Jewish professionals will receive professional development and education in leadership and Judaic studies over the course of three years

The Wexner Foundation is pleased to announce Class 3 of the newly-expanded Wexner Field Fellowship. Built on the success of the pilot Wexner Field Fellowship and incubated within the Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholars, the program was developed in partnership with the Jim Joseph Foundation.

Fifteen outstanding professionals were selected through a highly competitive process for this three-year intensive program. Utilizing the diverse, cohort-based learning that is the hallmark of The Wexner Foundation programs, Field Fellows will be exposed to different approaches to leadership and tools for addressing pressing issues in the Jewish community, while being integrated into The Wexner Foundation’s vast network of more than 3,000 professional and volunteer leaders in North America and Israel, including the 30 outstanding professionals who are currently in the Field Fellowship Program.

Here are the three Coloradans:

The full list of Class 3 Fellows:

• Adam Eilath, Dean of Jewish Studies and Hebrew/Director of Strategic Initiatives – Jewish Community High School of the Bay, San Francisco, CA
• Erica Frankel, Director, Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Experience – Hillel International, New York, NY
• Nicki Greninger, Director of Education – Temple Isaiah, Lafayette, CA
• David A. Halperin, Executive Director – Israel Policy Forum, New York, NY
• Jory Hanselman, Director – BaMidbar Wilderness Therapy at Ramah in the Rockies, Denver, CO
• Rebecca Kahn, Director, Field Expansion – Foundation for Jewish Camp, New York, NY
• Solomon Kane, Director, Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute – Union for Reform Judaism, Chicago, IL
• Igor Khokhlov, Executive Director – University of Miami Hillel, Miami, FL
• Deborah Leipzig, Vice President, Leadership – ADL, New York, NY
• Jonathan Lev, Executive Director – Boulder JCC, Boulder, CO
• Naftuli Moster, Executive Director – Yaffed, New York, NY
• Karen Parry, Director of Development – Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Seattle, WA
• Amanda Pogany, Head of School – Luria Academy of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY
• Adina Poupko, Program Officer – The Natan Fund, New York, NY
• Zachary Rolf, Director of Learning and Engagement – Temple Emanuel, Denver, CO

The Wexner Foundation has more than 30 years of experience developing excellence in Jewish professionals and volunteer leaders in North America. To address the changing needs in the field of Jewish professional leadership, the Wexner Field Fellowship was created in 2013 in partnership with the Jim Joseph Foundation to focus on developing promising Jewish professionals’ leadership skills while enveloping them in a rich network of Jewish professionals. Wexner Field Fellows engage in a diverse, cohort-based leadership learning program. Fellows are selected based on their past accomplishments, current motivation and engagement, and exceptional attributes they’ll contribute to the cohort of 15 diverse Jewish professionals of which they will be a party. Through in-person, intensive conferences and virtual meetings, Wexner Field Fellows are exposed to Jewish educational and professional growth opportunities while addressing their unique needs of career and personal progress.

“We are inspired by the talent and creative spirit this new cohort of Jewish professionals will contribute to the Wexner Field Fellowship and more importantly to the Jewish organizations and communities they will lead,” said Rabbi B. Elka Abrahamson, President of The Wexner Foundation. “This innovative new Fellowship is now operating at full capacity. We are expanding our rich network of Wexner Fellows and Alumni exercising transformative leadership in North America and with Israel’s public service.”

As with the first two cohorts of Field Fellows, Class 3 is comprised of dynamic Jewish professionals at pivotal moments in their careers. Fellows work in Jewish federations, summer camps, advocacy and social justice organizations, day and supplementary schools, national organizations, and Jewish social start-ups across North America. To get more info about each Fellow, please click here.

As part of this three-year intensive, professional development program, Wexner Field Fellows:

• Become part of a selective cohort of lifelong professional learners.
• Learn with amazing leadership teachers and Jewish educators.
• Receive one-on-one professional coaching and Jewish learning, along with access to funds toward customized professional development opportunities.
• Develop a nuanced appreciation for the diversity of the North American Jewish community.
• Focus on developing strengths in adaptive leadership, storytelling, difficult conversations, negotiation and other crucial leadership skills.

“Talented, dedicated professionals are key to offering effective Jewish learning experiences that resonate with young people today and positively influence their lives,” said Barry Finestone, President and CEO of the Jim Joseph Foundation. “The Wexner Field Fellowship builds on The Wexner Foundation’s remarkable ongoing legacy of supporting Jewish leaders who are imbued with a commitment to engage young learners. We are pleased to support The Wexner Foundation’s continued efforts to help professionals gain new educational tools and approaches as they advance their careers.”

About The Wexner Foundation

Led by Leslie and Abigail Wexner, The Wexner Foundation focuses on the development of Jewish professional and volunteer leaders in North America, public leaders in Israel and Jewish teenagers in Columbus. With a respect for the diversity of Jewish life, cohort-based learning and the development of a network of leaders, The Wexner Foundation has never wavered from its focus on Jewish leadership excellence. www.wexnerfoundation.org