Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz: President & Dean

Rabbi Yanklowitz has twice been named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek and has been named by The Forward as one of the 50 most influential Jews. He is an author of 30 books on Jewish ethics and his writings have appeared in outlets as diverse as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and the Atlantic among many other secular and religious publications. He has served as speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and a Rothschild Fellow in Cambridge, UK. He has served as a City Commissioner on the Human Relations Commission for the City of Phoenix and on the Governor’s Advisory Council in Arizona.

Rav Shmuly received a Masters from Harvard University, a Masters from Yeshiva University, and his Doctorate from Columbia University. He was ordained as a rabbi by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, along with 2 private ordinations in Israel. He serves as the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (a global Jewish learning and action center). His wife Shoshana, and their four children live in Scottsdale, Arizona. They have also served as foster parents.

Operations Director: Alix Cramer

Alix is a passionate Jewish professional with a lifelong commitment to community engagement and Jewish education. Originally from Winnipeg, Canada, she holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) and an MBA from the University of Manitoba. From 2018–2021, Alix served as the Family Programming Coordinator at Repair the World Pittsburgh, where she created and led meaningful service opportunities for children and families. She has also worked with PJ Library Pittsburgh, local Jewish day schools, and start-ups in the high-tech industry. Alix lives in Israel with her husband and their three children, where she continues to bring her dedication to community-building and Jewish life into all that she does.

Director of Community Engagement & Office Management: Wendy DeTata

Wendy Aron DeTata has spent her career dedicated to strengthening communities, advancing social justice, and empowering children and families. A graduate of UCLA School of Law, Wendy served in various roles across the child and family services landscape, including county government, juvenile court and philanthropy. Wendy brings to Valley Beit Midrash a passion for Jewish community, direct service and social advocacy. Originally from Southern California, she now lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, dog and two kids when they are home from college. In her free time, Wendy enjoys exploring the outdoors, live music and travel.

Senior Jewish Educator: Rabbi Marc Gitler

Marc Gitler is the visiting Rabbi of Aish SanDiego. A recipient of the Wexner Fellowship, he was ordained at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. The founder of Fast for Feast, he lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Sarah and their four children.

Scholar in Residence, VBM Las Vegas: Rabbi Ben Greenfield

Ben Greenfield serves as the Director of Jewish Learning at The Adelson Upper School, in Las Vegas. Ben trained at Gush, Yeshiva University, Johns Hopkins, and Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, where he was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. His original studies in Jewish thought have received several national prizes and can be found on Tablet and the Lehrhaus.

Program Manager: Karri Bernstein

An Arizona native, Karri is a graduate of The University of Arizona. She is an active participant in various local Jewish organizations as she is a member of the LAS (Leadership & Advancement Series) with the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. She is excited to work with VBM to continue learning more about her community and the ways she can help them. In her free time, Karri enjoys spending time with her family dog and has a passion for sports, design, and music.

Program Manager (Denver): Ariel Nassau

Ariel was born and raised in a Jewish household in Mexico. After highschool, he enrolled at the University of Rochester where he studied economics and international relations

Ariel enjoys connecting with people, and working for social causes. This has led him to work in community engagement, teaching, and event coordination. Before joining Valley Beit Midrash, he worked at Kane Street Synagogue, City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, and Qualitas of Life Foundation, where he aimed to improve the lives of members of the Jewish and Hispanic communities.

Ariel lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife and son.

Development Associate: Sarah Meyers

Sarah began her career as a program coordinator, serving the Jewish community for over 10 years. She is passionate about Jewish learning, community-building, and Israel relief. She is also involved in providing and coordinating meals for families in need of community support. She and her family live in Florida and are proud to be dual citizens of Israel. She is excited to be part of the VBM team, with the goal of expansion of Jewish activism and learning in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Fellowship Coordinator: Ben Mazur, R.J.E.

Ben has spent his career as an educator, community programmer, and musician in a variety of Jewish settings, including synagogues, schools, and summer camps. He received his bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from North Carolina State University and his master’s degree in Jewish Education from Hebrew Union College with a concentration in Israel Studies from the iCenter. Ben is currently participating in the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute, and he’s been an active volunteer in community organizing through Jewish Federations and Moishe House. Ben lives in Raleigh, NC, with his wife Dalia, daughters Ronia and Shira, and their cat Willow.

Fellowship Coordinator (AZ): Ariel Rosen

Ariel Rosen is an Arizona native who grew up in Scottsdale before pursuing a degree in theater at Fordham University in New York City. She later continued her studies in Israel at Midreshet Rachel, where she also led educational trips for college students through Pathways Israel. A graduate of AJJ’s Social Justice Fellowship, Ariel is deeply committed to advancing pluralistic Jewish values and community engagement in the Valley. She resides in Phoenix with her three children, dog, and cat.

Program Associate: Valerie Smith

Valerie Smith is a graduate of Arizona State University, where she served as a passionate advocate for queer rights and embraced her Jewish identity. Committed to justice and equality, Valerie actively fights for social change while proudly upholding her Jewish ethics. Her dedication extends beyond human causes; she loves to volunteer in support of animal welfare, demonstrating her deep compassion for all living beings. Valerie’s vibrant activism and community involvement reflect her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.

Outreach Coordinator: Brandon Nahsonhoya

Brandon Nahsonhoya (Tewa/Hopi) (His/Him). Brandon began work on sex trafficking as security and driver for Human Trafficking Recovery Program with F.I.R.E and Angels Go To Work in 2016. He has an extensive background in Personal Security as he has worked in Executive Protection which is Security of high-level Executives, Dignitaries and Professional Sports Athletes. He is trained to minimizing risk threats, de-escalation techniques, identifying, resolving and eliminating threats for clients. He has also been trained by survivors of human trafficking and Side by Side International Church in safe recovery techniques. He currently leads a Mens and youth empowerment program. He engages boys and men in addressing violence against women and all persons. Recently, expanded youth services through sports and providing education/awareness on sex trafficking, social media dangers, health and wellness. His experiences continue with Honwungsi Consulting Services, LLC who partners and works directly with Law enforcement and First responder personnel. Honwungsi also works closely with all 22 Arizona Tribal Nations and throughout the country bringing awareness and education on MMIP. Family Services are also provided through their Missing Persons Recovery Program and Human Trafficking Recovery Team. In his past time he is a football and basketball coach at the Junior high and High School level.

Program Associate: Isaac Blumenthal

Isaac Blumenthal is a motivated graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania who is devoted to social justice. In December of 2023, he graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in environmental studies while minoring in food systems, sustainability, and equity. Immediately after, he moved to Arizona to work with Valley Beit Midrash. From a young age, Isaac has been interested in helping vulnerable populations both domestically and globally. He has demonstrated his passion for international aid as he has been involved with organizations based out of South Africa, Ecuador, Israel, and most recently, Nigeria.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair: Dr. Gary Friedlander

Gary Friedlander was born and raised in southern California and settled in Phoenix, Arizona in the early 1980s where he completed his residency and started his private practice in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. He was one of the original consultants in the creation of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ as well as the clinic director and associate professor. Officially retired from private practice, he currently works part time at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Medical Center in Phoenix.  Always connected to Judaism, through synagogue and multiple organizations including BBYO, where he met Tricia, his wife for over 48 years, he has served in numerous Jewish leadership positions as a board member for Bureau of Jewish Education, Temple Chai, Alyn Hospital in Israel and as President of Beth El Congregation in Phoenix. Volunteerism, both Jewish and secular, as well as tikkun olam has always been a priority and life long journey for him, his wife and two children.

Treasurer: Steve Shobin

Steve Shobin was born and raised in Baltimore, Md, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1966, and worked briefly as a case worker in Baltimore’s Department of Public Welfare.  Always interested in the stock market, Steve soon switched paths, and began a 41-year career on Wall Street, from which he retired in 2008.  Raising his 3 children in Watchung, NJ, Steve moved to Arizona in 2009.  While still very active in the stock market, Steve spends much of his time volunteering for the elder community via Chabad’s fabulous Smile On Seniors program. Other interests include sports (except golf) and 50’s/60’s/70 rock, folk, blues and gospel music.

Secretary: Şeli Allen

Şeli (Shelly) Allen met her husband in Israel in 2002, immigrated to the United States from Turkey in 2005 and has resided in Arizona since 2017. She is the proud mom of two children, Max and Audrey.
She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Ege University in Izmir, Turkey and her Master of Science in Education, Early Childhood General Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York, NY. She is currently teaching at Phoenix Country Day School and has taught at Pardes Jewish Day School, several Jewish preschools, in Washington DC, New York, Pennsylvania and Arizona. She previously served as a Board Member at JCC Allentown, PA. She is passionate about Tikkun Olam, Israel and Judaism.

Dr. Jordana Jaffee

Dr. Jordana Jaffee is an Internist, originally from NYC. She trained in Philadelphia and practiced Internal medicine in NY and Providence, RI before making the move to the Valley of the Sun in 2012. She and her husband Dan are proud parents of 4 children, all graduates of Pardes a Jewish Day School. They are active participants and supporters of the local Jewish community. Since 2016, they have been intimately involved in initiatives providing support and resources to refugee families. Jordana is dedicated to Jewish education, Jewish values, and community.

Michael Rubenstein

Michael is the Founder and CEO Wally’s, the “Home of the Great American Road Trip,” a family-friendly travel center chain. He is also Founder and Managing Partner of Vault Partners, a real estate development firm focused on industrial and commercial investments.

Michael and his family are active members of Congregation Beth Yeshurun in Houston. He is also a dedicated supporter of Maccabi USA, having competed internationally as an athlete four times.

Michael received his BA from the University of Texas at Austin and his JD/MBA from Tulane University. He resides in Houston, Texas with his wife Jodi and their three children, Evie, Asher, and Hyatt.

Founding Chair: Stan Hammerman

Stan has been active in the Greater Phoenix Jewish community for over 40 years. He has served in numerous leadership positions, including President of the Board of Beth El Congregation for four years. Stan and his wife, Cheryl, are a founding family of Congregation Or Chadash. Stan has served on the strategic planning committee for the Pacific Southwest Region of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. He is a founding partner of Hammerman & Hultgren P.C.

Past Chair: Yitzchak David Lieberman (z”l)

David Lieberman lived in the Valley of the Sun since 1982. He was a member of Temple Solel and a student of Torah. He was also actively involved in the Jewish community in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. While serving on the board, David was a retired management consultant and a Spiritual Director.