Head of School Circle Celebration
Watch the 2022 Celebration
2022 Honorees
Emily Bobrow '94
Emily Bobrow ‘94 is a staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal, where she writes the weekly profile column Weekend Confidential, covering innovators and leaders in all areas of life including business, government, sports, science, religion, and the arts. From 2000 to 2015, she worked at the Economist as a staff editor and writer. There, from offices in London, New York, and Washington, D.C., she launched the magazine’s online culture coverage and wrote on subjects ranging from juvenile justice to contemporary theater and from gender politics to maternal mortality. Her feature articles, essays, and book reviews have appeared in various publications, including The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, NewYorker.com, Newsweek, The Economist’s 1843, and The Washington Post.
Emily credits her years at CESJDS, which she attended along with her two sisters, with instilling in her a passion for learning, a restless curiosity, and an inveterate skepticism tempered by a respect for and love of tradition. She also took to heart Susan Zuckerman’s advice that “sesquipedalianism obfuscates pellucidity” [using big words confuses clarity]. Her reporting has often gravitated toward Jewish themes and issues, and is centrally concerned with matters of justice and equity. She has also worked as an editor and consultant for Dr. Warren Goldstein, the Chief Rabbi of The Union of Orthodox Synagogues of South Africa.
Emily lives in New York with her husband, Daniel, an author and psychotherapist; their two children, Ezra (age 4) and Zoe (age 2); and her stepdaughter, Annelise (age 15).
Jake Mintz '13
Jake Mintz ’13 is a baseball writer and podcaster for Fox Sports and SiriusXM. During his senior year at CESJDS, Jake co-founded a humorous baseball Twitter account called Céspedes Family BBQ, alongside former classmate Jordan Shusterman. The Twitter page now has over 135,000 followers, and their accompanying podcasts have been featured on numerous top ten baseball podcast lists. Over the years, Jake has covered every type of professional baseball event including multiple All-Star Games, Playoffs, and World Series.
After graduating from JDS, Jake attended Washington University in St. Louis where he majored in History and Islamic Studies. Jake played as a pitcher on the school’s D3 varsity baseball team and was named a “Jewish All-American” by Jewish Sports Review his senior year, after posting the second lowest single-season earned run average (ERA) in program history.
During his time at JDS, Jake honed his skills and knowledge on the Lions baseball team as team captain under Coach Steve Forestieri. Jake also credits his experiences in Ms. Fisanich and Ms. Davison’s English classes for helping to foster his love and appreciation for writing.
Jake currently lives in Harlem, NY with his longtime girlfriend Tamar Eisen ’13 and spends his free time coaching youth baseball and serving on the board of Harlem Little League.
Nick Miller, CESJDS Faculty
Nick Miller has been a teacher at CESJDS since 1985, teaching nearly every grade in middle and high school. Nick’s major responsibility has been teaching science, but he has also taught Greek, Latin, and Comparative Religion. He has also been a faculty advisor to the School's Sephardic Minyan since its inception. Mr. Miller has a way of bringing his love of science and languages together leaving indelible marks on JDS alumni and current students alike.
Most of Mr. Miller’s family hails from the Dalmatian area of the former Yugoslavia, while one of his grandmothers resided in East Texas. He received his degree in Biology from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky and then a second degree in Biblical Studies from Catholic University in Washington, DC. Mr. Miller’s parents were bilingual in Serbo-Croatian and his grandfather made a living as a translator in coal mines. His favorite languages are Hebrew and Greek, and he has kept up to speed with his languages by engaging with JDS students as study partners, and leading the Greek and Latin Clubs at JDS.
Many of Mr. Miller’s former students credit him for teaching them to love science and learning, for respecting everyone around him, for his energy, for giving them the confidence they needed to succeed, for strengthening their connection to Judaism, and of course, for his many sayings, especially repetitio mater memoriae - - repetition is the mother of memory.
Mr. Miller loves teaching his students how to learn and thrive intellectually and praises JDS for being his home for many years and being a welcoming environment in our Jewish community.
Past Honorees
2021
Alex Flum '14
Alex Flum '14 is a sports reporter and anchor with WDVM-TV, covering high school, college, and professional sports in the Washington, DC area. A graduate of the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, Alex previously worked as a sports anchor and reporter at WHSV, the ABC affiliate in Harrisonburg, VA.
While at Maryland, Alex co-founded The Left Bench TV and broadcasted for the Big Ten Network, WMUC Sports, Capital News Service, and wrote for The Diamondback. Alex held internships with NBC4 and ABC7 in the Washington market and WBOC in Salisbury, and he worked as a field producer with NBC4. Alex was ranked twice as a Top 20 collegiate sportscaster of the year by the Sportscaster Talent Agency of America.
Alex attended the CESJDS Upper School and was heavily involved in The Lion's Tale, pioneering and providing play-by-play announcing for "Lion's Tale TV" broadcasts of the basketball matchups against rival Hebrew Academy. He also helped The Lion's Tale transform its coverage from print to multimedia as sports editor and the publication's first online editor-in-chief. Alex says that CESJDS gave him his start in journalism and helped his passion for the industry grow. In 2017, Alex covered the Friendship Games, a peacemaking basketball tournament held yearly in Eilat, Israel. The Irene and Daniel Simpkins Senior Capstone Israel Trip prepared him well to cover the games.
Josh Lipsky ‘04
Josh Lipsky ‘04 is the founding director of the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center. He previously served as an advisor at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and speechwriter to Christine Lagarde, a former Managing Director. Prior to joining the IMF, Josh was an appointee at the State Department, serving as Special Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy.
Josh worked at the White House during the Obama administration, and was tasked with helping to plan their participation in the G-20 and other global summits. In 2009, he organized a special White House visit to Buchenwald concentration camp, where Josh’s grandfather was a prisoner. He has also worked on Capitol Hill and at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Josh is a term-member at the Council on Foreign Relations and an Economic Diplomacy Fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center. In these roles, he advises policymakers on a range of emerging challenges to the global economy, including rising inequality, the reform of the Bretton Woods system, and the future of digital currencies. His analysis and commentary have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Bloomberg News, and CNBC.
Josh is a licensed attorney, accredited to practice in Maryland, DC, and before the US Supreme Court. He holds a JD from Georgetown University Law School, a MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a BA from Columbia University.
Josh is married to Leah Lipsky ‘04. They live in Rockville with their two daughters, Clara and Hannah.
Marcie Oser Wertlieb ‘92
Marcie Oser Wertlieb ‘92 is a proud CESJDS lifer having attended JDS from Kindergarten through 12th grade. During these years Marcie developed her love of Judaism, languages, volleyball, tennis, and writing. She was the recipient of both the Spanish and Hebrew awards her senior year, and captain of the Varsity Volleyball team. After JDS, Marcie attended Duke University and graduated magna cum laude with a major in Spanish, minor in Religions, and a certificate in Judaic Studies. Marcie was also active in the AIDS Buddies Program at Duke University Hospital, where she was an advocate for inpatients and outpatients being treated for AIDS. After college, Marcie interned at the National Institutes of Health, doing HIV research in the laboratory of Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Following NIH, Marcie attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine and ultimately chose to follow in her father’s footsteps and become an ophthalmologist. Marcie joined her father’s practice in 2005, and cherishes the opportunity to work together and nurture their patients and their practice.
Marcie is married to Scott Wertlieb, and they are proud Hagshama (second generation) parents to Zoe (Grade 12) and Sela (Grade 10), who also both began JDS in Kindergarten. Marcie served on the CESJDS Alumni Advisory Board during its first three years of inception, and now is thrilled to watch as Zoe serves on the alumni board this year as Senior Class Representative. Marcie is seeing things come full circle and is very grateful to the JDS community for this honor.
2020
Alina (Rekhtman) Kogan '01
Alina (Rekhtman) Kogan '01 applies business skills to advance social impact causes, particularly in education and international development. Alina started her career launching schools in Afghanistan and Mexico, and working with street children in Brazil. She consulted for international organizations and invested in innovative solutions for renewable energy and financial inclusion. Until recently, Alina was helping to expand quality and access to education by negotiating strategic partnerships for Pearson, an education consulting corporation, with large technology companies and edtech start-ups. She holds an MBA from Columbia, and a public policy degree from Princeton, and is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian.
Alina's family immigrated to the US from Russia just a week before Alina started 9th grade at CESJDS. Her experience at CESJDS has taught her to dream big and to persevere in the face of changes and challenges. CESJDS instilled in her a belief that education is at the root of opportunities and inspired Alina's career of helping those who are less fortunate gain access to opportunities.
Alina lives in Hoboken, NJ with her husband Joe, her two children, Benji (age 6) and Emily (age 3), and a Golden Retriever. In the midst of the pandemic, she looks forward to spending the next few months homeschooling her kids while taking them on sailing, skiing, and other adventures.
Daniel Lieber ‘04
Daniel Lieber ‘04 is a computational biologist who seeks to understand the genomic causes of human disease in order to identify potential treatments. He is currently Principal Scientist, Computational Biology at Foundation Medicine in Cambridge, MA. His work has focused on genomic profiling of tumors and diagnosing rare diseases. He holds a PhD in Systems Biology from Harvard University and a BA in Molecular Biology from Princeton University.
Danny is a member of the class of 2004 and has three younger siblings who attended CESJDS. Danny is grateful to CESJDS for instilling in him a thirst for knowledge and a belief that through hard work, we can discover something meaningful. He is appreciative of his Jewish education and the deep and lasting friendships from his time at the school.
At CESJDS, Danny was active in student government, the A cappella group Shir Madness, and the varsity soccer team. Danny’s wife, Rachel, works in health care communications. They have two children, Noah (age 4) and Ethan (age 1), and live in Needham, MA.
Avi Rubel ‘90
Avi Rubel ‘90 is the Co-CEO of Honeymoon Israel, an organization whose vision is that every committed couple with at least one Jewish partner will possess the basic knowledge, inspiration, support system, and sense of belonging to build a family with meaningful connections to Jewish life and the Jewish people, thereby enhancing and strengthening the Jewish community. Honeymoon Israel provides immersive trips to Israel for locally based cohorts of couples that have at least one Jewish partner. Since its inception in 2015, Honeymoon Israel has brought more than 2,000 couples to Israel and has a waiting list of thousands of couples.
Before co-founding Honeymoon Israel, Avi served as the founding North American Director of Masa Israel Journey for seven years, bringing more than 10,000 North Americans to Israel annually. Avi spent more than a decade working on Jewish community development in the former Soviet Union with Hillel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
After college, Avi served as a United States Peace Corps volunteer for two years in rural Kyrgyzstan. Avi earned a BA from Binghamton University and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Avi lives in Tel Aviv and spends as much time as possible hiking and exploring the land of Israel.
2019
Kerry Brodie '08
Kerry Brodie ‘08 is the founder and executive director of Emma's Torch. Emma's Torch is a non-profit restaurant in Brooklyn that provides culinary training and job placement services to refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking. Emma's Torch was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Greatest Places in the World in 2018, and has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Vogue, on The Rachael Ray Show, and others.
Kerry is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She holds a Masters in Government from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelors in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University.
Kerry is a proud member of the CESJDS class of 2008. CESJDS instilled in her a sense of purpose, and a strong Jewish identity. Today, many of her CESJDS friends and teachers are the driving force behind Emma's Torch.
Previous Head of School Circle Honorees
2018
Matthew Foldi '14
Matthew Foldi ‘14 graduated from the University of Chicago in June 2018, and currently serves as Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s Rapid Response Director. When Matthew was 19, he became the youngest elected official in Chicago’s history; he currently serves as the Fifth Ward Committeeman.
While in college, Matthew organized the first ever national student-run free speech conference at the University of Chicago and founded an international organization, Students for Free Expression. He testified in the Wisconsin legislature about the importance of free speech and has defended free speech in outlets as varied as National Geographic, Fox News, and Inside Higher Ed. Matthew received national attention for his work countering BDS on campus. He was President of College Republicans at the University of Chicago for over three years, growing its membership to record-setting levels, and hosting a diverse array of well over 50 guest speakers. He was elected Chairman of the Illinois Federation of College Republicans this year.
During his time at CESJDS, Matthew served as the president of the Junior State of America, captain of the debate team, editor of the Chadashot section of The Lion’s Tale, and played soccer. Matthew credits CESJDS with sparking his interest in local, national, and international politics. Since his graduation he has returned to the School to speak on topics ranging from combating BDS on college campuses to getting involved in local politics.
Saul Goldfarb '78
Saul Goldfarb ‘78 is an entrepreneur and businessman. After college at University of Maryland College Park, Saul joined his father’s business which specialized in automotive parts. Saul loved working with and for his dad, but after 15 years, he decided to break out on his own. In 1997, Saul founded Goldfarb & Associates, a diesel parts brokerage service specializing in diesel injection pumps, injectors, and turbocharger cores. Goldfarb and Associates has grown to be a leading supplier of diesel parts to remanufacturing companies globally.
Family is the most important thing in the world to Saul. He is especially proud of his three sons, Michael ‘05, Scott ‘07, and Adam ‘11 and indebted to his wife of 33 years, Elissa, for keeping them all in line. Saul and Elissa are proud Hagshama (second generation) parents, having sent Michael, Scott, and Adam all to CESJDS. Saul was the first alumnus to have a child graduate from our school when Michael graduated in 2005.
Saul also has the distinction of having been a student at the first Solomon Schechter Day School in the Washington, DC region (the precursor to CESJDS) when it was located in the basement of Ohr Kodesh Congregation in Chevy Chase, MD.
Debbi Schnitzer Cooper ‘93
Debbi Schnitzer Cooper ‘93 is the Senior Engagement Officer with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, a foundation that works to make Jewish life and Jewish community around the world more vibrant and connected. In this capacity, she supports large cities in developing their family engagement strategies. She recently served as the Associate Vice President, Community Outreach & Engagement of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. In her role at JUF over the last 15 years, Debbi oversaw the implementation of PJ Library in Chicago, growing it to the largest program in North America and launched jBaby Chicago, an innovative approach to serving expectant and new parents, which is now being replicated in communities nationwide.
Debbi is the current Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees for Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, a pluralistic Jewish Day School in Chicago and serves on the Advisory Board for Mishkan Chicago’s Mensch Academy. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with honors and has a Master’s in Public Administration/Non-profit Management from George Mason University.
Debbi holds CESJDS close to her heart as she and her siblings Rebecca ‘95 and Dan ‘98 are all “lifers”. Their father, Elliot, is a former Board Member and mom, Evonne, is one of our beloved Kindergarten teachers. Today, Debbi lives in Chicago with her husband, Aaron, and their three children: Gabe (11), Judah (10) and Noah (7), who are students at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School.
2017
Jordan Fabian '05
Jordan Fabian '05
Jordan Fabian ‘05 is a White House correspondent for The Hill newspaper. Jordan credits his experience at CESJDS for instilling him with a passion for working hard, writing, and asking tough questions. In his career as a journalist, Jordan has interviewed two presidents, numerous administration officials, and dozens of members of Congress. His work has been featured in The Hill, ABC News, Univision, and The Atlantic. Jordan frequently appears on cable news and syndicated radio programs to share his reporting and analysis.
CESJDS helped cement Jordan’s bonds to the Jewish community and gave him his first exposure to journalism. Jordan cut his teeth as a staff writer for The Lion’s Tale, and was a founding member of the Varsity Golf team. It is also where Jordan was drawn into politics; as a senior, he co-founded the Bipartisan Alliance Club.
He continued his involvement in the Jewish community at Cornell University, where he was active in Hillel, and continued his studies in Hebrew. CESJDS also helped Jordan form strong ties to Israel. He has returned several times, including on a reporting trip in 2011.
Jordan lives in Washington, DC, with his wife Melissa.
Chuck Fox '91
Chuck Fox '91
Chuck Fox ‘91 is a senior partner at Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, and the Chief of Gastroenterology at Emory University Hospital Midtown. He graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland Honors Program in 1995 and Harvard Medical School in 1999. He completed his internal medicine internship and residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in 2002 and his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Virginia in 2005.
Chuck is active in the Atlanta Jewish community, serving as a member of the Development Committee for Temple Sinai Atlanta and as Co-Chair of the Volunteer Committee for Maccabi Games Atlanta 2019. Chuck’s greatest accomplishment in life is winning the “Physics Award” as a senior in high school at CESJDS. Not far behind is serving as Sports, Features, and News Editor of The Lion’s Tale, two terms as treasurer of the Student Council, and a member of the CESJDS Varsity soccer team.
Chuck lives in Sandy Springs, GA, with his wife of 19 years, Amy, and their 15-year-old twins, Sydney and Ben. His children graduated from The Epstein School, the Solomon Schechter School of Atlanta, in May 2017. He dedicates this honor to the memory of his mother, Anita Cohen, who sacrificed greatly to send Chuck to CESJDS, and recently passed away on May 1 after a battle with uterine cancer.
Sara Polon '95
Sara Polon ’95
Sara Polon ’95 graduated from University of Pennsylvania where she studied history. Her career path took many meandering twists and turns including working at an internet startup, leading tours through Israel, and several years as a stand-up comic in New York. In 2008, after reading Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, she founded Soupergirl along with her mom, Marilyn Polon (aka Soupermom/Chief Anxiety Officer). Sourcing seasonally from local farmers, the company makes a wide variety of healthy, kosher, all-natural, vegan soups that can be found across the east coast.
Sara is so grateful for the incredible education she received during her thirteen years at CESJDS. While the education has influenced her greatly, it was CESJDS’s emphasis on Tikkun Olam that she has carried with her through all phases of her life. As a business owner, she tries to draw upon this value every day - through her labor practices, product sourcing, sales, and more.
Sara continues to be involved in the DC Jewish community. She is an active member of DC Minyan, a lay-led egalitarian community based in Washington, DC. She is also involved in various animal right organizations, including Compassion Over Killing.
2016
Sara Cohen Rich '87
Sara Cohen Rich '87

Sara Cohen Rich ’87 credits her attendance at CESJDS to her grandparents Joseph (z”l) and Guta Wolke, who are Holocaust survivors and wanted their grandchildren to experience a Jewish education.
Sara graduated from Duke University summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in History and Spanish and continued her studies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She practices with her father Dr. Paul Cohen and her grandfather, Dr. Morris Cohen.
In the CESJDS community, Sara served as the Lower School Ma’ayan Chair in 2014 with her husband, Norm Rich, and on the parent transition committee that provided feedback to Rabbi Malkus. Sara is a member of the Building Our Future Campaign Cabinet. She is active at the Edlavitch DCJCC serving on the Capital Campaign Committee, on their Film Council which supervises the yearly Film Festival and where she received the Volunteer of the Year award in 2015.
It is because of her studies at CESJDS and its incredible community that Sara now sends her four children Amelia ’20, Sean ’22, Julia ‘24 and Lauren ‘25 to CESJDS.
Marshall Einhorn '94
Marshall Einhorn '94

Marshall Einhorn '94 has been the Executive Director of Brown RISD Hillel in Providence, RI since 2010. Marshall's passion for pluralistic Jewish communities is rooted in the 13 years he spent at CESJDS and his four years as a student leader at Tufts Hillel.
At Brown RISD Hillel, he has helped foster a "big tent" approach to Jewish life and he enjoys helping students forge a deep and abiding relationship to Judaism and to one another. Marshall recently moved back to Brookline, MA with his wife, Deborah, and their three children in order for their oldest child to continue her Jewish day school education at the Jewish Community Day School there. Marshall's family is still getting a kick out of his May induction into the JDS sports hall of fame and marvel at how quickly his athleticism has gone downhill.
Jonathan Lerner '03
Jonathan Lerner '03

Jonathan Lerner '03 is an Executive at Lerner Enterprises.
Jonathan credits CESJDS for instilling him with a lifelong curiosity and a strong Jewish foundation. This curiosity led him to major in Religious Studies at NYU. While in law school at the Georgetown University Law Center, Jonathan worked closely with the Criminal Defense & Prisoner Advocacy Clinic. Following law school, Jonathan practiced
corporate law at Proskauer Rose LLP with a focus on mergers and acquisitions.
Jonathan is also co-founder of On Rye, a modern sandwich shop inspired by Jewish deli coming soon to Chinatown, DC.
2015
Yael Mossé '89
Dr. Yael Mossé '89

The Mossé family moved to the United States from France to escape anti-Semitism. A year after arriving, Yael began CESJDS in the fourth grade and was joined by her brother, David. Unlike many international students at CESJDS whose first language is Hebrew, Yael’s first language is French. But the presence of other students who didn’t use English as a first language proved to make the transition to life in America a bit easier. Ita Milstein, an English language tutor, made it possible for Yael and others to assimilate. She developed a passion for learning, academics, a moral compass, and a profound connection to her Judaism and the State of Israel.
Yael’s two primary interests in English literature and biology can be traced to the classrooms of Annette Lakein and Laura Jacobs. Roz Landy was also inspirational.
The faculty provided “education with passion” and tapped into each student’s individual needs. The Israel trip after graduation also nourished Yael’s passion for the Jewish state.
Today, Yael’s connections to Israel, the Jewish community, and her medical work intertwine seamlessly. Her professors from the Sackler School of Medicine call her often, and Israeli families come to her in their time of need. Yael lives in Wynnewood, PA, with her daughter Noa Rachel and her son Yoni Aaron, both of whom attended the Perelman Jewish Day School. Her parents, Georges and Danielle Mossé, made Aliyah in 2014.
“CESJDS gave me the tools to believe in myself and instilled in me the passion to help others.”
Rachel Ain '95
Rachel Ain '95

Growing up in a home where Jewish values were important, Rachel enrolled in CESJDS in middle school and was later joined by her sister, Dorie Ain Ravick ’01. “When I was thinking about where I wanted to attend the end of middle school and more importantly, high school, I wanted to be in a school where I could continue my love of Jewish learning that I had experienced at my synagogue’s Hebrew school and Jewish summer camp. I knew I wanted to be in a place that had strong Jewish values and a strong academic reputation,” Rachel explains.
Jewish traditions and values grew even more important and influenced her decision to become a Rabbi. After CESJDS, she attended Barnard College and the Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies. She was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary, concurrently receiving her MA in Jewish Education. Additionally, during Rabbinical School she served as a commissioned Lieutenant (JG) for the US Navy Chaplains Corp. “As a rabbi, I am motivated by the opportunity to study Jewish tradition and to help create a thriving community based on these values.”
Rachel is married to Rabbi David Levy, the Director of Teen Learning and the International Director of USY, for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. They are the proud parents of two sons, Jared and Zachary.
Stephen Krupin '00
Stephen Krupin ’00

Stephen is a third-generation Washingtonian and was a “lifer” at CESJDS, having started in kindergarten and graduating 13 years later. His nephew, Kyle, is now at CESJDS kindergartner.
Stephen considers the people who made CESJDS special an extended family. “Many of the relationships and friendships I started at CESJDS are still with me today, 25 years later.”
While at CESJDS, Stephen was active with the Lion’s Tale student newspaper and class government, and he particularly remembers Mrs. Annette Lakein in the English department for helping him to perfect his writing and analytical skills. He also recalls Mr. Jeffrey Coster, a history teacher who instilled in him an understanding that there is not just one American history, but many.
After CESJDS, Stephen went to Northwestern University, where he majored in journalism and political science. Later he earned a master’s degree at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs.
He has written for the President of the United States, the U.S. Secretary of State and other Cabinet Secretaries, the Senate Majority Leader and numerous congressional leaders, ambassadors, Fortune 500 CEOs, philanthropists, university presidents, foundation heads, and non-profit advocates.
“At CESJDS, I was educated through the lens of a pluralistic Jewish perspective, learning that every practice and point of view has value. That’s essential when you’re writing in someone else’s voice for diverse audiences on a wide range of issues, whether around the country or around the world.”
“From day one, we were learning about different cultures, histories, and languages – so we always had a strong sense that there was a bigger world beyond our classroom walls,” Stephen said. “We learned that we have a responsibility to make that world better – tikkun olam. That’s at the heart of public service.” Every day, through his profession, Stephen is continuing the work that he started while at CESJDS.
Stephen lives in Washington, D.C., and is an avid runner in his spare time or when he needs to clear his head while writing. In 2015, he completed the Havana Marathon.
2014
Juliana Goldman '99
Julianna Goldman '99

Julianna Goldman ’99 is an award-winning television journalist and has been a correspondent with CBS News since 2014. She reports from the CBS Washington Bureau and is part of the 2016 Presidential campaign team. For more than ten years, Julianna was at Bloomberg News, working her way up and eventually becoming a White House correspondent.
With a passion for excellence and coming from a family where her parents emphasized public service, Julianna attended Barnard College and majored in political science. At Barnard, she pursued several internships and realized that she had a passion for politics. Ultimately, her inquisitive mind and desire for asking tough questions translated into a successful career.
Julianna has been at the forefront of her profession, covering all the major events of the Obama presidency, including the President’s fi rst trip to Israel. Accomplishments include appearing as a panelist on Political Capital With Al Hunt, the fi rst interview with President Obama after his re-election (one of three she has done with the President), moderator of the Bloomberg 2011 Republican Primary Debate, coverage at the White House the night Osama bin Laden was killed, and travel to Afghanistan one year later.
Julianna and her husband, Michael Gottlieb, live in Washington, DC.
“Balancing the demands of the CESJDS dual curriculum was a 13-year lesson in multitasking that has proven to be invaluable throughout my career.”
Rebecca Keren Eisenstadt '03
Rebecca Keren Eisenstadt ’03

Rebecca graduated from CESJDS at the height of the Iraq war. Because of the conflict, the senior trip to Israel and Europe was delayed. Before the trip's start, Rebecca used the down time to audition for some professional acting companies and landed a role with the Washington Savoyards in their production of "Mikado." This was the impetus for the start of her acting career.
After CESJDS, Rebecca attended New York University's Tisch School for the Arts. At Tisch, Rebecca’s mix of strong acting skills, combined with mastery of Hebrew and Judaics, made her well-known. The National Yiddish Theater – Folksbiene awarded her a scholarship to learn Yiddish, and she is now a professional member of the company.
As a skilled B'nai Mitzvah tutor, Rebecca works with approximately 30 young people at any given time. Additionally, she uses her theatrical skills to find creative ways to assist her students with learning differences.
“CESJDS instilled strong values in me that are central to who I am. As an artist and as an actress, I try to also be a teacher – spreading our understanding of the Jewish experience.”
Max Levitt '07
Max Levitt ’07

After spending three years at JDS (K-2) his parents moved Max to the McLean school as a good environment to deal with his learning disabilities. However, Max credits their decision to return him to JDS for high school as the key to his success in college and his ability to rise above his disabilities and thrive. Max found the environment at JDS stimulating and abounding in a community feeling that clearly demonstrated the values of helping others and doing tikun olam. He sees his peer group as a very strong motivating force and he still travels with many of his classmates.
While at Syracuse University, Max worked as an equipment manager for the football team and for the first time had real relationships with kids that came from far less fortunate backgrounds. Kids who had struggled all their lives and for whom college was anything but a given. He also saw how important sports were to these kids and what a positive force it was in their lives. He also met a lot of privileged kids who had no appreciation for all they had been given.
His family often travelled to poorer areas of the globe and it just happened that they planned a vacation to Africa for the end of his junior year. Max had an idea about bringing sports equipment to donate in Botswana. In two weeks and with basically the use of just e-mail, he was able to assemble a significant amount of equipment and his parents helped him bring it along for donation. The exercise hit home in two major ways: 1) How incredibly appreciative the recipients of the equipment were; and 2) how relatively easy it was to make a very large impact on these peoples’ lives. From that point on, Max had his eyes open for an opportunity to do more.
After returning to college he decided to take a semester off and research how he might take his idea to a bigger level. He spent a lot of time in the library as well as interviewing people who started and worked for not for profits. He finished up his degree over the summer and his research continued as he began a successful career in sales. His not for profit, Leveling the Playing Field (LTPF) was his part time avocation then. However, in early 2013 he realized that he wanted to try to take it to the next level and made the leap of faith of making it his fulltime job. Leveling the Playing Field is a vehicle to give underprivileged children the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of athletic involvement by collecting sports equipment from various collegiate athletic departments, county recreation departments, families and individual donors from across the nation and donating them to communities where they are needed.
Max now sees LTPF as his graduate school – just in the school of real life rather than a university. Leveling the Playing Field has grown immensely and now not only collects and distributes no longer used sports equipment but also hosts events including college and pro players coming out so that kids meet real life role models. Max’s future goals include expanding the current distribution from with the US to overseas due to the greater levels of poverty in the developing world. He believes that sports can make an incredible difference in those kids’ lives and he wants to be part of the difference.
Max hopes his classmates also find opportunities to give back and to be green. The obvious extra bonus of LTPF being that it is taking used equipment out of landfills as well as providing it to kids that can really use it. CESJDS is proud to see an alum carrying out the values of the school and the tenets of Judaism.
2013
Josh Frey '89
Joshua Frey '89

Joshua Frey ’89, is a life-long entrepreneur and has founded several businesses. He is the owner / founder of On Sale Promos, Inc., a promotional products company. While attending the University of Wisconsin, Josh partnered with his brother Seth ’88, and sold ice cream and treats around campus – thus starting his first business. After college, Josh started another business, Granny’s Goodies, a care package delivery company. In 2004, he founded On Sale Promos, and today has started yet another venture, The Swag Coach. Josh is often invited to speak to business students and is active in the leadership of the Washington, DC chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization.
His motto, “We Hook our People Up”, extends into both his professional and personal life, from mentoring business students and start-up entrepreneurs to being a resource to family and friends in connecting them with his business contacts both in DC and globally.
Josh lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Kathy and his two children, Maxwell and Delilah.
“JDS to me was and still is all about the relationships I started and experiences I shared with those individuals during my time there. Those relationships affect all parts of my life to this very day … as a son, a friend, a brother, a father, an entrepreneur, and of course, as a Jew. God Bless JDS!”
Shira Stutman '91
Rabbi Shira Stutman '91

Rabbi Shira Stutman ‘91 is Director of Jewish Programming at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, where she helps to infuse Sixth & I’s diverse programs with Jewish context and content. The main focus of her work is to make Jewish meaning and build Jewish community for young professionals. With that in mind, she teaches workshops for those interested in joining the Jewish community and for interfaith couples.
She graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2007, where she was a Wexner Graduate Fellow, and from Columbia University. She also serves as Scholar-In- Residence for the Jewish Federations of North America National Women’s Philanthropy program. Previously, she was the founding rabbi of Kesher Shalom Congregation in Abington, PA; worked at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia; and served as Executive Director of Lights in Action, a Jewish college student activist organization.
She is married to Russell Shaw and has three children, Caleb (10), Ma’ayan (8), and Natalia (5).
“Not a day goes by that I don’t call on my CESJDS education. Whether it’s wrestling with a complex problem, writing an op-ed, giving a sermon, collaborating with a team, or envisioning what’s possible for my organization, my professional life is perpetually informed by my education in Rockville. More importantly, CESJDS provided me with a moral compass, a deeply felt understanding of Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Hasadim. As I move through life’s daily challenges, I often draw on the “still, small voice” that is the imprint of my learning at CESJDS.”
Heather Brooks Karatz '02
Heather Brooks Karatz '02

Heather Brooks Karatz '02 is Vice President and Legal Counsel for Relativity Sports, LLC, a sports management company in Beverly Hills, CA. She has held legal positions with the National Hockey League and the National Football League. While at the NHL, Heather played an active role in the recent collective bargaining negotiations and has represented several professional sports franchises in negotiations with players.
Heather earned her law degree from the UCLA School of Law and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Philosophy from Vanderbilt University. She is an active member of the Milken Institute Young Leader’s Circle and the Sports Lawyers Association.
Heather is also the founder of Sportsgirl, a brand that attracts women to sports by detailing the relationship between sports headlines and current topics in entertainment, fashion, gossip and politics.
Heather lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, Teddy.
2011
Adam Bonnett '86
Adam Bonnett '86

As Executive Vice President of Original Programming for the Disney Channel, Adam Bonnett '86, is responsible for developing and overseeing today’s most popular programming for kids and tweens around the globe, including Girl Meets World, K.C Undercover, Liv and Maddie, Austin & Ally, BUNK’D, and Lab Rats: Elite Force. In addition to iconic hits Wizards of Waverly Place and Jessie, he also developed Hannah Montana which catapulted Miley Cyrus to international stardom and was built into a hugely successful television franchise for The Walt Disney Company including multi-platinum soundtracks, a record-setting 3D movie and top-grossing feature films.
Adam recalls how his time at CESJDS helped shape his outlook. “I started at CESJDS not knowing how to speak Hebrew,” Adam said. “A few years later I was on stage performing plays (and attempting to sing) entirely in Hebrew! I didn’t know what I was singing or saying, but CESJDS taught me the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone when I wanted to accomplish something. Fortunately, I realized in high school that I couldn’t sing, but to this day I think of CESJDS when I take on new personal and professional challenges.”
Johanna Paretzky '99
Johanna Paretzky '99

Johanna Paretzky '99, serves as a key member of the NFL’s Consumer Products Department, overseeing the long-term strategic planning for the NFL’s apparel, headwear, and non-apparel items, which include on-field uniforms, sideline and training gear, home décor, accessories and more. She also manages retail marketing strategy and product development for the NFL’s partnerships with Nike, New Era, Under Armour and NFLShop.com. In 2010, Paretzky served as a strategic lead in the NFL’s most recent apparel negotiations, the largest sports licensing deal of its kind.
A graduate of Harvard University, Johanna served as president of the Kuumba Singers of Harvard College, the university’s largest multicultural student group, and received the Senior Leadership Award in 2003 for being a “face of excellence at Harvard.” She is also a part-time musician, currently recording her second album. Johanna resides in Brooklyn, NY.
Matthew Grossman '09
Matthew Grossman '09

Matthew Grossman '09 re-entered CESJDS during 10th grade after spending eighteen months undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants to treat a brain tumor discovered when he was in 8th grade. Once in remission, Matthew was left nearly deaf in both ears. With a cochlear implant, he was able to rejoin his classmates and graduate, on time.
Matthew currently attends Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he is majoring in psychology and music. He is a leader on campus, holding a Board position on Clark’s Relay For Life committee, teaching music theory in a Worcester middle school as a volunteer, and singing in Clark’s premier co-ed A Cappella group, “The Clark Bars.”
2010
Jeremy Bash '89
Jeremy Bash '89

Jeremy Bash '89 served until recently as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense. He previously served as Chief of Staff to the Director of the CIA.
As a senior advisor to Leon E. Panetta in both roles, Bash worked on a number of key initiatives, including the creation of a new defense strategy, formulation of two defense budgets, the drawdown of two wars, counterterrorism operations, a new cyber strategy, and a range of sensitive intelligence operations. He traveled with Secretary Panetta to more than 50 countries. From August 2010 to May 2011, he was a member of CIA's senior management team overseeing the operation that killed Osama Bin Ladin.
From 2004-2008, Bashed served in a variety of roles on Capitol Hill, including Chief Counsel to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and as a senior national security advisor to Congresswoman Jane Harman.
From 2001-2003, Bash practiced law at O'Melveny and Myers LLP.
He is a recipient of the Department of Defense's highest civilian honor -- the Distinguished Public Service Medal, and the CIA's highest civilian honor -- the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.
In 2010, Time Magazine named Bash one of the nation's Top 40 Civic Leaders Under 40.
He graduated from Georgetown University, magna cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School, where he graduated cum laude and was an editor of the Harvard Law Review.
He attended CESJDS for 12 years, graduating with the class of 1989.
Hannah Seligson '00
Hannah Seligson '00

Hannah Seligson '00 is a journalist and author of three books. New Girl on the Job: Advice from the Trenches, a career guide for young women. The Washington Post said it "covers the key things any young women needs to know to thrive at those first couple of jobs." A Little Bit Married: How to Know When it's Time to Walk Down the Aisle or out the Door explored the long-term unmarried relationship. The book was optioned for a television series by CBS. Her most recent book, published in 2012, was Mission: Adulthood: How the 20-somethings of Today Are Transforming Work, Love, and LIfe.
Hannah's professional speaking includes conference and seminar presentations at universities, business associations and corporations, such as the Harvard Business School, Viva, Beijing Professional Women's Network, and the Culinary Institute of America.
Her reporting has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Slate.com.
Seligson serves as a mentor-editor at the Op-Ed Projects. She graduates with a B.A. from Brown University in 2004. Hannah lives in New York City with her husband, Andrew.
“My interest in writing about the intersection of gender, sociology, and culture was sparked in the 11th grade when I wrote my junior year thesis on the portrayal of women in Disney movies for Dr. Worden’s class.”
Aaron Shapiro '07
Aaron Shapiro '07

Aaron Shapiro '07 is a medical student at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He is a member of the National Health Service Corp and is studying to become a primary care provider for trans youth, sex workers, and people struggling with addiction.
Aaron is the founder of Citizen Physicians, a chapter-based organization with a non-partisan, non-issue-based mission to train future healthcare providers in effective civic engagement. He is also the co-founder of noeasyway.org, an online community devoted to improving healthcare providers’ ability to deliver difficult news by learning from first-hand patient anecdotes. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Project Weber, a community non-profit that provides health and social services to the sex workers of Rhode Island.
After graduating from the University of Maryland in 2011 with a B.S. in Global Health, Aaron served as a Global Health Corps Fellow with Gardens for Health International in Rwanda. Aaron graduated from JDS in 2007. At JDS, Aaron organized assemblies about the crisis in Darfur, organized a school-wide teach-in about HIV/AIDS, and was editor-in-chief of Hidden Gems, a literary arts magazine that published the works of homeless people in D.C.
2019
David Herman '11
David Herman ’11 manages U.S. sports partnerships for Twitter. David brings every professional and collegiate team across the U.S. sports landscape to Twitter to drive revenue and participate in the global conversation happening on the platform.
Prior to Twitter, David was a co-founder of the Michigan Sport Business Conference (MSBC), which over the past eight years has become a nationally-recognized event as mentioned in Forbes, Sports Business Journal, and Crain’s Detroit Business. He remains actively involved in shaping the strategy and vision of MSBC, and is a member of the University of Michigan’s Sport Management Advisory Board.
During his years at CESJDS, David was involved in many different areas of sports. He was the manager of the varsity basketball team, a yearbook photographer covering sports, and a student athletic trainer for various teams.
Josh Milner '91
Josh Milner ‘91 is a physician-scientist who studies genetic diseases that lead to allergy. Until this past year, he was the Chief of the Laboratory of Allergic Diseases in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, and had CESJDS students work in his lab, having been a summer student at the NIH himself the summer after graduating CESJDS.
He recently moved to New York to become a Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology at Columbia University. Josh is also very involved in Jewish music as a Baal Tefillah, runs Jewish-themed drum circles, and he produced a CD, "Songs at a Table" to raise money for Leket Israel, the Israel National Food Bank.
While at CESJDS, Josh was involved in The Lion's Tale, baseball and basketball-- coached by Mike Papa, who in his teacher role also sparked Josh's interest in a career in biology.
Josh's wife, Aliza, is a community educator and was recently ordained by Yeshivat Maharat, where she is now on the faculty. They live in Riverdale, NY with their four children: Moed, 17, Yona, 15, Batya, 12 and Orly, 8.
2018
Matthew Foldi '14
Matthew Foldi ‘14 graduated from the University of Chicago in June 2018, and currently serves as Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s Rapid Response Director. When Matthew was 19, he became the youngest elected official in Chicago’s history; he currently serves as the Fifth Ward Committeeman.
While in college, Matthew organized the first ever national student-run free speech conference at the University of Chicago and founded an international organization, Students for Free Expression. He testified in the Wisconsin legislature about the importance of free speech and has defended free speech in outlets as varied as National Geographic, Fox News, and Inside Higher Ed. Matthew received national attention for his work countering BDS on campus. He was President of College Republicans at the University of Chicago for over three years, growing its membership to record-setting levels, and hosting a diverse array of well over 50 guest speakers. He was elected Chairman of the Illinois Federation of College Republicans this year.
During his time at CESJDS, Matthew served as the president of the Junior State of America, captain of the debate team, editor of the Chadashot section of The Lion’s Tale, and played soccer. Matthew credits CESJDS with sparking his interest in local, national, and international politics. Since his graduation he has returned to the School to speak on topics ranging from combating BDS on college campuses to getting involved in local politics.
Saul Goldfarb '78
Saul Goldfarb ‘78 is an entrepreneur and businessman. After college at University of Maryland College Park, Saul joined his father’s business which specialized in automotive parts. Saul loved working with and for his dad, but after 15 years, he decided to break out on his own. In 1997, Saul founded Goldfarb & Associates, a diesel parts brokerage service specializing in diesel injection pumps, injectors, and turbocharger cores. Goldfarb and Associates has grown to be a leading supplier of diesel parts to remanufacturing companies globally.
Family is the most important thing in the world to Saul. He is especially proud of his three sons, Michael ‘05, Scott ‘07, and Adam ‘11 and indebted to his wife of 33 years, Elissa, for keeping them all in line. Saul and Elissa are proud Hagshama (second generation) parents, having sent Michael, Scott, and Adam all to CESJDS. Saul was the first alumnus to have a child graduate from our school when Michael graduated in 2005.
Saul also has the distinction of having been a student at the first Solomon Schechter Day School in the Washington, DC region (the precursor to CESJDS) when it was located in the basement of Ohr Kodesh Congregation in Chevy Chase, MD.
Debbi Schnitzer Cooper ‘93
Debbi Schnitzer Cooper ‘93 is the Senior Engagement Officer with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, a foundation that works to make Jewish life and Jewish community around the world more vibrant and connected. In this capacity, she supports large cities in developing their family engagement strategies. She recently served as the Associate Vice President, Community Outreach & Engagement of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. In her role at JUF over the last 15 years, Debbi oversaw the implementation of PJ Library in Chicago, growing it to the largest program in North America and launched jBaby Chicago, an innovative approach to serving expectant and new parents, which is now being replicated in communities nationwide.
Debbi is the current Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees for Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, a pluralistic Jewish Day School in Chicago and serves on the Advisory Board for Mishkan Chicago’s Mensch Academy. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with honors and has a Master’s in Public Administration/Non-profit Management from George Mason University.
Debbi holds CESJDS close to her heart as she and her siblings Rebecca ‘95 and Dan ‘98 are all “lifers”. Their father, Elliot, is a former Board Member and mom, Evonne, is one of our beloved Kindergarten teachers. Today, Debbi lives in Chicago with her husband, Aaron, and their three children: Gabe (11), Judah (10) and Noah (7), who are students at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School.
2017
Jordan Fabian '05
Jordan Fabian '05
Jordan Fabian ‘05 is a White House correspondent for The Hill newspaper. Jordan credits his experience at CESJDS for instilling him with a passion for working hard, writing, and asking tough questions. In his career as a journalist, Jordan has interviewed two presidents, numerous administration officials, and dozens of members of Congress. His work has been featured in The Hill, ABC News, Univision, and The Atlantic. Jordan frequently appears on cable news and syndicated radio programs to share his reporting and analysis.
CESJDS helped cement Jordan’s bonds to the Jewish community and gave him his first exposure to journalism. Jordan cut his teeth as a staff writer for The Lion’s Tale, and was a founding member of the Varsity Golf team. It is also where Jordan was drawn into politics; as a senior, he co-founded the Bipartisan Alliance Club.
He continued his involvement in the Jewish community at Cornell University, where he was active in Hillel, and continued his studies in Hebrew. CESJDS also helped Jordan form strong ties to Israel. He has returned several times, including on a reporting trip in 2011.
Jordan lives in Washington, DC, with his wife Melissa.
Chuck Fox '91
Chuck Fox '91
Chuck Fox ‘91 is a senior partner at Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, and the Chief of Gastroenterology at Emory University Hospital Midtown. He graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland Honors Program in 1995 and Harvard Medical School in 1999. He completed his internal medicine internship and residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in 2002 and his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Virginia in 2005.
Chuck is active in the Atlanta Jewish community, serving as a member of the Development Committee for Temple Sinai Atlanta and as Co-Chair of the Volunteer Committee for Maccabi Games Atlanta 2019. Chuck’s greatest accomplishment in life is winning the “Physics Award” as a senior in high school at CESJDS. Not far behind is serving as Sports, Features, and News Editor of The Lion’s Tale, two terms as treasurer of the Student Council, and a member of the CESJDS Varsity soccer team.
Chuck lives in Sandy Springs, GA, with his wife of 19 years, Amy, and their 15-year-old twins, Sydney and Ben. His children graduated from The Epstein School, the Solomon Schechter School of Atlanta, in May 2017. He dedicates this honor to the memory of his mother, Anita Cohen, who sacrificed greatly to send Chuck to CESJDS, and recently passed away on May 1 after a battle with uterine cancer.
Sara Polon '95
Sara Polon ’95
Sara Polon ’95 graduated from University of Pennsylvania where she studied history. Her career path took many meandering twists and turns including working at an internet startup, leading tours through Israel, and several years as a stand-up comic in New York. In 2008, after reading Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, she founded Soupergirl along with her mom, Marilyn Polon (aka Soupermom/Chief Anxiety Officer). Sourcing seasonally from local farmers, the company makes a wide variety of healthy, kosher, all-natural, vegan soups that can be found across the east coast.
Sara is so grateful for the incredible education she received during her thirteen years at CESJDS. While the education has influenced her greatly, it was CESJDS’s emphasis on Tikkun Olam that she has carried with her through all phases of her life. As a business owner, she tries to draw upon this value every day - through her labor practices, product sourcing, sales, and more.
Sara continues to be involved in the DC Jewish community. She is an active member of DC Minyan, a lay-led egalitarian community based in Washington, DC. She is also involved in various animal right organizations, including Compassion Over Killing.
2016
Sara Cohen Rich '87
Sara Cohen Rich '87

Sara Cohen Rich ’87 credits her attendance at CESJDS to her grandparents Joseph (z”l) and Guta Wolke, who are Holocaust survivors and wanted their grandchildren to experience a Jewish education.
Sara graduated from Duke University summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in History and Spanish and continued her studies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She practices with her father Dr. Paul Cohen and her grandfather, Dr. Morris Cohen.
In the CESJDS community, Sara served as the Lower School Ma’ayan Chair in 2014 with her husband, Norm Rich, and on the parent transition committee that provided feedback to Rabbi Malkus. Sara is a member of the Building Our Future Campaign Cabinet. She is active at the Edlavitch DCJCC serving on the Capital Campaign Committee, on their Film Council which supervises the yearly Film Festival and where she received the Volunteer of the Year award in 2015.
It is because of her studies at CESJDS and its incredible community that Sara now sends her four children Amelia ’20, Sean ’22, Julia ‘24 and Lauren ‘25 to CESJDS.
Marshall Einhorn '94
Marshall Einhorn '94

Marshall Einhorn '94 has been the Executive Director of Brown RISD Hillel in Providence, RI since 2010. Marshall's passion for pluralistic Jewish communities is rooted in the 13 years he spent at CESJDS and his four years as a student leader at Tufts Hillel.
At Brown RISD Hillel, he has helped foster a "big tent" approach to Jewish life and he enjoys helping students forge a deep and abiding relationship to Judaism and to one another. Marshall recently moved back to Brookline, MA with his wife, Deborah, and their three children in order for their oldest child to continue her Jewish day school education at the Jewish Community Day School there. Marshall's family is still getting a kick out of his May induction into the JDS sports hall of fame and marvel at how quickly his athleticism has gone downhill.
Jonathan Lerner '03
Jonathan Lerner '03

Jonathan Lerner '03 is an Executive at Lerner Enterprises.
Jonathan credits CESJDS for instilling him with a lifelong curiosity and a strong Jewish foundation. This curiosity led him to major in Religious Studies at NYU. While in law school at the Georgetown University Law Center, Jonathan worked closely with the Criminal Defense & Prisoner Advocacy Clinic. Following law school, Jonathan practiced
corporate law at Proskauer Rose LLP with a focus on mergers and acquisitions.
Jonathan is also co-founder of On Rye, a modern sandwich shop inspired by Jewish deli coming soon to Chinatown, DC.
2015
Yael Mossé '89
Dr. Yael Mossé '89

The Mossé family moved to the United States from France to escape anti-Semitism. A year after arriving, Yael began CESJDS in the fourth grade and was joined by her brother, David. Unlike many international students at CESJDS whose first language is Hebrew, Yael’s first language is French. But the presence of other students who didn’t use English as a first language proved to make the transition to life in America a bit easier. Ita Milstein, an English language tutor, made it possible for Yael and others to assimilate. She developed a passion for learning, academics, a moral compass, and a profound connection to her Judaism and the State of Israel.
Yael’s two primary interests in English literature and biology can be traced to the classrooms of Annette Lakein and Laura Jacobs. Roz Landy was also inspirational.
The faculty provided “education with passion” and tapped into each student’s individual needs. The Israel trip after graduation also nourished Yael’s passion for the Jewish state.
Today, Yael’s connections to Israel, the Jewish community, and her medical work intertwine seamlessly. Her professors from the Sackler School of Medicine call her often, and Israeli families come to her in their time of need. Yael lives in Wynnewood, PA, with her daughter Noa Rachel and her son Yoni Aaron, both of whom attended the Perelman Jewish Day School. Her parents, Georges and Danielle Mossé, made Aliyah in 2014.
“CESJDS gave me the tools to believe in myself and instilled in me the passion to help others.”
Rachel Ain '95
Rachel Ain '95

Growing up in a home where Jewish values were important, Rachel enrolled in CESJDS in middle school and was later joined by her sister, Dorie Ain Ravick ’01. “When I was thinking about where I wanted to attend the end of middle school and more importantly, high school, I wanted to be in a school where I could continue my love of Jewish learning that I had experienced at my synagogue’s Hebrew school and Jewish summer camp. I knew I wanted to be in a place that had strong Jewish values and a strong academic reputation,” Rachel explains.
Jewish traditions and values grew even more important and influenced her decision to become a Rabbi. After CESJDS, she attended Barnard College and the Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies. She was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary, concurrently receiving her MA in Jewish Education. Additionally, during Rabbinical School she served as a commissioned Lieutenant (JG) for the US Navy Chaplains Corp. “As a rabbi, I am motivated by the opportunity to study Jewish tradition and to help create a thriving community based on these values.”
Rachel is married to Rabbi David Levy, the Director of Teen Learning and the International Director of USY, for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. They are the proud parents of two sons, Jared and Zachary.
Stephen Krupin '00
Stephen Krupin ’00

Stephen is a third-generation Washingtonian and was a “lifer” at CESJDS, having started in kindergarten and graduating 13 years later. His nephew, Kyle, is now at CESJDS kindergartner.
Stephen considers the people who made CESJDS special an extended family. “Many of the relationships and friendships I started at CESJDS are still with me today, 25 years later.”
While at CESJDS, Stephen was active with the Lion’s Tale student newspaper and class government, and he particularly remembers Mrs. Annette Lakein in the English department for helping him to perfect his writing and analytical skills. He also recalls Mr. Jeffrey Coster, a history teacher who instilled in him an understanding that there is not just one American history, but many.
After CESJDS, Stephen went to Northwestern University, where he majored in journalism and political science. Later he earned a master’s degree at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs.
He has written for the President of the United States, the U.S. Secretary of State and other Cabinet Secretaries, the Senate Majority Leader and numerous congressional leaders, ambassadors, Fortune 500 CEOs, philanthropists, university presidents, foundation heads, and non-profit advocates.
“At CESJDS, I was educated through the lens of a pluralistic Jewish perspective, learning that every practice and point of view has value. That’s essential when you’re writing in someone else’s voice for diverse audiences on a wide range of issues, whether around the country or around the world.”
“From day one, we were learning about different cultures, histories, and languages – so we always had a strong sense that there was a bigger world beyond our classroom walls,” Stephen said. “We learned that we have a responsibility to make that world better – tikkun olam. That’s at the heart of public service.” Every day, through his profession, Stephen is continuing the work that he started while at CESJDS.
Stephen lives in Washington, D.C., and is an avid runner in his spare time or when he needs to clear his head while writing. In 2015, he completed the Havana Marathon.
2014
Juliana Goldman '99
Julianna Goldman '99

Julianna Goldman ’99 is an award-winning television journalist and has been a correspondent with CBS News since 2014. She reports from the CBS Washington Bureau and is part of the 2016 Presidential campaign team. For more than ten years, Julianna was at Bloomberg News, working her way up and eventually becoming a White House correspondent.
With a passion for excellence and coming from a family where her parents emphasized public service, Julianna attended Barnard College and majored in political science. At Barnard, she pursued several internships and realized that she had a passion for politics. Ultimately, her inquisitive mind and desire for asking tough questions translated into a successful career.
Julianna has been at the forefront of her profession, covering all the major events of the Obama presidency, including the President’s fi rst trip to Israel. Accomplishments include appearing as a panelist on Political Capital With Al Hunt, the fi rst interview with President Obama after his re-election (one of three she has done with the President), moderator of the Bloomberg 2011 Republican Primary Debate, coverage at the White House the night Osama bin Laden was killed, and travel to Afghanistan one year later.
Julianna and her husband, Michael Gottlieb, live in Washington, DC.
“Balancing the demands of the CESJDS dual curriculum was a 13-year lesson in multitasking that has proven to be invaluable throughout my career.”
Rebecca Keren Eisenstadt '03
Rebecca Keren Eisenstadt ’03

Rebecca graduated from CESJDS at the height of the Iraq war. Because of the conflict, the senior trip to Israel and Europe was delayed. Before the trip's start, Rebecca used the down time to audition for some professional acting companies and landed a role with the Washington Savoyards in their production of "Mikado." This was the impetus for the start of her acting career.
After CESJDS, Rebecca attended New York University's Tisch School for the Arts. At Tisch, Rebecca’s mix of strong acting skills, combined with mastery of Hebrew and Judaics, made her well-known. The National Yiddish Theater – Folksbiene awarded her a scholarship to learn Yiddish, and she is now a professional member of the company.
As a skilled B'nai Mitzvah tutor, Rebecca works with approximately 30 young people at any given time. Additionally, she uses her theatrical skills to find creative ways to assist her students with learning differences.
“CESJDS instilled strong values in me that are central to who I am. As an artist and as an actress, I try to also be a teacher – spreading our understanding of the Jewish experience.”
Max Levitt '07
Max Levitt ’07

After spending three years at JDS (K-2) his parents moved Max to the McLean school as a good environment to deal with his learning disabilities. However, Max credits their decision to return him to JDS for high school as the key to his success in college and his ability to rise above his disabilities and thrive. Max found the environment at JDS stimulating and abounding in a community feeling that clearly demonstrated the values of helping others and doing tikun olam. He sees his peer group as a very strong motivating force and he still travels with many of his classmates.
While at Syracuse University, Max worked as an equipment manager for the football team and for the first time had real relationships with kids that came from far less fortunate backgrounds. Kids who had struggled all their lives and for whom college was anything but a given. He also saw how important sports were to these kids and what a positive force it was in their lives. He also met a lot of privileged kids who had no appreciation for all they had been given.
His family often travelled to poorer areas of the globe and it just happened that they planned a vacation to Africa for the end of his junior year. Max had an idea about bringing sports equipment to donate in Botswana. In two weeks and with basically the use of just e-mail, he was able to assemble a significant amount of equipment and his parents helped him bring it along for donation. The exercise hit home in two major ways: 1) How incredibly appreciative the recipients of the equipment were; and 2) how relatively easy it was to make a very large impact on these peoples’ lives. From that point on, Max had his eyes open for an opportunity to do more.
After returning to college he decided to take a semester off and research how he might take his idea to a bigger level. He spent a lot of time in the library as well as interviewing people who started and worked for not for profits. He finished up his degree over the summer and his research continued as he began a successful career in sales. His not for profit, Leveling the Playing Field (LTPF) was his part time avocation then. However, in early 2013 he realized that he wanted to try to take it to the next level and made the leap of faith of making it his fulltime job. Leveling the Playing Field is a vehicle to give underprivileged children the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of athletic involvement by collecting sports equipment from various collegiate athletic departments, county recreation departments, families and individual donors from across the nation and donating them to communities where they are needed.
Max now sees LTPF as his graduate school – just in the school of real life rather than a university. Leveling the Playing Field has grown immensely and now not only collects and distributes no longer used sports equipment but also hosts events including college and pro players coming out so that kids meet real life role models. Max’s future goals include expanding the current distribution from with the US to overseas due to the greater levels of poverty in the developing world. He believes that sports can make an incredible difference in those kids’ lives and he wants to be part of the difference.
Max hopes his classmates also find opportunities to give back and to be green. The obvious extra bonus of LTPF being that it is taking used equipment out of landfills as well as providing it to kids that can really use it. CESJDS is proud to see an alum carrying out the values of the school and the tenets of Judaism.
2013
Josh Frey '89
Joshua Frey '89

Joshua Frey ’89, is a life-long entrepreneur and has founded several businesses. He is the owner / founder of On Sale Promos, Inc., a promotional products company. While attending the University of Wisconsin, Josh partnered with his brother Seth ’88, and sold ice cream and treats around campus – thus starting his first business. After college, Josh started another business, Granny’s Goodies, a care package delivery company. In 2004, he founded On Sale Promos, and today has started yet another venture, The Swag Coach. Josh is often invited to speak to business students and is active in the leadership of the Washington, DC chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization.
His motto, “We Hook our People Up”, extends into both his professional and personal life, from mentoring business students and start-up entrepreneurs to being a resource to family and friends in connecting them with his business contacts both in DC and globally.
Josh lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Kathy and his two children, Maxwell and Delilah.
“JDS to me was and still is all about the relationships I started and experiences I shared with those individuals during my time there. Those relationships affect all parts of my life to this very day … as a son, a friend, a brother, a father, an entrepreneur, and of course, as a Jew. God Bless JDS!”
Shira Stutman '91
Rabbi Shira Stutman '91

Rabbi Shira Stutman ‘91 is Director of Jewish Programming at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, where she helps to infuse Sixth & I’s diverse programs with Jewish context and content. The main focus of her work is to make Jewish meaning and build Jewish community for young professionals. With that in mind, she teaches workshops for those interested in joining the Jewish community and for interfaith couples.
She graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2007, where she was a Wexner Graduate Fellow, and from Columbia University. She also serves as Scholar-In- Residence for the Jewish Federations of North America National Women’s Philanthropy program. Previously, she was the founding rabbi of Kesher Shalom Congregation in Abington, PA; worked at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia; and served as Executive Director of Lights in Action, a Jewish college student activist organization.
She is married to Russell Shaw and has three children, Caleb (10), Ma’ayan (8), and Natalia (5).
“Not a day goes by that I don’t call on my CESJDS education. Whether it’s wrestling with a complex problem, writing an op-ed, giving a sermon, collaborating with a team, or envisioning what’s possible for my organization, my professional life is perpetually informed by my education in Rockville. More importantly, CESJDS provided me with a moral compass, a deeply felt understanding of Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Hasadim. As I move through life’s daily challenges, I often draw on the “still, small voice” that is the imprint of my learning at CESJDS.”
Heather Brooks Karatz '02
Heather Brooks Karatz '02

Heather Brooks Karatz '02 is Vice President and Legal Counsel for Relativity Sports, LLC, a sports management company in Beverly Hills, CA. She has held legal positions with the National Hockey League and the National Football League. While at the NHL, Heather played an active role in the recent collective bargaining negotiations and has represented several professional sports franchises in negotiations with players.
Heather earned her law degree from the UCLA School of Law and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Philosophy from Vanderbilt University. She is an active member of the Milken Institute Young Leader’s Circle and the Sports Lawyers Association.
Heather is also the founder of Sportsgirl, a brand that attracts women to sports by detailing the relationship between sports headlines and current topics in entertainment, fashion, gossip and politics.
Heather lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, Teddy.
2011
Adam Bonnett '86
Adam Bonnett '86

As Executive Vice President of Original Programming for the Disney Channel, Adam Bonnett '86, is responsible for developing and overseeing today’s most popular programming for kids and tweens around the globe, including Girl Meets World, K.C Undercover, Liv and Maddie, Austin & Ally, BUNK’D, and Lab Rats: Elite Force. In addition to iconic hits Wizards of Waverly Place and Jessie, he also developed Hannah Montana which catapulted Miley Cyrus to international stardom and was built into a hugely successful television franchise for The Walt Disney Company including multi-platinum soundtracks, a record-setting 3D movie and top-grossing feature films.
Adam recalls how his time at CESJDS helped shape his outlook. “I started at CESJDS not knowing how to speak Hebrew,” Adam said. “A few years later I was on stage performing plays (and attempting to sing) entirely in Hebrew! I didn’t know what I was singing or saying, but CESJDS taught me the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone when I wanted to accomplish something. Fortunately, I realized in high school that I couldn’t sing, but to this day I think of CESJDS when I take on new personal and professional challenges.”
Johanna Paretzky '99
Johanna Paretzky '99

Johanna Paretzky '99, serves as a key member of the NFL’s Consumer Products Department, overseeing the long-term strategic planning for the NFL’s apparel, headwear, and non-apparel items, which include on-field uniforms, sideline and training gear, home décor, accessories and more. She also manages retail marketing strategy and product development for the NFL’s partnerships with Nike, New Era, Under Armour and NFLShop.com. In 2010, Paretzky served as a strategic lead in the NFL’s most recent apparel negotiations, the largest sports licensing deal of its kind.
A graduate of Harvard University, Johanna served as president of the Kuumba Singers of Harvard College, the university’s largest multicultural student group, and received the Senior Leadership Award in 2003 for being a “face of excellence at Harvard.” She is also a part-time musician, currently recording her second album. Johanna resides in Brooklyn, NY.
Matthew Grossman '09
Matthew Grossman '09

Matthew Grossman '09 re-entered CESJDS during 10th grade after spending eighteen months undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants to treat a brain tumor discovered when he was in 8th grade. Once in remission, Matthew was left nearly deaf in both ears. With a cochlear implant, he was able to rejoin his classmates and graduate, on time.
Matthew currently attends Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he is majoring in psychology and music. He is a leader on campus, holding a Board position on Clark’s Relay For Life committee, teaching music theory in a Worcester middle school as a volunteer, and singing in Clark’s premier co-ed A Cappella group, “The Clark Bars.”
2010
Jeremy Bash '89
Jeremy Bash '89

Jeremy Bash '89 served until recently as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense. He previously served as Chief of Staff to the Director of the CIA.
As a senior advisor to Leon E. Panetta in both roles, Bash worked on a number of key initiatives, including the creation of a new defense strategy, formulation of two defense budgets, the drawdown of two wars, counterterrorism operations, a new cyber strategy, and a range of sensitive intelligence operations. He traveled with Secretary Panetta to more than 50 countries. From August 2010 to May 2011, he was a member of CIA's senior management team overseeing the operation that killed Osama Bin Ladin.
From 2004-2008, Bashed served in a variety of roles on Capitol Hill, including Chief Counsel to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and as a senior national security advisor to Congresswoman Jane Harman.
From 2001-2003, Bash practiced law at O'Melveny and Myers LLP.
He is a recipient of the Department of Defense's highest civilian honor -- the Distinguished Public Service Medal, and the CIA's highest civilian honor -- the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.
In 2010, Time Magazine named Bash one of the nation's Top 40 Civic Leaders Under 40.
He graduated from Georgetown University, magna cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School, where he graduated cum laude and was an editor of the Harvard Law Review.
He attended CESJDS for 12 years, graduating with the class of 1989.
Hannah Seligson '00
Hannah Seligson '00

Hannah Seligson '00 is a journalist and author of three books. New Girl on the Job: Advice from the Trenches, a career guide for young women. The Washington Post said it "covers the key things any young women needs to know to thrive at those first couple of jobs." A Little Bit Married: How to Know When it's Time to Walk Down the Aisle or out the Door explored the long-term unmarried relationship. The book was optioned for a television series by CBS. Her most recent book, published in 2012, was Mission: Adulthood: How the 20-somethings of Today Are Transforming Work, Love, and LIfe.
Hannah's professional speaking includes conference and seminar presentations at universities, business associations and corporations, such as the Harvard Business School, Viva, Beijing Professional Women's Network, and the Culinary Institute of America.
Her reporting has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Slate.com.
Seligson serves as a mentor-editor at the Op-Ed Projects. She graduates with a B.A. from Brown University in 2004. Hannah lives in New York City with her husband, Andrew.
“My interest in writing about the intersection of gender, sociology, and culture was sparked in the 11th grade when I wrote my junior year thesis on the portrayal of women in Disney movies for Dr. Worden’s class.”
Aaron Shapiro '07
Aaron Shapiro '07

Aaron Shapiro '07 is a medical student at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He is a member of the National Health Service Corp and is studying to become a primary care provider for trans youth, sex workers, and people struggling with addiction.
Aaron is the founder of Citizen Physicians, a chapter-based organization with a non-partisan, non-issue-based mission to train future healthcare providers in effective civic engagement. He is also the co-founder of noeasyway.org, an online community devoted to improving healthcare providers’ ability to deliver difficult news by learning from first-hand patient anecdotes. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Project Weber, a community non-profit that provides health and social services to the sex workers of Rhode Island.
After graduating from the University of Maryland in 2011 with a B.S. in Global Health, Aaron served as a Global Health Corps Fellow with Gardens for Health International in Rwanda. Aaron graduated from JDS in 2007. At JDS, Aaron organized assemblies about the crisis in Darfur, organized a school-wide teach-in about HIV/AIDS, and was editor-in-chief of Hidden Gems, a literary arts magazine that published the works of homeless people in D.C.