CyberJudaism.org will:
- Use cutting-edge Internet technology and capitalize on strategic web advantages to facilitate the most effective connections between Jewish Resources and people interested in Judaism
- Provide centralized web access to live and archived Jewish Resources
- Supply structure such as virtual offices and storefronts enabling existing Jewish Resources to effectively serve users and potential users
- Coalesce a critical mass of users establishing a centralized Jewish marketplace and access point for Jewish service providers, and enable a cost-effective access to otherwise cost-prohibitive Jewish resources
- Work in harmony with brick-and-mortar synagogues and Jewish service providers to supplement, enhance and enable their efforts through online services
Our Team:
Executive Director, Rabbi Yitzhak Miller - Rabbi Yitzi brings 10+ years of experience as a Congregational Rabbi, years of experience in the business world, both in the U.S. and internationally and a family background that spans the gamut from ultra-Reform to ultra-Orthodox. He currently serves as the Resident Chaplain at Stanford University Medical Center. Rabbi Yitzi reflects a love for both the breadth and depth of Judaism. This Reform rabbi has recently been featured for his online work with students from Iraq to Beijing. www.rabbiyitzhakmiller.org/About 5.html
Technology & Marketing Director, Louise Rijk - Louise Rijk is Co-Founder and Vice-President of Marketing and Sales at Advanced Media Productions, a full-service Internet Marketing and Web Development company. Louise holds a BS degree in Education and Psychology from NYU, a MS degree from NYU in Clinical Psychology and a CAGS in Computer and Education from Lesley College. Louise is a frequent speaker on Internet Marketing, Ecommerce, Word of Mouth/Viral Marketing and Web Site Development at universities, business development seminars (MSBDC, BEN), trade shows, WebmasterWorld, PubCon, Intranet Week and also Advanced Media Productions' Regional Seminars. www.advmediaproductions.com/Louise.html
Strategic Planning Director Joe Katzman - Joe Katzman brings to CyberJudaism.org an exceptional knowledge and technology management (KPMG, Ernst & Young), social action (WindsofChange.net), and business analysis (Editor-in-Chief of Defense Industry Daily), and combines that with his active involvement on synagogue boards of directors and finance committees. Joe views his leadership role in this project as an exceptional opportunity to explore the fusion of spirituality and technology.
www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/joe/katzman
Spiritual Content Director, Rabbi Baruch HaLevi - After working as a motivational speaker, Rabbi B was ordained by the University of Judaism (Conservative) and pursued his Jewish studies both in Jerusalem and in Los Angeles. He spent four years re-invigorating the historic Tifereth, Israel congregation in Des Moines, Iowa. He then began his tenure at Congregation Shirat Hayam - one of the fastest growing synagogues in Greater Boston - transforming it into a vibrant, flourishing center of Jewish community, education and spirituality. He has launched a blossoming Internet presence as Rabbi B. In 2007, Rabbi B received his PhD in Ministry, in Jewish Spirituality, from the Graduate Theological Foundation of Oxford University. www.RabbiB.com
Director of Educational Content, Michael Sommer - Rabbi Michael Sommer was ordained a rabbi by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2005. Rabbi Sommer is just one half of the powerfully dynamic Sommer and Sommer rabbinic team. Married to Rabbi Phyllis Sommer (http://imabima.blogspot.com/), for the last nine years he has worked as a teacher at Am Shalom part time on the north shore of Chicago while raising his three kids. Rabbi Michael Sommer loves teaching and making Jewish education as fun and captivating as possible. Using the technological tools such as Trope Trainer and DavkaWriter, Rabbi Sommer has worked hard to create innovative and accessible learning tools and lessons for both Hebrew and religious school courses for over ten years. In addition to a Master degree in Hebrew Letters from HUC-JIR, Rabbi Sommer has also earned a Master in Dramatic Criticism from the University of Kentucky and a BA degree in English from the University of Florida.
Director of PR & Outreach - Nina Amir is a journalist, inspirational speaker, teacher, San Jose Jewish Examiner, the holiday and spirituality expert on the international podcast Conversations with Mrs. Claus, wife, and mother. The author of several booklets—"From Empty Practice to Meaning-Full and Spirit-Full Prayers and Rituals," "The Kabbalah of Conscious Creation," "The Priestess Practice," and “Navigating the Narrow Bridge," she is writing several full-length books. Through her work, Amir offers human potential, personal growth and practical spiritual tools from a Jewish perspective, although her work is pertinent to people of all faiths and spiritual traditions. She strives to bring people closer to their religion, live fully and feel the Divine Presence in their lives every day. www.purespiritcreations.com
Our Advisory Board
Rabbi Lori Klein currently works as a hospital oncology Chaplain in the San Francisco Bay area. She was ordained in 2006 through the ALEPH Rabbinical Program (Renewal) and is a Renewal spiritual leader. Rabbi Klein has worked as an attorney and community activist for more than 20 years, advocating for underserved individuals in the private, government and nonprofit sectors. She has taught adults, children, health care providers, attorneys and spiritual leaders in the U.S. and Central Europe. Rabbi Klein has facilitated rituals to enrich every stage of the Jewish life cycle. She has been honored for her volunteer and professional work by her colleagues in law by the City and County of Santa Cruz.
Colleen Lukoff, CFRE - Principal, Lukoff Consulting Services. Ms. Lukoff consults with nonprofit organizations, advising and assisting them with their fund development needs. For the past 23 years, she has worked on planning and managing fundraising efforts including major gifts and capital campaigns for small to mid-size health and human service organizations, and educational support groups. She has been a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) since 1993, is a charter member of the Silicon Valley Chapter of AFP, and in 1999 was honored by them as Outstanding Professional Fundraiser. She currently serves on the boards of the North County Philanthropy Council and the San Marcos Community Foundation.
Mindy Berkowitz, MSW, MA - Mindy Berkowitz has been the Executive Director of Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley since 2003, and has served as a leader of numerous Jewish organizations including serving as the Executive Director of Congregation Beth David in Saratoga California before assuming her current position. At JFS, she has guided service to new immigrants, holocaust survivors, job seekers, refugees, individuals and families in need of counseling, life-coaching, and spiritual support, and many other activities demanding professional and effective outreach to both the Jewish and secular communities. She has also guided the team responsible for these activities and orchestrated the fundraising necessary to support these activities. Mindy graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Social Work from Rutgers University, and subsequently received Master's Degrees in Social Work from Washington University and in Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College.
Judi Sherman - Judi Sherman brings a vast array of experience in to CyberJudaism.org, including experience as the Executive Director of Mountain Community Resources, Director of Staff Development for the Monterey Bay Aquarium and as the Customer Service Director for ADP Payroll Processing. Judi currently works with an organization called “Strategies.” She provides training, coaching, facilitation, curriculum development, and the practical application of research and best practices to programs, organizations, and networks that strengthen families and communities.
http://www.familyresourcecenters.net/staff/index.php
Please take a tour of CyberJudaism.org. We welcome feedback, so sign up for email. If you are as excited as we are by our online global Jewish community, please let us know where you can best contribute, collaborate or volunteer.
