Cohort ‘24-25
Simon Benzaquen
Gainesville, FL
Simon Benzaquen is a J.D. candidate at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Simon moved to South Florida a few years ago. Simon is excited to join the Yavneh YP fellowship and grow his local communities.
Boaz Edinger
Silver Spring, MD
Boaz Edinger has been active in building a community of young professionals in Silver Spring for the past 3 years. He is looking forward to increasing his opportunities to help people meet and create fun events in his neighborhood. He currently works in the nonprofit field, helping Zionist professors create a safe space on campus for Jewish students.
Rachel Piontnica
Upper West Side, NYC
After graduating from Stern College for Women, Rachel moved to the Upper West Side, where she completed her second degree at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She loves spending time with friends and family, exploring new learning and volunteering opportunities in the city, and walking all over Manhattan. Rachel is passionate about hosting Chesed events in her apartment, making it fun and accessible for others to get involved. She’s excited to connect with new people at her next Chesed event and contribute as a YP Fellow this year!
Shayna Dessau
Washington Heights, NYC
Shayna recently graduated from Columbia University’s Occupational Therapy program, driven by her passion for helping others and fostering a supportive community. As she joins the Yavneh YP Fellowship this year, she’s eager to bring her energy and creativity to the group, creating exciting and inspiring events in her new home of Washington Heights, NY. Shayna can’t wait to contribute to building connections and enriching the community around her.
Bracha Cohen
Queens, NY
Bracha is a curious and passionate community member who loves nothing more than being exposed to different types of people, ideas, and lifestyles. She believes in creating communities of empowered participants who show up in their authentic selves. When Bracha is not involved in communal affairs, she can be found teaching, practicing yoga, or spending time in nature.
Daniel Feldan
Washington Heights, NYC
Daniel Feldan is 26 years old and hails originally from Boca Raton Fl, but now lives in Washington Heights, NY. After spending a year learning at Yeshivat Har Etzion he attended Yeshiva University, studying Mathematics and Computer Science. He is now pursuing a Ph.D at New York University in Computer Science. He loves corgis and board games.
David tabi
Brooklyn, NY
My life is mainly focused around fitness, staying active, and exploring new opportunities. I have a passion for travel and organizing community events; I love bringing people together and creating meaningful connections. I am always seeking personal growth and balance while making a positive impact wherever I go.
Justin Lurie
Hollywood, FL
Justin Lurie was born and raised in Boca Raton, FL. He attended the University of Central Florida where he was heavily involved in the Jewish life on campus. Justin is a die hard sports fan and currently works in Athlete Relations.
Melissa Stricker
Atlanta, GA
Melissa is originally from Orlando currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia! She has always been actively involved in her Jewish communities and is excited for this year as Yavneh YP Fellow.
Bella Friedman
Hollywood, FL
Hello from sunny, hot and sometimes rainy Florida! Bella Friedman is an aspiring physical therapist preparing for physical therapy school. When Bella is not studying, she enjoys being with her friends and family, swimming a pool/ beach ice skating or just reading a book under a blanket. although out her educational career, she has taken leadership roles; chessed chair in high school and multiple roles in college such as VP of Chagim, and the Chabad president. Bella is elated to be a part of the Yavneh young professional community and excited to bring events to YOU in the south Florida community!!!
sarah Weiss
Ann Arbor, MI
A dedicated Ann Arborite since toddlerhood, Sarah studied social work and music (with minors in sociology and Jewish studies) at Eastern Michigan University and now works to provide support and resources to caregivers of aging adults. In her free time, Sarah loves reading, writing, making music, and listening to podcast shiurim. She is very excited to be a Yavneh YP fellow this year, and looks forward to creating new opportunities for Jewish young adults to connect!
Rachel Lipoff
Hollywood, FL
Meet Rachel Lipoff, a UX Designer based in Hollywood, FL with her Argentinian husband Hernan, she loves hosting inclusive Shabbat meals for young professionals. Rachel’s all about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and connected.
Daphna Becker
Washington Heights, NYC
Daphna Becker lives in Washington Heights, is a special education teacher, and in her free time, loves planning game nights. She is very excited about joining Yavenh YP and is looking forward to creating opportunities for people to come together as a community.
Chaya Dachoh
Miami, FL
Chaya Dachoh is a registered nurse born and raised in Miami Beach. She is an ambitious, kind, and positively driven person who always strives to make others smile.
Reuben Profeta
Miami, FL
Reuben is a Cuban Jew born and raised in Miami, FL. He is passionate about intertwining Judaic values and activities with the local social scene. In his free-time, Reuben is an outdoor enthusiast who loves camping, surfing, fishing, and cooking.
Joshua Koegel
Cambridge, MA
Joshua is originally from Brooklyn, New York where he attended the Macaulay Honors Program and received a BA in economics and chemistry. He was the president of several clubs on campus including the OC and the Chabad club as he has a passion for building community. He is now a JD candidate at Harvard Law School where he hopes to use his previous community-building experience to contribute to the Jewish Young Professional community in Boston.
Benny Klein
Upper West Side, NYC
Living in the Upper West Side, Benny Klein pursues his Masters in Social Work while occasionally engaging in pickleball, soccer, dance, and community building. Having lived in multiple Jewish communities, Benny knows the feeling of wallflower well and uses his leadership skills to engage others, create spaces of inclusion, and foster lasting connections.
David Cutler
Upper West Side, NYC
David is an enthusiastic community builder on the Upper West Side, driven by his passion to unite diverse Jewish individuals through engaging events. He's excited to curate a wide range of activities that foster connections and create memorable experiences for everyone in the neighborhood. Through his dedicated efforts, David aspires to weave a tapestry of unity, fun, and shared moments, making the Upper West Side an even more vibrant and tightly-knit Jewish community.
Shalhevet Cahana
Miami, FL
Shalhevet Cahana is passionate about young professional community building and leadership. To that end -- she is entering her third year as a Yavneh fellow and has held various leadership positions at Moishe House. In her full time work, she teaches Judaic Studies at the Jewish Leadership Academy, a groundbreaking elite private school in Miami.She is a Kallah Teacher, trained by Merkaz Eden in Yerushalayim. She previously studied in Maimonides School, Migdal Oz, Stern College for Women and their advanced Gemara program called the Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies (GPATS).
Binyamin Weissman
Brooklyn, NY
Binyamin spent two years in Israel at Yeshiva Ohr Yerushalayim before then graduating from Touro College in New York. He works as a family and event photographer while also teaching at a local high school. With a strong passion for fitness and the outdoors, Binyamin enjoys helping others discover and embrace these interests as well. He looks forward to working alongside his wife to make a meaningful impact in the local community of young professionals in Brooklyn.
Elie Codron
Murray Hill, NYC
Elie lives in Murray Hill with his wife Arielle. Both of them love hosting and share their love for Judaism with others. As both are from Europe they hope to offer more opportunities in New York City for Young Jewish Professionals from outside of the U.S.
Miriam Orlansky
Silver Spring, MD
Miriam Orlansky is a thoughtful UX designer based in Silver Spring, dedicated to growing her local young professionals community. With a passion for connection and collaboration, she aims to foster meaningful relationships among her peers. A deep thinker, Miriam embraces opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Sarah Lipoff
Upper East Side, NYC
Sarah Lipoff is passionate about building community and connecting people from different backgrounds. She enjoys hosting monthly events for young Jewish professionals, bringing them together through shared experiences like themed Shabbat meals and holiday parties. Sarah aspires to create a welcoming space for all.
Rena Blatt
Queens, NY
Rena is a clinical social worker living in Queens, NY. She is passionate about connecting with others to create more cohesive communities. Rena uses her strengths and authenticity to make others feel comfortable and a sense of belonging.
Benedicte Knudson
Atlanta, GA
Benedicte is a graduate student at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. She loves bringing people together with good food.
Shayna Herzage-Feldan
Washington Heights, NY
Shayna Herszage-Feldan lives in Washington Heights, NYC, and is pursuing her Master's in psychology from Queens College. In her spare time, she loves organizing meaningful and intentional spaces in her community, writing, hiking, and theatre. She is thrilled to be a part of Yavneh for her third year!
Sarah Marizan
Silver Spring, MD
Sarah Marizan is a Visual Information Specialist for the U.S. House of Representatives, with a background in visual arts. Originally from Baltimore, she now calls Silver Spring home. Her passion for nature and photography drives her to explore the world, capturing its beauty through her lens. She also loves connecting with people and building a sense of community wherever she goes. When not working, you will find her traveling, seeking new adventures, and immersing in the great outdoors.
Daniel Furchin
Brooklyn, NY
Daniel is a cybersecurity engineer focused on protecting digital systems. Outside of work, he is a licensed diver with a love for underwater exploration. Combining technical skills with a sense of adventure, Daniel thrives in both professional and personal challenges.
Jake Gould
Daytona Beach, FL
Jake Gould is currently studying chiropractic at Palmer College of Chiropractic in the Daytona Beach area. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in Spring 2023 and served in numerous leadership roles in the Jewish community and elsewhere during his time there. Currently on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties, Jake loves to host events that help foster a diverse community, welcoming Jewish YPs from all sorts of religious backgrounds and walks of life.
Sara Rubovitz
Baltimore, MD
Sara Rubovits is a genetic counselor specializing in pediatric neurology. She is passionate about mental health advocacy, health education and Jewish community building. In her spare time she can be found writing, hiking or trying new teas.
Aaron Kohanbash
Los Angeles, CA
Aaron is a current JD candidate at UCLA School Of Law. He has been involved in OU-JLIC throughout his college years, and loves the community.
Shanna Gilardi
Los Angeles, CA
Shanna is a graduate student at USC working toward her doctorate in occupational therapy. She has a passion for supporting older adults and the geriatric population. In her free time, she enjoys learning, spending time with family, and finding joy in everyday moments.
Devorah Mehrannia
Los Angeles, CA
Hi! I am a YU Wurzweiler School of Social Work graduate born, raised, and working in the Los Angeles area! So excited to be part of Yavneh YP!
Emory Elyson
Los Angeles, CA
Emory is deeply committed to fostering unity within the Jewish community in every environment he encounters. He actively coordinates weekly and monthly events at school and works to engage unaffiliated Jews, connecting them with the Yavneh-JLIC community. With a passion for strengthening bonds among Jews of all backgrounds, Emory consistently seeks out opportunities for outreach and engagement.
Nathan Abergel
Los Angeles, CA
Coming from Paris France, Nathan recently moved to LA and started helping and organizing French Jewish Meetup ever since in order to help the French community that moved to Los Angeles, whether for college or professionally. Nathan works in marketing full time, helping companies doing campaigns with influencers as well as social media management.
Avishai Shamtoub
Los Angeles, CA
Avishai Shamtoub recently passed the California Bar Exam and is a licensed attorney practicing Plaintiff's side Employment Law.
Adam Abraham
Los Angeles, CA
Adam Abraham is currently pursuing a degree in Civil / Environmental Engineering at the California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. His experience includes teaching, research through UC Berkeley at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and classic automobile problem solving. He enjoys learning Torah, spending time with family, nature, the outdoors, and adventure.
Nathan Monesa
Los Angeles, CA
Nathan is a dedicated UCLA graduate and a current Podiatric Medical Student at Western University. Beyond his medical pursuits, he shares his passion as a Hebrew teacher on weekends. With a passion for sports, love of travel, and an interest in research, Nathan embodies a well-rounded approach to both his studies and leisure.
Shaina Kashanirokh
Los Angeles, CA
Shaina is Physician Assistant who loves connecting with her community and creating events that bring young professionals together to create a strong Jewish community.
Ruven and Aliza Kotz
Washington, D.C.
Aliza and Ruven Kotz live in Washington, D.C., where they enjoy building community through events around Jewish holidays or just for fun. Ruven is a software engineer and a graduate of Cornell University, while Aliza works in human resources and graduated from Stern College for Women. They love traveling, meeting new people, and embracing new experiences along the way. They also enjoy working out, spending time with friends, and have a deep love for Israel.
Yael Mehrannia
Los Angeles, CA
Yael is a 2nd year PA student at SCUHS.
Joshua Partovi
Los Angeles, CA
Joshua is currently studying law at Pepperdine University and loves to engage the community with various programming and events.
Devora Rafael
Los Angeles, CA
Devora is a graduate from CSUN, with a bachelor's degree in psychology. With a deep passion for helping others, she is now pursuing her goal of earning a master’s degree in social work. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, and trying new restaurants.
Parham Javaherizadeh
Los Angeles, CA
Since Parham’s college days back in 2008, he has immersed himself in the vibrant Jewish community of Los Angeles, dedicating his time and energy to the planning and execution of numerous events and programs. Over the years, he has fostered a deep connection to his roots and a profound commitment to enriching the lives of his community members. From his initial involvement in college organizations to ongoing role in spearheading engaging activities, Parham consistently sought to create meaningful experiences that celebrate our heritage, foster unity, and promote personal growth within our diverse and dynamic community.
Lionel Hazan
Los Angeles, CA
Lionel is a 3rd year student at the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. He is an active member of the Santa Monica Jewish community and an avid reader of modern Jewish thought and social trends.
Shoshana menasheraf
Los Angeles, CA
Shoshana is a personable and down-to-earth Registered Nurse who is passionate about creating positive change in her community. With an innate talent for connecting with others, Shoshana excels in leadership roles and strives to make a meaningful difference. Shoshana is dedicated to inspiring those around her through both her professional and personal endeavors.
Gabriel Dardashti
Los Angeles, CA
Gabby recently graduated law school and is currently working at a Person Injury law firm. Gabby enjoys pasta with a glass of wine and occasionally a glass of whiskey neat.
Ben Hariri
Los Angeles, CA
My name is Ben Hariri and I am a post-Bar law clerk at the DAs office awaiting Bar results. I graduated from UCSB with a Bachelors in History and recived my JD from Southwestern Law School. I am currently the president of Eretz Cultural Centers YAD Young Jewish Professionals Board. Looking forward to another great year with Yavneh!
Aaron Rahmani
Los Angeles, CA
Aaron Rahmani, a UCLA Law student born and raised in Los Angeles, is passionate about continuing to build and strengthen the Los Angeles Jewish community. He is dedicated to making a positive impact through his legal studies and community involvement.
Chagit Dayan
Los Angeles, CA
Chagit Dayan is a UCLA student who loves hiking and spending time outdoors. She enjoys exploring nature in her free time.
Ely Farazmand
Los Angeles, CA
Ely is originally from Atlanta, GA where he graduated from Georgia State University. He enjoys cooking, DIY projects, and integrating technological improvements to ease daily life (and Shabbat of course). Outside of work, Ely is involved in multiple communities where he teaches Bar Mitzvah students and continues to play an active role in Shul.
Eliot Kohanim
Los Angeles, CA
Eliot was born and raised in Los Angeles. He's passionate about nature and spends his weekends hiking, going to the beach, or trying out new recipes in the kitchen
Shani Hebron
Los Angeles, CA
Shani Farazmand, a UCLA graduate, currently serves as Marketing Manager at an adtech start-up. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, exploring new places, and testing out new recipes. Shani attended Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School and Torah High School of San Diego before spending her gap year in Israel, where she served as a Bat Sherut in Jerusalem. Passionate about community building, Shani aims to create fun and welcoming environments for young Jewish professionals to connect and grow together.
Lauren Kamjoo
Los Angeles, CA
Lauren Kamjoo is currently a first-year graduate student at USC’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. Raised in Los Angeles, California, Lauren completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA, where she actively engaged with Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus and Yavneh, enriching her college experience and community involvement. Through the Yavneh Young Professionals Fellowship, Lauren aims to deepen her commitment to her community and forge meaningful connections that will drive positive change.
Simcha Friedman
Los Angeles, CA
Simcha Graduated from CSUN with a degree in political science and is now at Loyola Law School getting his J.D., where he is also the treasurer of JLSA. He has a passion for history, particularly niche Jewish history, and loves spending time in the outdoors.
Michael Meagher
Los Angeles, CA
Originally from Boston, Michael is currently a graduate student at UCLA.
Shawn Partovi
Los Angeles, CA
My name is Shawn Partovi, and I'm a graduate of UCLA. I am applying to law school this upcoming cycle and I'm so excited to be a part of Yavneh YP. I love working with people and making communicating.
Isaac Dayan
Los Angeles, CA
Isaac is a UCLA graduate and current dental student at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco. He was born and raised in the Los Angeles Jewish community and is excited to help enhance the Orthodox Jewish experience in the Downtown San Francisco area!
Dorit Lavehim
Los Angeles, CA
Dorit is currently working as an Oncology Nurse while attending NP school. She enjoys listening to her audiobooks and cooking.
Kian Marghzar
Los Angeles, CA
Kian is a graduate of Jewish High School in Los Angeles and is excited to continue his process of fostering Jewish studies after college. He enjoys playing basketball, board games and spending time with his friends.
