ABOUT | Center for Jewish Peoplehood Education

CJPE BOARD

Tali Lidar, Chair

Tali Lidar is Director of Israel and Global Operations at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, supporting partnership regions Sdot Negev and Netivot through year-round and emergency engagement and grant-making, and strengthening Israel–Diaspora connections. She previously served as Director of Development at Orr Shalom.

Ed Rettig

Dr. Ed Rettig is a Jewish communal leader and writer focused on Jewish identity, ethics, and Israel–Diaspora relations. He previously served as Director of American Jewish Committee, Jerusalem and contributes to Peoplehood Papers. His research explores the differing foundations of American and Israeli Jewry and their implications for collective Jewish life.

David Cohen

David Cohen is the Executive Director of the St. Louis JCRC, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience from the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg and the ADL. His expertise spans community relations, Holocaust education, and Israel engagement. David holds advanced degrees from Hebrew Union College and Boston University, and is a graduate of the Mandel Institute’s Executive Leadership Program.

Elana Sztokman

Dr. Elana Maryles Sztokman is a Jewish feminist author, researcher, podcaster, and peace activist in Israel whose work focuses on gender, religion, culture, and Israeli society. She is the author of seven books -- most recently When Rabbis Abuse, and In My Jewish State -- is a two-time winner of the National Jewish Book Council award, substacks at The Road, and podcasts at Women Ending War. She brings expertise in research, writing, and public discourse to CJPE’s audit and governance work.

Iris Poslinksy, PhD.

Dr. Iris Posklinsky is a community social worker, researcher, and educator specializing in partnerships, community development, and Jewish Peoplehood. Hold degrees from the University of British Columbia, Ben Gurion University, and the University of Haifa, where her doctoral research on partnerships received an ESPANET award. She teaches at Tel Hai University and previously held senior roles at the Jewish Agency for Israel, bridging research and practice in community leadership and development.

Michal Zur

Executive Director of the Israel Office, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. She holds an MA in Contemporary Judaism from the Hebrew University. Promotes and develops Jewish Identity, Jewish Peoplehood and Partnerships programs and initiatives. Michal lives in Kibbutz Erez.

Alon Friedman

Alon Friedman is Founding Executive Director of ENTER: The Jewish Peoplehood Alliance, an organization working to strengthen relationships between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. He previously led Hillel Israel and Hillel International’s Israel office (2012–2019), and served as Director of Israel operations for Masa Israel Journey (2008–2012). Earlier, he was Executive Director of the WUJS Institute and a central Israeli shaliach in New York working with campus communities. He holds BA and MA degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and lives in Hod HaSharon.

Rachel Sachs

Rachel Sachs is the Executive Director, Israel Office of Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver.

Elan Ezrachi, PhD.

Elan Ezrachi, PhD., is a Jerusalem-based consultant in the areas of Jewish Peoplehood and Israel–Diaspora relations. He held several executive positions among them, the Charles Bronfman Mifgashim Center, Masa Israel Journey (founding CEO), and the International School for Jerusalem Studies at Yad Ben-Zvi. He holds degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (BA, MA) and a PhD from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is the author of three books. His recent book is "Hashlicha" (the Emissary), a novel.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Barak Sella

Barak Sella is an educator, writer, and researcher specializing in U.S.–Israel relations and world Jewry. He previously served as Executive Director of the Reut Institute and is a Senior Research Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center Middle East Initiative and lead its Israel program. He holds degrees from Beit Berl Academic College, the University of Haifa, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath, EdD.

Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath, EdD., is the Senior Director of Knowledge, Ideas and Learning at The Jewish Education Project. Samantha is a recognized expert on Jewish teens, identity development, antisemitism, and Israel education. She is an alumna of the University of Pittsburgh, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and Gratz College. She lives in Westchester, New York.

Benji Davis, Ph.D.

Benji Davis is Assistant Professor at Yeshiva University's Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. He is an educator, scholar, and founder of IMPACT Israel Education, specializing in Israel education for teens and young adults through in-person and digital learning programs. His research has been published in leading academic journals, and he received the NRJE Harold Wechsler Award for Emerging Scholars. He holds degrees from George Washington University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the University of Haifa, and is pursuing postdoctoral work in Israel Studies.

Shalom Orzach

Shalom Orzach is a senior educator and consultant whose work focuses on Israel education, shlichut, and camp and youth settings as vehicles for building Jewish belonging and Peoplehood. He has served as a senior educator with The iCenter for Israel Education and on faculty for the Foundation for Jewish Camp. His background includes senior roles connected to the Jewish Agency, including leadership in the Shlichut and Israel Fellows unit, and AVI CHAI project leadership. He has designed educational fellowship programs for organizations including the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ).

Bryan Oren

Bryan Hanan Oren is a seasoned program facilitator, curriculum designer, and education researcher. He serves as the Fellowship Director (Educational and Artistic) for the Jerusalem Youth Chorus and is a doctoral candidate in Learning and Teaching Sciences at the University of Haifa. Bryan has worked with several prominent education organizations including the URJ, M², and Facing History and Ourselves—where he led the Jewish Education Program’s work on race and equity in Jewish settings. A Dorot Fellow alum, Bryan holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida and a Bachelor’s in Comparative Literature from the University of Southern California. He lives in Haifa with his wife, Tamar, and their daughters, Aviv and baby Maia.

Becky Voorwinde

Becky Voorwinde is CEO of The Bronfman Fellowship, leading its strategy, global alumni network, and participant selection in Israel and the U.S. She previously worked at Ernst & Young and served on the board of M2: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education. She holds a BA from Barnard College and lives in Brooklyn with her family.

Simon Klarfeld

Simon Klarfeld is a nonprofit leadership and strategy professional whose work centers on organizational change, experiential Jewish education, and leadership development. He is Principal of Beyond Strategy and has decades of leadership in Jewish educational organizations, consulting globally on youth engagement, Peoplehood education, and leadership training. He formerly served as Hillel director at Columbia University.