STAFF
- Rebecca BarCEO
As Nazun’s CEO, Rebecca Bar leads our communities to take action against hunger through inspired involvement in our programs both on and off campus, in partnership with over 75 chapters nationwide. She, along with her team, also focuses on strengthening Jewish identity to amplify a movement grounded in community, philanthropy and advocacy. Immediately prior to leading Nazun, Rebecca was the Israel Strategic Coordinator for MyZuzah, helping to develop, iterate and refine partnership and distribution in Israel and throughout the world. Before consulting with MyZuzah, Rebecca was the VP of Community Partnerships for Honeymoon Israel. In this role, she supported and managed a team, solidified multiple national partnerships and stewarded relationships in several new communities. Following university, Rebecca lived in Israel for a year and studied at The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Afterward, Rebecca worked for AJC and also founded the Philadelphia Moishe House, where she worked for nearly half a decade. As part of the Schusterman ROI Community, Rebecca volunteers as a mentor and is a trained facilitator for UpStart’s accelerator program in Philadelphia. Rebecca lives in the suburbs with her husband and two young sons, and enjoys DIY projects, entertaining friends, working out in her basement and, of course, baking challah.
Email rebecca@nazun.org
- Celia LerchSr. Director, Finance & Operations
Celia was born and raised on the Gulf Coast in Mobile, Alabama where her love of Judaism and passion for social justice work were stoked from a young age. She attended Rhodes College in Memphis where she received a BA in English and Religious Studies and will complete her MS in Nonprofit Management from Johnson & Wales University in the summer of 2021.
Celia has enjoyed a 15-year professional career in nonprofit administration bolstered by her work in the Jewish communal sector. Beginning her journey in Memphis at Temple Israel, she worked as a religious school teacher and Rosh Hodesh program leader throughout college and later as the Youth and Family Life Director. Following that, Celia changed gears and worked as a regional outreach director to help provide ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy to children with autism, specifically children of military parents. Celia returned to her roots in Jewish communal work at Congregation Micah in Nashville in 2015, where she served as communications director and then executive director.
One of Celia’s proudest moments was being selected as the Youth Worker of the Month for the Union of Reform Judaism in Aug. 2008 and being awarded a Belin Outreach and Membership Award in 2009 for her work in membership engagement at Temple Israel.
Celia is thrilled to continue her career as Sr Director of Finance and Operations at Nazun, working with a team of inspiring professionals and volunteers to advocate, build community, and raise awareness.
In her free time, Celia enjoys volunteering for HOBY (Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership), traveling the world, cooking, and spending time with her husband Aaron and their children, Archer and Shoshana.
- Rabbi Lily SolochekDirector, Programs & Education
Rabbi Lily is a lifelong educator who became a rabbi to create Jewish spaces that are accessible to all. Rabbi Lily holds degrees in Theatre Arts and Jewish Studies from Brandeis University, and has studied at Hadar Institute, Romemu Yeshiva, and the Jewish Theological Seminary. They received ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and have worked in a variety of settings, from summer camps and Hillels, to retirement homes and synagogues. Rabbi Lily is passionate about the intersections of Jewish values and social justice, using Jewish ritual and learning to strengthen community commitment to change. Lily lives in Maine with their wife, Lanni, a fluffy ginger cat, and a very energetic puppy. Outside of work Lily is an avid hiker, gardener, and devoted science-fiction nerd.
Email them at lily@nazun.org
- Lexi MeyerowitzDirector, DevelopmentLexi has been helping passionate philanthropic individuals, foundations, and corporations make meaningful impacts since 2010. Like Margaret Mead, she believes that a small group of committed people can change the world. "...Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Tikkun Olam is an important aspect of who she is.
Lexi loves getting to know people, to uncover what truly matters to them, to learn how they see themselves and the world around them, and to hear their stories in all their detail. Her favorite moments are the calls to benefactors to celebrate the impacts of their contributions.
Before joining the team of Nazun, Lexi held positions with organizations which appealed to her wide interests. Lexi helped to fight the Climate Crisis at Climate Action Campaign, to redefine the museum experience at Lux Art Institute (now the Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego), and to investigate the neurovascular component of neurodegenerative disease at the Hubbard Foundation.
Throughout her non-profit journey, Lexi has maintained a strong connection to Jewish values and the community. Studying Hebrew, baking gluten-free challah, teaching Hebrew School, and starting a Jewish Yoga class built on chassidic philosophy, all helped her retain her connection to her roots.
She relocated to Dallas from San Diego with her husband, two daughters, and family dog. - Natalia RivadeneyraAssistant Director, AdvocacyNatalia RivadeneyraAssistant Director, Advocacy
Natalia is is a Peruvian attorney who migrated to the US in 2018 to do a Master of Laws at Duke University. Natalia’s experience rests on the intersection of legal training and philanthropic program management.
She is passionate about designing, implementing, and managing programs to support vulnerable and underserved communities. Before joining Nazun, Natalia led advocacy initiatives to promote policy change in education, and she advocated for domestic violence survivors, minorities, and the immigrant community. Previously, she co-founded a nonprofit to serve indigenous communities in the Amazon of Peru and provided legal counseling to advance education and public health in the Andes.
Outside of work Natalia enjoys hiking with her dogs, learning, volunteering, and traveling.
- Allie AbdallaAssistant Director, ProgramsAllie AbdallaAssistant Director, Programs
Allie was born and raised in the suburbs of Scranton, Pennsylvania where she met her now
husband, Ryan, working for their local Jewish Community Center. In this role, Allie founded valuable friendships and a passion for the non-profit space. Allie graduated from Penn State University with dual degrees in Strategic Communication and Business Administration and relocated to southern New Jersey where she began her career matching local mentors to youth in underserved communities. Allie is excited to continue her work in needs insecurity in a hands-on capacity as our Assistant Director of Programs. Outside of work, Allie explores artistic outlets like event planning, cooking, and interior design. Allie also values self-care in the form of cuddles with her pup, Cooper, and shopping (perhaps a bit too much). - Sarah CowanDevelopment and Communications Associate
Sarah grew up in Bel Air, Maryland and graduated from McDaniel College with a degree in Environmental Studies and Sociology. She spent her time at McDaniel focusing on food insecurity and environmental equity. Most recently, Sarah completed a service year through AmeriCorps. Outside of work Sarah enjoys gardening, reading, cross stitching, and hiking.
Email her at sarah@nazun.com
- Celia MyerovProgram and Expansion Assistant
Celia is our Program and Expansion Assistant. She grew up in Abington, PA. She recently graduated with the class of 2022 from Temple University with her B.S in Community Development and a minor in nutrition. In addition to serving as our Community Engagement Intern for two years, Celia spent her time at Temple studying community organizing, food systems, and sustainability. She is excited to continue to build upon the work she has done with Nazun in expanding our community program and looks forward to the opportunity to uplift, advocate and educate people on campus food insecurity. Outside of work, Celia enjoys doing yoga, going on long walks, reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors.
- Robyn KerachskyAdvocacy InternRobyn KerachskyAdvocacy InternRobyn grew up in Bucks County, PA. Currently a sophomore honors student at Temple University, she is working towards her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies. She is most passionate about food security and animal welfare. In her free time, she enjoys music, yoga, and reading.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wendy Rhein, Board Chair
[Repair the World], NC
Maurice Baynard
Vice Chair, Governance Chair [The Academy of Natural Sciences], PA
Scott Silverman
Development Chair [Santa Monica College], CA*
Sara Loffman
Marketing Chair, Secretary [Challah Back Girls], NJ
Liz Fisher
[The Jewish Federation of North America], NY
Julia Dobbins
[National Institute for Medical Respite Care], TN
Alyssa Termini
[Careers through Culinary Arts Program], PA
Taylor Cohen
[Adashah], FL*
Samantha Berinsky
[Repair the World], GA*
Hannah Loffman
[D.C. Witness], D.C.*
Carol Christensen
[Founder of Bunch], WI
Tony Payton Jr.
[David Scott Partners], PA
Arianne Gleiser
[student rep], SC
Sarah Vacca
[student rep], MA
Rebecca Bar
(Executive Director), PA
*Nazun Alumni