Announcing the Jewish professionals selected for Spertus Institute’s Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism

LCCA-P Cohort IV participants. Image: Spertus Institute, Chicago.

The Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism for Professionals (LCCA-P) is an innovative program for executives and senior leaders of Jewish organizations to gain the tools and confidence to respond to the troubling rise in antisemitism. This fourth cohort of professional leaders come from a diverse array of organizations, including Jewish education organizations, Jewish Community Centers, Federations, synagogues, Hillels, summer camps, advocacy groups, museums, and Jewish social service organizations. Please take a moment to look at the impressive array of professionals joining our Spertus community of learners, followed by more details on the program below: 

Meet Cohort IV 

Dahlia Bendavid of Miami, FL
Vice President, Israel and Global Impact, Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Emily Benedix of Munster, IN
Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana

Debby Berman of Los Angeles, CA
Director of Education & Community Outreach, Jewish Federation Los Angeles

Jodi Block of North York, ON Canada
Manager of Community Engagement, JIAS (Jewish Immigrant Aid Services) Toronto

Rivka Campbell of North York, ON Canada
Executive Director, Beth Tikvah Synagogue

Elke Cumming of Clearwater, FL
Senior Vice President of Programs and Administration, Gulf Coast JFCS

Kali Cusimano of Boise, ID
Director of Communications and Administration, Adult Learning Coordinator (CABI) & Executive Director (CHAI), Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel (CABI) & The Council for Holocaust Awareness of Idaho (CHAI)

Talli Dippold of Phoenix, AZ
Executive Director, Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center (Arizona Jewish Historical Society)

Anat Geva of Chicago, IL
Director of Strategic Initiatives, No Shame On U

Julie Holdaway of Irvine, CA
Chief Strategy and Learning Officer, Merage Jewish Community Center

Leslie Kirby of Portland, ME
CEO, Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine

Tracey Labgold of Newton, MA
Florida Education & Training Manager, Keshet

Carly Layton of Rochester, NY (Not Pictured)
Chief Impact Officer, JFS Rochester

Eric Leiderman of Chicago, IL
IsraelLINK Midwest Regional Director & National Associate Director for Communications, Partnerships, & Professional Development, StandWithUs

Molly Levy of Jackson, MS
Director of Education, Goldring/ Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life

Shoshi Lipschultz Streiffer of Toronto, ON Canada
Senior Director at York University, Hillel Ontario

Debbie Morris of Mukwonago, WI
Director of Community Care, Beber Camp

Rachel Nelson of Tigard, OR
Director of Educational Initiatives & Associate Director of Community Relations, Jewish Federation of Greater Portland

Ilyse Shainbrown of Whippany, NJ
Director of Holocaust Education and Combatting Antisemitism Coordinator, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest

Stefanie Small of Pittsburgh, PA
Director of Family Services, Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh

Gary Weisserman of Houston, TX
CEO, Holocaust Museum Houston

Rabbi Efrat Zarren-Zohar of Miami, FL
Executive Director, Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education, Miami

Amy Zimmerman of Chicago, IL
Associate Vice President, State Government Affairs, Jewish United Fund

This four-month program combines theory and practice, giving leaders the context to understand the development, complexities, and expression of antisemitism, its impact on Jews and Jewish communities, and the relationship of antisemitism to other forms of hatred. The program helps participants develop communication strategies to respond to antisemitism, as well as tools to build bridges and alliances within and beyond the Jewish community.  Sessions are taught and facilitated by accomplished Spertus faculty members, who have significant academic expertise and real-world experience. Case studies give leaders a chance to work through antisemitic incidents in a practical and applicable way. The cohort-based program also gives students a network of institutional leaders who can leverage each other’s talents, resources, relationships, and support.

To learn more about the Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism for Professionals or to inquire about joining the next cohort, please contact Spertus Institute’s Associate Director for Recruitment Amie Barrish at abarrish@spertus.edu.   

Spertus Institute is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community.

The Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism is a program of Spertus Institute’s Center for Jewish Leadership, made possible in part by a grant from the Crown Family.