New Fellowship for Emerging Leaders Welcomes Inaugural Class

The Wexner Foundation, in partnership with the William Davidson Foundation, proudly announces its inaugural cohort of the Wexner Davidson Fellowship. Designed for Jewish professionals aged 26-36 working full-time in North American Jewish organizations, the three-year Fellowship offers unparalleled opportunities for cohort-based learning, peer networking, mentorship, and immersive experiences, including a week in Israel. Fellows will benefit from coaching, personalized Jewish learning, and will receive additional funding for professional development. Wexner Davidson Fellows will join the Wexner Foundation’s network of over 3,000 professional and volunteer leaders in North America and Israel.

“It is particularly meaningful to launch the Wexner Davidson Fellowship in this time when emerging Jewish leaders need a deep reservoir of courage and sharp leadership skills. This diverse cohort will generate a vision for our strong and vibrant future!” said Rabbi B. Elka Abrahamson, President of The Wexner Foundation. “The opportunity to nurture a rising generation of professional talent is one the Wexner and Davidson Foundations, partners for nearly two decades, cherish. The inaugural class of the Wexner Davidson Fellowship represent the best of us today and tomorrow.”

COMPLETE LIST OF CLASS 1 FELLOWS (More info about each Fellow here.)

• Alyssa Arens: Portfolio Manager, One8 Foundation, Boston, MA
• Ely Benhamo: Senior Director of Major Gifts, OneTable, Phoenix, AZ
• Dana Bornstein: Director, Leadership and Learning, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Washington, D.C.
• Yoav Cohen-Rimmer: Director of Learning Engagement, Netivot Hatorah Day School, Toronto, ON
• Eliana Fischel: Associate Rabbi, Washington Hebrew Congregation, Washington, D.C.
• Jordanna Gessler: Chief Impact Officer, Holocaust Museum LA, Los Angeles, CA
• Rob Gleisser: Rabbi and Senior Jewish Educator, Penn State Hillel, State College, PA
• Ariel Halpern: Chief of Staff, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, NY
• Julie Katz: Detailee, U.S. State Department Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, American Jewish Committee, Washington, D.C.  
• David Korenthal: Midwest Regional Director, Foundation for Jewish Camp, Chicago, IL
• Carly Rosenstein: Director, Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Special Projects, Builders of Jewish Education, Encino, CA
• Rebecca Shafron: Program Officer, U.S. Jewish Grantmaking, Schusterman Family Philanthropies, Baltimore, MD
• Mikah Silverstone: Director of the Lese Center for Living Judaism, Central Synagogue, New York, NY
• Sierra Weiss: Access and Inclusion Specialist, JCC Association of North America, New York, NY
• Rebecca Zimilover: Senior Development Officer, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, New York, NY

“We are pleased to welcome the inaugural class of the Wexner Davidson Fellowship. We look forward to working together to ensure that the next generation of American Jewish leaders are prepared with the skills, deep Jewish learning, and the support of a strong cohort of peers,” said Darin McKeever, President and CEO, William Davidson Foundation. “This program builds on the work of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholars Program and the Field Fellowship, all of which continue to enhance and impact Jewish leadership.”

As part of this three-year intensive professional development program, Wexner Davidson Fellows:

• Become part of a selective cohort of lifelong professional learners.
• Learn with amazing leadership teachers and Jewish educators.
• Receive small group and one-on-one professional coaching, a Jewish educator for personalized study, along with access to funds toward customized professional development opportunities.
• Develop a nuanced appreciation for the diversity of the North American Jewish community.
• Focus on developing strengths in adaptive leadership, mindful communication, strategy and innovation, and other crucial leadership skills.
• Travel to Israel for an immersive experiential learning experience.

To learn more about the Wexner Davidson Fellowship, click here.