Dr. Buffie Longmire-Avital is a diversity, inclusion, and equity scholar-educator, and the first Black faculty member promoted to professor in the College of Arts & Sciences at Elon University. She is the founding director of the Black Lumen Project and a former Faculty Administrative Fellow for Mentoring in Meaningful Relationships.
Aharon Bekley is a Philosophy, Political Science and Economics (PPE) student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a strong background in research and military intelligence. With over four years of active and reserve service in the IDF, he developed expertise in analysis, leadership, and problem-solving.
Jenna Richman moved to Los Angeles for film school and never left. For the past decade, she has worked as a TV writer and producer, crafting stories across a range of genres from soapy dramas to political thrillers.
Shai Abend is an Israeli-Uruguayan community entrepreneur, educator, and heritage guide with extensive experience leading educational, social, and cultural initiatives in Uruguay and Israel. He is the founder and director of BERESHIT: The Jewish Experience and the Jewish Museum of Uruguay, an initiative dedicated to preserving Jewish memory.
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt is the founder and Chairman of the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition and the Founding Rabbi, now Rabbi Emeritus, of Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Potomac, Maryland. He previously served as Chair of the Rabbinic Cabinet of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), playing a key role in shaping national Jewish leadership and advocacy.
Martine Fleishman is a lay leader committed to Jewish education, Israel diaspora affairs and social justice. Past President of The Jewish Education Project, past Regional Chair of UJA Westchester and past President of UJA Federation of NY’s Women’s Philanthropy. Current Board member of The Jewish Agency, JAFINA, JFNA, OLAM, Repair the World, The Jewish Communal Fund.
Shuki Taylor is the founder and CEO of M². Previously, Shuki served as director of Service Learning and Experiential Education at Yeshiva University, where he founded the Certificate Program in Experiential Jewish Education and a range of programs mobilizing college students to serve underprivileged communities worldwide.
Dr. Daniel Balva is a Licensed Psychologist, Mental Health Counselor, Certified Counselor, and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. He is a Staff Psychologist at the Veterans Health Administration. He is deeply passionate about global mental health, capacity building, disability education and awareness, and combating antisemitism.
Ben Thwaites is the Director of the Forum for Jewish Leadership and previously worked at the global law firm Herbert Smith. He has been actively involved in Jewish community and leadership initiatives. In addition to continuing to practice law in his spare time, Ben serves as General Counsel for several Jewish charities and manages a family investment fund.
Dr. Alycia Fridkin is an equity and anti-racism consultant who supports individuals and organizations to address inequities in health care and other sections. Her training includes a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Masters in Health Science. She currently works for Provincial Health Services Authority in Indigenous Health as a Lead Facilitator.
