Shana has dedicated nearly two decades to serving the Jewish community of Los Angeles through professional roles and volunteer leadership. Her impactful journey began at B’nai David-Judea, where she held various leadership positions, including Board President. During her tenure, Shana spearheaded initiatives that expanded inclusivity, welcomed LGBTQ members, and enhanced safety and comfort for differently-abled members. She was also instrumental in the historic hire of the synagogue’s first female clergyperson and currently chairs the search committee for the next female clergyperson. Professionally, Shana served as Director of Development and Operations at Gindi Maimonides Academy, where she led significant projects and fundraising campaigns and implemented comprehensive operational and security protocols. She now works as Senior Grant Writer at the USC Shoah Foundation, contributing to global efforts to preserve survivor testimonies and combat antisemitism. Shana recently earned a Master’s in Social Entrepreneurship and Change from Pepperdine University, deepening her understanding of addressing complex social challenges. She also serves on the Board of Directors at Shalhevet High School and consults for Gindi Maimonides Academy on major projects. Shana’s commitment to the mission of Yesh Tikvah is deeply personal. Having navigated her own journey with infertility, Shana is honored to join Yesh Tikva’s board, where she hopes to help foster a supportive and compassionate community for those facing similar challenges.

Rachel Fryman is an Assistant Professor at Wurzweiler School for Social Work, Yeshiva University and therapist in private practice. Rachel obtained a PhD from Smith College School of Social Work and is a Nishmat trained Kallah teacher. She is currently a co-PI on a mixed method study evaluating the abortion experience of over 200 Jewish women and consults for the Eden Center on trauma informed teaching practice. Rachel has experience in community mental health, special education school administration, higher education, and medical social work. Rachel lives with her family in West Hempstead (NY), where she has been involved in volunteer work, including as a past board member and most recently as chair of the Sisterhood education committee at the Young Israel of West Hempstead.

Jacob has spent his career helping companies think through and hone their strategic visions to connect the dots between where they are and where they need to be. Starting off working with startups in the tech space, he’s since worked with organizations ranging from early stage startups all the way to Fortune 100 companies in a variety of industries. Most recently, Jacob spun off and led a consulting company, growing it from scratch to over $70M in annual revenue just 6 months later. A leader in developing and implementing efficient delivery methodologies, change management, agile coaching, and organizational psychology, Jacob focuses on partnering with leaders to actualize their visions.

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.

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.

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.