Board of Directors
Cindy Drazin, Board Chair
What pulled you to join Yesh Tikva’s Board of Directors?
Yesh Tikva is here for you!
Cindy Drazin
Cindy Drazin is a Fieldwork Instructor at Loyola Marymount University’s School of Education. She has spent the last 30 years in Special Education as a self-contained classroom teacher in New York City, an Inclusion Facilitator for the LAUSD, an Educational Therapist, and an Instructional Coach/Professional Development presenter for Catapult Learning. Cindy has a B.S. in Special/Education and Elementary Education from Boston University and an M.S. in Education from Queens College. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and dog while her 3 children pursue their dreams in Boston.
Rabbi David Block
What pulled you to join Yesh Tikva’s Board of Directors?
Yesh Tikva is here for you!
Rabbi David Block
Rabbi David Block is the Head of School of Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles, CA, where he previously served as the Associate Head of School and Judaic Studies Principal. He formerly worked as the Content and Curriculum Developer at Aleph Beta, taught at Rambam Mesivta in New York, was the recurring Scholar-in-Residence at the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach, and was formerly the Director of and singer in the Maccabeats. David received rabbinic ordination at Yeshiva University (RIETS), where he also completed an M.A. in Jewish History, an M.S. in Education, and is currently working on his doctorate. He was a Wexner Graduate Fellow/Davidson Scholar. He and his wife, Gila, live in LA with their three children.
Ayala Gross
What pulled you to join Yesh Tikva’s Board of Directors?
Yesh Tikva is here for you!
Ayala Gross
Michelle W. Malkin
What pulled you to join Yesh Tikva’s Board of Directors?
The dedicated professionals comprising the Yesh Tikva staff are truly commendable, and as a seasoned Jewish nonprofit professional, it brings me great pleasure to lend my support to their important work. New Jersey has proven to be a welcoming environment for Yesh Tikva’s initiatives, and I take pride in the prospect of advancing their mission by leveraging my connections and skills to facilitate the growth of Yesh Tikva’s presence in this community.
Yesh Tikva is here for you!
Michelle W. Malkin
Michelle W. Malkin, a native of Los Angeles, CA, where she earned her dual master’s degrees in Jewish Nonprofit Management and Public Administration. Since 2019, she’s held the position of Inaugural Executive Director at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, NJ. Additionally, she serves as the President of the Garden State Network of Synagogue Executives (GANSE), contributes as a member of the steering committee for Re-Charging Reform Judaism, and is an alumna of Leading Edge’s Leading Executives program. Michelle is also the creator and host of “It’s Who You Know! The Podcast.”
Residing in West Orange, NJ, with my husband Barak, the creator of the podcast “Torah Smash!,” and our two sons, I am passionate about various pursuits. These include gardening and yoga, tea and warm weather, reading, hosting Shabbat dinners, and embarking on new adventures with friends!
Beth Ann Locke
What pulled you to join Yesh Tikva’s Board of Directors?
You also might wonder why a Protestant cares so much about a cause that is focused on Jewish men and women. My only answer is that some of my dear friends share the faith or cultural upbringing. I see that the desire for a better world cuts across all faiths, and even for those who are agnostic.
Yesh Tikva is here for you!
Beth Ann Locke
I believe I have the best career in the world – working with donors on their dreams for a better world.
I’m a fan of philanthropy and have raised more than $75 million in healthcare, education, social services, arts and international sectors in the U.S. and Canada. I’ve worked in large, complex organizations and smaller nonprofits. I started in fundraising as the most junior person in a three-person office – and I worked my way up to Chief Development Officer. I’ve worked in healthcare for 10 years of my 30-year career: Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA; Providence Hospital in Washington, DC; Peninsula Hospital in Rockaway, NY; and BC Women’s Health Foundation in Vancouver, BC. I’ve also worked in higher ed: College Success Foundation, Aga Khan University, and Simon Fraser University; as well as human services (United Way of King County) and the arts (Vancouver Art Gallery).
I enjoy being a champion of donors and building sustainable fundraising through connection-based fundraising. In 2020 I formed my business, The Fundraiser Coach, to support nonprofits and individual fundraisers to as they move to build successful donor relationships and fruitful revenue streams from donors of all giving levels.
I grew up in Seattle, Washington and have been a fundraiser my entire career. In addition to my daughter, Lorraine, and son-in-law, Bruno, my family includes my partner, Frank. I currently live in Vancouver, love to travel, throw dinner parties, and practice daily gratitude.
Founding Board Member
Elie Haller Salomon
Co- Founder of Yesh Tikva
How can the Jewish community be more inclusive of people struggling with infertility?
Yesh Tikva is here for you!
Elie Haller Salomon
Elie is the Fertility Advocate and Community Outreach Director and Co- Founder of Yesh Tikva. After informally counseling others through their fertility journeys, she became a founding member of the organization in 2015. Elie has become a major advocate in the infertility community by stepping forward and sharing her story so that others can understand what many cannot vocalize. A natural educator, Elie is also the Program Director at the Nefesh Yehudi Academy: After-School Judaic Studies Program in East Brunswick, NJ. She is a former Television Producer with credits on CBS, MTV, and NBC shows. Throughout her career she has interviewed celebrities, physicians and everyday people in order to research and produce informative content for the viewing public. In her own journey through infertility, she has utilized those same skills to gain vast knowledge in order to become the best advocate for her own care.
