Responding to the Tragedy in Pittsburgh

Panelists

(Bios were current at the time of the recording.)

Shira Deener is the Director of Jewish Education at Facing History and Ourselves, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage students in an examination of racism, prejudice and antisemitism. Facing History’s Jewish Education Program provides training, coaching, and resources to educators around the globe. By connecting Jewish sources to historical and contemporary issues, Shira empowers teachers to help students make connections between their Jewish identities, ethical choices they make, their potential as agents of change in our world.

Meredith Lewis is the Director of Content and Engagement at PJ Library. Meredith has also worked as an online editor, writer, manager, youth group director, and teacher. She holds an MPA and a MA in Hebrew and Judaic Studies from New York University, and a BS in Journalism from Northwestern University. She is currently pursuing a certificate in Early Childhood Technology at Tufts University. Meredith and her husband Ben live in Northampton, MA with their two children, Ari and Micah.

Liron Lipinsky is currently the Associate Vice President of Jewish Enrichment at BBYO. Prior to joining BBYO in August, Liron was the Founding Director of the Joint-Jewish Education Program (J-JEP), a multi-denominational collaborative experiential learning community of Rodef Shalom Congregation and Congregation Beth Shalom in Pittsburgh, PA. Liron is an education designer and strategist. Her objective is to provide an all-encompassing understanding of Judaism and Jewish narratives through quality and relevant experiences. As a life-long learner, Liron strives to nurture curiosities, exploration, and discovery. Though her passion for education was ignited while teaching in Baltimore as a Teach For America Corps Member, her commitment to Judaism began while being raised in her Israeli home. Liron currently resides outside of Pittsburgh in Indianola- a small town with the population of 294 individuals, with her husband Brad, 4 year old daughter Ariana, and a feisty Shiba Inu Max.

Dr. Betsy Stone received her Doctorate in Psychology from Yale University. She is a psychologist and for the last fifteen years has served as an adjunct lecturer at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Her classes include Human Development for Educators, Adolescent Development and Teens In and Out of Crisis. She also teaches a family education class in her synagogue, Temple Sinai of Stamford, for 6th and 7th graders and their parents, and likes to travel and teach about teenagers and their families. Betsy’s book, Happily Ever After, was published by Random House. 

Dr. David Bryfman is the Chief Innovation Officer at The Jewish Education Project. David completed his Ph.D in Education and Jewish Studies at NYU focusing on Jewish adolescent identity development and experiential Jewish education. He is also a graduate of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program and a current Schusterman Fellow. Prior to moving to New York, David worked in formal and informal Jewish education institutions in Australia, Israel, and North America. David's current work focuses on bringing innovative strategies and creative thinking to Jewish education. 

Rabbi Jennifer Ossakow Goldsmith is the Managing Director of Congregational Learning and Leadership Initiatives at The Jewish Education Project in New York. Born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jennifer received her BA from the University of Michigan and rabbinic ordination and MA in Religious Education from HUC-JIR. Jennifer’s ongoing study of leadership theory drives her commitment to helping Jewish leaders harness their resources to create meaningful change. Prior to her time at The Jewish Education Project, Jennifer worked as the Director of Life-Long Learning at Larchmont Temple helping engage families at every age and stage of their Jewish journeys. Her current work concentrates on fostering and spreading educational innovation that helps learners thrive through consulting, grant initiatives, online resources, professional networks, and leadership development.