| David Bryfman | Jewish Education Project |
| David (@bryfy) is currently the Director of the New Center for Collaborative Leadership at The Jewish Education Project (formerly the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York-SAJES). David recently completed his Ph.D. Education and Jewish Studies at NYU focusing on the development of Jewish adolescent identity development and experiential Jewish Education. He is also a graduate of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program. Prior to moving to New York, David worked in formal and informal Jewish educational institutions in Australia, Israel, and North America. and is also currently an educational consultant for the iCenter. You can keep up with some of his musing at www.bryfy.net. In his spare time David also enjoys (sort of) running marathons. |  |
| Keith Casey | Twilio |
| Keith Casey has been a developer for over a decade and until last year, a professional agitator within the DC tech community. To pay the bills, he works as a Developer Evangelist with Twilio where his job is get good tools in the hands of good developers so they can build great things. Previously, he built and worked on large-scale PHP-based systems for organizations ranging from major news media companies to small non-profits. In his spare time, he is a core contributor to web2project, works to build and support the Austin tech community and blogs regularly on the application and mis-application of technology at CaseySoftware.com. |  |
| Rachel Gillman | Dig Communications |
| Over the past eight years, Rachel Gillman has developed a broad range of PR experience with specialized expertise in media relations. She began her career at Burson-Marsteller with a focus on consumer brands, promoting McDonald’s, Kellogg’s and Barilla pasta. To diversify her communications skill set, Rachel joined Leo Burnett and played an integral role in the corporate communications department. As the media specialist, Rachel worked closely with business and trade press to publicize the agency’s creative campaigns, executive team and thought leadership initiatives. At Dig Communications, Rachel s is responsible for targeted media outreach, leveraging her network on behalf of the agency’s client roster, in addition to account management for Pei Wei Asian Diner and Bally Total Fitness.
A graduate of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Rachel also spent a year honing her journalism skills through Northwestern University’s School of Continuing Studies. |
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| Rabbi Micah Greenland | Midwest NCSY |
| Rabbi Micah Greenland has redefined both leadership and success in Midwest NCSY, an incredible and inspiring Jewish youth movement currently reaching 2,400 teens each year. Over the last 10 years he has sought the best people for the Midwest NCSY team, not shied away from risks, and continually raises the bar so that NCSY in the Midwest continues to grow year by year. Throughout his tenure as Regional Director, Rabbi Greenland has never wavered in his vision of where Midwest NCSY is headed. He is considered an expert in the fields of informal Jewish education and fundraising for non-profits, and he holds a Masters degree in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Yeshiva University. In addition to his professional work in NCSY, Rabbi Greenland volunteers on the Board of Education at Arie Crown Hebrew Day School and is a Vice President of the Chicago Rabbinical Council. |  |
| Michael Hoffman | see3 |
| Michael Hoffman is CEO of See3 Communications, a firm that uses new media to activate people and advance social causes. He is a leading authority in online video for nonprofits and a long-time consultant to nonprofit leaders on online fundraising and engagement strategies. He started his career as a political consultant and Jewish community fundraiser before joining a venture investment firm to develop internet start-ups from Jerusalem. Hoffman founded See3 to bring together his belief in the power of the web and his passion and experience with nonprofit fundraising, advocacy, and education. He is a frequent blogger and tweeter on nonprofit marketing and is a nationally sought-after speaker on topics such as online cause marketing, web video, and social media for social change. You can find him @michael_hoffman or see3.net |  |
| Patty Huber | Groupon |
| Patty leads community involvement initiatives at Groupon, an international daily deal website featuring the best stuff to do, eat, see and buy in more than 500 markets around the world. Harnessing the spirit of The Point, the collective action platform from which Groupon was born, Patty developed the G-Team initiative to turn deal seekers into do gooders by tapping into the collective power of the group to respond to local community need. Patty discovered her passion for community development and civic engagement through her experience developing service-learning and experiential education programs for high school and college students. She went on to produce corporate volunteer programs while pursing work in mental health and social service agencies. Patty approaches corporate citizenship and civic engagement from a social work perspective and seeks to create innovative ways to solve social problems. |
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| Andrew Huff | Gapersblock |
| Andrew Huff is the editor and publisher of Gapers Block, an award-winning Chicago-centric news and events webzine he co-founded in 2003. A serial early adopter, Huff created his first webpage in 1996; launched his personal blog, me3dia.com, in 2001; and joined both flickr and Twitter in their infancy. In addition to Gapers Block, he has also worked for several years as a professional blogger for corporate clients such as American Express, Kenneth Cole, A&E and Starwood Hotels, and is a sought-after consultant on content oriented web projects. He holds a journalism degree from The Ohio State University and a certificate in medical writing and editing from the University of Chicago, and spent 10 years in the public relations, working primarily with clients in the healthcare and biotech industries. He is an adjunct instructor in the journalism department at Loyola University Chicago. Huff is a frequent speaker at SXSW Interactive and other conferences, and in 2009 was named to the Crain’s Chicago Business’ 40 Under 40 list. He lives on the far North Side of Chicago with his wife and two cats. |  |
| Cheryl Jacobs | The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF) |
| Cheryl Jacobs is the marketing communications manager for The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF). Along with her day to day responsibilities in the Marketing Communications Department, Cheryl has become JUF’s resident social networking expert, helping departments feel comfortable using Web2.0. She is also the managing blogger for Oy!Chicago (www.oychicago.com) an interactive blog targeted toward the young (20s and 30s) Jew-ish population in Chicago. Oy! is home to articles, reviews and ongoing discussions about Jewish life. Previously she was a consultant for public relations firm Cushman/Amberg Communications where she helped manage consumer, B2B and non-profit accounts. Cheryl holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Skidmore College. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. |  |
| Leah Jones | Olson PR |
| Leah Jones is the Account Director of Emerging Media at Olson. At Olson she counsels clients and staff on use of social media and digital tools and works on online consumer activation for brands including MillerCoors, Wrigley, Karo Syrup, Fleischman’s Yeast, P.F. Chang’s and Pei Wei Diner. Prior to joining Olson, Jones owned her own social media consulting company, Natiiv Arts & Media, and assisted rabbis and rock-stars with social media plans and execution. She did social media trainings in the US and Israel at colleges, conferences, and businesses. She began her digital PR career at Edelman where she was an integral member of the me2revolution. She pioneered conversation research and online monitoring, helped train colleagues and clients around the world, and participated in client brainstorms, project planning and execution. Some of her work at Edelman included the launch of the Infiniti G37 and Windows Vista, conversation research for Orbit gum, DePuy Orthopedics, and managed the partnership between Wrigley Gum, the Biggest Loser and many online communities. Jones is active in the ROI Community, co-founder of TBD Minyan and runs Itza Mitzva with Rabbi Michael Zedek. She’s been blogging at Accidentally Jewish since 2003 where she has blogged her conversion, the Reform movement and Jewish life in Chicago. Jones can be found on Twitter as @ChicagoLeah. With a degree in Chemistry from Millikin University and a career that has included study abroad administration, non-profit volunteer management and scooping ice cream, Jones shows that you don’t have to study communications to learn how to use social media. |
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| Dana Kaye | Kaye Publicity |
| Dana Kaye received her B.A. in Fiction Writing from Columbia College Chicago. After college, she worked as a freelance writer and book critic. Her work has appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times, Time Out Chicago, Crimespree Magazine, Windy City Times, Bitch Magazine, and on GapersBlock.com. This experience has been crucial to her publicity career: she has the contacts and necessary industry insight to form pertinent, widespread media campaigns.
Dana is known for her innovative ideas and knowledge of current trends. Her Twitter and Facebook strategies were showcased in USA Today. In addition to traditional media placement, she has arranged corporate partnerships, non-traditional speaking engagements, and grassroots marketing strategies for her clients. |
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| Jonathan Lehrer | Lehrer Communications |
| Jonathan Lehrer is a marketing-communications professional who recently directed social media outreach and a YouTube channel for the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs. He designed the KOACH Web site and e-zine for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism; and the Chicagoland Jewish High School. During his recent term as president, Beth Hillel Congregation Bnai Emunah (Wilmette) enhanced its printed and email bulletins and Facebook outreach. He is a frequent presenter on communications techniques. He has been a radio newscaster, media spokesman for the AAA-Chicago Motor Club and consultant to small businesses, healthcare groups and state government transportation agencies. |  |
| Hal Lewis | Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies |
| Hal M. Lewis is the eighth President and Chief Executive Officer of the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies. Before assuming the Presidency in July of 2009, he held positions as Spertus’ Chief Operating Officer and Dean of Continuing Education. In addition, he holds a faculty appointment as Professor of Contemporary Jewish Studies at Spertus, where he earned his Doctor of Jewish Studies degree. Dr. Lewis is a recognized authority on leadership and has published widely on the subject in both the popular press and scholarly journals. He is the author of Models and Meanings in the History of Jewish Leadership and From Sanctuary to Boardroom: A Jewish Approach to Leadership. He has lectured at universities from Brandeis to the University of Illinois, Chicago, and is a popular scholar-in-residence for congregations and communal organizations. Before coming to Spertus, Professor Lewis served as the President and CEO of the Columbus Jewish Federation, the executive director of a major synagogue in Cincinnati and the executive director of the American Sephardi Federation in New York. He has taught at the University of Cincinnati and in the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. |  |
| Heidi Massey | The Nonprofit Connection |
| Heidi Massey has worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations in the Jewish community including synagogues, Jewish Community Centers, and advocacy groups. Her primary focus has been on informal education and organizations that work with youth and families. This includes 10 years as a synagogue youth director and family educator. In recent years, Heidi has become an accidental techie, stumbling into the world of social media and other online technologies. Through her time on Twitter and Facebook, she has discovered a very active national nonprofit technology community. Last year, she created the firstannual Chicago COUNTs (Conference Uniting Nonprofits and Technology) which provided an opportunity for nonprofits to learn more about social media, analytics, utilizing video and other areas of relevant technology. Heidi is the founder of CommunityConnective, a company that works with other companies nonprofits, and individuals to help them build community engagement, utilize social media and learn about web technology. Heidi earned her undergraduate degree in education and an M.A. in Jewish Communal Service. As a natural born connector, Heidi can be found on Twitter @HeidiEKMassey or through her blog http://www.nonprofitconnection.wordpress.com. |  |
| Jan Mishkin | Chicago Rabbinical Council |
| Jan ran two home businesses before starting her business career as a receptionist for a small company of 4 people. During her 12 years with the company as it grew to 1,600 employees, she moved from receptionist, to graphic developer, to backup support for VMS systems, to a VMS instructor, and then becoming a consultant for an international financial institution head-quartered in Chicago. As a consultant she managed the companies computer room and coordinated their IT among four satellite offices. Upon returning to the home company, she joined the IT Support Team later becoming the IT Manager. By Fall of 2000 she was the Midwest IT Director overseeing the Help Desk for calls from the 1,600 employees and heading the Midwest team supporting 500 users. Then came the IT bust.Jan took a part-time job and returned to school to complete her Bachelors of Administration in Business. She is now employed at the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc) as the Office and IT Manager where she continually finds ways to combine her “old school” principals with the “new school” of business practices. |  |
| Noah Mishkin | Causil |
| Noah has both a bachelor and master of architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston and practiced for several years in Chicago before moving into the world of advertising and marketing. Currently the Director of Accounts & Marketing at Tribe9 Interactive, Noah is a co-creator of digital media within this talented think-tank discovering and developing new digital ventures.
He is also the founder of Cuffitt.com, designing and producing custom cuff links for clients around the World.Should a free moment unexpectedly arise, Noah can be found performing with the Jewish a cappella group, Listen Up! or as a guitarist with BMP. |
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| Howard Prager | The Next Step |
| Howard Prager is a leader in learning and executive education. He owns his own firm, The Next Step, and previously was Director of Corporate Education for Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Howard speaks on innovation, marketing, and learning and is currently co-President of Leaders United, a Jewish-African American coalition, and founding Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 62, the only Jewish Boy Scout Troop in the Chicagoland area. As a past board member of Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation as well as past President of the Chicagoland Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development, membership recruitment has been a large part of Howard’s agenda. He recently spoke to the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals on “Marketing for New Prospects” and is a published author, speaker and consultant. |  |
| Congressman Mike Quigley | Illinois 5th District |
| Mike Quigley was elected to Congress to represent Illinois’ 5th District on April 7, 2009. A former Cook County Commissioner, Quigley has served his community for over twenty years.
He began his career serving as an aide to former 44th Ward Alderman Bernie Hansen and became a champion for environmental protection, equal rights, and ethical, open government. As the Commissioner from Cook County’s 10th District, Quigley fought for transparency, accountability, and fiscal sanity, earning the reputation as an honest and effective leader on reform. During his time on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Quigley sponsored every piece of major environmental legislation adopted by Cook County government, and still regularly participates in local clean-up and restoration efforts, earning him awards from the Audubon Society and the Sierra Club. The Chicago Reader has said he is “arguably the greenest elected official in Chicago.” In Washington, Quigley continues to fight for equal rights for those in the LGBT community, additional protections for victims of domestic abuse, and a woman’s right to choose. A staunch advocate for government reform and accountability, Quigley wrote several revolutionary reports laying out detailed plans for the “reinventing” of the federal budget, starting from scratch and asking tough questions about what the government actually needs. He also presented a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would provide Americans with an itemized receipt for their tax returns. Quickly proving himself as a leader in the Capitol, Quigley has proposed smart policies to crack down on corruption and increase government transparency. He introduced the State Ethics Law Protection Act with Senator Mark Kirk to target the pay-to-play politics which have been far too common in Illinois. Quigley did his undergraduate work at Roosevelt University, earned a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago, and a law degree from the Loyola University School of Law, all in Chicago. He also served as an adjunct professor of political science at Loyola University Chicago and Roosevelt University, lecturing on politics, the environment and local government. He was a practicing lawyer for almost twenty years. Congressman Quigley sits on the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He is also the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on TARP, Financial Services, and Bailouts of Public and Private Programs, and has continued his strong commitment to those issues important to him and the 5th District. |
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| Tom Samuels | Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Evanston |
| Tom hails from Toronto, Canada where he was recruited by Mayor Daley to reshape Chicago’s transportation and urban design infrastructure. He is the founder of numerous initiatives including the National Safe Routes to School/Walking School Bus Program, which creates safe and enjoyable opportunities for children to walk and bicycle to and from school. Tom has a diverse Jewish background from ultra-orthodoxy to complete secularisim. Before coming to JRC, Tom worked as the director of a leadership-development program for Jewish teens, and he co-founded a Chavurah. |  |
| Jane Shapiro | Jewish Theological Seminary |
| Jane Shapiro is a teacher, mentor, coach, and consultant for Jewish organizations and young Jewish professionals. Before founding Jane Shapiro Associates (www.janeshapiroassociates.com ) in 2003, she served as Associate Director of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. She has authored a variety of curricula for adult Jewish learning. Her motto is “Wisdom at Work” and she is passionate about helping people find the parts of Jewish tradition that can assist them in making their lives and their work vibrant and meaningful. She currently serves as the lead educator for the Mitzvah Initiative of the Jewish Theological Seminary.
A graduate of Princeton University and Columbia University, she is currently working on a doctorate in Jewish education. |
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| Scott Smith | Chicago Magazine |
| Scott Smith is the Director of Digital Strategy and Development for Chicago magazine. Prior to his current role, he was Editor and Director of Content for Playboy.com, Web Editor at Time Out Chicago and co-editor at local news and culture blog Chicagoist. He is also the co-organizer of the Chicago Media Future Conference, an event that explored the models of digital news coverage. Before a career in media, Scott worked in radio promotions, teaching, tech support and social work. He has been a commentator on Chicago Tonight and WGN Radio 720 as well as a speaker at Tweetcamp Chicago and the FOLIO Magazine Professional and Education Conference. |  |
| Todd Sukol | Do More Mission |
| Todd is the founder and lead consultant for Do More Mission, a company that works to increase nonprofit impact through strategic philanthropy and professional nonprofit management services. His philanthropy advisory work brings him into daily contact with 5, 6 and 7 figure contributors and foundations large and small. This gives him an insider’s view of what major donors look for in a well run organization as well as shifting trends in program evaluation standards. On the Nonprofit Management side of his work, Sukol leads Do More Mission’s team of financial, operational and program development professionals in their work increasing nonprofit performance — and ultimately, positive social impact.
Prior to starting Do More Mission, Sukol managed a $9 Million fundraising campaign for the Koby Mandell Foundation, for whom he served initially as a founding board member and then as Executive Director (2004-2009). He has also been CEO of a Washington, DC based marketing firm (1999-2004). Previous engagements included stints in journalism, peer counseling, program development, B2B sales, association marketing and marketing agency work. Todd lives with his wife and five children in Silver Spring, MD. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and a certificate holder from the University of Manchester (England) and Machon Shlomo Yeshiva (Jerusalem, Israel). He is an enthusiastic lover of music and literature and dabbles in the creation of both. |
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| Rebecca Sykes | Newberger Hillel at the University of Chicago |
| Any time Rebecca strayed from blazing a new path as an artist living a Jewish life, a few weeks at Camp Ramah set things back on fire. Ramahs Darom & Wisconsin feel like home. The kind of home where you can write, direct, teach improv, and create staff training curriculum while you eat tater tots. As faculty for the Foundation for Jewish Camp, she developed and taught curriculum in leadership, group dynamics, communication skills, and mentoring. Also for the FJC, she helped create large-scale experiential events such as the first World Zionist Congress, occupied France, & a night in the Catskills. Never underestimate the power of show tunes as an educational tool.
Rebecca continues to grow as a performer and educator providing storytelling workshops and ritual theater opportunities for Jewish educators, synagogues and study groups throughout North America. Currently, Rebecca serves at an Artist in Residence at the Newberger Hillel at the University of Chicago. Her Anusara-Inspired yoga classes allow the diverse community to explore an integrated approach to mind-body awareness. And do handstands. As a singer, actress, yogini, mentor and educator, Rebecca invites reliable risks leading towards inevitable inspiration. |
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| Dave Weinberg | Causil |
| A serial social entrepreneur, Dave Weinberg is CEO of Causil which helps brands, organizations and individuals engage in the best practices of communications, marketing and technology. Dave started his career by founding Not Now Not Ever to end the genocide in Darfur, evolving into the Save Darfur Coalition, an organization with international exposure and impact. In response to the economic downturn, Weinberg created ParnasaFest, an international grassroots effort to connect employers with job seekers helping over six thousand people achieve success so far in their search.
Under Dave’s leadership, Causil produces the Future of Jewish Nonprofit Summits (FOJNP and FONSI) for industry professionals. These one day summits pull together the best speakers, ideas and companies in order to inspire movement, facilitate change and spark creativity. The New York Jewish Week responded: “be sure Dave is on your radar.” Often tapped for his opinion on technology, Dave was listed as one of the “Top 50 Influential Personalities Online” by the Jewish Telegraph Agency (JTA). |
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| Rabbi Zelik Moscowitz | The Friendship Circle of Illinois |
| Rabbi Zelik Moscowitz, Director of The Friendship Circle of Illinois, was born and raised in Chicago. From his youth, he was imbued with the importance of helping others in need and caring for the community at large.
From a tender age he had studied abroad in several reputable Yeshivos around the world, including Canada, France and Hungary. He received his Rabbinical Ordination from the central Chabad Yeshiva in New York. As a rabbinical student he volunteered at the Brooklyn Friendship Circle chapter, where he visited and established a strong bond with a child with special needs. Together with his wife Bassie, he founded and directs the Illinois chapter of The Friendship Circle, providing friendship and social opportunities for individuals with special needs. More than 350 teenagers have been empowered to recognize the value of friendship and of giving. Rabbi Zelik envisions a world of true appreciation of every person, regardless his physical restraints, and works passionately to attain this significant goal. |
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