NEW YORK – June 18, 2026 – Elluminate has selected ten exceptional Jewish women nonprofit leaders from the United States and Israel to join the eighth cohort of The Collective, the organization’s flagship leadership advancement program.
Elluminate empowers Jewish women philanthropists and leaders to advance equity and social change in the United States, Israel, and beyond. Through leadership development, funding, and community building, The Collective invests in women leaders and the organizations they lead, helping strengthen their impact and advance lasting change.
The women selected for Cohort Eight lead organizations addressing a range of critical issues, including gender equity, disability inclusion, reproductive justice, educational opportunity, LGBTQ+ equality, community resilience, and the prevention of violence against women and girls. Through innovative leadership and bold vision, they are expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and advancing a more just and equitable society.
“We are honored to welcome these extraordinary leaders into The Collective,” said Melanie Roth Gorelick, CEO of Elluminate. “Their work reflects the power of women leaders to address complex challenges, strengthen communities, and create meaningful social change. As we continue to grow our Global Jewish Women’s Leadership Network, we are proud to invest in leaders whose vision, courage, and commitment are shaping a stronger future for us all.”
The cohort participants were selected through a competitive process led by Elluminate’s Visionary Circle and Board of Directors. Selection criteria included demonstrated leadership, commitment to Jewish values, and a track record of advancing social change.
Cohort Eight Participants
Shana Aaronson, Executive Director, Magen for Jewish Communities, Neve Michael, Israel
Shana is the Executive Director of Magen for Jewish Communities, an organization that creates safer Jewish communities in Israel and around the world through programs that prioritize victims, hold perpetrators accountable, and eliminate the stigma surrounding sexual abuse.
Naomi Ackerman, Executive Director, Advot, Los Angeles, CA
Naomi Ackerman is the Executive Director of Advot, which uses theatre and the arts to teach communication skills, healthy relationships, and self-advocacy to incarcerated and system-impacted youth in order to shape their own lives and communities.
Yael Boim-Fein, Executive Director, The Institute for Gender Equity in Education, Jerusalem, Israel
Yael Boim-Fein is the Executive Director of The Institute for Gender Equity in Education, which advances gender equity in education through systemic, research-based initiatives to develop innovative tools and programs that embed gender into everyday educational practice in Israel.
Andrea Friedman, Executive Director, Vision First, Chicago, IL
Andrea Friedman is the Executive Director of Vision First, a national organization that partners with values-aligned organizations around the United States to lead campaigns that reshape narratives around abortion and reproductive health, rights, and justice.
Yael Hasson, Executive Director, Adva Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
Yael Hasson is the Executive Director of Adva Center, a research institute promoting equality and social justice in Israel through research, policy advocacy, and community engagement, with a focus on women, girls, and marginalized communities.
Jaimie Krass, President and CEO, Keshet, New York, NY
Jaimie Krass is the President and CEO of Keshet, which works for the full equality of all LGBTQ+ Jews and their families by equipping Jewish organizations with skills and knowledge to build LGBTQ+-affirming spaces and advance LGBTQ+ rights nationwide.
Meredith Polsky, Executive Director, Matan, Gaithersburg, MD
Meredith Polsky is the Executive Director of Matan, an organization that empowers Jewish community leaders and educators through training and consultation to provide purposeful, enriching, and inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.
Rabbi Margie Klein Ronkin, Executive Director, Essex County Community Organization, Boston, MA
Rabbi Margie Klein Ronkin is the Executive Director of Essex County Community Organization, a Massachusetts-based multi-faith network uniting congregations, community groups, and the labor council across lines of race, class, and faith to address the root causes of injustice.
Judith Rosenbaum, CEO, Jewish Women’s Archive, Newton, MA
Judith Rosenbaum is the CEO of Jewish Women’s Archive, a digital public history organization that documents Jewish women’s stories, elevates their voices, and inspires them to be agents of change.
Shelly Blatt Zak, CEO, The Rackman Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
Shelly Blatt Zak is the CEO of The Rackman Center situated at Bar Ilan University, which promotes the status of women in matters of family law through legal counseling, support for women navigating separation and divorce processes, and working closely with governmental agencies to promote policy change.
Full bios can be found here.
About Elluminate
Elluminate empowers Jewish women philanthropists and leaders to advance equity and social change in the United States, Israel, and beyond. Through strategic philanthropy, leadership development, and community building, Elluminate invests in women leaders and the organizations they lead to create a more just and equitable world.
For more information, visit www.elluminatewomen.org