Guest Speakers
Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. In 1998 he moved to Alpharetta, Georgia, to open a Chabad center serving the growing Jewish community in the area. The center has grown to become the premier hub for Jewish life in the North Fulton area.
Caryn is a proud mother of three wonderful children, a wife to Jonathan, a huge Israel advocate, and a proud Jew. She came to Atlanta from South Africa in 1991 and has been part of the community since. Over the past 30 years, she has been a human resources consultant specializing in recruitment. She has worked in agencies, corporate environments, and independently. Caryn has been a committed member of congregation Beth Tefillah for over 32 years. She has been involved in sisterhood, the board, Chaya Mushka, and Mishloach Manot. She is on the boards of JNF Atlanta, the Women For Israel Steering Committee, the Weber School, and Am Yisrael Chai, and is involved in women’s philanthropy at Jewish Federation, as well as on the Atlanta Jewish Federation Global Allocations committee. In her free time she loves exercising, cooking healthy and advocating for Israel.
Renée Kutner is the President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. A native Atlantan, she joined the Federation in 2015 as VP of Marketing, bringing nearly a decade of advertising experience to expand its reach. Promoted to COO in 2021, she shaped the Federation’s strategic direction and oversaw key operations, including finance and governance. Renée has been instrumental in establishing the Federation as a central hub for Atlanta’s Jewish community.
A mother of three, Renée is passionate about Jewish continuity, with two children at Atlanta Jewish Academy and her eldest serving in the IDF. She is also a graduate of the Mandel Executive Leadership Program and an active member of Congregation Or HaTorah. Renée holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan and an MBA from UCLA. Prior to joining the Federation, she founded Peace by Piece Organizing, helping clients achieve peace and clarity amongst the chaos of modern life.
Dr. I. Leslie Rubin is a Developmental Pediatrician originally from South Africa, where he completed his medical training. He later moved to the U.S., practicing in Cleveland, Boston, and now Atlanta, Georgia. As an Associate Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Emory University, he is dedicated to training future healthcare professionals.
Dr. Rubin is the Medical Director of The Rubin Center for Autism and Developmental Pediatrics and the founder of Break the Cycle of Health Disparities, Inc. This nonprofit raises awareness among university students about children’s environmental health disparities and cultivates future leaders to address these challenges.
His mission is to collaborate with others to reduce health disparities in children through environmental and social justice, especially in the face of climate change. He serves on various local, regional, national, and international committees focused on children with developmental disabilities and the socio-economic and political determinants of health.
Leslie Zinn has always been focused on blending wellness with family. Thanks to her mom, Arden, Leslie and her brother grew up drinking healthy “concoctions” every day.
With a BA in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech, Leslie co-founded Arden’s Garden in 1995 and took the CEO reins in 1999. Back then, it was hands-on juicer work. Today, she’s all about expanding Arden’s Garden and its impact on the community. The brand has seventeen retail stores, two squeezing facilities, a plant-based food line, and partnerships all over the Southeast.
From the breakfast table to her bustling family, Leslie’s mission is to make healthy options easy, delicious, and accessible for all.
The Marcus Foundation, founded by Bernie Marcus, co-founder and former CEO of The Home Depot, focuses on Jewish causes, medical research, youth development, free enterprise, veterans support, and community. Through targeted philanthropy, it has significantly impacted many lives.
Renay Blumenthal joined as vice president in October 2018, overseeing grant strategy, impact evaluation, compliance, and strategic planning. She brings over thirty years of experience, including her role as president of the Grady Health Foundation, advancing Grady Hospital as a major Marcus Foundation initiative. Renay also served as senior vice president of public policy at the Metro Atlanta Chamber and as an advisor to top Georgia officials.
A Georgia Tech and Georgia State University alumna, Renay has been honored as a Georgia Trend “40 under 40″ and by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and YWCA. She serves on several community boards and lives in Atlanta with her husband, Ned, and their children, Michael and Rachel.
Adon is a trusted family and business adviser, specializing in wealth and tax planning for individuals and businesses. His expertise spans corporate structure, succession planning, asset protection, tax planning, wills, trusts, estates, and gift planning. Known for closely partnering with clients to understand their unique needs, Adon offers corporate counsel to family-owned and closely held businesses and works extensively with high-net-worth individuals. He has experience providing complex legal counsel across diverse industries both nationally and internationally. Adon serves on the boards of the Atlanta Bar Association’s Estate Planning & Probate Section, The Epstein School, and the Jewish Educational Loan Fund, where he is also a Loan Committee member. A past president of Congregation Beth Tefillah, he is active in the Jewish community and volunteers with several educational and philanthropic organizations. Residing in Atlanta with his wife, Taryn, and their three daughters, Adon enjoys traveling, golf, and UGA football.
Nicki Salfer promotes a holistic approach to special education and recognizes the importance of effective communication in delivering services that produce good outcomes. At Learning Tree, Nicki is both a leader and a direct service provider. As CEO of Tree of Knowledge Learning Academy, Nicki has had a great deal of success in developing educational programs, implementing efficiencies in schools, crafting educational options and safe learning environments, assessing situational challenges, and strategizing and rendering action plans. She has extensive experience in teacher training and professional development. As a direct service provider, Nicki is an advocate and mediator for special needs students in their dealings with local school districts and private schools. She has provided educational case management services for hospitalized students and complex special education situations. She maintains a wealth of varied resources that she calls upon to service client needs.
Fanny Haim is the founder of her namesake Interior Design firm, a forty-year practice with award-winning projects all over the world. Applying her background in the Fine Arts, she has also created a product development enterprise designing furniture and textiles for the design industry. Haim completed the Owner President Management Program at Harvard Business School to expand her education and has been involved in community work in the areas of education and Jewish life. She is on the board of the Jewish Museum and has participated in the student awareness days as a facilitator.
Rabbi Aaron Lipskar serves as Aleph’s Chief Executive Officer, operating out of our headquarters in South Florida. He oversees key aspects of the organization including board and program development, finance and administration, fundraising, communications, and government relations with the Pentagon, the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Prisons, and the Department of Corrections nationwide.
In 1995, Rabbi Lipskar began serving as an Aleph volunteer, conducting national prison visits, and in 2000, he joined the organization as a full-time employee. A highlight of his Aleph experience was leading High Holiday services at GITMO for Jewish military personnel.
After concluding formal Talmudic and rabbinic studies in the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva, Rabbi Lipskar studied in Israel and received rabbinical ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He has taught in the United States, Israel, Canada, and South Africa.
Paul Frishman has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Galbut Family Miami Beach JCC on the Simkins Family Campus since 2016. Paul has 38 years of experience working with JCCs across the country, including the Michael-Ann Russell JCC in North Miami Beach, the JCC at Milken in Los Angeles, the Valley of the Sun JCC in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the Dave and Mary Alper JCC in Kendall.
Paul holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration and a Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of Miami. He is also a recipient of the JCC Association Graduate Scholarship. Paul was recently honored by J-Pro Miami as their “Professional of the Year,” where he is also currently the Chairman. Paul participated in the JCCA’s prestigious Executive Development Training Program and serves as the Co-Chair of the Continental Leadership Team of the JCC Maccabi Games, where he previously served on the Continental Governing Body of the Games. He has hosted the JCC Maccabi Games twice, in Miami and Greater Phoenix.
Michael J. Leffell is the founder of Portage Partners, focusing on alternative asset investments. He serves as Chairman of Canoe Software, a FinTech company revolutionizing alternative investment data entry. Previously, he was a Director at PGE Corporation until June 2020. Until his 2010 retirement, Leffell served as Deputy Executive Managing Member at Davidson Kempner Capital Management, overseeing event-driven strategies and co-managing Distressed Securities for two decades. Under his leadership, the firm grew from $20 million to $12 billion in assets with over 150 employees across New York and London. Before joining Davidson Kempner, Leffell was a Litigation Associate at the New York law firm Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler. In 1999, Mr. and Mrs. Leffell founded The Lisa and Michael Leffell Foundation, dedicated to Jewish education and strengthening and securing Israel.
Bonnie Schwartzbaum serves as the Food Bank director at Jewish Community Services, overseeing a facility serving more than 400 Jewish families in Miami-Dade. During Covid, Bonnie started a program to distribute excess Florida produce to over 1000 families weekly. She partners with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation to do several public food distributions monthly. Bonnie’s most beloved program is the Kids For Kosher Food Bank, visiting schools weekly to talk to kids about making a difference in their communities, followed by a food drive. Prior to JCS, Bonnie served as chair on several Boards. She has been honored by the City of North Miami. Bonnie is mom to Adam, Alison, and David and has been married to her husband, Steven, for more than 40 years. She is most proud of her ability to help people every day, advocating on behalf of families in need. As Bonnie often shares, “I am so lucky to have the best job in the world.”
Alan T. Brown serves as Director of New Partnership Engagement at the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. At age twenty, Alan sustained a life-altering C5-6 spinal cord injury when his neck was crushed by an ocean wave in Martinique, leaving him a quadriplegic. On his twenty-first birthday, he underwent spinal surgery involving two metal plates and eleven screws.
Following his injury, Alan and his family founded the Alan T. Brown Foundation to Cure Paralysis, initially focusing on finding a cure. However, years in a wheelchair and the challenges of Alan’s paralysis led to the foundation changing it’s mission to improving the quality of life for those living with paralysis. The foundation now emphasizes support, education, and advocacy for the paralysis community.
David I. Portnoy is Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Cryo-Cell International, a publicly traded company that is the world’s first cord blood bank. Mr. Portnoy has served in these positions since August 2011, when he took over in a hostile proxy fight. Mr. Portnoy was honored with ringing the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange in August 2023.
Since 2002, Mr. Portnoy has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Partner-Community, Inc., which provides software and hardware integration solutions to telecommunication companies. The company was awarded the Verizon 2010 Supplier Recognition Award for Outstanding Performance. Mr. Portnoy also provided the initial venture capital to Waves Audio Ltd, a leading audio technology company based in Israel that has won a Grammy Award for its technical innovation.
Mr. Portnoy graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1984 from The Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics with a joint major in finance.
Raleigh Flowers has dedicated over twenty years to the law enforcement profession, specializing in executive-level policing. Beginning his career with the Hialeah Police Department, he rose to Police Major, overseeing the department’s largest bureau. Throughout his tenure, he served in various roles, including patrol, criminal investigations, vice, administration, internal affairs, personnel, and executive management.
In 2015, Chief Flowers joined the Bal Harbour Police Department’s command staff, managing daily patrol operations and administration within the Uniform Patrol Division. A Miami native and Miami Northwestern Senior High graduate, he holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. Thomas University (Cum Laude) and a Master’s in Human Resource Management from Florida International University. He’s also a Police Academy Instructor and Advisor at Miami-Dade College.
A graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Southern Police Institute, Chief Flowers is President of the Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police and an active member of several law enforcement organizations.
Devin Schain’s experience and passion represent over three decades of entrepreneurial excellence, having founded multiple successful businesses, sold four, and invested in over forty start-ups and early-stage ventures. Most recently, as the founder and CEO of Student Playbook, Devin spearheads an innovative model providing lifelong career support to students and alumni. This model uniquely leverages the endorsements of schools and alumni associations to increase engagement and success.
Devin’s entrepreneurial journey began as a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, where he launched On Campus Marketing (OCM). Under his leadership, OCM forged endorsement relationships with 1,100 colleges, revolutionizing the sale of college supplies and care packages. Following OCM’s success, Devin founded Educational Direct, which became a leading consolidator of online student loans. The company’s remarkable growth culminated in its acquisition by Providence Equity Partners for $375 million in 2006.
Eli M. Rosenbaum is the longest-serving prosecutor and investigator of Nazi criminals and other human rights violators in history, with nearly 40 years of service at the U.S. Department of Justice. A graduate of the Wharton School and Harvard Law School, Rosenbaum directed the Justice Department’s Office of Special Investigations (OSI) from 1994 to 2010, overseeing a program that has successfully prosecuted more WWII Nazi criminals than any other country. Since 2010, he has led the Department’s Human Rights Enforcement Strategy and Policy section. In 2022, Rosenbaum was appointed Counselor for War Crimes Accountability, coordinating U.S. efforts to hold war criminals accountable for atrocities in Ukraine. Widely recognized for his work, Rosenbaum has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service and the Elie Wiesel Award from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Mendi Baron is a passionate advocate for teens and young adults in the fields of mental health and addiction. He creates programs to bring a unique approach to the treatment of adolescents and young adults who are struggling with a variety of emotional and behavioral disorders and substance abuse issues. Clinically trained, Baron earned a BA with honors in psychology and social work at the University of Maryland and an MSW at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. His extensive experience as a therapist includes individual and group counseling for children, adolescents, and families in various settings. Mendi has worked at several treatment centers including the Chesapeake Center for Youth Development, the Carroll County Youth Services Bureau, Chabad Crisis Centers, and the Center for Discovery and Adolescent Change.
Before launching Moriah Behavioral Health, Mendi conceived and built, from the ground up, multiple successful, high-end adolescent residential and outpatient programs in Los Angeles.
Bob Lucido is passionate about helping people maximize their investments in real estate, whether selling a primary residence or purchasing an investment property. He loves coaching others to generate wealth through real estate, specializing in residential and luxury properties, and new home communities. As a skilled negotiator, Bob takes pride in representing his clients at the highest level.
Bob began his real estate career at eighteen, becoming one of the youngest to obtain a Maryland license. In 1991, he founded Builders 1st Choice, growing it to a $1 billion company with offices in five states. In 2008, he started Bob Lucido Team with his wife Tracy, expanding it to become one of the top real estate teams. They have their own brokerage, Keller Williams Lucido Agency, serving Maryland and beyond with over 18 Lucido Global locations in the U.S. and Canada.
At the age of 26, Bruce Plaxen opened a law firm that has become nationally recognized for excellence.
Bruce has been on the Board of Governors for the Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ, formerly the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association) since 1993. He has chaired almost every committee and held every office, including President from 2001 to 2002. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer for the MAJ and legal groups throughout the country.
Bruce is the only three-time winner of the President’s Award, presented by the Maryland Association for Justice, for exemplary leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment. The MAJ honored him as the 2009 Maryland Trial Lawyer of the Year.
Bruce also received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the State University of New York at Albany, recognizing his pro bono efforts in assisting the families of victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Daniel Heck is a Growth Consultant at Crews & co. Through 15+ years of experience as a co-founder, COO, and CFO of multiple successful businesses, Dan has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that small businesses face. He employs his expertise in process documentation, business management, and people development so that business owners can scale their operations, unite their teams, and achieve their goals.
Dan loves solving complex problems and thrives on helping entrepreneurs accomplish the impossible. He is execution-focused and a stickler for process as a way to drive accountability and obtain real results. A lifelong learner, Dan is an active member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and has completed the Entrepreneurial Masters Program (EMP). He loves mountain climbing and is ranked in the top one percent of players on Chess.com.
Following a forty-year career as a teacher, professor, computer scientist and reporter, Tovah
Yavin decided to turn serious attention to the one endeavor that she had always wanted to pursue
– writing. Since retiring from her various day jobs, Yavin has published three novels for middle-
grade readers, articles for both children and adults in nationally distributed magazines and web-
sites, poetry, and short fiction. Every writer believes talent is an important requirement for a
successful publishing career. Good ideas and some luck also help. But the one ingredient that is
absolutely essential to the recipe for a professional writer is persistence! Ms. Yavin’s
persistence has led to not only publications, but a Sydney Taylor book award and selection of her
work for the PJ Our Way Book Club.
Kevin is a 1987 cum laude graduate from the Nova University Law School and received his B.A. from Barry University in Miami Shores in 1981, where he majored in History and Political Science.
Kevin was appointed to serve as a Circuit Court Judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit (Broward County), and since January 2024, he has been assigned to the domestic violence court. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Kevin was a partner at Richardson & Tynan, P.L.C., for twenty-two years. Prior to that, he worked for thirteen years for The Florida Bar, culminating in his position as Branch Staff Counsel in the Bar’s Fort Lauderdale office. Kevin’s primary practice area was representing other attorneys with disciplinary problems, with over 800 cases resolved at the Florida Supreme Court. His practice included the representation of applicants seeking admission to the Bar and he also served as an expert witness regarding legal ethics and professional responsibility. He was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1987 and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Nathaly Haratz Kaswan was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1977. Her journey is marked by resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to purposeful contributions. Inspired by her family’s community leadership, she served in student councils throughout her education career. After earning a master’s in Urban Design, she seized opportunities in the USA amid Venezuela’s crisis, quickly advancing in her career through hard work and dedication. She thrived in New York City’s architectural scene before founding her own firm in Miami. Nathaly teaches at FIU, nurturing future architects. Married with three children, she champions determination and perseverance. A marathoner, she believes in the power of a positive mindset. Post-October 7th, she founded a group of resilient mothers for positive change, showcasing her leadership and commitment to collaboration.
Lynette Falzone has been with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department since 2000, serving in roles of increasing responsibility which culminated in her position today as Major in the Investigations Bureau. Lynette teaches various mental health and leadership topics and coordinates the department’s Peer Support Team. Prior to her promotion, Lynette served on the Support Services Bureau, where she assisted in building the Psychological Services Program, among other accomplishments. Lynette obtained her Master’s degree from Lynn University, graduating magna cum laude with honors. She has completed many certification courses in her field and is an active member of several police associations.. In 2017, Lynette was awarded the International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 under 40 Award, as well as a Past Presidents’ Scholarship Award from the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, where she also served on the executive board. Lynette is a single mother to 8-year-old twins and enjoys time with her family, as well as traveling and outdoor activities.
Michael J. Higer is a partner with the law firm of Berger Singerman. He is a past president of The Florida Bar, where he is most proud of establishing a wellness program focusing on the mental health of lawyers. He also served as a past chair of the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar, which named him its outstanding member. He is one of the architects of the business courts that have been established throughout Florida. His representative clients have ranged from The Beatles and the largest financial institutions in the world to local community members.
Michael currently serves on Florida’s Judicial Qualifications Commission and is an arbitrator on the American Arbitration Association’s National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators. Michael has served as a legal advisor to several synagogues. He has been a champion of providing free legal services to the needy. Most important to Michael is his family. He has been married to his wife, Bobbie, for forty years and is the proud father of Samantha and Adam, and grandfather of Jaxson, Noah, and Madison.
Ilan Sinelnikov is the Founder and President of the International Students Supporting Israel movement, and a speaker, blogger, and coach on the topics of Israel, campus advocacy, and grassroots activism. A first-generation Israeli whose family immigrated from Ukraine, Ilan moved with his family to the US when he was in high school. While in college, Ilan founded Students Supporting Israel, a pro-Israel grassroots movement whose mission is to be a clear and confident pro-Israel voice on college campuses, and to support students in grassroots pro-Israel advocacy.
Under Ilan’s leadership, SSI has grown to nearly 200 college campuses and universities in the United States, Canada, and Argentina. Ilan serves on the Executive Board of the National Coalition for Eurasian Jewry, which supports Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union Republics, and is a nationally licensed soccer coach from the United States Soccer Federation.
Ilan graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2015 with a B.S. in Business and Marketing, and from Ohio University in 2020 with an M.S. in Coaching Education. Ilan is fluent in Hebrew, Russian, and English.
Mr. Doug Berman is the Head of H.I.G. Capital’s U.S. Private Equity business. He joined the firm in 1996, and has served as an Executive Managing Director since 2007. Before that, Mr. Berman led the acquisition of more than forty businesses for H.I.G. Capital. Prior to joining H.I.G., Mr. Berman was a Consultant at Bain & Company, one of the world’s most successful management consulting firms. While at Bain, he managed a variety of projects for Fortune 1000 clients, developing expertise in manufacturing, telecommunications, and financial services. Mr. Berman holds a BA degree with Honors in Economics from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Harold F. Pryor was elected Broward State Attorney to Florida’s 17th Judicial Circuit in November 2020. He leads a staff whose mission is to make our community safer while working to ensure justice, equity, and fairness for everyone affected by our criminal justice system. He is the first Black state attorney in Broward and the first Black man to be elected state attorney in Florida. A fifth-generation Floridian, Pryor graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and then attended Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law, where he graduated with honors and was selected to give the commencement address. Pryor was inducted into Florida Blue Key, the state’s oldest and most prestigious leadership honor society. Pryor strongly believes that securing a guilty verdict should never be a prosecutor’s primary goal but that the pursuit of truth, fairness, and justice should be paramount. Pryor’s passions include mentoring young people and attorneys, and he is very active in community affairs. A fifth-generation Floridian, Pryor is married to an attorney and they have two young children.
Art Greenfeder is a native Floridian who resides in Weston, Florida. After graduating with a degree in Finance from the University of Miami, he joined Merrill Lynch’s Private Client group, where he held several key positions and proudly continues his career as a Senior Vice President of Investments. He has been acknowledged by various organizations for his outstanding achievement in the financial service industry, most notably BARRON’S, as one of America’s top advisors. Art has served on various charitable boards and fundraisers, including the Florida Grand Opera, the Board Partnership for the Homeless, and The National Jewish Fund, among others. He is a recipient of the prestigious Merrill Lynch Lifetime Community Achievement Award.
As a “Double Gator“ dad, he is especially proud of his two children. He has been married to Lori for 31 years and enjoys golf, fishing, and outdoor activities, and especially traveling the world with Lori.
Danielle Tomassetti, Esq., is a devoted wife, mother, and founder of Buddha Barn Animal Sanctuary, located on her family’s farm, Quasar Farms. She has transformed the farm into a safe haven for over a dozen rescues, including twelve equines. In addition, Danielle manages rental properties and supports philanthropic efforts. Danielle’s leadership began in high school, where her “Lock-In Night” initiative earned her the Rotary Club’s “Service Above Self” award. An entrepreneur, she created her own clothing line and launched a yoga business, completing 1,000+ hours of training.
Danielle graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Arts & Science in 2006 and earned her Juris Doctorate in 2009. She has volunteered as a Court Appointed Supervising Advocate, supporting foster children. In 2023, she started “Danielle’s Veggies,” an organic stand teaching her children generosity and hard work. Known as “The Unicorn” for her positivity, Danielle inspires others to lead with love and kindness.
Agnes Shemia is Co-President, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of HCS-Girling. As a licensed speech
language pathologist who began her career in hospital and outpatient rehabilitation, Mrs. Shemia draws
on her vast clinical experience and knowledge in leading the organization. Under her leadership, the
business was built one patient at a time to a large-scale home health and home care provider in one of
the most challenging operating environments in the country. As a seasoned executive with over twenty years
of hands-on operational experience, coupled with strong management skills, Agnes has overseen
numerous bolt-on acquisitions, including the entry into new business lines and large-scale year-over-year
organic growth. A firm and steady voice within the organization, Mrs. Shemia prides herself on her ability
to build strong teams of professionals who share in her vision and goals, consistently driving operational
improvements and efficiencies and providing the highest quality care to those that need it most.
Maurice Zekaria, a seasoned and visionary leader, serves as the President of Paramount Realty and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the helm. With an impressive career spanning several decades, Maurice has established himself as a respected figure within the real estate industry.
Under his leadership, the company has flourished into a commercial real estate powerhouse, managing an extensive portfolio of over 150 properties across 10 states within the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Maurice’s keen strategic vision and unwavering dedication to personal relationships have solidified the company’s reputation as a trusted preferred developer and partner for leading national and regional enterprises.
Maurice is a major philanthropist, sitting on the board of numerous influential organizations and acting as a dedicated pillar and leader of the Syrian Jewish Community. His involvement in these organizations underscores his commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Dan Reich is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and writer. He has founded several successful companies, including TULA Skincare, acquired by Proctor & Gamble, Troops.ai, acquired by Salesforce, Spinback, acquired by Buddy Media, later acquired by Salesforce, and DIBS Beauty, backed by LCatterton. He is also an active angel investor and has invested in over 100 startups. He graduated from UW-Madison with a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2008, and has written for publications like Forbes, Techcrunch, and Harvard Business Review.
Dan grew up in Manalapan, NJ, and now lives in Rumson with his wife and two children. He recently rededicated his childhood school, formerly known as The Hebrew Academy, now The Reich Hebrew Academy.
Sheriff Shaun Golden is the 76th elected Sheriff of Monmouth County and is the Chief Executive of the agency. Under Sheriff Golden’s leadership, the Office offers over 30 community safety programs including volunteer programs, programs for children and veterans, and rehab programs.
Prior to being elected sheriff in 2010, Mr. Golden served as undersheriff and was responsible for the Monmouth County 9-1-1 Communications Center and the communications and computer networking equipment for both county and municipal agencies. A lifelong resident of Monmouth County, Sheriff Golden was a career law enforcement officer for 25 years and has also worked as a certified paramedic, volunteer firefighter, and EMT.
Sheriff Golden is an adjunct professor at Monmouth University and has completed the prestigious Mid-Atlantic Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (MA-LEEDS). He serves on several community-oriented boards. He has been the recipient of multiple awards, including the Good Scout Award from the Western Monmouth Council of Boy Scouts.
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy became Monmouth University’s 10th president in 2019. Under his leadership, Monmouth has served an increasing percentage of Pell Grant-eligible and first-generation students. At the graduate level, Dr. Leahy has championed two new doctoral programs. He has also greatly expanded the athletics program.
Dr. Leahy holds a two-year term on the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and is a member of the Governor’s Higher Education Restart Advisory Group. Prior to Monmouth, Dr. Leahy served as president of Wilkes University, where he supported tremendous growth in both academics and athletics.
A native of Towson, Maryland, Dr. Leahy holds a bachelor’s in English literature from Georgetown, and two master’s degrees from Cornell in business administration and labor relations, where he was a Fried Fellow and a CEED Fellow. In 2009, he earned a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Leahy and his wife, Amy, have four children.
Russell showed an early interest in the public markets when his grandfather taught him how to read the stock tables as a child. After losing both his parents at a young age, Russell learned the value of self-sufficiency and perseverance as he invested and paid his way through college. Russell’s career began at Dawson-Samberg Capital Management. At the age of 26, Russell started his own long/short equity hedge fund within the firm. With $10m of initial backing, Russell successfully grew the Southport Millennium family of funds to a total AUM of $3b (2000-2009). During this time, Russell ultimately became Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dawson-Herman Capital Management. The fund’s areas of focus were the technology, consumer, media, healthcare, industrial, and commodity sectors.
Russell then founded Herman Capital Management, the predecessor to White Pine Capital Management. After analyzing the changing dynamics in the public equity markets, Russell started early-stage private market investing in 2012. While maintaining a multi-asset class portfolio, Russell has become an active investor in the startup community. Through fund investments and direct equity participation, Russell enjoys working with and advising his network of fund managers and founders.
Other than spending time with his beloved family and various charitable organizations, you can usually find Russell in the surf, rolling on two wheels, or somewhere in the mountains.
Mr. Carey Lathrop is a Partner and the Chief Operating Officer of Credit at Apollo Global Management. Carey joined Apollo in October 2022, after more than 30 years at Citigroup, having last served as the Global Co-Head of Markets. Carey held multiple leadership positions during his tenure at Citi, including COO of Citibank N.A. and Chair of the Citigroup Business Practices Committee, among others.
Carey is a former member of the US Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, a position he held from December 2012 through April 2018. His responsibilities included providing market feedback on a regular basis to the Treasury Department on a variety of fundamental and technical debt-related topics.
Carey earned an M.B.A. degree from Harvard Business School and a B.S. degree from Stony Brook University.
Mr. Eric Carney is the President & CEO at Monmouth Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus. Prior to Monmouth, he served at Barnabas, where he led efforts to develop an ambulatory network and an outpatient laboratory network. He also served as project lead for the Cyberknife vault project and was service line leader for Oncology and Neurosciences.
Carney began his career at RWJBarnabas Health more than 20 years ago as a respiratory therapist. He served in numerous positions of increasing responsibility across the health system, leading to his position today. He earned a bachelor’s degree in management science from Kean University and a master’s in Healthcare Administration from Johns Hopkins University. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Eric is a resident of Howell.
Gary Polachek is President of Magil Laurentian Realty Investments, a family-owned real estate investment company with commercial and residential holdings in Quebec and Ontario. Gary has over thirty years of leadership experience in all facets of real estate, including acquisitions, financings, leasing, and operations. In the process, he has developed an extensive network and long-term relationships with partners and customers. Gary has a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance as well as Civil and Common Law degrees. He has held a variety of philanthropic and community positions and is currently part of the leadership team for the Camp Massad capital campaign and project. Gary has been to Israel fifteen times, most recently in March 2024 with Rabbi Krasnanski on a special solidarity mission. Gary and his wife Claudia are alumni of the Wexner Heritage Learning and Leadership Program. Gary and Claudia are the proud parents of three children.
For thirty years, Dean Mendel has passionately served Montreal’s Jewish community. His journey began with leadership roles at Federation CJA’s ProMontreal, Young Adult Division, and Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Dean’s communal passions are focused on housing development for vulnerable Jews, grassroots innovation in the Jewish community with a specific focus on diversity and inclusiveness, and connecting Jewish youth with their Jewish identity through experiential education.
Julie Gniwisch is the founder and CEO of Delmar International, a leading international diamond and jewelry business. Born in the Carpathian Alps, as a baby she was hidden from the turmoil of the Holocaust sweeping Europe and eventually fled to Canada, where she grew to raise a family of her own. Julie’s heart was set on the jewelry business, and her passion for pearls led to her founding Delmar in Montreal, QC, in the basement of the Gniwisch family home. Delmar continued to grow, amassing over fifty retail partners and delivering innovative designs that gained international renown. Together with her husband, Julie raised six children and today she is an active philanthropist and proud grandmother of over 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
As a third-generation Canadian, Stephen Bronfman is driven by a deep sense of duty and commitment to community. He is the Executive Chairman of Claridge Inc., which manages a diversified global portfolio of investments in the form of private placements, third party-managed funds, and real estate. Stephen sits on the boards of several non-profit organizations, chairs major fundraising campaigns, and regularly initiates community projects, which have so far distributed more than $100 million to Quebec and Canadian charities in both the Jewish communities and beyond. He is married to Claudine Blondin and they have four children.
Dax Dasilva is the creative mind behind Lightspeed Commerce and Age of Union. Founded in 2005, Lightspeed is a one-stop commerce platform for merchants worldwide to simplify, scale, and provide exceptional customer experiences. The platform unifies operations by enabling multichannel sales, expansion, global payments, financial solutions, and connection to supplier networks. Dasilva was appointed Executive Chair of Lightspeed’s Board of Directors in 2022. Prior to that, he led the company’s operations as CEO.
Age of Union is a non-profit environmental alliance supporting a global community working to protect the planet’s threatened species and ecosystems. Launched in October 2021, the non-profit was formed following Dasilva’s 2019 release of his book Age of Union, a compelling guide for igniting today’s changemaker. This mission comes to life in debut projects spanning five countries.
Sally Ann Nisberg is an author, counselor, and advocate. She is the founder and president of LiveLikeCrazy, Inc., a non-profit breast cancer charity. Sally serves on the Department of Defense, the Breast Cancer Research Board, and is a Child and Family Advocate serving several Palm Beach County agencies.
Bruce Gendelman is the Chairman of Bruce Gendelman Insurance Services, a firm he founded in 1982 to provide quality risk assessment and insurance services. He holds both undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin. Beyond his professional endeavors, Gendelman is an accomplished writer and oil painter. He co-authored “The Fishbowl Principle: Building the Ark for the 21st Century” with Robert Miller and David Taus, a book that explores societal challenges and advocates for collective action toward a better future.
Mr. Leone is CEO of Breakers Palm Beach, Inc. and its parent company, Flagler System, Inc., overseeing the 128-year-old, privately held resort, the only large historic luxury resort in the U.S. still owned by its original family and among Florida’s longest-operating businesses. Leone began in hospitality working in his family’s motels and restaurants. He earned a BS in accounting from the University of Kentucky, became a CPA, and worked with Coopers & Lybrand. Joining The Breakers in 1985 as hotel controller, he rose to president by 1994 at age thirty-six and CEO in 2016, becoming the first non-family member in the role. He transformed The Breakers by fostering a unique culture that delivers top-tier employee satisfaction, guest experience, community service, and financial success. Recognized for civic and professional contributions, he is involved with many organizations. Leone and his wife, Kathy, are parents to four sons.
Rosh Lowe has been covering news for nearly two decades in South Florida.
He is known for breaking exclusive stories and has covered nearly every major news story in the market. He was the recipient of the 2013 Miami New Times Best TV News Reporter of the Year.
He started his career at WFTX in Fort Myers and spent seventeen years at WSVN in Miami. He was thrilled to join the One and Only Local 10 News in 2021.
Rosh is an avid runner and grew up as a child actor, performing in three Broadway shows. He is a proud father of four.
John Sculley is an American entrepreneur and former CEO of Apple Inc. Born on April 6, 1939, in New York City, he graduated from Brown University before earning an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Sculley began his career at PepsiCo, where he rose to become the youngest-ever president of the company’s Pepsi-Cola division. In 1983, he famously joined Apple Inc. after being recruited by Steve Jobs. As CEO of Apple from 1983 to 1993, Sculley led the company through a period of significant growth, overseeing the launch of iconic products like the Macintosh and the PowerBook. He later co-founded and served as chairman of Live Picture Inc. and became a prominent investor and advisor in various technology startups. With his wealth of experience in both consumer goods and technology sectors, Sculley continues to be recognized as a visionary leader in the business world.
Alan Masarek has over thirty years of experience leading communications, information technology, and business services companies. He was CEO of Vonage Holdings Corp. and a member of its Board of Directors from November 2014 to June 2020. As CEO, Mr. Masarek led the transformation of Vonage from a VoIP-based residential phone provider into a global enterprise cloud communications company. During his tenure, Vonage completed eight acquisitions and market capitalization increased severalfold. Mr. Masarek also revitalized Vonage’s culture, creating a talent-driven organization with a culture of agility, technology innovation, and customer-centricity.
Prior to Vonage. Mr. Masarek served as Director of Chrome & Apps Google, Inc. from June 2012 until October 2014. Prior to Google, Mr. Masarek was the co-founder and CEO of QuickOffice, Inc. which grew to over 26 million users before its acquisition by Google. He holds an M.B.A. with Distinction from Harvard Business School.
Getzy is the co-founder of AB Asset Management, where he leads and oversees acquisitions and investments. He has two decades of real estate experience. Before AB, Getzy was the CEO of LROI Properties. He played a direct role in transacting, developing, and managing over 2,000,000 square feet of residential and commercial real estate in New York, Florida, and Georgia. Before LROI Properties, Getzy served as the vice president of the Benjamin Group, overseeing ground-up development and condo conversions in Tampa, Miami, and Washington State.
Dr. Joshua Gindea, a graduate of NYU’s combined BA-DDS program, owned and operated four dental practices in New York City for over thirty-five years. He co-founded several dental-related ventures, including Westchester Dental Products and DoctorsInternet.com, a leader in website design and marketing for health professionals.
On the communal front, Dr. Gindea served as Chairman of the Youth Department at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst for nearly a decade. He also held leadership roles at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns & Rockaway (HAFTR), including Chairman of the Board of Education and Board of Directors. Additionally, he founded and served as President of Yeshivat Shvilei Hatorah, a post-high school yeshiva in Jerusalem.
Josh and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married for over 40 years and take pride in their children, Andrew, Alissa, Daniel, Mindy, Michael, Tamar, and four grandchildren, Max, Molly, Lily, and Archie.
An innovative, widely respected leader with a collaborative style, Audra P. Berg has led a life of service to the Jewish community for over twenty-five years. She came to the Jewish Federation of Broward County in 2022 with a wealth of experience and success in building and sustaining a vibrant, caring, and enriching Jewish community for all.
Before joining the Jewish Federation of Broward County, she served as the Vice President of Leadership Engagement and Board Relations at the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, where she oversaw all aspects of governance and volunteer leadership development. She managed operations for Jewish United Fund’s 90+ member Board of Directors and spearheaded leadership engagement and talent development throughout the organization.
Audra, a Broward County native and University of Florida religion graduate, is a Wexner alumna and serves on Boardified’s advisory committee. She previously held board roles at UF Hillel and Chicago’s Temple Sholom.
Lt. Aston Bright is the Public Information Officer for the Plantation Fire Department and a member of the Emergency Volunteers Project (EVP), a Jerusalem-based nonprofit that deploys American firefighters to assist Israel’s first responders in times of crisis. Since 2006, EVP has supported Israeli communities by deploying emergency personnel and providing aid, including over 500,000 meals to IDF soldiers and displaced civilians since October 2023.
His work has earned numerous awards, including 2022 Firefighter of the Year, 2023 Humanitarian of the Year, and 2023 Public Information Officer of the Year. Ari Mittleman’s bestselling book Paths of the Righteous profiles Lt. Bright, citing his heroism, humanity, and hope for the Jewish people.
With a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Florida and an MBA from Florida Atlantic University, Lt. Bright combines academic insight with practical experience. He has served as a firefighter since 2014 and enjoys flying and driving his Tesla Model S Plaid.
Saul was born in Poland in 1925. Until 1939, he lived a normal life in Cracow. His youth ended at the start of World War II, when the life of Jewish people was turned into a nightmare. Although Saul spent years in concentration camps, his passion for music has helped him to survive. After liberation by the American army, he spent a few years in Italy and then moved to the US, where he met his wife and started his business. Now Saul is over 90, but his stolen youth is still within him. As the founder of the Holocaust Survivor Band, he runs concerts and speaks around the world.
Christine Hunschofsky is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party in the state of Florida. She was born and raised in Boston and attended Boston University, where she focused on Business Administration and Philosophy. Hunschofsky became involved in her community after moving to Parkland and served on the Parkland Education Advisory Board for seven years. In 2012, she was elected City Commissioner and in 2016, she was elected Mayor of Parkland. Hunschofsky was serving as Mayor of Parkland on February 14, 2018, when the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland claimed 17 lives and injured another 17 people.
In 2020, Hunschofsky ran for the Florida House of Representatives, seeking to fill Kristin Jacobs’s vacated District 96 seat, which she won. She has been a member of the Florida House of Representatives since 2020, representing District 96.
Yudi Hercenberg is a Senior Managing Director at Walker & Dunlop, which provides financing to commercial real estate developers and owners across the United States. He joined the firm in 2017 following its acquisition of Deerwood Real Estate Capital, which he co-founded in 2009. At the time, he was the youngest Senior Managing Director at any NYSE public company. During his tenure at Deerwood, Yudi originated and placed over $10 billion in capital, specializing in multifamily, office, hospitality, retail, industrial, and manufactured housing.
A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University with a B.A. in Business Administration and a finance specialty, Yudi pairs expertise with a passion for giving back. Actively involved with over fifty charitable organizations, he has received the Making a Difference Award, Community Service Award, and Good Heart Award. Yudi lives in Parkland, Florida, with his wife, Simcha, and their son, Abe.
Born and raised in Plantation, Florida, Honorable Judge Stacey Schulman graduated from Nova High School. Upon graduation from law school, she worked for the Broward State Attorney’s Office as an Assistant State Attorney, working on a wide variety of cases. She then spent several years practicing civil law, including employment litigation and complex civil litigation.
In 2016, she was elected by the voters of Broward County to the Circuit Court bench. Judge Schulman currently sits in the Dependency Courts and is Chairperson of the Dependency Division in Broward, as well as a member of the faculty at Florida Judicial College. In addition to her professional work, Judge Schulman volunteers for organizations like the Justice Unit, Jewish Federation, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She loves to run and on many weekends can be found doing 5Ks with her family for charity. Judge Schulman’s greatest accomplishments are her sons, Brandon and Sammy.
Mindy Jones is a proud mom and business owner, community builder, and the powerhouse behind the all-female-owned and operated Amy Jones Group, a leading residential real estate team in Arizona. As the founder of Community on Purpose, a nonprofit organization supporting women and families, and an Exactly What to Say® Certified Guide, Mindy’s passion lies in building connections and empowering others to find their voice. With awards for leadership, impact, and community engagement, she’s a fierce advocate for women living big lives, thriving families, and helping others professionally blend purpose and passion. Fueled by faith and the belief that we truly can be the change we want to see, Mindy is also a single mother of a kindergartner who reminds her of what is truly possible with a little extra curiosity and a big dose of love.
Doug Ducey is an American politician and businessman who served as the Governor of Arizona from January 2015 to January 2023. Born on in Toledo, Ohio, he grew up in a working-class family and later attended Arizona State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Before entering politics, Ducey had a successful career in business. He was the CEO of Cold Stone Creamery, a popular ice cream franchise, where he played a significant role in expanding the company’s reach. Under his leadership, Cold Stone Creamery grew from a small chain into a nationally recognized brand.
Ducey’s political career began in 2010 when he was elected as the Treasurer of Arizona, focusing on fiscal responsibility and economic management.
As Governor, Ducey emphasized economic growth, tax reductions, and education reform. His administration tackled issues such as job creation, healthcare, and public safety, while advocating for conservative policies.
Alma Hernandez is a prominent American politician and advocate, known for her role as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives. Born and raised in Tucson, Hernandez has dedicated much of her career to issues impacting her community, particularly focusing on healthcare, education, and social justice. She has earned recognition for her tireless work on behalf of the Jewish community. Hernandez’s background in public health and her personal experiences have deeply informed her legislative priorities, making her a passionate and influential voice in Arizona politics.
Todd LaPorte is the CEO of HonorHealth, a major Arizona health system encompassing six acute-care hospitals, outpatient facilities, a research institute, and community services. Since joining HonorHealth in 2001 and serving as CFO for most of that time, Todd has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s strategic direction and financial management. Since Todd became CEO in 2017, HonorHealth has become one of the largest employers in the Phoenix metropolitan area, known for its high-quality, accessible care and efficient care coordination. Todd also holds leadership roles in several professional and community organizations, including the Health System Alliance of Arizona and Greater Phoenix Leadership. He is a recognized figure in the industry, and has received accolades such as CFO of the Year by the Financial Executives International and recognition from Becker’s Hospital Review. Todd holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Arizona State University.
Ronee Korbin Stein is a distinguished American attorney and advocate known for her impactful work in the fields of labor and employment law. With a career spanning several decades, Stein has established herself as a leading voice in advocating for workers’ rights and fair labor practices. She is celebrated for her expertise in handling complex legal issues and her dedication to promoting social justice and equity within the workplace. Her contributions extend beyond legal practice, as she is also involved in various community organizations and initiatives aimed at improving labor standards and supporting vulnerable populations.
Jonathan Hoffer joined SMS Financial in 1998 and manages the day-to-day operations including acquisitions, financial oversight and planning, investor relations, corporate governance, and staffing. In addition to his management duties, Mr. Hoffer oversees settlement negotiations and coordinates his own portfolio of large balance and complex assets. During his tenure, Mr. Hoffer has been involved in the underwriting, asset management and resolution of well over $3 Billion in assets. Mr. Hoffer holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Arizona State University. In addition to his role at SMS Financial, Mr. Hoffer serves on multiple non-profit boards both locally and nationally
Scott Weiss is a respected Arizona attorney and co-founder of Weiss Brown, a firm he envisioned as a platform to offer personalized legal services on his own terms. Rather than leaving “big law,” Weiss sought to provide more tailored client interactions and solutions. He believes that addressing “human issues” is crucial in resolving business disputes and transactions effectively. Weiss is known for his enthusiasm for engaging with diverse personalities and collaborating to achieve common goals, emphasizing a more individualized approach to legal practice.
As an educator in the field of special needs for more than 40 years, Dr. Lazerson won two “Teacher of the Year” awards from Buffalo, NY in 1980 and Broward County Schools, the nation’s 6th largest school district, in 2007. Dr. Lazerson is featured in the newly released book American Teacher – Heroes in the Classroom.
Known as Dr. Laz, his multi-ethnic music group, Dr. Laz & The CURE, has opened for Al Green, The Winans, The Manhattans, and performed for the US Congress and halftime during a Miami Heat game. As an author, he’s written five books, including the popular best seller Skullcaps & Switchblades, which chronicles his work in an inner-city school in Buffalo, NY. His education book, We’re All Special… Needs! Teach Me If You Can, is used by many teacher-prep colleges for training new educators in the field. His latest book ,entitled Musings & Misunderstandings – Shedding Light on Some Common English Mistranslations of Torah, is a #1 Best Seller on Amazon.
Scott Clary is a dynamic entrepreneur, investor, and author. He hosts the Success Story podcast, a #1 Entrepreneurship and Top 10 Business show, distributed on Cheddar, Amazon Prime, Direct TV, and Hulu amongst others.
Throughout his career, Scott has led sales and marketing teams across multiple organizations, playing key roles in company growth and acquisition. His weekly business newsletter reaches over 321,000 subscribers, sharing valuable insights from his experiences throughout his career.
Jared Firestone is a dedicated athlete and advocate for Jewish athletics. Born and raised in South Florida, Jared was a standout track and field athlete in high school, earning the title of district champion in the 100-meter dash. He continued his athletic pursuits at Tulane University, where he competed on the track and field team for four years. After graduating, Jared attended the Cardozo School of Law in New York City and is currently a licensed attorney in Florida and New York.
Inspired by his Jewish education, experiences on the March of the Living, and Birthright Israel trips, Jared always dreamed of representing Israel in international competition. While recovering from a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) in 2014, Jared discovered the sport of skeleton, a winter sliding sport where athletes ride headfirst down an ice track on a sled, during the Olympic Games and decided to make a change from track to skeleton.
Jared is currently training to compete in the 2026 Olympic Games.
Rosh Lowe has been covering news for nearly two decades in South Florida.
He is known for breaking exclusive stories and has covered nearly every major news story in the market. He was the recipient of the 2013 Miami New Times Best TV News Reporter of the Year.
He started his career at WFTX in Fort Myers and spent seventeen years at WSVN in Miami. He was thrilled to join the One and Only Local 10 News in 2021.
Rosh is an avid runner and grew up as a child actor, performing in three Broadway shows. He is a proud father of four.
Shane Neman is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and real estate developer. After dropping out of NYU Medical School and failing at his first startup during the tech-bubble bust of the early 2000s, Neman started over. He built his second venture, JoonBug, into a multimillion-dollar digital events powerhouse that thoroughly disrupted the outdated events and hospitality industry. He subsequently founded a successful SaaS business, EZ Texting, the largest business SMS software platform in the United States.
Currently, Neman is a prolific backer of startups and runs a substantial real estate portfolio with properties in major metropolitan areas across the country.
Although a lifelong New Yorker at heart, after thirty-eight years Neman moved to South Florida, where he currently resides with his wife and kids.
Daniel Ades is the founder and managing partner of Kawa Capital, a hedge fund and asset manager based in Aventura. Daniel has been responsible for overseeing the firm’s investment decisions since its inception in 2007 and continues to lead the firm to this day. He has a B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Tufts University, and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School, with a focus on economic development. He has been a board member at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation for over a decade, was on AIPAC’s National Leadership Council, and has spearheaded several community projects. Most recently, he founded the Jewish Leadership Academy, a college-preparatory Jewish Day School in the Miami area, where he currently acts as its Board Chair. An avid sailor, he was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil and has been living in Miami with his wife and three children since 2003.
Rosh Lowe has been covering news for nearly two decades in South Florida.
He is known for breaking exclusive stories and has covered nearly every major news story in the market. He was the recipient of the 2013 Miami New Times Best TV News Reporter of the Year.
He started his career at WFTX in Fort Myers and spent seventeen years at WSVN in Miami. He was thrilled to join the One and Only Local 10 News in 2021.
Rosh is an avid runner and grew up as a child actor, performing in three Broadway shows. He is a proud father of four.
Dr. Cecil Hershler is a physician, storyteller, actor, and poet. He immigrated from South Africa to Canada in 1974. His works include a story on a Yiddish poem, which was put to music and broadcast on CBC–Outfront; the movie, The Healing Journey (1992, Ark Films), which incorporated storytelling with myth-making and singing and was aired on Vision TV and Education Network. For the past three years, Cecil has been writing poems in narrative prose. More recently, Cecil has combined dance choreography with storytelling and told stories that explored his Jewish and South African roots.
As Chief Communications Officer for the City of Vancouver, Maria leads and provides executive direction for all communications and engagement as a member of the City Leadership Team. Before moving to Vancouver in 2020, Maria served at Queen’s Park in Toronto for over a decade, culminating in her role as Director of Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs, supporting multiple Ontario premiers. Her focus has been high-profile public sector communications. She spearheaded communications for international trade, business, and research missions to nearly a dozen markets, including India, Japan, Hong Kong, and Israel. A member of Temple Sholom in Vancouver, she serves on the Board and is active in Jewish life. She is a fellow of the 2024-26 Wexner Heritage Program Vancouver cohort. Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours with Distinction) in Political Studies from Queen’s University, Kingston.
Karen Levitt is the Deputy City Manager at the City of Vancouver, and has held various positions at the City over the past thirty years, including Director, Business Planning and Project Support, Deputy City Treasurer, Director of Olympic Games Strategic Planning, and Manager of Financial Planning. She is currently on the Board of E-Comm 911, the agency responsible for providing emergency communications in British Columbia, and has previously served on the boards of a number of Vancouver community-serving agencies. Ms. Levitt has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from UBC, and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. Alongside her professional commitments, she dedicates significant time to community work and mentoring young adults.
Dr. Penny Gurstein is originally from Saskatchewan, and has called Vancouver home for many years. She is a Professor Emeritus and immediate past Director of the School of Community and Regional Planning, and founding Director of the Housing Research Collaborative at UBC. Penny has a BA in Sociology from York University, a BA in Architecture from UBC, and a Masters and PhD in Architecture from University of California, Berkeley. Among the boards she has served on are Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, BC Housing and Vancouver Health Board (prior to becoming Vancouver Coastal Health). She currently sits on two non-profit housing boards, Tikva Housing Society and PHS Community Services Society. Dr. Gurstein has an adult daughter, and enjoys hiking, dragon boating, writing, and creating art. Penny was the 2016 recipient of the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Education, Training and Development.
Daniel E. Friedmann is the Director at Solutum Technologies which focuses on solving the plastic waste problem. Prior to that, he was the CEO and Chairman of Carbon Engineering, where he concentrated on capturing carbon from the air to mitigate climate change. Before that, he served as the CEO of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, “Canada’s largest space systems company” and the world’s largest commercial communications satellite manufacturer, for 20 years. He holds a Master of Applied Science in Engineering Physics from the University of British Columbia, graduating in 1983. He has received several accolades, including recognition as a Technology, Media, and Telecommunications TopGun CEO, as well as the Dean’s Medal of Distinction from the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Applied Science.
Daniel is also the author of several books on reconciling the biblical account with scientific observation, using his biblical clock formula.
Mark Gurvis is the CEO of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation. From 2013-2020, he served as Executive Vice President of Jewish Federations of North America, the number two professional position in the Federation movement’s network organization.
Mark served as CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver for over ten years. During his tenure, the Federation saw significant increase in annual fundraising and planned giving assets, developed an extensive strategic relationship with the Upper Galilee region in Israel, and dramatically enhanced the Greater Vancouver Jewish community’s profile and influence within the national Canadian Jewish scene.
Prior to his tenure with the Vancouver Federation, Mark worked at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in a variety of roles, including as Associate Vice President, and as Co-Executive Director of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland.
Mark and his wife, Leah Pomerantz, returned to Vancouver in 2022 from Brooklyn, NY, where their three adult daughters live.