Meet our team!
At the South Philadelphia Shtiebel, we are blessed with a wonderful Governing Board, Advisory Board, Team Leads, and staff. For the last five and a half years, we’ve been focusing on creating and sharpening systems to ensure that this holy and wonderful place can thrive through a diverse ecosystem of leadership.
Our Team
Our small and mighty team work behind the scenes to support our volunteers in building the Shtiebel community. For many inquiries, they will be the first email or Slack message!
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Our team includes Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter, our Interim Executive Director, Neal Strauss; Rena Pressman, and our Youth and Family Engagement Coordinator.
Our Governing Board
The Shtiebel Board, are available for questions about organizational leadership and other matters as they arise. This is the largest board the Shtiebel has had to date and our community’s growth (baruch hashem) has brought a clear need to have increased community representation on the Board. In response to this community need, the Board recently voted in two new members who are based in Philadelphia and are regular, committed attendees of the Shtiebel.
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Please meet our Governing Board, nominated by our outgoing board, will oversee governance, finance, and legal responsibilities.
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Dina Bleckman, Board Chair
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David Diamond
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Rachel Garland
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Ariel Platt
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Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter, ex officio
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Thank you to our outgoing board!
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Rabbi Adam Mintz
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Ariel Platt
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Donna Spector
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Laurie Wexler
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Rabbai Sara Luria
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Sharrona Pearl​​
Our Advisory Board
Established to support our community's mission. The Advisory Board is composed of individuals who bring unique expertise and serve as lead volunteers on major initiatives. Members will help shape and evaluate programs, contribute to fundraising efforts, and advocate for the Shtiebel’s vision.
This group will meet regularly and play a vital role in connecting us to the broader community, and members may be considered for future leadership roles on the Board of Directors.
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The current Advisory Board, assembled through community nominations in Fall 2024 will help shape the Shtiebel’s long-term vision, focusing on program development, evaluation, and innovation to make recommendations to the staff and governing board.
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Corey Freeman
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Amanda Gelb
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Jamie Goldberg
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Shayna Hodkin
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Heschel Krechmer
Our Volunteer Team Leads
At the South Philadelphia Shtiebel, we are blessed with a community of devoted volunteers who generously give of themselves to help us fulfill our sacred vision of community. Our volunteers all work in alignment towards the same sacred goals and are part of the impact the Shtiebel is making on our local community and the world.
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Please meet our Team Leads, the dedicated volunteers who help run the day-to-day operations of our sacred space, from security to the kitchen to davening and beyond.
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Abrielle Feurst, Volunteer Connections and Involvement Coordinator
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Mickie Molgilensky, Ritual Leadership and Gabbait
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Daniel Krupka, Gabbai
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R' Tim, Tomer Yitzchak, Cravens, Learning
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Andrew Lippa, Security and Emergency Planning​
Open Team Lead Positions
Interested in getting involved? Reach out to Abrielle Fuerst, Volunteer Connections and Involvement Coordinator, or Neal Strauss, Interim Executive Director, to indicate interest in the role.
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Our South Philly Neighborhood Team Lead ​- being wonderful neighbors, interfaith work, local hunger relief, and more.
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Online Community & Communications Team Lead -(Role Description) Helping Keep Our Virtual Home Warm, Welcoming, and Connected
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Space and Facilities Team Lead - Build better systems for our community and volunteers to use and maintain our space