Elizabeth Enck

Director of Workforce Programs, The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies

Elizabeth Enck serves as Director of Workforce Programs at The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, where she supports member agencies in delivering workforce and employment services and leads national initiatives designed to increase economic opportunity and workforce participation. Her work includes oversight of Project EM, which helps individuals facing barriers to employment access career pathways and supportive services. With over 20 years of experience in workforce development, Elizabeth has worked across nonprofit and higher education settings to develop innovative employment strategies, strengthen community partnerships, and improve workforce outcomes. Elizabeth holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Career Counseling from the University of Missouri.

MODERATOR

Jennie Gates Beckman

Programs and Partnerships Manager, Adult Initiatives, Matan

Jennie has spent her 20+ year career building joyful Jewish experiences, engaging people in community, relationship building, and positive Jewish life and learning. Most of this time was in Federation settings in Boston, Baltimore, and Omaha in campaign, leadership development, volunteer management, engagement, and education. She also spent time at AJFCA (now The Network), elevating the role of volunteers in Jewish Family Service agencies by launching national fellowship cohorts for both volunteer professionals and young adult volunteers. Most recently, she served as the Director of Education at a Reform congregation. Jennie earned her M.A. in Jewish Communal Service & Non-Profit Management at Brandeis University and B.A. in Studio Art at the University of Nebraska. She currently lives in Omaha, NE with her husband and two children.

Rachel E. Klein

Executive Director, Hillels of Westchester

Rachel joined the Hillels of Westchester team in 2014. Prior to her time in the Hillel movement, Rachel served as a Reform synagogue director in New Jersey, youth group advisor, and teacher. She began her social work career in 2003 as a direct-practice social worker in mental health and substance abuse, then as an Assistant Child Advocate with the State of New Jersey for nearly a decade, where she focused on anti-bullying efforts, childhood lead poisoning, legislative oversight and individual advocacy. She is an award-winning hobby winemaker and currently lives in Stamford, Connecticut.

Rabbi Sarah Krinsky

Adas Israel Congregation

Yoel Shulman

Disability Advocate

Yoel Shulman is a Jewish communal professional and experiential educator with more than ten years of experience in Jewish programming, community engagement, and communications. He holds a Master’s in Education and a BA in History from Fairleigh Dickinson University. A member of Schechter Regional High School’s pioneering class, his early leadership experiences continue to shape his approach to Jewish community building. He previously served as a part-time Communications Coordinator at a local synagogue, gaining firsthand insight into synagogue operations. Currently, in a volunteer capacity, he coordinates Kesher Riverdale Young Professionals and Torah 2uesdays, powered by Hillels of Westchester. He also volunteers with YALA, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s young adult community. Yoel advocates for customized and supported employment within the Jewish communal workforce.

Marion L. Usher, Ph.D.

Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University; Adas Israel Congregation

Dr. Usher is the creator of “Love and Religion: An Interfaith Workshop for Jews and Their Partners.” With her cohort of over 800 couples, she explores the issues interfaith couples need to address as they co-create the religious life of their new family. Her workshop has been conducted in cities across the United States and Canada. Her DVD and manual illustrating her workshop model premiered at the Washington DCJCC Film Festival. Her book, “One Couple Two Faiths: Stories of Love and Religion,” which was featured by the Jewish Book Council, has become the template for couples seeking solutions to their interfaith issues. Three years ago, Dr. Usher built a model creating a path to employment for disabled young adults. It is now an operational program at Adas Israel, with one young adult disabled person employed 15 hours a week with a salary paid by the congregation.