Leadership and Staff
The Religious Action Center, led by Director Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, includes staff members organizing Jewish communities in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
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.
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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.
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)
Program and Operations Associate
Rachel Beck (she/her)
RAC-PA State Organizer
Sarah Blaine (she/her)
Assistant Director, Organizing and RAC-NJ Organizer
Jessica Cadmus (she/her)
Linda Rae Sher Legislative Assistant
Rabbi Lindsey Danziger (she/her)
Director of Campaigns
Michele Eiger (she/her)
RAC-Florida State Organizer
Ben Elkind (he/him)
Director of Organizing & RAC-New York Organizer
Reginald Fleming (he/him)
Building & Custodial Services Manager
Logan Zinman Gerber (she/her)
Director, Youth Strategy & Organizing
Cara Gold (she/her)
Director, Strategic Programs & Operations
Eric Goldberg (he/him)
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
Olivia Kogan (she/her)
Legislative Assistant
Julia Kupferman
RAC-Massachusetts State Organizer
Rabbi Toby Manewith (she/her)
Program Manager, URJ Antisemitism Partnership
Shoshana Maniscalco (she/they)
Organizer, Teen Justice Fellowship
Jacob Kraus Preminger (he/him)
Assistant Director, Campaigns and Ohio Organizer
Mason Purdy (he/him)
Legislative Assistant
Aaron Sofian (he/him)
RAC-IL Lead Organizer
Sydney Tepper (she/her)
Campaigns Manager
Sandra TooGood (she/her)
Receptionist
Tamara Upfal (she/her)
Legislative Assistant
Kara Weiner (she/her)
Director, L'Taken
