Jewish Federations of North America’s Center for Jewish Belonging is proud to announce the newest cohort of Ohel Fellows, with 12 Federation professionals and volunteers joining the over 150 leaders who have graduated from the program. 

 

Ohel is a six-month program that trains and certifies Federation professionals and lay leadership on best practices, tools, and resources for engaging peers and community members from diverse backgrounds to cultivate belonging. Since launching in 2021, professionals from nearly 30 Jewish Federations – ranging from Seattle to Boston, Atlanta to L.A. – have participated.

 

Investing in Belonging education for our leadership strengthens both people and institutions. The Ohel fellowship equips leaders with practical frameworks to incorporate Belonging into organizational strategy and daily practice, helping create inclusive Jewish environments where community members can participate fully and lead authentically.  

 

The fellowship culminates with a Cornerstone Project, which participants develop by applying what they’ve learned to address a real belonging need in their community. In doing so, they help shape more connected, resilient, and welcoming Jewish communities. 

 

The Cornerstone Project aims to: 

 

• Equip Jewish Federation leadership with Belonging and Leadership skills
   
• Provide practical, adaptable Belonging tools for implementation 
   
• Increase representation of diverse Jewish identities 

 

Participants of the 2026 Ohel Fellowship are: 

 

• Douglas Greene: Director of Jewish Community Relations, Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte 
   
• Howard Olshansky, MSW: Executive Director, Jewish Family Services of Greater Charlotte 
   
• Yaffa Goldkin: Program Coordinator for Columbia Jewish Federation (Columbia, SC) 
   
• Patty Tucker: Chair, Columbia Jewish Federation (Columbia, SC) 
   
• Sharon Zucker: Director of Welcoming and Inclusion, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ 
   
• Jody Hurwitz Caplan: Chair of Welcoming and Inclusion, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ 
   
• Alene G. Sussman: Senior Director, Minnesota Jewish Community Foundation (MN JCF) 
   
• Laya Shagalow: Board Member and Lay Leader, Minneapolis Jewish Federation 
   
• Darren Schwartz: Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, Jewish Federation of San Diego County 
   
• Allie Hauser-Erickson, MA: Board Member, Jewish Federation of San Diego County, and Sixth-Year Member, Jewish Federation of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet 
   
• Lisa Handelman: Director of Inclusion and Belonging, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (Washington, D.C.) 
   
• Linda Elise Adams: Community Leadership Council Member, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (Washington, D.C.) 

 

Jewish Federations' Center for Jewish Belonging convenes, mobilizes, and empowers the Jewish community to create a culture of belonging for all Jews and our loved ones. We support and amplify the voices of Jews from underrepresented backgrounds, working to ensure that every North American Jew feels seen and valued.  

 

To learn more about the 2026 Ohel Fellowship, click here. For more information on the Ohel Fellowship, click here. 

 

Any questions or comments? Contact Stacey Aviva Clark, Director of Belonging Education and Community Engagement at Jewish Federations’ Center for Jewish Belonging.