8000 Walton Parkway, Suite 110
New Albany, Ohio 43054
614 939-6060
Dispatches from the network and updates from the Foundation.
Jun 2010
Shira Hammerman is an alumna of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholar Program. She is a doctoral student in Education and Jewish Studies at NYU. She can be reached at shirahammerman@hotmail.com “The angels are peeking, peeking through the window, as Ima lights the candles and Abba goes to shul…” My little Shabbat Ima was having the time of her life as she sat next to her Shabbat Abba at the head
Jun 2010
Maurit Beeri is an alumnus of the Wexner Israel Fellowship Program. She is the Deputy Director of the Alyn Hospital Children and Adolescents Rehabilitation Center. Maurit can be reached at Maurit@gmail.com A Pediatric Rehabilitation Hospital, such as Alyn Jerusalem, brings together strangers during their most trying times. Jews and Muslims, veteran Israelis and Olim, Haredi and secular share the facility. Differences between the families, the therapists and doctors often cause
Jun 2010
Julie Monkarsh Gadinsky is an alumna of the Los Angeles Wexner Heritage Program. She is the proud mom of two sons, an advocate for Jewish Education, an involved Lion of Judah and political activist for AIPAC. She is passionate about Israel and engaging new friends in community work. Julie can be reached at juliegadinsky@mac.com. I must confess…. I have been known to obsess. As a psychologist, I can say with
Jun 2010
David Goldberg is an alumnus of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholars Program and a fourth year rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is presently on a leave of absence as a fellow at Yeshivat Hadar. David can be reached at dmgoldber@gmail.com I am not a very patient person: when I eat, when I wait in lines, and also when I am in school. Before I began my studies
May 2010
Felicia Herman is Executive Director of The Natan Fund, a foundation supported by young philanthropists that funds innovative Jewish and Israeli nonprofits with budgets under $1.5 million. She can be reached at felicia@natan.org. Here’s something every Jewish professional and layperson knows: the Jewish community desperately needs new sources of philanthropic capital. But here’s something most people are just learning: starting a giving circle is a great way to bring new
Born in Israel to immigrants from Yemen, and currently living in New York City, Zion Ozeri is one of the world’s leading photographers exploring the Jewish experience. Zion is the founder and Artistic Director of The Jewish Lens (www.JewishLens.org). Zion can be reached at Zion@ZionOzeri.com I never imagined how my long association with The Wexner Foundation would affect the work I do. As some of you may know I am
May 2010
Monica Mendel Bensoussan is a member of Wexner Heritage Montreal 09 group. She is an involved member of the Montreal Jewish community through her work with the Bronfman Jewish Education Center, United Talmud Torah and Herzliah High School and the Akiva School. Monica can be reached at ben@videotron.ca. I experienced a simple, personal and intensely profound leadership moment years ago while serving as chair of my children’s elementary school Yearbook
May 2010
Or Mars is the Director of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholars Program. Or lives in Columbus, OH and is also a Wexner Graduate Fellowship alumnus of Class VI. Or can be reached at omars@wexner.net. When I was twenty-seven years old, fresh back from studying in yeshiva in Jerusalem, I took a job as an educator for the JCC on the Upper West Side (now: JCC of Manhattan). Through my yeshiva
May 2010
G. Rayzel Raphael is an alumna of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program (Class 2) and a rabbi at Beth Israel Congregation/InterFaithways in Woodbury, NJ. She can be reached at shechinah18@mindspring.com. I recently I attended the JACS retreat, (Jewish Alcoholics and Chemically Dependent Persons & Significant Others). I can honestly say it was one of the most profound weekends of my rabbinic career. Rabbis go as guests to be educated to the
May 2010
Rachel Isaacs is an alumna of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholars Program. She is a fourth year rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary and is the rabbinic intern at the Park Slope Jewish Center. She can be reached at risaacs@alum.wellesley.edu I am the type of person who likes large stages and grand gestures. As a general rule, I compensate for the shortness of my stature with the volume of