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 CEO 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.
Read Rabbi Hirsch's full bio
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.
Rabbi Marla J Feldman (she/her), Executive Director Emerita is both a Reform rabbi and a lawyer. In addition to serving as the Executive Director Emerita of Women of Reform Judaism, Rabbi Feldman currently serves ‘of counsel’ with the law firm Peer, Gan, & Gisler, specializing in clergy contracts. Previously, Rabbi Feldman was the Director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism and Director of Development of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Prior to her work with the Reform Movement, she served Jewish Community Relations Councils in Detroit and Delaware, where she also taught as adjunct faculty at the University of Detroit-Mercy and the Widener University College of Law in Wilmington, DE. Previously, Rabbi Feldman served congregations in Sarasota and Orlando, FL. Rabbi Feldman was ordained in 1985 at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), where she also received her M.A.H.L. in 1983. She received a J.D. from the University of Florida in 1993 and a B.A. in Jewish Studies from the University of Pennsylvania in 1979.
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.
Jessica Cadmus (she/her), RAC-LA (jcadmus@rac.org, 202-545-3678). Jessica's legislative portfolio includes reproductive health and rights, gender equity. Jessica Cadmus just graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Science in Justice Studies and Political Science and a minor in Family and Human Development. In her Junior and Senior years, Jessica was the Social Impact Specialist at ASU’s Hillel and was a Service Engagement Intern with Repair the World. Originally from Los Angeles, she grew up at Temple Akiba and participated in L’Taken her sophomore year of high school sparking her interest in bringing Jewish values into social justice.
Hannah Ellenson (she/her), Social Justice Intern Hannah is a fifth-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She is currently a Bonnie and Daniel Tisch Fellow at HUC and serves as a board member for T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. After graduating from Wellesley College in 2008 with a B.A. in History and Jewish Studies, she earned her M.P.P. from Tel Aviv University with a focus on conflict resolution and mediation. When Ellenson returned to the US, she worked as the Youth Director at Congregation Rodeph Sholom in New York City and then for almost a decade at the New Israel Fund, the leading organization committed to equality and democracy for all people who live in Israel.
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.
Izzy Wellman (she/her), Communications Associate (iwellman@wrj.org, 612-454-0927) Izzy began her career consulting and providing digital and social media management and coaching to Jewish nonprofits across the nation. Izzy has also given five presentations on social media topics like creating video content at several digital conferences held by 70Faces Media. A New Jersey native, Izzy was an involved member of the local Jewish community; she was a board member in her NFTY region, held several positions on her college's Hillel board, and interned at Hillel International in Washington, D.C. Her involvement has continued into her adult life with her participation in JFNA's Changemakers Fellowship in 2021 and her commitment to working in Jewish life. Upon graduation from Rowan University in Spring of 2020, Izzy relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she lives with her fiancé and their dog, Ranger.
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 Manager (rgebeloff@wrj.org, 212-650-4074), supports the organization's fundraising efforts as part of the Philanthropy team. A proud alumna of Florida State University, Rachel holds a B.A. in Music with minors in Business and Hospitality, complemented by a specialization in Music Entrepreneurship. She is currently pursuing a Social Impact MBA at Boston University, undertaken concurrently with her responsibilities at WRJ. Before joining WRJ, she gained valuable experience in various administrative, operations, and philanthropic roles at nonprofits. Currently, she lives in Boston, MA, where she enjoys playing clarinet, thrifting, coffee shops, and spending time with her cat, Venus.