Experience

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  Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

  • United States
  • Civic and Social Organizations
  • 100 - 200 Employee

  • Director of Jewish Education and Arts

    • Jun 2021 - Present

    - Implemented and oversaw development of all J-Line (Jewish Text-based Educational programs for 6th-12th graders)- Hired and managed Jewish studies educators for teens- Oversaw the administration, development, and budget of the Middle School and High School Musical Programs - Developed, marketed, and taught the founding cohort of The She'elot (Questions) Fellowship for High Schoolers.

  • Director of Teen Leadership

    • Jun 2021 - Jun 2022

    - Served as Diller Teen Fellow Coordinator for Pittsburgh Cohort. - Lead local educator for Diller Teen Fellows Pittsburgh. - Lead local educator for Samuel M Goldston Teen Philanthropy Project. - Managed the Diller Teen Fellows annual program budget of over $50,000.- Revitalized and relaunched the Samuel M Goldston Teen Philanthropy Project, growing Project enrollment by 150%.

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  Syracuse University Department of Religion

  • Syracuse, New York Area

  • PhD Candidate / Researcher

    • Aug 2012 - Jun 2020
    • Syracuse, New York Area

    - Researched, organized, created, and presented 100+ page dissertation on the life and work of American rabbi and civil rights activist, Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972).- Successfully proposed dissertation topic to dissertation committee in 25 page research proposal.- Planned, implemented, and organized day-to-day operations of two academic conferences hosted by the Religion Graduate Organization. Oversaw yearly budget for the organization of over $10,000.- Planned, implemented, secured funding for and oversaw day-to-day operations first-ever Undergraduate Conference on Religion and Culture, which brought over 20 undergraduate students from all over the country to present papers and learn about the graduate programs at Syracuse University.- Successfully completed four comprehensive exams on: Cultural and Affect Theory, Reform Judaism in Europe, Islamic Mysticism, and the work of Abraham Joshua Heschel. Each closed-book exam required prior development of book lists of over 30 books each on each topic. Book lists were approved by the department with a proposal explaining the relevance of all books.- Participated in the Teaching Mentor program, which oriented incoming TAs to the graduate program at Syracuse University and taught basic pedagogical methods to incoming international TAs. Special attention was given to incoming international TAs, many of which were non-native English speakers.- Have been asked to present (and presented) work at over four separate conferences; was invited to present (and presented) research as part of an adult education series at local synagogue.

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  Susquehanna University

  • Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, United States

  • Director of Jewish Life

    • Aug 2019 - May 2020
    • Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, United States

    - Increased overall Jewish student involvement with Jewish Life and Hillel by 15% (50 to 58 students), and overall Jewish high-impact involvement with Jewish Life and Hillel by 18% (15 to 19 students) in one academic semester.- Increased overall usage of Hillel House by students by 55% after assessing student needs.- Spearheaded new fundraising initiatives by identifying potential new donors, updating the existing S.U. Hillel and Jewish Life website, and instituting a biannual newsletter to alumni and parents of current students. - Identified Muslim and Jewish students who were passionate about Muslim-Jewish interfaith relations and brought them to the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom Conference, making it the first time a contingent from S.U. had ever attended this cutting-edge and grassroots community conference.- Recruited for and led educational fellowships for Jewish students; approximately 14% of all Jewish students at S.U. have been engaged in a Fellowship with me in the past academic year. Fellowships include (1) the Hagshama Fellowship for Jewish Leaders wherein we discussed historical and contemporary anti-Semitism and how the continued presence of anti-Semitism affects Jewish leadership, (2) the Jewish Learning Fellowships, and (3) the Engagement Associate Fellowship wherein student Engagement Associates learn how to engage their peers at Hillel and Jewish Life events.Created a budget for an operating account of over $20,000 for the 2020-2021 academic year; remained firmly under budget for the 2019-2020 academic year. Researched best practices for saving money in my current position, determined that by leading High Holiday services I would save the account $3,000-5,000 while simultaneously increasing attendance at services.

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  CSIU / Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit / IU 16

  • Lewisburg, PA

  • Guest Teacher

    • Apr 2019 - Aug 2019
    • Lewisburg, PA

    - Taught at a variety of schools for special-needs and low-income students.- Taught classes at a therapeutic school and supervised group therapy sessions.- Completed behavior assessment worksheets for middle- and high- school students in a behavioral support school.- Taught and supervised HeadStart and CKCounts preschool classes.

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  Epstein High School of Jewish Studies

  • Syracuse, New York Area

  • Jewish Studies Teacher

    • Aug 2014 - May 2018
    • Syracuse, New York Area

    - Taught topics including Ethics, Hebrew Language, Jewish Classic Texts, and Yiddish Literature to middle- and high-school aged students.- Designed and implemented lesson plans, specializing on usage of multimedia and digital media.- Assessed pedagogical needs of classrooms of up to 25 students and customized lessons to meet those needs.

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  Temple Concord

  • Syracuse, New York Area

  • Jewish Studies Teacher

    • Aug 2012 - May 2017
    • Syracuse, New York Area

    - Taught topics including Hebrew Language, Bible, Holocaust, Israeli Culture, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and historical and contemporary anti-Semitism.- Designed and implemented lesson plans, specializing on usage of multimedia, digital media, and inclusive (universal) design.- Assessed pedagogical needs of classrooms of up to 15 students and customized lessons to meet those needs.

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  The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS)

  • Greater New York City Area

  • Summer Residential Hall Director

    • May 2011 - Aug 2011
    • Greater New York City Area

    - Facilitated move-in for summer visiting scholars and visiting faculty, ensured rooms were in good condition, coordinated the installation of window A/C units.- Planned, budgeted, and implemented social events for summer residents.Was “on-call” in case of resident emergency and/or facilities emergency