Great leaders do work that is effective, sustainable and meaningful. At the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, we believe that this requires da’at, which, as understood in Hasidic literature, means a rich, spacious awareness that leads to righteous action. Da’at (from the word lada’at, “to know”) implies intimacy, a knowing grounded in trust and compassion. When we cultivate that kind of knowing, we become more aware of how things are interconnected, of the underlying Unity, its dazzlingly diverse manifestations and our own place within it. This awareness allows the necessary insight for leaders to evaluate their own behaviors, make wise decisions and find true joy in the work they do. Through personal investment in spiritual practices that support the cultivation of da’at, we all can better embody the characteristics of great leadership.
Staff
Jordan Bendat-Appell, Director of Regional Programming
Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell is the co-founder and director of the Center for Jewish Mindfulness in Chicago. Jordan was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2008, after which he served as the rabbi at Aitz Hayim Center for Jewish Living in Glencoe, IL. Prior to pursuing his rabbinical path, Jordan studied Conservation Biology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, spent several months at Zen centers in California and France, and studied Jewish text at the Conservative Yeshiva and Machon Pardes in Jerusalem. He and his family live outside Chicago.
“The Institute for Jewish Spirituality represents the best of Jewish living through the practice and development of authentically Jewish, sustainable tools that help facilitate our becoming the people that we hope to be in this world.”
David Ian Cavill, M.Div., Associate Director
David Ian Cavill serves as the Institute’s Associate Director overseeing all aspects of Institute operations including finance, IT, human resources, general administration, and program support. He comes to the Institute with a background in non-profit management in the Jewish community and also has experience in development and as a chaplain and program professional. In addition to his work at the Institute, Cavill is a candidate for rabbinic ordination at the Academy for Jewish Religion and holds degrees from Columbia University (BA Religion), the Jewish Theological Seminary (BA Ancient Judaism), and Yale University (Master of Divinity). Cavill lives in the Kingsbridge Heights section of the Bronx.
Nancy Flam, Co-Director of Programs
Rabbi Nancy Flam was the first Director of the IJS and a co-founder of the Jewish Healing Center in 1991. She then directed the Jewish Community Healing Program of Ruach Ami: Bay Area Jewish Healing Center in San Francisco. She has served as a consultant for Synagogue 2000 and the National Center for Jewish Healing. Rabbi Flam earned her B.A. in Religion (Phi Beta Kappa, Summa cum Laude) from Dartmouth College in 1982; her M.A. in Hebrew Literature from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1986, and was ordained in 1989.
Marge Gassner, Bookkeeper
Lisa Goldstein, Executive Director
Rabbi Lisa Goldstein is the Executive Director of the Institute; prior to that, she spent 15 years as Executive Director of Hillel of San Diego where she garnered local and national recognition for her devotion to students and her leadership. She has been a service learning group leader for the American Jewish World Service and as a Mandel Jerusalem Fellow in 2009-2010, she designed a new methodology for combining local justice work and contemplative practice within a Jewish framework.
“I have been an enthusiastic participant in Institute programs since 2002 and believe that the cultivation of spiritual practices as taught by the Institute has the potential to transform leadership in the Jewish community towards greater wisdom and commitment to right action in the world.”
Myriam Klotz, Director of Yoga and Embodied Practices
Rabbi Myriam Klotz is a co-founder and co-director of The Yoga and Jewish Spirituality Teacher Certification Program at Elat Chayyim Jewish Spiritual Retreat Center. A certified yoga teacher and yoga therapist, she writes and teaches about the body and Jewish healing nationally. She received her B.A. from Brown University and graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where she serves as a Spiritual Director and Rabbinic Intern Director. She is also editor of the forthcoming Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association Rabbi’s Manual. Her recordings include Each and Every Day: Yoga and Meditation for Jewish Spirituality.
Marc Margolius, Hevraya Director
Rabbi Marc Margolius directs the Institute’s programming for rabbis, cantors and educators who are alumni of our leadership training programs. In addition, he serves as spiritual leader of West End Synagogue on New York City’s Upper West Side. Previously, Rabbi Margolius directed the Legacy Heritage Innovation Project, an initiative supporting congregational educational transformation, and served as Director of Jewish Life and Identity for the Jewish Community Centers of Philadelphia. Rabbi Margolius received his B.A. and J.D. from Yale University, and graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He is a graduate of the original cohort of the Rabbinic training program of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.
Zena Schulman, Communications and Development Associate
Zena comes to the Institute after graduating from Tulane University with a BSM in Marketing, a secondary Jewish Studies major, and a Management minor. After growing up in Young Judaea, she stayed involved with the Jewish community through Hillel, as well as Tulane University for Israel. In her spare time, Zena enjoys dancing, laughing, hiking, and crafting.
Jonathan Slater, Co-Director of Programs
Rabbi Jonathan Slater oversees the Rabbinic Leadership Program and participates as staff in many other programs at the Institute, and is a graduate of the Institute’s first rabbinic cohort. He is the author of Mindful Jewish Living: Compassionate Practice (Aviv Press, 2004), and is currently engaged in a publishing project, presenting translations of classical Hasidic texts with commentary. He received his ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1979, and served as rabbi at Beth Am in Santa Rosa, California, for 19 years. He is on the faculty of Makom: Center for Mindfulness at the JCC in Manhattan, teaching and leading mindfulness meditation.
“I am constantly amazed and inspired at how the focused, sustained and honest inner work of our participants generates such deep personal transformation, inspired leadership and strong commitment to ease human suffering and sustain the world.”
Esther Smigel, Retreat and Programs Manager
Esther comes to the Institute with experience in retreat management and a love of hospitality. A graduate of Smith College and an alumna of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies Year Program, Esther has previously worked for Nehirim: GLBT Jewish Culture and Spirituality and Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center. Esther enjoys baking pies, community gardening, and exploring the many shuls and shtiebels of Brooklyn.
“I am passionate about the work of the Institute because we are engaged in this radical project of making relevant, meaningful, and living the wisdom of Torah — this work is transforming how the Jewish world believes and acts as Jews, and I think it will be key to keeping Judaism alive for my generation and those to come.”
Max Amadeo Thomas, Office Manager
Max came to the Institute with a background in operations and program support at several nonprofits relating to social services and human rights. He now serves as office manager and assists with programs. He holds a BA in Psychology from CUA, with a minor in philosophy. He likes to hike, bike, read, and eat.
Sheila Weinberg, Director of Outreach
Sheila Weinberg has worked in the Jewish community in multiple educational capacities for over 40 years, twenty-five years as a rabbi. She is one of the founders of the Institute, where she teaches Torah through the lens of mindfulness practice and yoga. Her writing includes essays on contemporary issues of social justice, poetry, torah and prayer commentaries and her memoir, Surprisingly Happy: An Atypical Relligious Memoir. She is currently developing and co-leading the second cohort of the Jewish Mindfulness Teacher Training program.
“IJS is my community of intentional practice and creativity, based on a deep encounter with our tradition and huge doses of love that I believe is transforming Jewish life in our times.”
Lisa Zbar, Development Director
Lisa Zbar comes to the Institute after a career making films about Judaism, Islam, access to health care, and other social issues. She was president of Brooklyn’s congregation Kolot Chayeinu and co-founded Shir Chadash: The Brooklyn Jewish Community Chorus. From 2006-2008, Lisa participated in Vetaher Libeynu, the Institute program of adult education.
“Through Vetaher Libeynu I discovered the transformative power of integrating mindfulness practices and Judaism. I hope that through my work I can introduce others to the riches that await us in these various traditions.”
Board
Larry Schwartz, President
Larry Schwartz spent 25 years as a principal of the company that created the Lugz and British Knights shoe brands. He retired recently to spend more time cultivating his Jewish spiritual practice and helping the Institute grow and develop. He cofounded the Jewish Meditation Center of Montclair and is teaching Jewish meditation at Romemu and elsewhere in NY city.
“The Institute means so much to me because it deeply touches and inspires so many people and is helping to revitalize Judaism throughout North America.”
Dorian S. Goldman, Vice President
Dorian Goldman, Vice-Chair, is a trustee of the Goldman family real estate holding company. She is a member of the Friends of Ben Gurion University, the American Jewish Committee, and is a member of the Conservative Congregation in Pleasantville, New York.
Dr. Jeannie Blaustein
Jeannie Blaustein graduated from Brown University with Honors in history; she received an MA in history from NYU, and then shifted her studies to pursue a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. A licensed clinical psychologist, Jeannie worked in the Barnard College Counseling Service for several years, and is currently an Adjunct Supervisor to City College’s Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She serves on the board of the Phoebe Berman Bioethics Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, and on the Board of LitWorld, an extraordinary non-profit dedicated to promoting sustainable literacy in the Third World.
Ellen Friedman
Ellen Friedman is the Executive Director of The Compton Foundation, which seeks to ignite change toward a sustainable, just, and peaceful future. Ellen brings to her work a deep interest in organizational design and leadership and a passion for transformative social change around the world. She is a trustee of Futures Without Violence, formerly Family Violence Prevention Fund, New Field Foundation, and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and she holds an MBA from UCLA.
“IJS matters to me because I believe we cannot transform the world until we transform our hearts. Jewish wisdom has much to teach about both and IJS has found a way to bring that wisdom alive in our time.”
Ann Greenstein
Ann Greenstein served as an Executive Director of a Reform congregation and came to IJS as part of the first Kivvun cohort. Ann lives in the Chicago area with her husband, Jeff, also a Kivvun participant.
“I became interested in the work of IJS because I was convinced that there was a different way to see and to inhabit this world beyond what I already knew and understood and I wanted to explore that within a Jewish framework.”
Rabbi Marion Lev-Cohen
Marion Lev Cohen began her rabbinical studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, New York, in August 2006. She is currently serving as a rabbinic intern at Central Synagogue in New York. She is the national chair of MAKOM, an initiative of the Jewish Agency to deepen Israel engagement. She currently serves on the boards of the Joint Distribution Committee, Jewish Agency, American Jewish World Services and Synagogue 3000.
Rabbi Rex D. Perlmeter
Rabbi Rex D Perlmeter is the Founding Director of the Jewish Wellness Center of Montclair. He credits the vision of this provider of holistic teachings and services leading toward personal and communal sh’leimut in large part to the inspiration received from his participation in several of the programs of IJS. A former member of the Senior Staff of the Union for Reform Judaism, he resides in New Jersey with his wife, Rabbi Rachel Hertzman and family.
Terry Rosenberg
Terry Rosenberg has a 25 year career as an executive coach and organizational consultant specializing in leadership development and communication. She has focused her work more recently in the synagogue and Jewish camping worlds. She currently serves on the boards of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and Synagogue3000.
“IJS matters to me because true leadership requires personal transformation. IJS creates Jewish leaders who illuminate the values of justice, compassion, and truthfulness in the communities they inspire and serve.”
Miriam Scharf
Miriam Scharf is the retired COO of Midwest Cardiology Associates and President, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.
“The Institute is important to be because it is the vehicle that speaks to the seeking and yearning of modern Jews for a meaningful, contemplative path to explore and nourish their inner life.”
Amanda Silver
Amanda is a leadership and organizational development consultant to non-profit and social change organizations around the country. She draws on mindfulness, emotional-intelligence and strength-based approaches to create the conditions that allow individuals, teams and organizations to thrive. Amanda serves on the Advisory Board of the Selah Leadership Program at Jewish Funds for Justice and holds an M.S. in Positive Organizational Development from Case Western Reserve University.
“As a recent graduate of the Jewish Mindfulness Teacher Training program, I admire the Institute as a unique organization in which my passion for social justice, Jewish spiritual practice, and mindfulness intersect in an integrated way.”
Larry Yermack
Larry Yermack has spent his professional career bringing improvements to the regional and national transportation network. He was the creator of the E-ZPass coalition, has held several government positions including first deputy transportation commissioner for New York City, was president of a 400 person systems integration firm, and now is president of a consulting company in the Intelligent Transportation field. He served as his synagogue president and co-founded the Jewish Meditation Center of Montclair.
“The Institute is important to me because it provides the tools to integrate spiritual practices into a full meaningful Jewish life.”
