Berman Center for Applied Innovation Staff

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Ph.D. 
Chief Program Officer
Director, Berman Center for Applied Innovation
(212) 284-6899

Leora is the chief professional leader of the Berman Center for Applied Innovation.  She leads the Center's expert team in codifying learnings about what works under what conditions in Jewish education, and disseminating and applying these "lessons learned" in ways that the field can use through a variety of strategies including consultations, workshops and presentations, publications, the web, demonstration projects, and professional networks. 

As Vice President for Programs and Organizational Learning, Leora works closely with other members of JESNA's Senior Management Team and board members to ensure effective strategic and tactical management of the agency. 

Leora began her career at JESNA in 1986. Prior to this, she was a research assistant at the American Jewish Committee and served as faculty at the College of St. Elizabeth, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and the University of Pennsylvania.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , M.A.
Knowledge Development Manager

Jenny came to JESNA in 2009. She is responsible for the overall management, development, and improvement of JESNA's online resources, including the Sosland Online Resource Center, the InnovationXchange, and allied sites such as The WOW! Project and Digital J Learning. She is responsible for the development and ongoing production of JESNA's webinar program, and works closely with JESNA program staff and technical consultants to enhance JESNA's dissemination of learnings through the web and social media. Before joining JESNA, Jenny earned her Master's in Media Studies from The New School University, while working as an educator in her synagogue's Children's Learning Program in Brooklyn. She earned her B.A. in Women's Studies from Smith College, where she served on the Hillel Board, directed the Kosher Co-op, and received the Gemillut Chassidim Award for her years of service to the Jewish community.

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Project Manager

Jude Kramer is from Melbourne, Australia. She joined the JESNA team in January 2013 following her graduation from NYU’s dual Master’s program in Education and Jewish Studies. Jude coordinates JESNA’s Convenings on Complementary Education and staffs the Association of Directors of Central Agencies (ADCA). Prior to her graduate studies, Jude held several positions in Jewish Education. She worked for the United Jewish Education Board in Melbourne, Australia creating Hebrew School curriculua and for the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn, NY, as an after school program coordinator. She has also taught  Jewish Studies to junior high school students in Morristown, New Jersey, and to preschool students in Manhattan Beach, California.  Jude also holds a BA from Monash University majoring in History and Jewish Studies, and a certificate in Jewish Law/Mishpatim from Hebrew University. Since moving to New York, Jude has been very involved volunteering her time and skills to organizing events for Young Jewish Professionals in New York City. 

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Project Manager

Bara came to JESNA in 2012, and manages JESNA's Lainer-Masa and Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards programs. Prior to joining JESNA, Bara worked for two years as a fourth grade teacher in Newark, New Jersey as part of the Teach for America program. Bara has held a number of positions within the world of Jewish education, notably as a staff member at Camp Sprout Lake and Camp Tel Yehudah, both a part of the Young Judaea camping system, and as a teacher at Congregation Adath Israel in Riverdale, NY. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Columbia University and a B.A. in Jewish Women's Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Bara also holds a New Jersey State Teaching License.

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Academic Intern