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 Marla J. Feldman, Executive Director (mfeldman@wrj.org, 212.650.4050), has been with WRJ since 2012, having previously served as the Director of Development for the URJ and Director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. Feldman is a Reform rabbi (HUC-JIR, New York) and lawyer (JD, Univ. of Fla). Previously, Rabbi Feldman worked in the Jewish community relations field in Detroit and Delaware and served Reform congregations in Sarasota and Orlando, Florida. Feldman has authored Reform Movement action manuals and published modern midrash, and her articles have appeared in numerous publications and newspapers. She is the author of the upcoming book, “Biblical Women Speak: Hearing Their Voices through New and Ancient Midrash” (JPS, 2023).
Elizabeth (Liz) Rosenblum, Assistant Director (lrosenblum@wrj.org, 212-650-4056), oversees daily office operations. Liz served as WRJ's Manager of Development and Special Projects (2012-2017). After stints as the Director of Adult Life at the Rockland JCC and Development Director at Ben Porat Yosef Day School, she found that she just could not stay away from her WRJ sisters'. Liz belongs to Temple Beth Shalom in New City, NY, where she lives with her husband, Greg, sons Charlie and Henry, and dog, Dexter.
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.
Rena Lubin, Engagement Associate (rlubin@wrj.org, 212-650-4060) - is responsible for uplifting many of WRJ's programs and engaging with individual WRJ members. She oversees Lillith Salons, Or Ami Awards, Chai Mitzvah, and any other online programs. Rena is currently working towards her Masters of Arts in Jewish Nonprofit Management with HUC’s Zelikow School. She and her fiancé live in Vermont, where she loves frequenting farmers markets, reading new fiction releases, doing yoga, and trying out new recipes.
Marketing & Communications/Social Justice
Elisa Heisman, Director of Communications and Social Justice (eheisman@wrj.org, 212.650.4066), coordinates all internal and external marketing and communications for the organization and oversees and implements social justice initiatives and programs. She is an active member of Congregation Beth Or in Maple Glen, PA, where she served as Director of Programs and Communications for over a decade. Elisa lives with her husband, Scott, two children, Jenna and Andrew, and their poodle, Chloe. She is an avid reader, a huge Phillies fan, and almost always has a jigsaw puzzle in progress on her dining room table.
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.
Lillie Heyman (she/her) RAC Legislative Assistant (lheyman@rac.org, 202.545.3652) is originally from Florham Park, New Jersey, where she was a member of Congregation Beth Hatikvah. Lillie graduated from the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy in 2020 with a B.A. in Public Policy and a minor in Sociology: Law, Justice, and Social Change. On campus, Lillie was heavily involved in Dance Marathon, facilitated a project-based leadership development program at the Barger Leadership Institute, served as an elected representative in Central Student Government, assisted in sexual assault prevention research, and sang in a Jewish a cappella group, Kol Hakavod. She has interned for M.P. Cheryl Hardcastle in the House of Commons of Canada and Senator Cory Booker in his DC office. She is excited to dive into Jewish social justice advocacy with the RAC and WRJ following her work as a campaign field organizer in Michigan and Georgia for the general and runoff elections. Lillie’s legislative portfolio includes reproductive health and rights, economic justice, labor, disability rights, women’s issues, and human trafficking.
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 & Lifeline Endowment 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.