Elissa Katz joins the JDC Entwine team with a passion for grant writing and program management in the Jewish communal space. Elissa lived in Haifa, Israel on an Urban Kibbutz for three years before serving as a JSC Fellow in her parents hometown, Odesa, Ukraine in 2016-17. Following an impactful summer at Szarvas International Summer Camp, Elissa managed youth and event programming for Union for Reform Judaism (NFTY) before shifting to the Russian Speaking Jewish space. Elissa followed her passion for the RSJ community and managed the Russian Speaking Jewish Outreach and Engagement Initiative grants at Foundation for Jewish Camp, supporting overnight camps, day camps and Federation partners in their effort to engage more Russian speaking families. She holds a dual degree in Elementary Education and Judaic Studies from the University of Hartford and strongly believes that there is always space in our lives to learn something new, whether it be a skill, perspective, or mindset. When she’s not working, Elissa is on the hunt for new recipes to cook, national parks to hike in, and delicious coffee to pour oat milk into.

Andrea is JDC Entwine’s Director of Development. She works closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement Entwine’s resource development strategy and to manage Entwine’s stakeholder relationships including programmatic and funding partners and JDC Board Members.

Andrea grew up in Rochester, NY, and graduated from George Washington University with a degree in Political Science and Judaic Studies. After college, she worked for Close Up, a DC-based nonprofit, leading civic engagement programs for high school students.

In 2010, Andrea went to Israel to teach English to high school students in Ashdod and ended up staying to continue her studies. In 2012, she completed her Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She came to Entwine from the University of Rochester where she was working in the Medical Center Development Office. In her free time, Andrea can be found running in Prospect Park, making ice cream, and exploring NYC.

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: Guatemala — the most caring and warm people, flavorful, fresh food, and beautiful nature including lakes and volcanoes!

Fun Fact or special skills: Andrea is an expert bread maker — her specialties include challah and french bread!

Andrew Belinfante is a community builder and activist living in New York City. As the current Director of Engagement at JDC Entwine, he travels the world connecting global Jews and building awareness around humanitarian aid and disaster relief work. Andrew has a Master’s of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education. While pursuing his Master’s Andrew worked full time at Mechon Hadar, a progressive Yeshiva in New York. Growing up with Type 1 Diabetes and an LGBTQ+ identity pushed Andrew to center the voices of the most marginalized and vulnerable in society. He has dedicated his work towards how we can better expand, and make more inclusive, the Jewish community we live in. An avid social justice activist and lover of Torah, Andrew has appeared in Huffington Post and Tablet magazine writing about the intersections of body positivity, grief, and disability through a Jewish lens. His ELI Talk, Reconciling My Body With Tradition, has been viewed over 25,000 times. He has served as a past board member on Keshet’s Young Leadership Board, was a UJA Federation Ruskay Fellow in 2018, and is a member of Schusterman’s ROI Community. Andrew is a marathon runner, a dedicated baker, and has a deep love for learning and connecting.

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: I loved visiting Timisoara, Romania. I was moved by the fact that such a small place could feel so impactful. The streets were clean, the people were nice, and the pride of the people ran deep.

Fun Fact or special skills: This is super random but I was at Michael Jackson’s funeral/memorial service.

Arezu is the Southern California Community Manager for JDC Entwine. Before joining Entwine, Arezu worked as a Sales Account Manager for high-tech software company, Oracle. A Los Angeles native, Arezu was born to Iranian-Jewish parents who instilled in her a deep appreciation for Jewish values, tradition, and identity. Arezu graduated from UC Santa Barbara (Olé!) with a Bachelor’s degree in History and Religious Studies, with a focus on Judaism and Islam. During her time at UCSB, Arezu served as a student senator, as a student leader at Santa Barbara Hillel, and as an AIPAC campus activist. When not in the office Arezu enjoys watching live music, discovering new coffee shops in the city, and hunting for the perfect slice of pizza in LA!

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: Mexico City. Everything about it–the people, culture, food, art—had me in awe and amazement. Plus, she’s never laughed harder than I did while watching a live luchador fight!

Fun Fact or special skill: She recently started learning the art of origami.

Arielle is the Deputy Director of Engagement at JDC Entwine. In her role, she manages Entwine’s programmatic partnerships and engages people from around the world in Entwine’s programming. Her journey at JDC began as a yearlong Global Jewish Service Corps Fellow at the Agahozo Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda where she managed the short-term service trips and mentored students.

Arielle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from Binghamton University. After graduating in 2012, she dove into the world of international development by volunteering in Nepal with Tevel b’Tzedek. Her passion for global work stems from summers at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, trips to Israel through Nativ and Birthright, and international travel to global Jewish communities.

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: Estonia- Old Town is like Disney World!

Fun Fact or special skills: Arielle once bungee jumped off a 585 ft bridge in Nepal.

Gabe Orduña joins Entwine as the Database Specialist. In this role, Gabe will be working to design, implement, and manage JDC Entwine’s participant database as well as help strategize and create processes for data collection and reporting. Prior to coming to JDC, Gabe was a Business Analyst at Craftsman Technology Group in Boston, MA, working with nonprofit organizations on mostly Salesforce based CRM projects. As a Business Analyst, Gabe worked closely with nonprofit clients to develop wokflows to maximize operational efficiency, designed and configured custom CRM solutions, and facilitated training for end users. Before Craftsman, Gabe participated in an AmeriCorps based nonprofit professional development fellowship called New Sector Alliance where he was matched to work with Nonprofit Finance Fund where he designed and built the organizations knowledge management platform. Gabe graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2015 with a degree in Community and Environmental Sociology.

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: Copenhagen

Fun Fact or special skill: He has worked at 5 ice cream shops around the country.

Based in London, Graham previously served as the Communications and Fundraising Manager for Tzedek, (an OLAM partner organisation) and before that as the Community Coordinator for New Israel Fund UK. He is a board member for Liberal Judaism and the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and currently co-chairs the latter’s Strategic Committee for Inspiring the Next Generation. He has held various roles at Limmud Festival, and was named in the 2018 30 under 30 list of “individuals set to define Jewish life in Britain for decades to come”. Graham is an avid cyclist and guitar player, and regularly song-leads in local communities. In addition to his responsibilities at JDC Entwine, Graham will also support the complementary work of OLAM to engage young UK adults in global Jewish and humanitarian issues and to advance the global Jewish service movement.

Jenette is the Operations Manager, Latin America & GRID (Global Response & Innovative Development). In this role, Jenette oversees all of Entwine’s programming in Latin America and where JDC does international development and disaster response around the world, including the Jewish Service Corps Fellowship, Insider Trips, and Multi Week Jewish Service Corps Fellowship.

Jenette began working with Entwine as a Program Assistant in 2012. Before joining Entwine, Jenette participated in the Masa Israel Teaching Fellows program, where she taught English in an underserved school in Netanya. Jenette is also passionate about sustainability and serves on the Young Professional Advisory Board of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR). She holds a bachelor’s degree from the George Washington University in International Affairs and French Language and Literature, and lives with her husband Leandro in Brooklyn.

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: Last year, I went to Tokyo and fell in love with the simultaneously refined/wacky culture. If JDC ever opens an office there, I’ll be the first volunteer!

Fun Fact or special skills: I serve on JDC’s Green Team and started a composting initiative, along with a few other colleagues, at our headquarters!

Before joining Entwine, Jillian worked at the New York Botanical Garden as the Manager of Adult Education, where she facilitated immersive learning opportunities in the world of plants and the natural environment. Her lifelong passion for environmental and social justice was amplified by a series of immersive travel and educational experiences. While a student at Syracuse University (Go Orange!), Jillian worked with a number of Jewish non-profits to support domestic disaster recovery efforts and worked abroad with Yahel Service Learning as a horticultural therapy volunteer at an organic farm in Jerusalem. Jillian graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Social Work and has a Masters in Social Work with an emphasis on Community Organizing, Planning, and Development from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Outside of the office, Jillian is studying to become a certified yoga instructor and loves to play with her puppy, Sonoma.

Most memorable place I’ve traveled: Moshi, Tanzania is one of the most gorgeous places in the world! Especially on a clear day, Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen from every inch of the town. It’s also home to some the warmest, nicest people and most delicious food!

Fun fact or special skills: Jillian’s lifelong quest is to perfect baking a French macaron!

Joshua Mikutis is the Jewish Learning Designer at JDC Entwine. He was ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in May of 2018; he also graduated with a Master in Jewish Nonprofit Management from the Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit Management. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, he graduated from Haverford College with honors in Religion and History and with a minor in Russian from Byrn Mawr College. After college, he worked as an Avodah Corps member at New York Legal Assistance Group in their Immigrant Protection Unit. In 2012, he first connected with JDC Entwine when he travelled on an Insider Trip to Moscow. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Anna who works at UJA Federation of New York.

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: Japan

Fun Fact or special skills: Joshua played bass in a MC Solaar cover band in college.

As the Special Projects Manager, Julia works closely with Entwine’s Executive Director to oversee key leadership programs and provides additional support in the executive unit. Julia is originally from outside of Chicago and took two gap years after graduating from high school where she lived in Brazil for a year and worked with AmeriCorps in Providence Rhode Island for a year. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and a Bachelor’s in Education Policy with a concentration in Educational Equality. During her time in college, she served as the Development Intern for the University YMCA for three years and was on the Board of Directors for a local non-profit. Julia loves hiking and eating good food.

Leba is Director of Global Operations. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations and implementation of Entwine’s programs. She has worked at JDC since 2008 and is proud to have been with Entwine since its inception! Leba has extensive experience in both formal and informal education with groups of diverse Jewish backgrounds. She earned a certificate in Experiential Jewish Education through Yeshiva University, an immersive training program that aims to strengthen and transform the field and its impact on Jewish identity. She has also taught Hebrew School in New York City and facilitated learning sessions at Camp Simcha, a summer camp for chronically ill children, in addition to being the camp’s Drama Director. Leba graduated from Yeshiva University, Stern College, where she received her BA in Judaic Studies and also spent a year abroad studying in Israel.

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: Morocco- The incredible history, delicious food and warm community!

Fun Fact or special skills: She lived in 7 cities all before I was 21! Leba completed a pastry course at the Jerusalem Culinary Institute and is an avid dessert producer (and consumer). Leba was a top 10 fundraiser for Team Lifeline at the 2011 Miami ING Half-Marathon.

Miriam Bader is a learning designer with expertise developing dynamic, place-based experiences that facilitate reflection and connection. As the Director of Design and Organizational Development at JDC Entwine, she oversees the educational strategy connecting young Jewish adults to the global Jewish world and developing their leadership capacity. Miriam comes to Entwine from the museum education field, most recently as the Education Director at the Tenement Museum. She has also worked at the Museum at Eldridge Street, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Jewish Museum, and served as an educational consultant for the National Park Service, public media, and other international organizations. Miriam sits on the Board of the Jewish Foundation of the Education of Women (JFEW). She received her Master’s degree in Museum Education at Bank Street College.

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: Saudi Arabia

Fun Fact or special skills: Experimenting in the kitchen pickling, making jam, and other confections.

Naomi joined the Entwine team in 2015 and has since supported a diverse portfolio of programs. Naomi currently specializes on the Year-Long Jewish Service Corps and large scale events. In her role, Naomi manages projects and ensures their successful execution.

Naomi has a Master’s degree in Community and Social Change with a Specialized Track in Community and Program Development from the University of Miami. She was active in Jewish life and founded a Challah for Hunger Chapter at UM. Born and raised in the NY area, Naomi has also lived in Israel and Australia and has visited several Jewish communities around the globe. In her free time Naomi enjoys baking Challah, exploring the city and traveling the world. With a clear passion for culture and community, Naomi is proud to be working for JDC Entwine, combining her passions of travel, Judaism and impact.

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: Morocco! I love how the deep Jewish history is emended into the larger society, plus the Arab culture reminds me of my Egyptian roots!

Fun Fact or special skills: Some call me a “jew head” aka lover of many Jewish foods, ideas and practices.

Ramy joins JDC Entwine as the Budget and Data Analyst to manage, synthesize and interpret data related to budget and finance, impact evaluation, program participation and marketing. He has 8 years of experience in non profit finance management.

In his previous role as the Senior Finance Manager at ACLED Analysis Inc. he helped build the financial and operational systems to support a quickly growing organization that focuses on disaggregated data collection and analysis for international conflict. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Psychology from the University of California, Irvine.

Ramy has a personal connection to JDC Entwine as he served as a lay leader for San Diego’s first planning committee and an Insider Trip participant to Haiti and India. He is dedicated to raising awareness of global humanitarian causes and serving those in need.

Ramy lives in San Diego with his wife and dog. In his free time, he enjoys visiting national parks and spending time outdoors.

As Senior Director of Strategy and Planning, Sara works with the Executive Director to set the strategic direction and annual plan for JDC Entwine and oversees the measurement and evaluation of Entwine’s programs and Entwine’s budget and finance work.

Prior to coming to Entwine, Sara was the Director of Program Evaluation and Strategy at NEXT for Autism, where she set up their performance measurement program to help NEXT tell its story of innovative model programs for people on the autism spectrum. Prior to her work at NEXT for Autism, Sara worked as a management consultant for many years, both in the for-profit and nonprofit sector at Bain & Company and The Bridgespan Group, tackling a broad range of complex strategic challenges. Sara earned her MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in 2011. She lives in Harlem with her husband and two sons

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: My most memorable travel experience is spending a week on a boat exploring Antarctica!

Fun Fact or special skills: Horseback riding! While I haven’t ridden in a few years, it was a huge part of my life growing up and you could almost always find me at the barn or doing something horse-related.

Shachar Beer is the JDC Entwine operation manager for Israel and the Former Soviet Union. Before joining Entwine Shachar has served as the JDC historian and director of the JDC archives. As an aspiring writer Shachar recently won a national short stories competition, and wrote the screenplay for one episode of a TV drama aired last year on Israeli TV. Speaking of television, Shachar once lost $25,000 on the Israeli version of the “Who wants to be a millionaire?” show, when he forgot which classic movie contains the famous line “if you want to shoot, shoot. Don’t talk…”.

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: Shachar’s most memorable trip was going by himself in a beat up old car, on a 4 months road trip through the Australian outback.

Fun Fact or special skills: Shachar is a film actor, starring in the Israeli dark comedy “Zero Motivation”. By starring, we mean he appears for 40 seconds in one scene, the soldier on the left leaning against the wall and eating a waffle.

Shaun Hoffman is the Executive Director of JDC Entwine, responsible for its vision, strategy, and overall success. Shaun joined JDC in 2013, previously serving as Entwine’s Director of Global Operations and then as Deputy Director. Prior to joining JDC, Shaun was the Senior Program Director for Canada Israel Experience, managing the Canadian Jewish Community’s youth and young adult Israel experience programs, such as Taglit-Birthright Israel and March of the Living.

Shaun holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Toronto, including a year in the Honors Program in Middle East Studies at the Hebrew University. He also holds an M.A. in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute in Chicago. Shaun served as a field commander in the IDF Paratroopers Brigade (despite a fear of heights), and continues to serve in the unit’s southern reserve brigade. He was an iCenter iFellow and is a Schusterman Senior Fellow.

Shawna joined the Entwine team in 2015 in San Diego and works as a Program Coordinator for global experiences in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Shawna received her undergraduate degree in Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara and holds a Master’s Degree in International Community Development from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Prior to her post-graduate studies, Shawna worked for one year as a Young Judaea Year Course Madricha in Israel.

Her passions for travel and community development were solidified when she volunteered with Tevel B’Tzedek in Nepal, working in organic agriculture and youth movement development. Shawna also worked for the Israeli NGO, Fair Planet Seeds, in Ethiopia. There she helped run the farmers pilot program, coordinating the farmers’ reception of top quality tomato plant varieties. Outside of work, Shawna can be found soaking up the San Diego sun- hiking, running, and swimming.

Most memorable place you’ve traveled: Nepal

Fun Fact or special skills: Throughout high school, Shawna used to beekeep with her family. While they no longer own bees, they have not bought store bought honey in over 10 years.

Tadala Wheeler is JDC Entwine’s Director of Marketing, responsible for positioning and presenting the Entwine brand. Prior to joining Entwine, Tadala led the development and enhancement of digital marketing strategies for two global manufacturing companies located in Atlanta, GA. Originally from Blantyre, Malawi, Tadala grew up in Atlanta, GA and volunteered heavily in her local community through honors programs and her local church. Tadala received her undergraduate degree from Boston College in Communications, where she was involved in leading and creating student-led marketing teams for the Boston College Athletics Administration and Boston College Dining Services. Tadala is passionate about serving others, and dedicates time to finding solutions through education and raising awareness for the HIV/AIDs epidemic that still impacts generations of people in Malawi today. Tadala serves as Vice President of the Board for Bwanali-Chipole Victory, a school for vulnerable children in her native Malawi. She enjoys exploring new foods, writing and performing music and traveling with her husband.

Most memorable place I’ve traveled: Just outside of my mother’s home in Malawi is Mount Mulanje. It’s serenely idyllic and looks like a painting when the morning fog starts to clear. About 4 hours of a hike up the mountain takes you to a hidden waterfall this is straight out of The Land Before Time.

Fun fact or special skills: I won my university’s annual singer-songwriter competition in 2013 after performing three original songs.

Tanya Plotkina joins JDC Entwine as Marketing Communications Manager. She has been involved with the Jewish non-profit field as a participant, volunteer, and employee most of her life. With a strong passion for marketing, she helps transform organizations into engaging brands. Prior to joining JDC Entwine, Tanya worked over 9 years at OU Israel Free Spirit, a Birthright Israel trip organizer, overseeing its branding, social media, and overall marketing strategy. She is excited to continue inspiring and connecting Jewish young adults through community encounters. Tanya graduated from New York University with a BS in Psychology and Media, Culture, and Communication. She grew up and resides in Brooklyn, NY where she enjoys exploring the city, taking dance classes, and trying out new restaurants.