VOS JCC promotes Shahar Edry
After three years as the Israel Center Director, Shahar Edry now has an expanded role in the community. The Valley of the Sun JCC and the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix promoted Shahar effective Nov. 18. Shahar now is also the senior director of youth, camp and family programs.
“Three years ago, my wife, Kara, and I landed in Phoenix,” says Shahar. “I took the Israel Center Director position with the mission to bring Israel to our community. In those amazing three years, we created a wonderful Israeli-American community that is now part of our Jewish community. By focusing on quality programming, we hade many cultural events and celebrations with well-known speakers and singers that engaged many Israelis and Americans with the Israel Center.”
As the senior director, Shahar will oversee the youth and camp department, supervise the new Israel Center director (for whom a national search is under way) and lead the creation and expansion of the JCC’s family programing.
“I am looking forward to bringing my personal experience and love for Israel to this new position, and to keep serving the Israeli-American community by providing great programs and experiences,” says Shahar, whose family also expanded in June when son, Lev, arrived.
480-634-4900 | vosjcc.org
Lisa Kaplan joins staff of Jewish Free Loan
Lisa Kaplan has joined the staff of Jewish Free Loan. On Jan. 5, she will officially assume the position of development director. Lisa will be responsible for the oversight, creation and implementation of Jewish Free Loan’s various fundraising and development endeavors.
She brings with her a wealth of fundraising, development and community planning experience from her work as a Jewish communal professional both in Phoenix and Los Angeles. Most recently, Lisa served as director of planning allocations and organizational relations for the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
“Jewish Free Loan is very excited that Lisa has joined our staff,” said JFL Executive Director Tina Sheinbein. “She brings years of experience in community organizing and development, which will assist JFL as we continue to expand our interest-free loan programs to meet the needs of Arizona’s Jewish community.”
602-230-7983 | jewishfreeloan.org
Jewish Free Loan staff assumes international leadership roles
In November, several representatives from Jewish Free Loan attended the 33rd annual conference of the International Association of Jewish Free Loans in Miami to learn from and network with colleagues from around North America and Israel. During the conference JFL Executive Director Tina Sheinbein was elected president of the IAJFL’s Executive Committee, which oversees all activities of the association. JFL Associate Executive Director Ellen Sacks was named co-chair of the Small Agency Group, which works to build the capacity of IAJFL members with assets under $1,000,000 and provide strategies for growth and organizational development.
Established in 1982, the International Association of Jewish Free Loans is a membership agency of nearly 50 free loan organizations serving communities around the globe.
In addition to assuming leadership roles within the IAJFL, Phoenix was asked to present three separate workshops at this year’s conference. JFL board member David Senkfor discussed board development and nomination strategies; Tina Sheinbein participated in a panel presentation on strategic partnerships; and Ellen Sacks presented a workshop on electronic and traditional marketing strategies to reach donors and borrowers.
Other Jewish Free Loan representatives at the conference included board members Larry Moffitt, Ron Blau and Fred Wabnik.
602-230-7983 | jewishfreeloan.org
