2025 Featured Presenters
THE BIBLE PLAYERS
The Bible Players are a comedy team dedicated to Improv-ing Jewish Lives. Since 2011, they have performed in 35 states, visiting hundreds of schools, synagogues, camps, and more, using improv and comedy to teach mitzvot and Jewish values. Co-founder Andrew Davies received the Young Pioneers Award from the Jewish Education Project. Co-founder Aaron Friedman earned a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from JTS and was named “The Funniest Jew in New York” by the Jewish Week. |
RABBI LEAH BERKOWITZ
Leah Rachel Berkowitz a rabbi, educator, and author based in Philadelphia, PA. Leah teaches for Hillel at Temple University, Gratz College, the Union for Reform Judaism, the Jewish Learning Collaborative, and Laasok.org. Each summer, she serves on the faculty at the URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy. She is a current Jewish Studio Project Fellow, a Rukin Rabbinic Fellow at 18 Doors (formerly Interfaith Family), and a Past President of the Women's Rabbinic Network. She contributed to The Sacred Calling: Four Decades of Women in the Rabbinate (Winner of the 2016 National Jewish Book Award) and several of the CCAR Press prayer books. Rabbi Berkowitz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Journalism from Brandeis University. She was ordained at HUC-JIR, where she also earned dual masters degrees in Hebrew Literature and Religious Education. Leah is the author of three children's books: The World Needs Beautiful Things, Queen Vashti's Comfy Pants, and The Moving Box Sukkah, as well as the middle-grade midrash collection Maybe It Happened This Way: Bible Stories Reimagined with co-author Erica Wovsaniker. |
Presenters
ANA BERMAN
Ana Berman is the ISJL’s Special Projects Coordinator. Originally from New York, she graduated from Macalester College with a degree in History and Religious Studies. Ana joined the ISJL in 2023 as a public history intern and then as the 2023-2024 Education and Culture Program Associate. In her current role as Special Projects Coordinator, Ana has served as the researcher and author of the ISJL’s new Southern & Jewish Tour Curriculum, consulted groups traveling to the Jewish South, and created meaningful southern Jewish history programming for religious school and secular classrooms alike. Ana lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota and enjoys cheering on the New York Rangers, learning new historical facts, and exploring the Twin Cities. |
ANA BONNHEIM
Rabbi Ana Bonnheim is the founding executive director of the Jewish Learning Collaborative. Previously, she was the director of the Open Dor Project, an accelerator for emerging clergy-led spiritual communities, was the director of the Founders’ Fellowship, an incubator for Jewish leadership on college campuses, and served as the associate director of URJ Greene Family Camp in Texas. Rabbi Bonnheim is the immediate past chair of the Central Conference of American Rabbis Ethics Committee and co-chaired the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’s allocations committee. She received rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College and a BA from Dartmouth College and is currently a Wexner Field Fellow. Ana lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and two children. |
CARLY CERA
Carly Cera (she/her) has served Congregation Beth Israel as the Director of Youth Education and Engagement since 2018. She grew up in Austin and holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in education and has taught school in both Israel and the U.S. Her goal for her school is to build a strong community of students, parents and teachers who understand and live our Jewish values. To help achieve this, the congregation has partnered with the ISJL since 2019. |
NICK CIRALDO
Nick Ciraldo is affiliated with Temple B’nai Israel in Hattiesburg, MS. He is originally from Coral Springs, FL, and went to school in Bloomington, Boston, and Austin. Nick became a member of Temple B’nai Israel in 2006, got involved in temple board activities in 2016, and is the current temple board president. He is Professor of Music at the University of Southern Mississippi. |
KELLY COHEN
Kelly Cohen is a seasoned Jewish educator with a rich background in camps, day schools, synagogues, Federations, and Israel travel. She currently serves as the Senior Program Director of the Center for Experiential Jewish Education at the Marcus JCC in Atlanta. Kelly is a graduate of the Pardes Educators Program and recently trained as a Pardes "Mahloket Matters" facilitator, employing classic Jewish texts, moral philosophy and practical tools to help others constructively navigate charged conversations. She holds a master’s in Jewish education from Hebrew College and a BA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University. Kelly previously served as the NA Director of Education for the Diller Teen Fellowship, and as the Director of JumpSpark, Atlanta’s Jewish Teen Initiative. With a passionate dedication to inspiring young learners, Kelly strives to propel the field of Jewish education forward and make a lasting impact on the communities she serves. |
RAE ESKIN
Rae Eskin has been with Behrman House, Inc. since 2016, providing customer support and curriculum consultations to educators. Originally from Boston, MA, Rae attended Boston Latin School and the Prozdor of Hebrew College. She received a BA in English from Barnard College in New York City. Rae has been involved in Jewish education since 2000, teaching in religious school programs in synagogues in New Jersey and Connecticut. In her spare time, Rae enjoys mah jongg, crossword puzzles, paddleboarding, and pickleball. Rae lives in northwest Connecticut with her husband, their cat, and their dog. They have two adult daughters who also live in New England. |
CARLA FRIEND
Carla Friend is the Founder & Executive Director of Tkiya, an organization with the mission of creating joyful Jewish connection through participatory music experiences. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Math from Ithaca College and a Masters Degree in Music Education from NYU. Carla is a 2018 recipient of the Young Pioneers Award from the Jewish Education Project, a 2019 recipient of 36 Under 36 from the Jewish Week, was in UpStart Venture Accelerator Cohort 11, the Institute of Jewish Executive Leadership, is on the board of JPro, and hosts a JKids Radio show called "Tkiya Town". Check out her album of family-friendly Jewish music called "Challalalah". |
RABBI ROBIN FOONBERG
Rabbi Robin Foonberg began her career in Jewish education in 1994. Since that time, she has accomplished a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago and was ordained from the Academy for Jewish Religion/CA. She has worked at two Reform synagogues as teacher, Assistant Director, and Family Educator and spent seven years as the Judaic Studies Director at Morasha Jewish Day School. Robin then became the Director of Education at Congregation B’nai Israel, a Conservative synagogue in Orange County, CA. During that time, she served as a board member of the Jewish Educators Assembly, including three years as president. Today, Robin is the Executive Director of JEA, and in that capacity, she serves as the Education Specialist for United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism. |
BETH R. GOLDSTEIN
Beth R. Goldstein, RJE is the Curriculum Manager for the ISJL. She has been a Jewish educator for 18 years working with students and families to support their Jewish growth and exploration. Beth has worked with learners of all ages, created several religious school curricula, developed and implemented family education programs, and been a song leader for many synagogue and camp communities. A graduate of Brandeis University, Beth also holds a Master of Arts in Jewish Education and a Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service, both from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Beth believes her role as a Jewish Educator is to help each person find their own Jewish path while connecting to others in the community. Having grown up in the South, Beth is excited to be back in the region living in Greensboro, NC. |
RABBI AMY HERTZ
Rabbi Amy Hertz serves the historic Jewish community in Greensboro, North Carolina, as a rabbi and educator at Temple Emanuel. Known for her creativity and joyful leadership, Rabbi Hertz has a passion for Jewish education, as well as supporting youth and adults on their unique and meaningful Jewish journeys. Rabbi Hertz received her B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic Ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Jerusalem and Cincinnati in 2008. She also received her Master's Degree in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR in 2020. Rabbi Hertz is married to Beth Goldstein, the curriculum manager at the ISJL. They love leading services together and are delighted to get to lead a workshop on youth worship together at this conference! |
NORMA JAMES
Norma James grew up at Temple Beth El in Knoxville, TN and has been the Religious School Director since 2002. She teaches Hebrew and B’nai Mitzvah prep. Norma has a BS in Special Education and an MS in Educational Administration from the University of Tennessee. She taught 40 years in public school. Norma is also co-chair of Ritual and Worship and a member of the choir. Temple Beth El has partnered with the ISJL since 2004. Her goal is to help students feel comfortable in their Southern Jewish skin by providing them with a strong Judaic education, a positive school atmosphere, and opportunities for social growth through service and friendships. |
ROSE KANTORCZYK
Rose Kantorczyk (they/them) is the Communications and Legislative Affairs Coordinator at SOJOURN: the Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender & Sexual Diversity. In this role, they spread the word about SOJOURN's programs, partnerships, and resources, mobilize Southern Jewish communities to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and write often about queer Judaism. Rose cut their teeth in Jewish advocacy and storytelling as a fellow at Rice University's Religion and Public Life Program, and landed at SOJOURN following a stint in digital fundraising for politics. They hold a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Policy Studies from Rice University, and completed the 2023-2024 HUC-JIR Jewish Ideas Fellowship. Rose lives in Houston with their roommate and two cats. |
ANDI KAUFMAN
Andi Kaufman is the Midwest and Canada Regional Director for Moving Traditions. Andi firmly believes in engaging local teens on a lifelong path of Jewish involvement. A native of Nebraska, she has spent the bulk of her professional career in the Jewish non-profit space. Andi has been heavily influenced by her experiences at overnight camp and in youth groups which she attributes to establishing her strong connection to Judaism. She holds a B.A. in Telecommunications and Jewish Studies from Indiana University and is an alumna of USY’s Nativ program. In her spare time, you can find Andi playing board games, crafting and listening to Broadway show tunes with her husband and twin boys in Buffalo Grove, IL. |
VALERIE KLEIN
As the Community Manager for the ISJL, Valerie is excited to share her 18 years of experience as the director of education in Plano, Texas and her years of experience at Greene Family Camp with the ISJL Community. Valerie has a bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in early childhood and earned a master’s in religious education (M.A.R.E) from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. Valerie’s additional experiences in Jewish education include teaching kindergarten at the Fort Worth Hebrew Day School, teaching religious school to all ages, being a BBYO advisor, leading the URJ Garin Greene Israel tour as well as living and working in Israel for 2 ½ years. Valerie lives in Frisco, Texas with her husband and is the proud mother of 3 phenomenal young women. |
MAX KLEINMAN
Max L Kleinman is the principal of Max L Kleinman Consulting, LLC, specializing in non-profit consulting and strategic planning. With nearly 20 years as CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest in New Jersey, he has extensive experience in Jewish communal leadership, having also led federations in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Atlanta. He was on the faculty at Rutgers University's Graduate School of Social Work and Yeshiva University. He served as president of the Jewish Communal Service Association (now JPro) and has authored over 20 publications in prominent non-profit journals, including his book "Maximum Potential." He holds degrees from City College of New York and Yeshiva University, and executive certificates from Case Western and Stanford Universities. He resides in Fairfield, New Jersey. |
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RABBI/CANTOR BRONWEN MULLIN
Rabbi/Cantor Bronwen Mullin (she/her) is a national faculty member of SVARA: a traditionally radical yeshiva. She is also the co-founder of The Rabbinic Arts Company with Rabbi Nicole Fix and serves as the cantor of Congregation Beth Shalom in Wilmington, Delaware. Rabbinic Ordination and MA in Midrash from JTS (2017), BA in Theater and Religious Studies from Sarah Lawrence College (2006). Selected works include: “Chalom: A Dream Opera” (Hebrew/Aramaic, International Fringe Festival/FringeNYC 2012); “Bat Yiftach: A Tragic Punk Opera” (English/Hebrew, The Kreischer Mansion 2016), “Make Me Out of Clay” (composer, Cannonball Festival Philadelphia, PA 2022, created and choreographed by Ella-Gabe Mason), and “The Oven of Aknai” (composer, The Rabbinic Arts Company at the Fallser Club Philadelphia, PA 2024). She is a Hadar Rising Song Fellow and a recipient of the JTS Innovation and Myers Family Grants. Judaism is Rabbi Bronwen’s favorite art form and she is honored to practice it. |
SHIRA MUROFF
Shira Muroff is the ISJL's Director of Programs. She is a California native and a graduate of the University of California, Davis, with a degree in Human Development. A Jacksonian since 2016, Shira first joined the ISJL as an Education Fellow from 2016-2018. After the fellowship, she created Mississippi history materials for students and teachers across the state with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Back at the ISJL since 2022, Shira has enjoyed connecting communities across the South to Jewish speakers, musicians, comedians, and more. |
RABBI SALEM PEARCE
Ordained in 2018 by Hebrew College, Rabbi Pearce’s career has exemplified values of justice, compassion, and service to all. Most recently serving as the Executive Director of Carolina Jews for Justice, Rabbi Pearce has also worked for T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, and several synagogues and community organizations. Her internships while a rabbinical student included working for the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts, and spending a summer as the ISJL’s Rabbinical Intern in 2017. Rabbi Pearce originally hails from Houston. Personally and professionally, she has strong ties to the southern region. |
ERIKA PURDY
Erika Purdy is the A. Mitchell and Morrise Meyer Bell Rabbinical Intern and will be with in Jackson this summer. A native of Dallas and currently based in Los Angeles, Erika is a rising fifth-year rabbinical student with a rich background in Jewish communal work. She has served in roles with the Jewish Emergent Network, IKAR, and Temple Emanu-El in Dallas. Erika holds degrees in Political Science and French, as well as a master’s in Human Rights with a focus on Genocide and Refugee Studies. Her rabbinic journey has taken her from Montana to California, and she currently serves as the Rabbinic Intern for the Sandra Caplan Community Bet Din. When she’s not studying or leading communities, Erika enjoys reading, gardening, and rescuing cats. She shares her home in L.A. with her husband, Mason, their dog, Quinn, and their cat, Pendleton. |
LAUREN RHOADES
Lauren Rhoades is a writer, editor, and grantmaker living in Jackson, Mississippi. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Lauren has served with AmeriCorps, started Mississippi's first fermentation company, and helmed the Eudora Welty House & Garden. She is now director of grants at the Mississippi Arts Commission and a host of MPB’s The Mississippi Arts Hour. In 2022, Lauren founded Rooted Magazine, an online publication dedicated to telling unfiltered stories about what it means to call Mississippi home. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the Mississippi University for Women. Her debut memoir Split the Baby was published in 2025. |
RABBI PJ SCHWARTZ
Rabbi PJ Schwartz became Temple B'nai Sholom's rabbi in 2023. He was Associate Rabbi Educator at Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos, CA (2017-2023) and Assistant Rabbi at Temple Israel in Westport, CT (2013-2017). Passionate about building relationships and community, he was ordained from HUC-JIR in Cincinnati in 2013, earning the Ferdinand M. Isserman Prize. He holds a Master's in Educational Administration from Xavier University (2011) and a Certificate in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR (2016). Originally from Greenville, SC, he lives with his wife, Michelle, and children, Jonah (3) and Ellie (8 months). |
MCKENZIE WREN
McKenzie Wren is a facilitator who works in multiple arenas to support connection and growth. She is Special Projects Manager with SOJOURN and also works under two of her own organizations: As Ma’ayan Spiritual Arts, she uses Earth-based, embodied Jewish art, ritual and spiritual practices to support deeper connection to the Divine Mystery. As Wren Consulting, she works with businesses and nonprofits to support inclusion and belonging. At the heart of everything she does is the belief in the power of relationship, community and connection to nature. McKenzie works with individuals and groups of all sizes to create spaces that are nurturing, creative and brave and support personal and communal transformation. |