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 represented the Reform Jewish Movement to Congress and the Administration.

Barbara Weinstein

Associate Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

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

Susan Friedberg Kalson

Chair, Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism

Susan Friedberg Kalson has been a member of the Commission on Social Action since 2009 and served as a Vice Chair before being elected Chair at the end of 2019.

Joy Friedman

Director of Organizing

Joy Friedman 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 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

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

For more than 20 years, Yolanda 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

Leroy Bailey
Building & Custodial Services Manager

Rachel Beck
RAC-PA State Organizer

Sarah Blaine
RAC-NJ Lead Organizer

Emily Bourgeois
RAC-Texas State Organizer

Rabbi Lindsey Danziger
Senior State Organizer

Michele Eiger
RAC-Florida State Organizer

Cara Gold
Director, Strategic Programs & Operations

Logan Zinman Gerber
Director of Youth Organizing

Jaimie Green
Operations Director, Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI)

Aliza Greenberg
Programs and Operations Manager, Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI)

Jacob Greenblatt
Assistant Legislative Director

Rachel Hall
Assistant Director, Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (REDI) Content

Shayna Han
Eisendrath Legislative Assistant

Israel Harris
Eisendrath Legislative Assistant

Lillie Heyman
Eisendrath Legislative Assistant

Jonetta Kelly
Facility Manager & Executive Assistant

Rachel Klein
Eisendrath Legislative Assistant & Program and Operations Associate

Paige Kohn
Program and Operations Associate, Finance

Toby Manewith
ADL/URJ Partnership Manager

Shoshana Maniscalco
Organizer, Teen Justice Fellowship

Jacob Kraus Preminger
Campaign Manager

Sophie Raim
Program and Operations Associate

Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller
RAC-CA Northern California Senior Organizer

Zoë Smith
Leadership Development Manager

Aaron Sofian
RAC-IL Lead Organizer

Sandra TooGood
Receptionist and Administrative Associate

Kara Weiner
Director of Social Justice Experiences

Lee Winkelman
Assistant Director of Organizing