Speakers
Confirmed Speakers Include:
Rabbi Daniel Brenner, Moving Traditions
Rabbi Daniel Brenner, is the Director of Initiatives for Boys and Men at Moving Traditions which specializes in innovative educational leadership. Prior to joining Moving Traditions he was founding Executive Director of Birthright Israel NEXT and he directed graduate-level training programs at Auburn Theological Seminary and CLAL. A graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Brenner has been named by Newsweek Magazine as one of America's most influential rabbis.
Jennifer Jones-Clark, Facing History and Ourselves
Jennifer Jones-Clark is the Associate Program Director for the New England Office of Facing History and Ourselves. Facing History and Ourselves is a non-profit national and international educational and professional development organization whose mission is to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice, and antisemitism in order to promote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry. Jennifer designs and facilitates historical based social justice workshops, institutes, and other professional development programs for educators, students, corporations and community organizations throughout the United States and internationally. As a member of the Facing History Staff Development Team, Jennifer coordinates the professional development of Facing History and Ourselves program staff. Jones-Clark holds Masters Degrees in Secondary Education and Multicultural Education. Jennifer has taught middle and high school, teacher preparation courses at Michigan State University and has been a school administrator. Jennifer holds Holocaust Studies Certificate from Yad Vashem, Jerusalem Israel and Certification in International Education Studies
Ami Eden, JTA
Ami Eden is CEO & editor in chief of JTA, an international news agency serving scores of Jewish newspapers and websites around the world. He oversees all aspects of the agency’s operations, including editorial, business, marketing and fund raising. Prior to joining JTA, Ami served as the executive editor of the Forward and was the founding editor of the JewishDailyForward website; he also served as an editor at The Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia, where he grew up. His writing has appeared in many publications, including The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, Ha'aretz, The Jerusalem Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Beliefnet.com and dozens of Jewish publications. He once attended the BBYO Beau/Sweetheart Dance in Cincinnati.
Rhonda Feiler, Advisor of the Year
Judith Finer Freedman, Alumna of the Year
Judith Finer Freedman, E.D. (c) is an author, researcher and lecturer. She founded The Balanced Worker Project™ that guides organizations to develop solutions to workplace issues such as generational diversity, gender bias, work-life effectiveness, and mentoring. She is the author of Cracking the Code: Unlocking the Potential for Future Leaders in the Legal Profession (Thomson/West, 2010). Now in its second printing, it is available in the National Association of Legal Career Professionals (NALP) online bookstore and online at amazon.com. Ms. Finer Freedman is an internationally recognized lecturer having spoken at such law and business schools as Harvard, Georgetown, Columbia, The University of Texas, and The University of Toronto. She has also spoken at legal conferences hosted by the National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP), the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) and the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL). Ms. Finer Freedman was the 2006 Chair of the Toronto UJA Federation Annual Campaign, Women’s Division and currently serves on the board of Temple EmanuEl in Toronto. She has served on the BBYO, Inc. Board for six years. In 2009, she joined the Executive Committee of BBYO, Inc. and became Vice-Chair in 2010. She has been the International Chair of the Friends and Alumni Network (FAN) since its inception in 2008. She also serves on the Lake Ontario Region (LOR) BBYO board. She is an alumni of North Texas Oklahoma (NTO) Region (formerly Texoma Region) and is a very proud BBYO parent of Jesse, Amanda, and Zachary who are active in Lake Ontario Region (LOR) BBYO.
Elissa Froman, National Council of Jewish Women
Elissa Froman is Senior Legislative Associate at the National Council of Jewish Women’s Washington office. She works to advance NCJW’s commitment to civil rights and liberties by working with coalition partners and NCJW members to strategically build campaigns, educate communities, and lobby members of Congress and other law-makers. She currently serves on the board of directors of Jews United for Justice, a local DC metro-area social and economic justice organization that strives to be a progressive voice in the Jewish community and a Jewish voice in the progressive community. Previously, Elissa worked as a legislative assistant at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. She is a graduate of the George Washington University.
Rabbi Brian Glusman, Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta
Rabbi Glusman currently serves as the Director of Jewish Outreach and Engagement at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta and is also a visiting Rabbi at several congregation in Atlanta and surrounding communities. Previously, Rabbi Glusman was the senior rabbi of Temple Beth-El in Birmingham, Alabama, one of Alabama’s largest synagogues. Growing up in Atlanta, Rabbi Glusman attended the Hebrew Academy of Atlanta and Yeshiva High School. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York, one of the only multi-denominational pluralistic rabbinical seminaries in the U.S. Rabbi Glusman has an M.A. in counseling and advanced training as a marriage and family therapist. In addition to Birmingham, Rabbi Glusman served congregations in Colorado Springs, CO , Philadelphia , PA and Palm Beach , FL. Rabbi Glusman is well known for his ability to introduce people of all backgrounds to a unique blend of Judaism and spirituality that provides warmth, meaning and excitement.
Aliza Goodman, iCenter
Aliza's commitment to Israel was originally formed in childhood during family trips to Israel from her home in Toronto, Canada. Since then, Aliza has tried to share her passion with as many people as possible, whether it was during the numerous trips to Israel that she led for high school, college students and young adults, or through her three years working at the Hillel Foundation at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Most recently, Aliza served as Communications Director for Genesis and BIMA at Brandeis University, two residential summer programs for Jewish high school students. Aliza holds an MBA in Social Policy and Management and an M.A in Jewish Professional Leadership from Brandeis University, as well as a B.A in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario. Aliza constantly has a craving for Burger's Bar, her favorite restaurant in Israel.
Vicki Gordon, Collins Gordon Group
Vicki Gordon is the founder of Collins Gordon Group (CGG), a public affairs firm that provides strategic counsel on business strategies for social change. Ms. Gordon has over 30 years of experience as a corporate executive. She is a founding board member of the Global Soap Project (GSP). GSP is a non-profit dedicated to improving global health by reclaiming and recycling discarded hotel soap for distribution to vulnerable populations around the world. In that position she has the leadership role in the organization’s hotel engagement strategy. She was responsible for building a relationship with Hilton Worldwide that led to Hilton’s commitment in November, 2011 to invest $1.3M in GSP. In 2005 Gordon led IHG’s global tsunami relief efforts, ultimately raising over $1M for humanitarian aid. For this work she was subsequently recognized by the Australia-New Zealand-America Chamber of Commerce for her humanitarian work. Ms. Gordon has been named one of "Twenty Women Who Make A Difference" by Minorities and Women In Business magazine, one of the "Most Powerful Women in Travel" by Travel Agent magazine, and one of Atlanta Woman magazine's "Power Women of 2007.”
Judd Holzman, iCenter
Judd is passionate about Israel, Jewish education, and international humanitarian work. He has traveled extensively to Israel as a participant and trip leader with Shorashim and has served as a Jewish educator in numerous capacities. Prior to joining the iCenter, Judd spent several years focusing on international poverty issues while serving as Executive Director of Link Community Development USA, the U.S. division of a global non-profit that works to improve education for children in Africa. For this work, he received the Charles C. Stewart International Young Humanitarian Award. He also worked at Facing History and Ourselves, an education non-profit that works with teachers and students to eliminate anti-Semitism, racism, and prejudice. Judd has a Masters degree in Anthropology and Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Bachelors degree in Religious Studies from the University of Illinois. He also studied religion at the University of Oxford as a Visiting Student and Chad Lobdell Scholar, and in India as a Ford Foundation Scholar. Judd and his wife Lindsay live in Chicago.
Avraham Infeld, Keynote Speaker
Avraham Infeld has invested a lifetime building Jewish identity and strengthening the State of Israel. The founder and director of a succession of innovative educational institutions, Avraham was appointed the President of the Chais Family Foundation at the commencement of 2007, following his retirement from the Presidency of Hillel International in September, 2006. Avraham continues to serve Hillel as President Emeritus. A native of South Africa, Avraham immigrated to Israel in 1959. He is married to Ellen Infeld, originally from Woodbridge, N.J., and they share four children and 12 grandchildren. He is a graduate of the Hebrew University in Bible and Jewish History, and of Tel Aviv University’s Law School. In 2005, he was awarded the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s prestigious Samuel Rothberg Prize for Jewish Education, the first specialist in informal Jewish education to be so honored. He was given an honorary doctorate by Muhlenberg College in May 2006 for his contribution to the field of education.
Jonathan Kessler, AIPAC
Jonathan Kessler has devoted his professional life to strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship. He currently serves as AIPAC’s Leadership Development Director, responsible for the strategic development and oversight of AIPAC’s highly acclaimed campus efforts and their positioning within the larger pro-Israel political movement. In addition, Jonathan serves as a member of AIPAC's Senior Staff and directs AIPAC’s Schusterman Advocacy Institute and Washington Professional Forum. Previously at AIPAC from 1980 –1987, Jonathan returned to AIPAC in 2002 after a 15 year hiatus. While away from AIPAC, Jonathan served as Executive Editor of Middle East Insight magazine, and President of Kessler Associates, Inc., a Washington-based political consulting firm specializing in Middle East public diplomacy. Jonathan has appeared as a Middle East analyst for Fox T.V. News, MSNBC, C-SPAN, CNN, and Voice of America, and has spoken before audiences throughout the United States, Canada, England and Australia.
Congressman John Lewis
Often called "one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced," John Lewis has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls "The Beloved Community" in America. His dedication to the highest ethical standards and moral principles has won him the admiration of many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the United States Congress. He was elected to Congress in November 1986 and has served as U.S. Representative of Georgia's Fifth Congressional District since then. That District includes the entire city of Atlanta, Georgia and parts of Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties. He is Senior Chief Deputy Whip for the Democratic Party in leadership in the House, a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, a member of its Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, and Chairman of its Subcommittee on Oversight.
Aaron Miner, Repair the World
Prior to joining the Repair staff, Aaron served as one of the founding staff members of NYC Service, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s initiative to increase service and volunteerism throughout the City of New York. In his role as Portfolio Manager, he oversaw the program development and implementation of 11 initiatives that dealt with education and skills-based volunteerism. Prior to his work at NYC Service, Aaron served at City Year Boston, first as an AmeriCorps member and then as a member of the staff, developing and implementing organization-wide programs as well as managing community and local government partnerships and project teams. Aaron holds a Masters in Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University and a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University (OH). In his spare time, he volunteers weekly for God’s Love We Deliver and spends a week each summer directing a music camp for youth in his native Ohio.
Donna Orender, Formerly WNBA
Donna Orender is a sports executive and a former collegiate and professional basketball player. She was recently president of the WNBA. Orender graduated from Queens College in 1978 with a degree in psychology, followed by graduate studies in social work at Adelphi University. While at Queens College she was an All-American basketball player.
A.J. Robinson, Alum of the Year
A.J. Robinson is President of Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID). CAP, a private business association started in 1941, remains one of the most effective advocacy organizations in the city. CAP has created and spun off a number of organizations such as Trees Atlanta, Research Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park Area, Inc., the Midtown Alliance, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, GeorgiaForward and the Atlanta Streetcar. In 1995, CAP created the ADID and the Ambassador Force of downtown to address public safety and cleaning concerns. In his role, he manages the overall strategic functions of the organizations which are designed to make the Atlanta community and specifically Downtown, more livable, vital and diverse. Key initiatives focus on economic development, planning, public safety, sidewalk environment, transportation, events and overall marketing of Downtown Atlanta. CAP is funded through membership dues and grants from many of Atlanta's major corporations, as well as organizations and foundations committed to the development of downtown. A 1980 graduate of Harvard School of Business, he received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. With high distinction, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in June 1977 from Emory University. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, he is married to Dr. Nicole Ellerine, a pediatrician, and they reside in Atlanta with their children Micaela, Ethan and Nathaniel.
Jamie Silverstein, Repair the World
As the Special Projects Associate at Repair the World, Jamie manages the functions of the Executive Department, including working with Repair’s many stakeholders and partners to advance the organization’s mission. Jamie joined the Repair the World team in June 2010 after two years with Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life serving as the Bronfman Fellow in the Office of the President at their International Headquarters and then as the Director of Engagement at The George Washington University. She has a passion for young adult leadership development and engagement and volunteers as a Membership Specialist for Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority. In this capacity, she sits on a regional team, advising and training five schools in the areas of chapter growth and retention, recruitment and new member education. Jamie grew up in South Florida and earned a B.S. in Recreation and Event Management and a minor in Business from the University of Florida. She currently lives in New York City.
Mark Swaim-Fox, Facing History and Ourselves
Mark Swaim-Fox, the regional director for Facing History’s Cleveland office, has been working at Facing History since 2001. As the director, he is the regional representative of the national organization and is responsible for developing and maintaining the growth of the Facing History and Ourselves program in the Cleveland area. Mr. Swaim-Fox meets with teachers, school administrators and community organizations to plan, organize and facilitate Facing History workshops, institutes and professional development activities for educators. Prior to this role, he held positions with the Cleveland regional office as a program associate and the program director where he led the implementation of Facing History programming in the region.
Ted Perlman, The HAVI Group LP, Son of BBG Founder Anita Perlman
Theodore F. Perlman is Chairman of The HAVI Group LP. HAVI provides distribution, purchasing, logistic services, premiums & promotional services to the McDonalds restaurant system, both in the United States and worldwide. Other leading companies who are major US clients are the Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks Coffee, British Petroleum, Nissan and Diageo. Mr. Perlman received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree along with minors in Political Science and History from the University of Michigan.