We met back in high school: two New Yorkers bonding over afternoon pizza and Jewish learning-made-cool with the likes of Peter Geffen, John Ruskay, Misha Avramoff, and others at Park Avenue Synagogue’s Hebrew High School.

Our professional paths took different turns into adulthood, one of us going into business, the other into social work and the Jewish non-profit world. As adults with careers and families, we went through the Wexner Heritage Program, and we gained a deeper grounding in Jewish thought, values, and responsibility. The experience also taught us about the incredible value of community and enhanced our interest and capacity to take on roles in Jewish leadership.

Leadership is something that we both take very seriously – it’s not just about titles or status, it’s about touching the lives of others in real ways, making positive change, and taking on the responsibility of doing what we can to support and to represent those who do not have the privilege to “sit at the table.” We’ve also learned that in order to be able to do that, a lot of pieces must be in place, including a clear understanding of our roles and the dynamic of the lay-professional relationship.