Leaders of the Kenissa Network

Note: Each of the individuals listed below participated in one of the Kenissa Network’s National Consultations. They are the “creatives” who are changing the face of American Jewish life.

When an * appears after the organization name on the listing below, it indicates that the individual no longer is associated with that organization. Nevertheless, every participant in our Consultations remains a member of the Kenissa Network.

The last column identifies the sector in which the organization functions. Kenissa has identified six sectors where most of the cutting edge innovative work is happening in the Jewish community: social justice; spiritual practice; Jewish learning; eco-sustainability/food justice; spiritual communities; arts/culture. Many organizations might have programs that touch on two or more of the sectors. We have listed the sector that is most closely aligned with the organization’s mission.

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First Last Organization City, State Sector
R. Katy Z. Allen Jewish Climate Action Network Boston, MA Environment/Food
R. Alana Alpert Detroit Jews for Justice Detroit, MI Social Justice
Aharon Ariel Lavi Garin Shuva Shuva, Israel Spiritual Communities
Arielle Aronoff Teva Learning Center Falls Village, CT Jewish Enviornmentalism
Wendy Aronson Judaism Your Way Denver, CO Spiritual Communities
Hannah Kapnik Ashar Boulder Minyan Boulder, CO Spiritual Communities
R. Dr. Zohar Atkins Etz Hasadeh New York, NY Jewish Learning
Robin  Atlas https://jewishart.org/ Seattle, WA Arts and Culture
R. Guy Austrian Fort Tryon Jewish Center New York, NY Synagogue
Melissa Balaban IKAR Los Angeles, CA Synagogue
Matt Bar Bible Raps Philadelphia, PA Arts and Culture
R. Rachel Barenblat * Congregation Beth Israel Williamstown, MA Spiritual Communities
R. Shelly Barnathan Or Zarua Philadelphia, PA Spiritual Communities
Helen Bennett Ayni Institute Boston, MA Spiritual Practice
R. Tiferet Berenbaum * Temple Har Zion Mt. Holly, NJ Synagogue
Ross Berkowitz Tribe 12 Philadelphia, PA Jewish Learning
R. Bella Bogart Bayit: Your Jewish Home Potomac, MD Spiritual Communities
Carrie Bornstein Mayyim Hayim Boston, MA Spiritual Practice
Mariel Boyarsky Selah Seattle, WA Spiritual Communities
R. Sara Brandes Or Halev Center for Jewish Spirituality and Meditation New York, NY Spiritual Practice
Arinne Braverman Returning the Sparks Boston, MA Jewish learning
R. Daniel Brenner Moving Traditions Philadelphia, PA Jewish Learning
David Bronstein Taproot Burlingame, CA Spiritual Practice
Cherie Brown National Coalition Building Institute Philadelphia, PA Social Justice
R. Daniel Burg Beth Am Synagogue Baltimore, MD Synagogue
R. Debra Cantor The Neshama Center for Lifelong Learning Bloomfield, CT Jewish Learning
David  Chack Alliance for Jewish Theatre Chicago, IL. Arts and Culture
Sarah Chandler Kehunah.org New York, NY Spiritual Practice
Jeffrey Cohan Jewish Veg Pittsburgh, PA Environment/Food
Cheryl Cook Avodah New York, NY Social Justice
Bradley  Cook Career Up Now Los Angeles, CA Jewish learning
Stosh Cotler Bend the Arc New York, NY Social Justice
Robin Damsky In the Gardens Melrose Park, IL Environment/Food
Andrew Davies The Bible Players Philadelphia, PA Arts and Culture
Jessica Deutsch Jewish Artist New York, NY Arts and Culture
R. Jessy Dressin Repair the World-Baltimore Baltimore, MD Social Justice
Julie Emden Embodied Jewish Learning Berkeley, CA Spiritual Practice
Mati Engel Well of Wills Creative Incubator Chicago, IL Arts and Culture
Dr. Shana Erenberg Libenu Skokie, IL Social Justice
Elly Faden Healing Words from the Tree of Life Hazlet TWP Spiritual Practice/Meditation
Sara Fatell OneTable Mt. Rainer, MD Spiritual Communities
Jacob Feinspan Jews United for Justice Washington D.C. Social Justice
R. Shir Yaakov Feit Kol Hai: Hudson Valley Jewish Renewal New York, NY Spiritual Communities
R. Jacob Fine Abundance Farm Nothampton, MA Environment/Food
R. Avi Finegold Jewish Learning Lab Montreal, Quebec Jewish Learning
R. Brian Fink UJA-Federation of New York’s Engage Jewish Service Corps at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan New York, NY Social Justice
Deborah Fishman FED New York, NY Spiritual Communities
Lilli Flink Spruce Street Minyan Philadelphia, PA Spiritual Communities
David Franklin Jews, Rock and Roll Hartford, CT Arts and Culture
Carla Friend Tkiya: The Jewish Community Music Initiative Brooklyn, NY Arts and Culture
Eleyna Fugman Alberta Shul Portland, OR Spiritual Communities
Kohenet Rinah Rachel Galper Our Sacred Circles Durham, NC Spiritual Communities
R. Laura Geller ChaiVillageLA Los Angeles, CA Spiritual Communities
Asher Gellis JQ International Los Angeles, CA Social Justice
R. Sherril  Gilbert Lev Shul Montréal Quebec Spiritual Community
Rachel Gildiner Gather DC Washington D.C. Spiritual Communities
Cara Gold Grassroots Shabbat Toronto, Ontario Spiritual Communities
R. Dan Goldblatt Beth Chaim Danville, CA Synagogue
Mo Golden Minyan of Thinkers CONNECT Cohorts Philadelphia, PA Jewish Learning
Bob Goldfarb Darkhei Noam New York, NY Spiritual Communities
R. Lisa Goldstein Institute for Jewish Spirituality New York, NY Spiritual practice
R. Justin  Goldstein Yesod Farm and Kitchen Ashville, NC Jewish Environmentalism
Monica Gomery Hebrew College/Let My People Sing! Boston, MA Spiritual Communities
R. Brad Greenstein Moishe House San Diego, CA Spiritual Communities
Rishe Groner Gene-Sis New York, NY Spiritual Practice
R. Jen Gubitz The Riverway Project at Temple Israel of Boston Boston, MA Spiritual Communities
R. Andrew Hahn Kirtan R. Prayer Initiative New York, NY Arts and Culture
Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife Kesher Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA Spiritual Communities
R. Jill Hammer Kohenet New York, NY Spiritual practice
R. Denise Handlarski SecularSynagogue.com Toronto, Ontario Jewish Learning
David Jordan Harris Rimon Minneapolis, MN Arts and Culture
Becky Havivi IfNotNow Philadelphia, PA Social Justice
R. Lizzi Heydemann Mishkan Chicago Chicago, IL Spiritual Communities
Stuart  Himmelfarb B3/The Jewish Boomer Platform New York, NY  
Melissa Hoffman Jewish Initiative for Animals Los Angeles, CA Environment/Food
Peter Horowitz Mile End Chavurah Montreal, Quebec Spiritual Communities
R. Dan Horwitz The Well Detroit, MI Spiritual Communities
Jared Jackson Jews in ALL Hues New York, NY Spiritual Communities
R. David Jaffe Inside Out Wisdom and Action   Sharon, MA Social Justice
R. Cantor Ellen Jaffe-Gill Tidewater Chavurah Tidewater, VA Spiritual Communities
Leah Jones TBD Minyan Chicago, IL Spiritual Communities
R. James Kahn * Jewish Social Service Agency, Wash DC Rockville, MD Jewish Learning
David Zvi Kalman Jewish Public Media Philadelphia, PA Jewish Learning
Danny Kaplan* Jewish Council for Urban Affairs Chicago, IL Social Justice
Steffi Aronson Karp LimmudBoston Boston, MA Jewish Learning
Andrew Kastner* Coastal Roots Farm/Leichtag Foundation San Diego, CA Environment/Food
R. Elie Kaunfer Hadar Institute New York, NY Jewish Learning
Na’amah Wendy Kenin Imeinu Doulas and Jewish Birth Worker Collective San Francisco, CA Social Justice
Dove Kent* Jews for Racial and Economic Justice New York, NY Social Justice
Caroline Kessler Ashreinu St. Louis, MO Spiritual Communities
Renna Khuner-Haber Nigun Collective Berkeley, CA Spiritual Communities
R. Jason Kimelman-Block Bend the Arc Washington DC Social Justice
Idit Klein Keshet Boston, MA Social Justice
Arielle Korman Jews of Color Torah Academy New York, NY Jewish Learning
R. Evan J. Krame The Jewish Studio Potomac, MD Spiritual Communities
David Krantz Aytzim: Ecological Judaism Tempe, AZ Environment/Food
Casey  Krebs Latkes and Babka Kingston, Ontario Arts and Culture
Greg Lawrence The Tribe Miami, FL Spiritual Communities
Lisa Lepson * UpstartLab/Joshua Venture New York, NY Spiritual Communities
Ilana Lerman Jewish Voice for Peace Boston, MA Social Justice
Kohenet Ketzirah Lesser Devotaj Sacred Arts Washington, DC Spiritual Practice/Meditation
Meredith Levick * Hazon New York, NY Environment/Food
Stephanie Levin Peninsula Jewish Community Center Forrest City, CA Spiritual Communities
William Levin Alliance Community Reboot (ACRe) Brooklyn, NY Spiritual Communities
Hart Levine The Beis New York, NY Spiritual Communities
Danielle Levsky Artist/writer/performer Chicago, IL Arts and Culture
R. Aaron Levy Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism Toronto, Ontario Spiritual Communities
Jeff Levy-Lyons Jewish Climate Action Network NYC Brooklyn, NY Environment/Food
Talia Liben Yarmush Achayot: Sisterhood of Jewish Women Writers Linden, NJ Jewish Learning
Daniel Libenson Institute for the Next Jewish Future Chicago, IL Jewish Learning
Audrey Lichter ChaiMitzvah West Hartford, CT Jewish Learning
Julie Lieber * Kevah Denver, CO Jewish Learning
Eliana Light The G!D Project Durham, NC Jewish Learning
Asher  Lovy ZA’AKAH New York, NY Social Justice
R. Sara Luria * Immerse NYC New York, NY Spiritual Practice
Naomi Malka Adas Israel Community Mikvah Washington DC Spiritual Practice
Leora Mallach Ganei Beantown (Beantown Jewish Gardens) Boston, MA Environment/Food
Jakir Manela Pearlstone Center Reisterstown, MD Environment/Food
R. Natan Margalit Organic Torah Boston, MA Spiritual Practice
Patricia Eszter Margit Art Kibbutz Brooklyn, NY Arts and Culture
R. Miriam Margles Danforth Jewish Circle Toronto, Ontario Spiritual Communities
Elan Margulies Hazon New York, NY Environment/Food
R. David Evan Markus Temple Beth El of City Island Staten Island, NY Spiritual Communities
Kohenet Annie Matan Matanot Lev (Gifts of the Heart) Toronto, Ontario Spiritual Communities
Richard McBee Jewish Art Salon New York, NY Arts and Culture
Yavilah McCoy* Ayecha/Visions Newtown, MA Social Justice
Deborah Meyer Moving Traditions Philadelphia, PA Jewish Learning
Shani  Mink Jewish Farmer Network Ashville, NC Jewish Enviornmentalism
R. Avram Mlotek Base Hillel New York, NY Spiritual Communities
Ahron Moeller Alliance Community Reboot Hamburg, Germany Jewish Enviornmentalism
R. Lee Moore* Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah Kent, OH Jewish Learning
Elad Nehorai Hevria Brooklyn, NY Spiritual Communities
R. Dev Noily Kehilla Community Synagogue East Bay, CA Spiritual Communities
Blair Nosan Pickle Torah New York, NY Jewish Learning
Yoni Oppenheim 24/6: A Jewish Theater Company New York, NY Arts and Culture
Kohenet Stacey Sephirah Oshkello Living Tree Alliance Moretown, VT Environment/Food
Libby Parker Jewfolk, Inc. Minneapolis, MN Spiritual Communities
Kasey Passen * OneTable Chicago, IL Spiritual Communities
Nati Passow Jewish Farm School Philadelphia, PA Environment/Food
Eden Pearlstein Darshan Brooklyn, CA Arts and Culture
R. Scott Perlo * Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Washington D.C. Spiritual Communities
R. Laurie Phillips Beineinu, NYC Brooklyn, NY Spiritual Communities
Kendell Pinkney Kaleidoscope New York, NY Arts and Culture
Ari Pomerantz * Moishe/Kavod House – Boston Boston, MA Social Justice
R. Aaron Potek Gather DC Washington DC Spiritual Communities
R. Mira Rivera Harlem Havruta New York, NY Spiritual Community
Sammy Rosenbaum * The Well – Atlanta Atlanta, GA Spiritual Communities
Ahava Rosenthal Parenting Through a Jewish Lens Boston, MA Jewish Learning
Jon Adam Ross The In[heir]itance Project New York, NY Arts and Culture
R. Isaiah Rothstein Be’chol Lashon New York, NY Social Justice
Cindy Rowe Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action Boston, MA Social Justice
Jacob  Ruden Jewsic City Shabbat Nashville, TN Spiritual Community
Shamu Sadeh Adamah Falls Village, CT Environment/Food
R. Jan Salzman Ruach haMaqom Burlington, VT Spiritual Communities
Irene Lehrer Sandalow SketchPad Chicago, IL Spiritual Communities
R. Regina Sandler-Phillips WAYS OF PEACE Community Resources New York, NY Social Justice
Beth Sandweiss Jewish Meditation Center of Montclair Montclair, NJ Spiritual Communities
R. Dana Saroken The Soul Center Baltimore, MD Spiritual Communities
Nigel Savage Hazon New York, NY Environment/Food
Ruth Schapira* The Mussar Institute Philadelphia, PA Spiritual Practice
Lauren Schreiber-Sasaki Jewish& Toronto, Ontario Jewish Learning
R. Jeremy Schwartz Bnai Israel Community Williamantic, CT Spiritual Communities
R. Rami Schwartzer The Den Collective   Washington DC Spiritual Communities
Margot Seigle Linke Fligl Millerton, NY Food/Environment
Hazzan Jodi Sered-Lever Congregation Mekor Shalom Tampa, FL Spiritual Communities
R. Larry Sernovitz Nafshenu Cherry Hill, NJ Spiritual Community
Sara Shalva* DC Jewish Community Center Washington, DC Arts and Culture
Jane Shapiro Orot Chicago Chicago, IL Jewish Learning
Idan Sharon Adat Shalom Reconstructionist congregation,  Hamidrasha Beoranim Bethesda, MD Spiritual Communities
Adam Sher Hazon Falls Village, CT Environment/Food
R. Jeremy Sher HaEmek Palo Alto, CA Spiritual Communities
R. David Shneyer Am Kolel Judaic Resource Center Rockville and Beallsville, Maryland Spiritual Community
R. Rachel Short Ahava Aina Community Hilo, Hawaii Spiritual Community
Misha Shulman School for Creative Judaism Brooklyn, NY Jewish Learning
R. Garth Silberstein* Organic Yeshiva Sacramento, CA Environment/Food
Yoshi Silverstein Mitsui Collective Cleveland, OH Spiritual Practice
R. Ruth H. Sohn Yedidya Center for Jewish Spiritual Direction  Los Angeles, CA Spiritual Practice
Lauren Spokane New Synagogue Project Washington, DC Spiritual Communities
R. Benjamin Spratt Congregation Rodeph Sholom New York, NY Spiritual Communities
R. Josh Stanton* Tribe New York, NY Spiritual Communities
Bekah Starr Bekah-Starr Art Beacon, NY Arts and  Culture
Miriam Steinberg-Egeth Center City Kehillah Philadelphia, PA Spiritual Communities
R. Kaya Stern-Kaufman Rimon Housatonic, MA Spiritual Communities
R. Ariel Stone TischPDX Portland, OR Spiritual Communities
Roger Studley Urban Moshav Albany, CA Spiritual Communities
R. Eddie Sukol The Shul Cleveland, OH Spiritual Community
Ilana Sumka Center for Jewish Nonviolence New York, NY Social Justice
R. Sarah Tasman The Tasman Center for Jewish Creativity Silver Spring, MD Spiritual Practice/Meditation
Craig Taubman Pico Union Project Los Angeles, CA Social Justice
R. Rachel Timoner Congregation Beth Elohim Brooklyn, NY Synagogue
Anike  Tourse Mixed Operations Los Angeles, CA Arts and Culture
Naomi Tucker Shalom Bayit Oakland, CA Social Justice
Karla Van Praag  JOIN for Justice Boston, MA Social Justice
Aharon Varady Open Siddur Project Cincinatti, OH Arts and Culture
Katie Vogel Havayah Cincinnati, OH Spiritual Community
R. Michael Wasserman The New Shul Scottsdale, AZ Synagogue
Sarah Weinberg Kol Sasson Congregation Skokie, IL Spiritual Community
Rob Weinberg* Experiments in Congregational Education Chicago, IL Spiritual Communities
Rachel  Weinstein White Fig Tree Brooklyn, NY Jewish Learning
Micah Weiss West Philly Shteibel Philadelphia, PA Spiritual Communities
Melanie Weiss Center for Small Town Jewish Life Waterville, ME Jewish Learning
Judi Wisch PJ Library Springfield, MA Jewish Learning
R. Bridget Wynne Jewish Gateways Albany, CA Jewish Learning
Lori Ayela  Wynters Wild Seeds of Torah New Paltz, NY Spiritual Community
Lawrence Yermack Center for Jewish Spirituality San Rafael, CA Spiritual Practice
Zahara Zahav Jews for Racial and Economic Justice New York, NY Social Justice
Cat  Zavis Network of Spiritual Progressives Berkeley, CA Social Justice
R. Shawn Zevit Mishkan Shalom Philadelphia, PA Synagogue

Read a groundbreaking study by Dr. Tobin Belzer on the work of Kenissa

“Jewish Communal Transformation: A Look at What’s Happening and Who is Making it Happen”
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Organizational Co-Sponsors