Studies and Jewish Studies. Raised in Beachwood, Ohio, Julia grew up in a vibrant Jewish community, which inspired her passion for cultural exchange, social justice, and community engagement. Her academic pursuits led her to study abroad twice: first, in Panama, where she explored creative economics through academic coursework and local engagement, and later in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she deepened her understanding of Latin American politics and culture within an immersive program. These study abroad experiences not only expanded her academic knowledge but also strengthened her adaptability, intercultural communication skills, and commitment to fostering global connections. Julia has extensive experience with nonprofit work, having volunteered with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) and the Jewish Family Service Association (JFSA) in Cleveland. She was also an intern with Catholic Charities in New Orleans, where she collaborated with refugees in building their resumes and job readiness skills, as well as served as a translator for Spanish-speaking individuals. These experiences have solidified her commitment to advocating for marginalized communities and promoting cross-cultural understanding. Outside of her academic and professional work, Julia enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, and listening to podcasts that explore the world through culture, religion, and politics. Her diverse interests and experiences continue to inform her dedication to social justice, community service, and greater global understanding.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Justine Balin attended Jewish day school for 13 years and graduated with top awards in community service, school spirit, and fine arts. She attended Dalhousie University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion. While at Dalhousie, Justine became president of Hillel House Atlantic, responsible for cooking monthly Shabbat dinners and outreach to Dalhousie’s modest Jewish student body. In her final year, Justine worked for Canadian Young Judaea and organized volunteer and leadership opportunities for Halifax’s Jewish youth. Justine has always had a strong passion for cooking which led her to win Food Network’s Chopped Canada Teen in 2016 and Wall of Chefs in 2020. She used her skills to teach cooking classes to the Jewish community and a portion of her winnings to cook weekly dinners at Ronald McDonald House Atlantic. Since her graduation in 2021, Justine has traveled to over two dozen countries, each culture bringing a new insight into her worldview. In addition to a working holiday in Australia, Justine has engaged in a variety of jobs ranging from Jewish education, health care services, childcare and hospitality. When not traveling, Justine enjoys hosting dinner parties, yoga, spending time outdoors, and being with her family.

Raised in White Plains, New York, Liora Reiken is a Barnard College graduate, where she studied mathematical sciences and elementary education. Her journey as an educator has taken her across the world—from tutoring in New York City classrooms to teaching English in rural Thailand. Liora is currently living and working in Rwanda as part of the Visitors Team at Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, where she supports visiting guests and mentors a group of amazing teens. She’s excited to be returning for a second year at the village, continuing to build relationships and grow with the community. Throughout college, Liora was deeply involved with Barnard Hillel, where she co-led Challah for Hunger, blending Jewish tradition with social justice work and community-building. Whether in the classroom, at camp, or hosting a Shabbat dinner, Liora finds joy in creating spaces of connection, learning, and care. She’s thrilled to join the Jewish Service Corps and continue building Jewish community and cross-cultural connections around the world.

Manon is a fourth-year student studying International History and Politics at the University of Leeds. During her third year she took a year abroad in Leiden, the Netherlands, where she studied history at Leiden University, the oldest Dutch university. This experience not only broadened her academic perspective but also provided her with the unique opportunity to study Dutch colonial history, deepening her understanding of global historical narratives. Whilst abroad, she was able to travel across Europe, immersing herself in diverse cultures and gaining a deeper appreciation for each country’s rich history. Since starting university, Manon has also been part of the History Society netball team, playing biweekly games in the social league. Alongside her studies, Manon currently works in the student telephone fundraising team at university, building a rapport with alumni to encourage donations supporting scholarships and bursaries for students facing financial barriers. Her passion for travel and cultural exploration has been a defining feature of her university experience. Last summer, Manon spent a month in Japan as an English mentor, helping Japanese students build up their confidence to explore academic opportunities abroad. Most recently, she participated in the Ben Azzai Programme, travelling to Rwanda in partnership with World Jewish Relief. This experience offered a first-hand understanding of how international organizations empower underprivileged communities, broadening their perspective on global development and social change.

Michelle Cossette is passionate about the intersection of media, community, and Jewish life. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Michelle earned a degree in Communications with a focus on media’s effects on children and adolescents, while also immersing herself in Jewish leadership roles. In college, she served on the board of the Conservative Jewish Community at Hillel, was a Jewish Learning Fellowship fellow, and interned for The David Project. Her high school involvement in BBYO initially fueled her commitment to fostering Jewish global connections, and her international experiences—like attending a Passover Seder with a Holocaust survivor while studying abroad in the Netherlands or being invited to a stranger’s Jewish wedding in Chile—shaped her worldview. Michelle’s career in media began as a production assistant on TV shows, and she now works in Ad Sales at NBC. When not navigating the world of television, she is deeply engaged with her Jewish community, hosting Moishe House Without Walls events and volunteering with BBYO. If she’s not at work or planning a Jewish event, Michelle can likely be found rooting for a favorite baker on the Great British Baking Show. Michelle believes in the power of creative coordination to bring people together, whether in media or through meaningful Jewish experiences… or bread.

Originally from South Texas, Neely Kasanoff is a graduate of New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Politics, Rights, and Development and a minor in French Studies. Neely is currently a member of the Jewish Diplomatic Academy with the World Jewish Congress and teaches in Hebrew school at her local Synagogue. In university, Neely spent her 1st and 3rd years studying at NYU Paris, and during the latter she had an internship with the Radio for the French Jewish Community where she spoke on the air about international politics. Her senior thesis explored the history and identities of the Ukrainian Jewish Community as an ethnocultural minority group, and her interfaith background inspired her to co-found Abrahama NYU in the same year to create communal spaces for students from the Jewish, Arab, and Muslim diasporas to come together in celebration of cultural similarities. Neely has been engaged with JDC Entwine throughout and beyond college, was both a Lauder Fellow with the World Jewish Congress and Changemakers Fellow with the Jewish Federations of North America, and also served on her city and regional boards of BBYO in high school. Neely loves playing guitar and song-leading for her local Jewish communities, as well as traveling to new places and immersing herself in different cultures.

Born in New York City, Rachel grew up in Toronto. Rachel always had a strong Jewish community around her, and that community took on new meaning upon leaving Jewish Day School and attending an all-girls Anglican High School. There she realized that her Jewish identity was more important than she ever imagined, and she increased her involvement in Jewish youth groups, volunteer projects, and leadership opportunities. Rachel has been involved in or kickstarted projects supporting a broad range of communities and issues, including antisemitism and Global Jewry, international development and education, and local homelessness and hunger. Social impact is non-negotiable for Rachel. She spent the summer of 2023 in Siem Reap, Cambodia volunteering with the Jewish Agency’s TEN to bring experiential learning and informal education to the developing world. Rachel will be a second-year fellow at the JCC Budapest. Rachel graduated from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. ] with a Combined Honours in Contemporary Studies and Religious Studies, with a Minor in French. Her thesis looked at intersections and moments of solidarity between Jewish victims, Roma victims, and Queer victims of the Holocaust. In Halifax, Rachel played on the Dalhousie Tennis Team and is a Tennis Coach. She was also a Research Assistant on the cardiac ward of the QEII Hospital, conducting patient interviews to contribute to the project’s goal of improving patient wellbeing in non-medical ways. In her free time, you can find Rachel spending time outdoors, with friends and family, and trying new cafes and restaurants.

Rebekah is an ambitious emerging professional guided by her deep-rooted connection to Jewish identity and communal service. After growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was active in education and leadership at her Reform temple, Rebekah graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychological and Brain Sciences. Rebekah also studied in Madrid at Complutense University, immersing herself in the Spanish language through degree-specific psychology courses. Rebekah continued her global education as a business intern in Tel Aviv at an Israeli technology company, marketing its sustainable systems to manufacturers internationally. Motivated by the diverse backgrounds and meaningful connections she encountered abroad, Rebekah conducted research at UCSB’s Social Psychology Lab to explore the effect of cultural backgrounds on socially altruistic behaviors. Rebekah has held many positions of student leadership: Co-President of Keshet, Multicultural Chair and Tzedek Vice President of the Hillel Student Board, and chair of the Associated Students’ Trans & Queer Commission. An early graduation from UCSB allowed Rebekah to jump-start her career at Santa Barbara Hillel as its Development and Special Projects Coordinator, fulfilling her drive to support the needs of the Jewish community. Rebekah has continued to nourish her love for community, music and adventure by playing the flute, backpacking through southeast Asia, and volunteering as a mediator for a local community organization.

Samuel Clarke, a Boca Raton native, is passionate about helping others and fostering a strong sense of community. Sam attended the University of Florida, majoring in Political Science, Criminology, and Jewish Studies. During college, Sam discovered the importance of community and a true sense of belonging. Sam became actively involved with Chabad and Hillel, serving in various leadership roles. His passion for community-building led him to create several grassroots student initiatives, including a statewide non-denominational Shabbaton and the inaugural Southeast regional Torah Bowl. In addition, Sam served for three consecutive years as the National Co-Chair for Yavneh on Campus, an international student movement striving to support the broader college community. His technical interests include understanding Jewish history and its societal impact. He partnered with the University of Florida on a multi-year research study analyzing the influence of Jewish Law on the development of American legal thought. Sam’s passion for making a positive impact and collaborating with diverse leaders led him to join the Nachshon Project, where he gained valuable insights into the Jewish non-profit sector. He applied these skills while serving on the collegiate advisory board for Bnei Akiva North America, helping shape the organization’s trajectory. In his free time, Sam enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Sam looks forward to creating a meaningful impact in the Jewish and Israeli communities in partnership with the JDC.

Talia Jacob is originally from London, England. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Law in 2023, and a Bachelors in English fm Queen Mary University of Law in 2020 – where she was elected as the treasurer of the Jewish and Israel Society. In 2022 she moved to Israel for two years, to intern at ANU the Museum of the Jewish People and then to work as a Front Desk Associate for Brown Hotels. At ANU, she was involved in a project called ‘Collecting These Times’ that was organized by the Council of American Jewish Museums. She interviewed and recorded American citizens, who were living in Israel during the Coronavirus pandemic, about their experiences. Previously, in 2018 and 2019 she worked as a climbing instructor at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires in New York, and was inspired by the warmth of the Conservative Jewish community who lives there. Since arriving back in London at the end of 2023, she has been working for JW3 the Jewish cultural centre in London. Here, she has been able to interact with all elements of the wider Jewish community in London. She is also a regular attendee and volunteer at the annual Limmud Conference in Birmingham, participating for the fifth time in 2024, and at her local Moishe House. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, vintage shopping, and going to the gym.