Meet The 2019 Spertus Institute Graduates – 24 Chicago-area students who have recently graduated from four specialized programs. Mazal Tov, Graduates! Learn more about each graduate and their work in the field.
What is the The Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership?
The Spertus Institute offers dynamic learning opportunities, rooted in Jewish wisdom and culture and open to all. Graduate programs and workshops train future leaders and engage individuals in exploration of Jewish life.
The Programs
Executive Masters in Jewish Professional Studies, Masters in Jewish Professional Studies, Certificate in Jewish Leadership, and Certificate in Jewish Leadership for Educators.
Meet The 2019 Graduates
Name: Rachel Hillman
Undergrad University: Brandeis, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
Graduate Degree: Indiana U, MBA, Hebrew College, MA Jewish ED
Hometown: Fremont, CA
Job: Assistant Director, Northwestern Hillel
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership
Name: Misha Vilenchuk
Undergrad University: Brandeis, BA, Russian Studies, Near East and Judaic, History
Graduate Degree: Brandeis, MA Global Studies, Non Profit Service
Hometown: Moscow, Russia and Columbus, OH
Job: Manager, Campus Operations and Development, KAHAL
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership
Name: Genna Kahn
Undergrad University: University of Iowa, BA Elementary Ed
Graduate Degree: MA Jewish Professional Studies, Spertus Institute
Hometown: Deerfield, IL
Job: Program Director of Teen Volunteering and Engagement, JUF
Program: MAJPS
Name: Joelle Swatez
Undergrad University: Indiana University, BA
Graduate Degree: MA Jewish Professional Studies, Spertus Institute
Hometown: Skokie, IL
Job: Development Associate, UChicago Hillel
Program: MAJPS
Name: Rebecca Frazin-Chan
Undergrad University: Indiana University, Psychology, and Jewish Studies
Hometown: Deerfield, IL
Graduate Degree: MA Jewish Professional Studies, Spertus Institute
Job: Director of Engagement and Programming, Chicago Sinai Congregation
Program: MAJPS
Name: Aaron Midler
Undergrad University: University of Chicago, BA Psychology , Spertus
Graduate Degree: Chicago Kent College of Law, JD, MA Jewish Professional Studies, Spertus Institute
Hometown: Trumbull, CT
Job: Staff Attorney, Consulting Industry Board Chair for Makom at Temple Sholom
Program: MAJPS
Name: Dina Jacobs Bauwens
Undergrad University: UC Santa Barbara, BS Communications and Religious Studies
Graduate Degree: MA Jewish Professional Studies, Spertus Institute
Hometown: St. Petersburg, Russia born, California raised
Job: Member Engagement Director, Temple Jeremiah
Program: EMAJPS
Name: Tani Prell
Undergrad University: Macalester College, BA English-Creative Writing
Graduate Degree: MA Jewish Professional Studies, Spertus Institute
Hometown: Lombard, IL
Job: Director of Jewish Learning and Engagement, Emanuel Congregation
Program: MAJPS
Name: Amy Saltzman
Undergrad University: The Ohio State University, BS Human Development and Family Science
Graduate Degree: MA Early and Middle Childhood, The Ohio State University, MA Jewish Professional Studies, Spertus Institute
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Job: Program Officer, Jewish Women’s Foundation, JUF Chicago
Program: MAJPS
Name: Becky Levi
Undergrad University: University of Minnesota, BA, International Relations
Hometown: Skokie, IL
Job: Development Associate, The ARK
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership
Name: Jenna Kalkman-Turner
Undergrad University: University of Iowa, BA Elementary Education
Graduate Degree: MA Jewish Professional Studies, Spertus Institute
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Job: Director of Early Childhood Professional Learning, JUF
Program: EMAJPS
Name: Amber Wood
Undergrad University: Indiana University, BA, Political Science and Italian
Graduate Degree: MA Indiana University ,Western European Studies
Job: Director of Operations, Temple Beth Israel
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership
Name: Patrick Dankwa John
Undergrad University: City College NY
Graduate Degree: Chicago Kent College of Law JD
Job: Associate, The Barclay Law Group, Chicago
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership
Name: Anita Silvert
Undergrad University: University of Iowa, Voice
Graduate Degree: Spertus, MA in Jewish Education
Hometown: Skokie, IL
Job: Director of Enrollment, Spertus Institute
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership
Name: Jeremy Perlin
Undergrad University: Washington University
Graduate Degree: George Washington Law, JD
Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Job: Executive Director, Temple Sholom
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership
Name: Beth Schenker
Undergrad University: University of Arizona, BA
Graduate Degree:
Hometown: Tuscan, AZ
Job: Associate Dean, Public and Noncredit programs, Spertus Institute
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership
Name: Dr. Alicia Gejman
Undergrad University: Bachelor of Arts in Education Counseling from Bar-Ilan University
Graduate Degree: Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from The Hebrew University, an Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from George Washington University and the DSJS from Spertus
Hometown: Lincolnshire, IL
Job: Director of Education, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership for Educators
Name: Robin Loeb
Undergrad University: University of Florida, BA English
Graduate Degree: Chicago Kent College of Law, JD MA Jewish Professional Studies, Spertus
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Job:
Chicago Torah Network, Associate Coordinator of Women’s Programming
Program: MAJPS
Name: Russell Shapiro
Undergrad University: University of Illinois, BS
Job: Partner, Levenfeld Pearlstein LLC Board Member, Spertus Institute
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership
Name: Patti Frazin
Undergrad University: UCLA
Graduate Degree: University of Illinois, MSW
Hometown: Orange County, CA
Job: Associate VP, Campaign, JUF Chicago
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership
Name: Rob Jury
Undergrad University: University of Illinois at Chicago, Political Science
Graduate Degree: Seminary for the Deaf, Rabbinic Ordination Northwestern University, MA
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Job: Cantor/Rabbi Anshe Tikvah, Chaplain and Pastoral Therapist, IPHP-BH
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership
Name: Dr. Martha Bockian
Undergrad University: Wesleyan University, BA Psychology
Graduate Degree: American University, MA Psychology, Fordham University, PhD Clinical Psychology
Job: Founder, Head of School, Chicago Land Simcha Schools
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership for Educators
Name: Jeremy (Yudi) Rine
Undergrad University: Columbia College, BA, Photography
Graduate Degree: MA Jewish Professional Studies, Spertus Institute
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Job: Teacher, Beth Hillel Academy, Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov
Program: MAJPS
Name: Diane Kushner Halivni
Undergrad University: Barnard College/JTS, BA
Graduate Degree: MS Bank Street College of Education, Education
Hometown: Skokie, IL
Job: Mentor/Consultant DH Consulting
Program: Certificate in Jewish Leadership for Educators
More Information
MA in Jewish Professional Studies (MAJPS)
Spertus Institute’s MA in Jewish Professional Studies (MAJPS) program is a world-class, career-boosting Jewish educational opportunity. First piloted in Chicago nearly ten years ago, the program advances the professional skills and Jewish knowledge of those working for and with the Jewish community.
Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies (EMAJPS)
This year-long program is for Jewish communal executives with 12+ years professional/managerial experience.
Certificate in Jewish Learning and Leadership
The Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, in partnership with Northwestern University, offers the Certificate in Jewish Leadership. Including those focused on social service, fundraising, education, culture, and public policy, the Certificate in Jewish Leadership was developed for emerging leaders of nonprofit organizations. Applications now open for program’s 2019/2020 cohort. For information contact: Jessica Leving
Learn more about Spertus Institute Opportunities on ChiTribe
Find Jewish events in Chicago on ChiTribe’s Event Calendar
