WRJ is home to a hardworking and creative professional staff who oversee marketing and communications, events and leadership, philanthropy, programs, and affiliate services for sisterhoods & Districts and the organization as a whole. This diverse team has a variety of responsibilities and interests that help make the organization a success.
Executive
Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) is the Executive Director of Women of Reform Judaism, a role she has held since July 2023.
Previously, Hirsch was the rabbi of Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield, MA. She was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. In recognition of her academic and leadership achievements, she was honored as a Wexner Graduate Fellow, a Tisch Fellow, and a WRJ Scholar during her rabbinic studies. She completed her undergraduate education at Brown University with a degree in Environmental Studies.
She was the founding co-chair of RAC Massachusetts, a statewide synagogue-based community organizing project of Reform Judaism, and she serves on the National Council of Jewish Women’s Rabbis for Repro Rabbinic Advisory Council. She was a key faith leader in the 2020 campaign to pass the ROE Act, safeguarding reproductive rights and abortion access in Massachusetts.
Hirsch writes frequently on social justice, spiritual practice, and trends in Jewish life, with recent chapters included in The Social Justice Torah Commentary (CCAR Press, 2021) and Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah (CCAR Press, 2023). Her writing can be found at www.lizpghirsch.com.
Rabbi Hirsch lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband, Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch, and their two children.
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Rosenblum (she/her), Assistant Director (lrosenblum@wrj.org, 212-650-4056), oversees daily office operations. Lizzie previously served as WRJ's Manager of Development and Special Projects (2012-2017). During her WRJ sabbatical, she served as the Director of Adult Life at the Rockland JCC and Development Director at Ben Porat Yosef Day School. Lizzie is a member of the board of Temple Beth Shalom in New City, NY, where she lives with her husband, Greg, sons Charlie and Henry, and dogs George and Louis.
Lisa Pincus Hamroff (she/her), Executive and Leadership Associate (lpincushamroff@wrj.org, 212-650-4066). Lisa previously served in various community engagement and management roles at the Levis JCC in Boca Raton, Florida, Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and the Shames JCC in Tarrytown, New York. Lisa served on the Board of Directors of the URJ Eisner and Crane Lake camps in the Berkshires. Lisa and her 3 grown children, Beckie, Sydney and Sam are all Eisner Camp Alumni. Lisa raised her children in Chappaqua, New York where she served on the Executive Board at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester. Lisa loves spending time in the Berkshires with her family and friends. She is currently enjoying her active lifestyle in Boca Raton, Florida.
Administration & Operations
Joshua Freedman, Administrative Assistant (jfreedman@wrj.org. 212.650.4095) holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from Montclair State University and a master's degree in Publishing from Pace University. He is an avid enthusiast of reading, Broadway shows, and games of all varieties.
Bayley Swain, Senior Administrative Assistant (bswain@wrj.org, 212.650.4065), holds a bachelor’s degree in European History from Smith College and a master’s degree in Religion & Ethics from Yale. She is enormously fond of strong coffee, public radio, and almost anything written by Grace Paley.
Engagement
Heather Lorgeree, Director of Engagement (hlorgeree@wrj.org, 212.650.4063), handles support for all potential, new, and current affiliates and serves as the staff liaison for the WRJ Districts. Heather is an active member of Kol Dorot in Oradell, NJ, where she was proud to be honored as a WRJ Unsung Heroine and, most recently, a Woman of Valor. Heather enjoys baking cakes and making ice cream and is also an avid Chicago sports fan; she supports all of the teams, but the White Sox are her favorite.
Social Justice
Rena Crawford (she/her), Social Justice Manager (rcrawford@wrj.org, 212-650-4060). Rena is responsible for expanding WRJ’s commitment to improving and repairing our world. She holds relationships with coalitions, stakeholders, and WRJ members involved on the local and state level; helps advance WRJ’s high priority issues through a variety of actions; and represents WRJ in the larger field of social justice. Rena holds a Masters of Arts in Jewish Nonprofit Management from HUC’s Zelikow School. She and her husband live in Vermont, where she loves frequenting farmers markets, eating local delicacies like cheese and maple syrup, reading new fiction releases, doing yoga, and trying new recipes.
Rachel Landis (she/her), RAC-LA (rlandis@rac.org, 202-796-6508 ext: 66508). Rachel’s legislative portfolio includes reproductive health and rights, gender equity. Rachel is from New York City and grew up at Congregation Rodeph Sholom on the Upper West Side. She graduated cum laude from Brandeis University where she studied Politics, Economics, and Art History. While at Brandeis, Rachel wrote her thesis on the changing relationship between women elected to state office and reproductive healthcare legislation. Rachel spent much of her college career serving as the National Policy Director for Generation Ratify, the youth organization working towards the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Marketing & Communications
Alyson Rubin (she/her), Director of Communications (arubin@wrj.org, 212-650-4062) oversees and coordinates all internal and external marketing and communications for the organization. Alyson started off her professional career as a previous Advocacy and Communications Associate at WRJ and is happy to return to an organization so dear to her heart. Alyson is a proud product of the Reform Jewish Movement and previously supported other URJ programs and affiliates including the Religious Action Center and the World Union for Progressive Judaism on communications needs. She graduated from Indiana University with degrees in journalism and political and civic engagement.
Gracie Cohen (she/her), Marketing & Communications Associate (gcohen@wrj.org, 212-650-4059) Gracie Cohen is the Marketing and Communications Associate at WRJ. Previously, she served in various programmatic and administrative roles in non-profits and government contractors throughout DC. Prior to WRJ, she facilitated technical trainings in affordable housing as a Project Coordinator at FirstPic. Gracie is passionate about Jewish communal service, as well. At B’nai B’rith International, Center for Senior Services, she supported program development, edited the quarterly newsletter, and managed the department website as the Senior Program Associate. Gracie lives in Washington, DC, and holds a BA in English Literature from Seattle University and a BA in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Portland State University.
Events & Board Leadership
Amanda Feldman, Director of Events & Leadership (afeldman@wrj.org, 212.650.4054), oversees planning and logistics for the WRJ Fried Women's Conference as well as all other conferences and committee meetings. She also is the staff liaison to the WRJ Board of Directors, working on all Board meetings, trainings, and webinars; nominations; onboarding; and other leadership-related content. A lover of travel, Amanda enjoys being able to attend WRJ events in different locations. She is an avid reader and cook who loves spending time with friends and family, a fan of the New York Rangers, and a member of the Garden City Jewish Center Sisterhood in Garden City, NY (with her mom).
Talia Shapiro Blank - Program Associate (tshapiroblank@wrj.org, 212-650-4045), supports WRJ events, programming, advocacy, and partnerships with our lay leaders. Prior to WRJ, Talia worked in volunteer management, where she trained and supported volunteers. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Talia now lives in Nashville, TN, with her husband, Josh, and two dogs, Joe and Maisey. Talia is passionate about mental health and is a counselor on the Suicide Prevention Crisis Line. She enjoys dancing, cooking, traveling, and going to concerts.
Philanthropy
Shari Schulner, Director of Philanthropy (sschulner@wrj.org, 212-650-4072), oversees the organization’s fundraising efforts, including the YES Fund and Annual Campaign. She has a Master's degree in Childhood Special Education from Hunter College and a BA in English, Literature, and Rhetoric from SUNY Binghamton. Previous to WRJ, she worked in development serving low-income youth and their families. She loves yoga, exploring new neighborhoods, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. She grew up in Rockland County and now lives in Queens with her husband, Ethan.
Rachel Gebeloff, Philanthropy Associate (rgebeloff@wrj.org, 212-650-4074), supports the organization's fundraising efforts as part of the Philanthropy team. Rachel graduated from Florida State University with a B.A. in Music with minors in Business, Hospitality and a specialization in Music Entrepreneurship. Rachel's professional and volunteer work has centered around arts and education accessibility for underserved populations. Prior to WRJ, Rachel worked in various administrative, operations, and philanthropic roles. During her time at FSU, Rachel served as President of Tau Beta Sigma, founded a benefit concert for title one music programs, and established multiple community engagement programs. Currently, she lives in Florida, where she enjoys playing clarinet, thrifting, coffee shops, and spending time with her cat, Venus.