Announcing the Elijah Fellowship’s Inaugural Cohort

Hebrew Union College is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the Elijah Fellowship; emerging Jewish leaders exploring the connection between strengthening their spiritual leadership and their relationship with the divine, while experimenting with Jewish prayer, texts, ritual, and practice.

"We're living through a time of tremendous tumult-and the Elijah Fellowship is meeting the moment. The overwhelming response from people in their 20s and 30s who want to go deeper spiritually, root themselves in practice, and carry that strength into the world is deeply inspiring," said Rabbi Benjamin Ross '16, Director of the Elijah Fellowship. "Each fellow is discerning what nourishes and replenishes them-and how to bring that aliveness into the world. It's a thrill and an honor to be their partner on the journey."

The inaugural fellows will take part in monthly learning sessions, reflective exercises, one-on-one spiritual direction, and a spring Shabbaton, joining a cohort of like-minded seekers committed to exploring Judaism with depth and intention. The Elijah Fellowship, which is generously funded by the Baker Foundation, joins Hebrew Union College's growing network ecosystem of fellowship programs that support Jewish leadership development.

Please join us in welcoming the first cohort of Elijah Fellows, whose members bring a wealth of experiences and passions to the program including: a current Wexner Field Fellow; professionals in the U.S. Army National Guard Bureau and Aviation Resource Management; a behavioral therapist; several Hillel staff members; a cantorial soloist; and aspiring future rabbinical students. Together, they represent a diverse, vibrant group ready to explore and deepen their Jewish spiritual journeys. After meeting individually with each member of the cohort, Rabbi Ross reflected, "If this is what the next generation of Jewish leadership looks like, we are in good shape. We are so grateful to the Baker Foundation for their visionary funding in supporting this inaugural cohort."

Meet the 2025-26 Elijah Fellows

Erin Adams

Erin lives outside of Washington, D.C., where she works full-time for the U.S. Army's National Guard Bureau. Deeply involved in the local Jewish community and civic outreach, she teaches religious school at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA, and is starting a trans-congregational Torah study for young professionals. She is active in several congregations and also serves on the board of directors for Rodef 2100, an organization dedicated to creating spaces for Jewish people in their 20s and 30s. Her goal is to integrate her professional career with her passion for Jewish learning and teaching, and she aspires to attend rabbinical school at Hebrew Union College within the next two years.

Joshua Albert

Originally from Tampa, FL, Joshua lives in West LA, where he works as a behavioral therapist in the Orthodox community, supporting children with disabilities. Raised in the Reform movement, he continues to identify as part of it. In his free time, he enjoys running, working out, playing basketball, hiking, traveling, songwriting, exploring new restaurants, and savoring a good cup of coffee. Passionate about self-improvement and meaningful connections, Josh looks forward to growing and learning with his cohort.

Lev Axler

Lev recently moved to Gaithersburg, MD. He works full-time in Marketing and Sales in Northern Virginia and part-time as the Music Leader and Music Teacher for Kehila Chadasha, a small congregation in Bethesda. Deeply passionate about Jewish music as a vehicle for community building and spiritual fulfillment, he has explored a wide range of Jewish thought beyond his Reform upbringing, including Modern Orthodox, Conservative, and Humanistic communities. A 2023 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, with a science background, Lev enjoys crafts, playing music, and planning his next DnD session. He is excited to continue learning and growing through this fellowship.

Reed Barkowitz

Reed grew up in the Boston area before moving to Central Florida during high school. They have been engaged in Jewish life at every stage, from partnering with Keshet for their Bat Mitzvah project, to participating in three NFTY regions, to being active in Hillel during college. Since graduating, Reed has pursued a career as a Jewish professional, first as Communications Manager for Boston-based Mikveh Mayyim Hayyim, and now as Program Director of Stetson University Hillel. They hope to begin rabbinical school next year and continue providing support and guidance to queer and trans Jews around the world.

Jenna Barricklo

Jenna grew up in New York City and currently resides in Manhattan. She has over 10 years of experience teaching elementary Jewish education and music. She is currently the Associate Director of Education at the Riverdale Temple Learning Center and also teaches part-time at Kane Street Synagogue in Brooklyn. Previously, she worked as the Lower Elementary School music educator at Congregation Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim in Charleston, SC. Jenna first traveled to Israel on Birthright in 2021 and returned in the summers of 2023 and 2024 to teach English to elementary students with TALMA. In 2024, she also staffed her first Birthright trip and now serves as a Birthright Israel Foundation Ambassador, traveling the country to share her Birthright experiences.

Lucy Beckett

Lucy works as a Program Officer for a Jewish philanthropic foundation in Los Angeles, CA, managing grant portfolios focused primarily on Jewish young adult engagement and campus climate. She is a former Springboard Fellow and Moishe House Resident and strives to help everyone she meets feel a sense of "home" in the Jewish community in LA. Outside of work, you might find her mentoring B'nai Mitzvah students, hosting Shabbat dinners, exploring the city, traveling, or even enjoying a day at Disneyland.

Chloe Chappell

In her full-time role, Chloe serves as the Director of Youth & Family Engagement at the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, OK, where she supports families in bringing more Judaism into their daily lives. She has also worked part-time as an Aviation Resource Manager in the Oklahoma Air National Guard for the past eight years. Outside of work, Chloe is passionate about running-whether training for a race or enjoying a peaceful jog on local trails-and has a lifelong love of theme parks, visiting annually with friends and family. She is married to her bashert, and they have a young daughter and two pets. Chloe is an active member of B'nai Emunah Synagogue, where her daughter also attends preschool.

Amy Fischer-Smith

Amy serves as Vice President of the Board at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, CA, where she has chaired the Israel & World Jewry Committee since 2023, previously co-chaired the Early Childhood Education Committee, and led the Gan Ilan Preschool Parent Association. She also serves on the Marketing and Enrollment Committee for Contra Costa Jewish Day School, where she is a parent of a third grader and a kindergartener. Amy is the owner of Amy's Jewish Kitchen and managing editor of the Bay Area Telegraph. Previously, she worked as a special education paraprofessional, ran her own consulting firm, and served as Development Coordinator at the Jewish Museum of Maryland. A 2022 Adult Bat Mitzvah at Temple Isaiah, Amy holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University. She lives in Lafayette with her husband, three sons, their dog, and 20 chickens. Amy enjoys painting, traveling, Jewish cooking, and leading Flavors of Israel, a monthly cooking circle at Temple Isaiah.

Talia Gnessin

Talia is from Los Angeles, CA, where she loves camping, hiking, and immersing herself in water-activities that help break down the barrier between self and earth. She is currently the Judaic Program Director for Shalom Institute, after many years working in the Jewish nonprofit sector. Her love for the Jewish calendar has been shaped through experiential Jewish education at NYU, Kivunim, and most recently OneTable. Talia's Jewish community is rooted less in formal congregational spaces and more in "living-room, sit-on-the-floor-with-a-source-sheet" style gatherings. She is deeply passionate about inspiring others through Jewish song, text, and ritual, and is eager to bring even more of that energy into everyday life.

Adelaide Gordon

Adelaide lives in Providence, RI, where she works as the Springboard Fellow for Innovation at Brown RISD Hillel. Outside of work, she enjoys knitting, reading, spending time with family, and walking on the beach. Passionate about traveling and experiencing the world, she hopes to live abroad in the coming years. Her Jewish life currently centers on attending Hillel services and taking Hebrew classes at a local temple, and she is excited to deepen her spiritual connection to Judaism through the Elijah Fellowship.

Ezra Hammel

Ezra grew up in Sacramento, CA, where he was deeply involved in his Jewish community through Sunday school, youth group, summer camp, and Heller High. Attending university in an area without Jewish life helped him realize how important being part of a Jewish community is to him. He went on to join the Nachshon Fellowship in Jerusalem, and two and a half years later graduated from Tel Aviv University. Ezra is now returning to Sacramento, excited to continue his journey in Jewish life.

Felicia Heiney

Felicia lives in central New Jersey and works on the Campus Climate Initiative team at Hillel International, collaborating with higher education administrators to create more welcoming and affirming environments for Jewish and all students on campus. She also teaches Hebrew school to children ages 0-9 at her local synagogue. In addition to her work in Jewish communal life, she enjoys learning languages, spending time outdoors, and singing, including as a member of the local Jewish choir, Makhelat HaMercaz.

Alex Henson

Alex lives and works as an attorney in Atlanta, GA. A lifelong Georgia resident, he attended both college and law school in the Atlanta area. He is actively involved at The Temple in Midtown Atlanta, where he teaches 3rd-grade Hebrew.

Stephanie (Steph) Herold, MPH

Stephanie is a researcher with Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), where she studies the portrayal of abortion on television and in film through the Abortion Onscreen program. She has co-authored more than a dozen peer-reviewed papers on abortion stigma, storytelling, and popular culture, and her writing has appeared in outlets including the New York Times, The American Prospect, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. She lives in Queens, NY, with her husband and two young children. Stephanie considers klal Yisrael her Jewish community and, in her spare time, studies Torah reading, medieval Jewish history, davening, and the weekly Torah portion.

Miranda Mower

Miranda is a cantorial soloist, experiential educator, and jazz vocalist living in Fullerton, CA, with her tabby cat, Macie. She serves as a cantorial soloist at Temple Beth Tikvah and Temple Beth Ohr, using music to make prayer more meaningful. Her Jewish journey includes participating in Brandeis Camp Institute, facilitating Rosh Chodesh circles as LA Program Ambassador for At The Well Project, and leading spiritually guided hikes as a Jewish Experiential Nature Education Fellow at AJU's Brandeis Bardin Campus. Originally studying Musical Theater Vocal Performance at NYU, she switched her major to "Creativity as Spiritual Practice" and converted to Reform Judaism, discovering her calling in Jewish music. Miranda enjoys strolling in the neighborhoods of Fullerton, learning and davening with her community, and exploring home goods and antique shops. A lover of all things Jewish, musical, and mystical, she is thrilled to participate in the Elijah Fellowship.

Marina Bardash Nebro

Marina is passionate about fostering diverse, accessible, and loving learning-based communities. She has spent the past five years working within the Jewish community in New York City and is currently the Program Manager for Jewish Culture and Programming at Central Synagogue. She is also a member of Malkhut Queens, a progressive, spiritual community in Western Queens, where she previously served as Director of Education. Outside of work, Marina enjoys dancing flamenco, caring for her cats, and crafting.

Jake Niefeld

Jake is originally from Minneapolis, MN, and discovered his love for Judaism at Herzl Camp in Webster, WI, where he spent 11 summers as a camper, bunk staff, head song leader, and unit lead. He attended Brandeis Camp Institute in 2023 and grew his passion for pluralistic Judaism as a Springboard Fellow at UConn Hillel, focusing on engagement and Jewish education. He currently works at Camp Mountain Chai in San Diego, CA, as Operations and Logistics Coordinator, creating the same Jewish joy he fell in love with years ago. A University of Kansas graduate with a BS in Spanish Education, Jake enjoys music-playing seven instruments and producing in his free time-sports, especially Ultimate Frisbee, being outdoors, and watching new TV shows.

Julianna Orkin

Julianna lives and works in York, PA, where she serves as Coordinator of Jewish Student Life at York College of Pennsylvania and part-time Religious School Principal at Temple Beth Israel. Her Jewish community includes her students, fellow York College alumni, and friends from the synagogue. In her free time, she enjoys photography in parks, gardens, and while traveling, stays active through aerial yoga, and spends time with her cat. She recently completed Hebrew Union College's Jewish Ideas Fellowship and the Center for Small Town Jewish Life's Shlichei Tzibur Prayer Training Program in June 2025.

Leah Palestrant

Leah is the Executive Director of the Springboard Fellowship at Hillel International, where she supports early career Jewish professionals in developing the skills, confidence, and networks to create meaningful impact. A former high school Biology teacher, she previously led training and alumni strategy at City Year Jacksonville and Teach For America. Leah is a current Wexner Field Fellow, deepening her expertise in Jewish leadership and professional development. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband, three-year-old son Dawson, and their two Husky-mix pups, and enjoys a vibrant Jewish community while raising her son in a multifaith household. Outside of work, she volunteers extensively, coaching Special Olympics basketball, supporting manatee rescues, and engaging in interfaith and community-building efforts. A proud Ohio State University graduate with degrees in Zoology and Psychology, Leah was honored with the 2023 Ilene Sari Selevan Young Leadership Award.

Sofía Peirano-Friedman

Sofía is a Bay Area native now living in New York City, where she works as Program Coordinator for Jewtina y Co., a community celebrating the diverse histories and identities of Latin Jews. She also tutors B'nei Mitzvah students through Central Synagogue, an important part of her Jewish life. Grateful to engage with Jewish themes daily through work and personal practice, she especially enjoys celebrating Shabbat with friends and family. In her free time, Sofía enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring life's big questions on her blog.

Kayla Schneider-Smith

Kayla works at DePaul University in Chicago as the Chaplain for Jewish & Interfaith Life. Originally from New Jersey, she was raised a Reform Jew by an ex-Hasidic mother from Queens, NY, and a Presbyterian father from Kansas. She is a poet, musician, and educator with a passion for progressive Judaism, interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and spirituality.

Noam Shapiro

Noam is a theater director, environmental policy analyst, educator, and Jewish lay leader from New York City. He is the Producing Artistic Director of Three Hares, a company creating theater about how people respond to crises and change. An environmental advocate, he has organized with Adamah, Dayenu, and Interfaith Power & Light. As a writing tutor, he has helped over 80 students apply successfully to colleges and graduate schools. Noam participates in Israel Policy Forum's Atid network, serves on the advisory board for Heart of a Nation, and recently completed the Rabbinical Mechina Program at Jewish Theological Seminary and Shlichei Tzibur Training through the Center for Small Town Jewish Life. He is a member of Congregation Rodeph Sholom and B'nai Jeshurun in Manhattan, holds a BA from Yale, and is pursuing a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science & Policy at Columbia University, focusing on environmental cooperation between Israel and its neighbors.

Lux Steinberg

Lux is a Jewish non-profit professional and prospective future rabbinical student with a strong background in coordinating meaningful programming within the Jewish community. While they started their career in neuroscience research at Columbia University's Department of Psychiatry and later the NeuroTechnology Center at Columbia University, they craved deeper meaning and shifted their focus to their Jewish roots. Lux joined the development and House of Learning teams at Lehrhaus, a Jewish tavern and house of learning, where they facilitated classes and philanthropic opportunities for the Boston Jewish community. They are also a member of Temple Israel of Boston's Riverway Project, a robust community and programming series for young Jews in their 20s and 30s. Now back home on the West Coast, they serve as the Director of Development and Engagement at The Open Temple in Venice, CA, and are a resident of Moishe House Venice.

Sam Taylor

Sam lives in Germantown, MD, and works in Rockville, MD, at Makom (formerly Jewish Foundation for Group Homes), a Jewish organization supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which he considers his Jewish community. He is also a member of Congregation Or Chadash in Damascus, MD, and through his work engages with a wide range of Jewish communities and synagogues. Sam was married last November to his wife, Courtney, the art teacher at the lower school of Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, and they have a dog named Dalia. Both are dancers, and Sam is also a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a longtime passion

Carly Traynor

Carly lives in Indianapolis, IN, and works as the Assistant MSW Program Director at the Indiana University School of Social Work, holding a master's in higher education and student affairs and a bachelor's in English, and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in nonprofit management. Her Jewish community experience centers on Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, where she attends services regularly, serves on the Board, and launched the Ga'avah (Pride) Circle in 2022 to connect LGBTQ+ congregants socially, spiritually, and civically. She also engages with the wider Jewish community nationally and internationally via social media. Outside of work and Jewish life, Carly enjoys hiking, rock climbing, running, yoga, reading, exploring new coffee spots, and spending time with her cat, Toast.

Tamara Upfal

Tamara lives in Washington, D.C., where she is a Senior Legislative Assistant at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, focusing on immigration justice, refugee advocacy, and separation of church and state. She earned a Master's in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies from the University of Oxford, receiving the Best Thesis Award for her dissertation, "Hereness": Lessons from Jewish Diasporism on Belonging. Previously, she worked in international development, consulting for clients including the United Nations and USAID. Tamara was also a 2022-2023 Dorot Fellow, studying Mussar, exploring halakha and spirituality, self-publishing a poetry chapbook on migration and cross-cultural identity, and working with refugee populations.

Blake Ziegler

Blake is the Texas & National Campaigns Field Organizer for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. He has previously worked with the World Jewish Congress, Jewish on Campus, the American Jewish Committee, and other organizations. Raised in the Reform Movement in New Orleans, LA, he now lives in New York City and is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he earned degrees in political science and philosophy.