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 and one of The Most Inspiring Rabbis in America. Rabbi Yanklowitz is the author of 23 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.

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 has always had a passion for community engagement and Jewish education. A native of Winnipeg, Canada, she holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) degree and an MBA from the University of Manitoba. Alix loves serving her community and working as a Jewish professional. From 2018-2021 she worked for Repair the World Pittsburgh and enjoyed organizing service projects for children and their parents as the Family Programming Coordinator. She has also worked with PJ Library Pittsburgh, local Jewish day schools and with start-ups in the high tech
industry. Alix is a board member of Congregation Shaare Torah and also serves as the synagogue’s Youth Committee Chair. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and their three children.

Campaign Director: Eddie Chavez Calderon

Since he was a teenager, Eddie Chavez Calderon has been deeply involved in social justice work. From the trenches to the coasts and everywhere in between, Eddie fights for a progressive movement that works towards a more inclusive, diverse America. Despite having many obstacles in his way, nothing has deterred Eddie from continuing to fight for the migrant community!

As a DACA recipient and someone who has immersed with the Jewish tradition,  Eddie finds his passion for justice through his latent Jewish values of continuous education and repairing the world, as well as his personal struggles with systemic oppression.

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 in 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: 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.

Fellowship Coordinator: Hannah Prager

Born and raised in Arizona, Hannah is passionate about education and community-building. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona, her Certificate of Jewish Studies and Experiential Education from the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, Israel, and her Meditation and Yoga Teacher certification from Samyama Meditation Center in Bali, Indonesia. She created The Elevation Collective, where she offers yoga, meditation, spirituality and wellness practices and programs, intentional gatherings, and positive inspiration. She has written for various publications including At the Well and The Jewish Journal. She looks forward to supporting the Elie Wiesel Social Action Fellows in making the world a better place!

Education Assistant: Cody Fitzpatrick

In addition to working with Valley Beit Midrash, Cody Fitzpatrick is an associate editor at 18Forty and a podcast producer with Tablet Magazine. In 2021, he was a Tablet Magazine Journalism Fellow. A Long Island native who’s lived most of his life in Arizona, Cody holds a B.A. from Arizona State University in journalism and mass communication. For almost four years, he was a digital writer-reporter for the Tennis Channel. Cody’s writing has also been published in the Phoenix New Times, Phoenix Magazine, Arizona PBS Magazine, and more.

Program Manager: Angelique Restivo

Angelique Restivo is a passionate biracial Jewish young adult who is committed to social justice. Growing up with a strong sense of her Jewish identity and a deep understanding of her mixed heritage, she has always been interested in advocating for marginalized communities. Angelique is a recent graduate of Arizona State University and is actively involved in local organizations that focus on issues such as racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrant rights. Her goal is to use her education and experiences to make a meaningful impact in the world and create a more just and equitable society.

Program Manager: Isaac Blumenthal

Isaac Blumenthal is a motivated recent College graduate 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, and Israel.

Program Associate: Zack Sapinsley

Zack is a passionate Jewish community builder with deep passion for cultivating connection, adventure, deep meaningful conversations and the outdoors. With a decade of Jewish community building experience in Colorado, Zack has led over 400 Jewish programs engaging young adults, helping create spaces for passionate, justice-oriented Judaism. Outside of the Jewish space, Zack helps people find healing as a Physical Therapist, mentors adolescents as a youth ski coach, and seeks calm as a certified yoga instructor.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair: David Lieberman

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

Vice-Chair: Carole Zeichick

Carole Zeichick moved to the Valley of the Sun in 2013, and has embraced Greater Phoenix with enthusiasm – even when the temperature is north of 115°. Carole is a full-time volunteer who manages support groups for the families of U.S. Marine Corps service members and recruits. In the Jewish world, Carole serves on the boards of Temple Chai, Jewish Free Loan, and the Debbie Freedman School of Sacred Music (DFSSM), which is the cantorial program of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. Before emigrating to the Sonoran Desert, Carole worked as a loan officer in the San Francisco Bay Area, and before that, as a piano teacher certified through the Royal Schools of Music in the United Kingdom. A proud native of Glasgow, Carole splits her time between Arizona and Scotland.

Secretary: Dr. Noah Snyder-Mackler

Noah grew up in the northeast, spending most of his formative years in Newark, Delaware. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania where he received his undergraduate degree and then a Ph.D. He then bopped around a bit moving to Durham, North Carolina (Duke University), then Seattle, Washington (University of Washington), and finally landing here in Phoenix where he is now an Assistant Professor in the Center for Evolution & Medicine in the School of Life Sciences as Arizona State University.

Acting 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.

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.

Dr. Jacqueline Schenkein

Jackie attended Sarah Lawrence College and The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, followed by a pediatric residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and Jackson Memorial Hospital-University of Miami School of Medicine. She completed a fellowship in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She moved to Phoenix in 1983. She served as medical co-chairperson of the Arizona Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation for 6 years. She had a solo practice for 20 years, and for the next 10 years was a member of the Pediatric Gastroenterology group at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She and her husband, Dr. Michael Schwimmer, are members of Temple Chai.

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.