Leadership and Staff

The Religious Action Center, led by Director Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, includes staff members organizing Jewish communities in California, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and, and Washington, D.C.

Senior Leadership

Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner

Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and
Senior Vice President, Union for Reform Judaism

Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner (he/him) serves as the Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and has led the Religious Action Center since 2015. Rabbi Pesner also serves as Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism, a position to which he was appointed in 2011. Named one of the most influential rabbis in America by Newsweek magazine, he is an inspirational leader and tireless advocate for social justice.

Rabbi David Saperstein

Director Emeritus and Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy

During his 40 years as Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Rabbi Saperstein (he/him) represented the Reform Jewish Movement to Congress and the Administration.

Barbara Weinstein

Associate Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Barbara Weinstein (she/her) is the Religious Action Center's Associate Director, where she helps guide the RAC’s broad range of social justice work.

Heidi Segal

Chair, Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism

Heidi Segal (she/her) began her term as Chair of the Commission on Social Action in January 2024. She has been a member of the Commission since 2018 and served as a Vice Chair for four years before being elected Chair at the end of 2023.

Joy Friedman

Director of Organizing

Joy Friedman (she/her) is the director of organizing at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

Rabbi Michael Namath

Assistant Vice President, National Campaigns and Program

Rabbi Michael Namath (he/him) received his rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR). In this role he oversees national campaigns as as well as in person and virtual trainings to provide leadership development opportunities for youth and adults.

Yolanda Savage-Narva

Vice President, Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI)

For more than 20 years, Yolanda Savage-Narva (she/her) collaborated with Tribal governments to strengthen public health systems, promoted pedestrian safety and advocacy and coining the phrase, “Walking is a civil right,” and advancing health equity in states and territories.

Staff

Sammy Angelina (she/her)
Eisendrath Legislative Assistant

Rachel Beck (she/her)
RAC-PA State Organizer

Sarah Blaine (she/her)
RAC-NJ Lead Organizer

Havi Carrillo - Klein (she/her)
Field Organizer (OH)

Rabbi Lindsey Danziger (she/her)
Senior State Organizer

Michele Eiger (she/her)
RAC-Florida State Organizer

Reginald Fleming (he/him)
Building & Custodial Services Manager

Ellen Garfinkle (she/her)
Eisendrath Legislative Assistant

Logan Zinman Gerber (she/her)
Director of Youth Organizing

Cara Gold (she/her)
Director, Strategic Programs & Operations

Noé Granados (he/him)
Eisendrath Legislative Assistant

Jaimie Green (she/her)
Director, Integrated Program Implementation & Business Management

Aliza Greenberg (she/her)
Integration Operations Manager & Partner

Jacob Greenblatt (he/him)
Assistant Legislative Director

Rachel Hall (she/her)
Communities Of Belonging Integration Assistant Director & Partner

Allie Kashan (she/they)
Program and Operations Associate

Jonetta Kelly (she/her)
Facility Manager & Executive Assistant

Gabi Kirsch (she/her)
Director, Grassroots Giving

Rachel Klein (she/her)
Assistant Director, L'Taken

Rachel Landis(she/her)
Eisendrath Legislative Assistant

Rabbi Toby Manewith (she/her)
Program Manager, URJ Antisemitism Partnership

Shoshana Maniscalco (she/they)
Organizer, Teen Justice Fellowship

Jacob Kraus Preminger (he/him)
Campaign Manager

Aaron Sofian (he/him)
RAC-IL Lead Organizer

Sandra TooGood (she/her)
Receptionist

CJ Wechsler (they/them)
Eisendrath Legislative Assistant

Kara Weiner (she/her)
Director, L'Taken

Lee Winkelman (he/him)
Assistant Director of Organizing