Our Team

Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator, who has appeared on television and radio and is the author of several books. Her latest, “Turn Your Husband Into Your Soul Mate” is available in bookstores now. She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown, and Penn. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik; and is a regular speaker on Capitol Hill.Lori is the Founding Director of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative… >>

Ben joined the JWRP in April 2013 and hit the ground running.  Ben’s experience as a lawyer and manager proved invaluable when, just 3 months after he took the job, the Israeli government approached us with an idea for a joint project. Whether reviewing contracts in Hebrew, providing a deep understanding of the Israeli government system, or keeping everything moving smoothly, Ben has been instrumental in the success of our new partnership, while also supervising the JWRP’s team, and managing operations, day-to-day.Ben is a graduate of Tel Aviv University’s prestigious “Political and Public Leadership Studies Master's  Program” for Executives (M.A.,… >>

Orlee joined the JWRP in 2018, finding a match between the organization’s mission and her aspiration to help people bring light into their lives and find their authentic voices. Trained as an Executive Leadership Coach, Orlee comes to the JWRP from her private consulting practice where she focused on transformative leadership for senior non-profit professionals and lay leaders. Orlee has served as a faculty member for the Wexner Leadership Institute, a project manager for RAVSAK, and as lead professional and consultant in Leadership for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. She has also had over twenty years of experience… >>

Ruth joined the JWRP in 2009 bringing 25 years of experience in Jewish Outreach as an educator, a Manager of Outreach projects, a certified Life Coach, and a counselor. Ruth’s style is to illuminate Jewish ideas to inspire people to grow and strive toward their potential. Ruth directs JWRP Programs and works with JWRP Partner Organizations and Leaders to maximize their talent and effectiveness.Ruth grew up in Los Angeles, CA, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. She also studied at EYAHT College of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. While Ruth was in… >>

Mindy Berger joined JWRP in 2016.Mindy currently sits on the Board and has served on the Executive Committee of the Bender JCC of Greater Washington, and she sits on the Board of the Edja Foundation, whose mission is to combat sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence in Sub-Saharan Africa. She has also served on the Board of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and held lay leadership positions at a variety of other Jewish and non-profit organizations. In 2013, Mindy created ACHOT, an experiential Jewish education program for mothers and daughters, and the program received a Congregation Innovation… >>

Dov joined the JWRP in August 2015 as the Men’s Program Relations Manager. Dov was born in the U.S and grew up in Israel after his family made Aliyah. Dov has a B.A. from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in Political Science and International Relations. Dov served in the IDF for almost 10 years, most recently as an officer in the Home Front Command, and was released at the rank of Major (Res.) During his service Dov was a combat soldier and officer in the Nahal Brigade and later in the Nahal Charedi unit. When he went back into the… >>

Ariella has been working with the JWRP since 2009.   Ariella works with participants and partners to build community and leadership before and after their trips.A native of Israel, Ariella spent most of her childhood in Maryland, and has a graduate degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She worked as a 7th grade math and science teacher, cross country, basketball, and badminton coach at the Bryn Mawr School for many years before moving with her family to Denver, Colorado.  For the first 8 years in Denver, Ariella was a stay-at-home mom, devoted to her family. As a stay-at-home mom in Denver,… >>

Dana joined the JWRP in January 2012, after deciding to leave corporate America for more meaningful work.  Her first role at JWRP was serving as Executive Assistant to the Founding Director, Lori Palatnik; and has helped grow the organization to what it is today by creating essential processes and procedures for the organization’s future growth. Today, she works in the organization's fundraising department as donor services manager.Dana grew up in Fairfax Station, VA; received a B.S. in Marketing from the Kelley School of Business, and a Minor in Psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington; and studied at She’arim College of Jewish Studies for… >>

Amy brings over 25 years of experience in accounting, financial management, business advising and business ownership. She was the Managing Partner of Cantor, Goldman & Company, P.C., CPA where she developed a client base across a wide range of industries including government contracting, business and nonprofits.  When the firm merged with Reitberger, Pollekoff & Cozak CPA's, Amy sold her shareholder interest to the other partners but continued to service clients for another seven years while she simultaneously co-founded and developed Hemingway Homes with her husband.  The company grew to fifteen employees and Amy managed all of the financial and operations aspects.… >>

Ronit joins the JWRP with 20 years of experience in education and leadership development. Previously, in her private consulting practice she combined her MIT training in management science with Judaic expertise to guide Jewish institutions navigate systemic changes and adapting new pedagogies to manifest their vision. Her clients included schools and other institutions across all denominations including the Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ initiative to reinvent supplementary education in the Boston area. She serves as designer and trainer for Hebrew College’s year-long professional development institute on project-based learning. Ronit has served as faculty member for Parenting Through a Jewish Lens, Me’ah,… >>

Erin joined the JWRP in July 2014. She grew up in Augusta, GA, and received Bachelors Degrees in both Social Studies Education and History from the University of Georgia.While she was a student, she conducted research on Southern Jewish Women and the Civil Rights Movement as a part of her senior thesis and was selected to attend the Jewish Women’s Archive Education Conference in 2012.After graduating, Erin taught middle school Social Studies and also served as an Education Fellow at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL), a non-profit organization based in Jackson, Mississippi. This gave her the opportunity… >>

Robyn Hartman joins our team as the Director of Development. Robyn is a development professional with over twenty years of experience creating and managing programs and development events, stewarding donors, and successfully building relationships among staff, boards and lay leadership. With a concentration of fundraising and donor relations, she has worked strategically on developing fundraising strategies and budgets. Most recently, Robyn was a Senior Director in Yeshiva University’s Institutional Advancement department, where she had a focus on donor relations, stewardship and events management. Her prior experience includes serving as the New York regional fundraiser and alumni relations… >>

Susan Kramer recently joined the JWRP as director of external relations after volunteering with the organization for more than seven years. As a volunteer, Susan offered strategic planning, organizational development and fundraising expertise. In her new role as director of external relations, Susan is creating an infrastructure that will enable the JWRP to expand with respect to participants, partner organizations and funders. As a member of the JWRP’s executive leadership team, Susan is building on the organization’s foundation to implement global strategies that will help move the JWRP into its next phase of growth.Prior to joining the JWRP team, Susan… >>

Connie joined JWRP in September 2016 as the Executive Assistant to Susan Kramer.  Connie began her “Jewish Journey” in 2007 as Susan’s Executive Assistant with JEWISHcolorado (formerly the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado) in the development department.  Subsequent promotions at Federation included serving as Executive Assistant to the CEO and Missions Manager. As Missions Manager, Connie worked with Federation’s travel partners and Israel community partners to plan both group missions as well as custom VIP experiences across the world for VIP’s from Denver’s community.  Most notable missions included the Colorado Governor’s Economic Mission to Israel, resulting in five MOU’s between Colorado… >>

We are thrilled to have someone of Hillel's caliber and experience join our team. Most recently, Hillel served as the Director of Marketing and communications for Nefesh B'Nefesh and prior to that had a similar role with ‘Israel Experience’ – Israel’s biggest and leading tour provider, bringing over 30,000 people to Israel a year.Hillel also brings great private sector experience, serving as the Marketing and Communications Manager for PrimeSense, an Israeli high-tech company (was bought by Apple for $350 million three years ago…)Before he and his wife made their Aliya to Israel, Hillel worked for HP South Africa as their… >>

Allison joined the JWRP in February 2018. Allison works on the marketing team where she oversees the video strategy to deliver engaging branded content for the organization.  Born and bred in South Florida, Allison is a proud alumnus of the Pennsylvania State University where she received her B.A. in Telecommunications with a concentration in video production. Before joining the JWRP, she worked as the Digital & Social Media Coordinator for Aish Global and the Assistant Sports Editor for The Jerusalem Post.  Allison lives in Jerusalem, Israel with her husband. >>

Before joining the JWRP, Ilene served as the Operations, Digital Leader with the GE Healthcare Communications team where she supported a portfolio of digital platforms for both internal and external communications. Ilene has also worked at Northwestern Mutual, Sears Holdings and NDS Technologies in Israel. Ilene has a B.A. in Marketing Communications from Columbia College in Chicago. Ilene currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and when not online, she is a busy mom of two teenagers and wife to a motorcycle loving Rabbi. >>

We are privileged to have someone of Judy’s caliber and background join our JWRP family. Most recently Judy has been the Director of Advancement and Donor Relations at the JCC in Minneapolis. Her prior roles include serving as the Program Director at Aish MN, and the Training & Event Manager at Charthouse Learning. >>

Sara joined JWRP in August 2015 as the administrative assistant. She graduated with honors from the University of Maryland with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. Sara previously was a first grade teacher at Fallsmead Elementary School in Rockville. She also started and owned The Yellow Balloon Children’s Hair Salon in Gaithersburg. Since selling her business in 2006 Sara has stayed home to raise her three children Kiran, Maya and Zain. During that time she spent many hours volunteering at her children’s schools. Whether it was running the parent committee, organizing school parties or heading a large school wide silent auction she stayed busy.… >>

Galia grew up in Santiago, Chile.  She received her M.A in Public Administration (with a specialization in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy) from New York University and a B.A. in Business Administration and Economics from Catholic University of Chile. She was also awarded a one-semester scholarship at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is fluent in English, Spanish and Hebrew.Before joining the JWRP, Galia was Executive Director at Aish Chile, where she worked closely with the Board of Directors, developed and sustained relationships with the community and with partner organizations, helped support the rapid growth of the organization and much… >>

Yaakov manages the database and provides database support to our Partners.  He also provides support to the leadership development, accounting, and recruitment teams.Yaakov received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Whitman College and his masters degree in operation research from Northwestern University.  He worked in product development and business consulting for Oracle Corporation. Yaakov received rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Aish HaTorah and directed the first branch of Aish on Campus at the University of Maryland, College Park.  Yaakov enjoys developing ways to help others learn and share eternal wisdom. >>

Mrs. Adrienne Gold Davis, an employee of JWRP Israel, was a fixture on Canadian television for almost two decades, both as host of her own daily fashion and beauty program, and as a regular contributor on scores of others.  After a visit to Israel, she was no longer interested in promoting issues of style, and turned her attention to matters of substance.   >>

Dana received her M.A. in Public and Political Leadership and her B.A. in Liberal Arts from Tel Aviv University. Later she was a Fellow at the Be'nei Moshe Program at the Shalem Center and also became certified in Jewish Peoplehood teaching for educators by the International School for Jewish Peoplehood Studies. Before joining JWRP, Dana was the Director of Garin Tzabar international for some years, the Director of the StandWithUs Fellowship and before that as the Youth Leadership Program Director for OneVoice Israel. In 2006, Dana founded an Israeli NGO called Tzemach -  a student led, grassroots organization with the goal of deepening Zionist values and awakening social responsibility… >>

For the last two years, Roni served as the Director of Public Relations, Marketing Manager and the Spokesperson for the Education Authority at the Jerusalem Municipality.  She managed media relations, marketing campaigns, collaborations with partners and was the Project Manager for the 2016 Jerusalem Education Festival. Previously, Roni was a Social Projects Manager at Hebrew University where she coached project leaders on social impact initiatives. Roni has nine years’ experience working with communities in the diaspora. Roni was a Logistics Coordinator and Tour Operator with the Israel Experience, and an Emissary for the Jewish community in Perth, Australia, and Istanbul Turkey. Roni… >>

Anna brings a wealth of experience to this new role. Most recently she spent the last three years as the Director of Hillel at Technion & Haifa University. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Anna has lived in Israel from the age of 11. Her experience on an Israel advocacy mission turned into a fifteen-year career in informal Jewish education, facilitating programs and training and learning youth leaders in Israel, the FSU and North America. Upon completing her army service as a lieutenant with honors, Anna held positions in Oranim College of Education and The Jewish Agency for IsraeI. She spent three years… >>