Yamim: Visions and Values 2026 - Long Island

Mollie is the Vice President of Programs at M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education. She has over 18 years of experience teaching in a variety of Jewish educational settings – from formal classroom teaching to nature education, from theatre education to collaborative philanthropy education. Mollie enjoys being in the field as well as building programs and trainings to support others. She holds a double Master's in Midrash and Jewish Experiential Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary, a BA in Religion from Bard College and is a graduate of M²’s Senior Educators Cohort. Mollie lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and children.

Ilana Gleicher-Bloom is the Program Director for Resources at M²: Institute for Experiential Jewish Education. In her work she focuses on developing pluralist yet inclusive learning environments and is interested in every person being able to access Torah. Ilana is a graduate of Brandeis University and was a member of the inaugural cohort of the Melamdim Teacher Education Program at the Hartman Institute and Tel Aviv University. In 2015, Ilana had the opportunity to research and develop a new model for congregational schools, which she launched as Mensch Academy, the religious school of Mishkan Chicago, and in 2018, she received the Pomegranate Prize from the Covenant Foundation. Ilana currently lives in Jerusalem with her husband and three children.

Mikhael Kesher is a curator of educational experiences and resources, whose professional passion is supporting Jewish educators and learners in building informed, constructive, and committed relationships with am yisrael (the Jewish people) and medinat yisrael (the Jewish state). As a British-born Israeli-by-choice and new American, he cares deeply about strengthening each Jew’s connection to global Jewry. Before joining The Jewish Education Project as Director, Israel Education, Mikhael worked at Harvard Hillel, MIT Hillel, and Hebrew College. He holds Master’s degrees in Philosophy (University of Cambridge), Near Eastern & Judaic Studies (Brandeis University), and Jewish professional leadership (Brandeis University). At home, Mikhael is an avid reader, ḥevruta enthusiast, and devoted abba to two young children.