Youth Renewal Fund is run by an international management team in the United States and Israel.

US Staff:

 

Karen Berman Executive Director

 

Karen Berman joined Youth Renewal Fund in May of 2002. Karen has over 17 years of management and operations experience. After a successful career working in both small and large for-profit organizations, Karen joined YRF to apply her professional expertise to the Jewish communal world—a segment in which she has always been active as a lay leader. She was recognized for her leadership role as a volunteer in the Jewish community in 2001 when she was selected to be a Wexner Heritage Fellow. Karen graduated from Harvard College cum laude and received an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Visit Karen's blog: "Trends in Philanthropy"

 

Merritt Birnbaum Director, Marketing & Development

 

Prior to joining YRF in 2007, Merritt Birnbaum was Assistant Director of National Programs at the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, where she managed large scale programs and events. She received her B.A. from Vassar College and began her career as a producer of corporate videos, before switching to the non-profit sector. Previous to her position at Weizmann, Merritt worked in marketing and communications for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In 2002, she co-founded The Pygmalion Project, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence in New York City.

 

Lauryn Gorowitz Manager, Special Events

Lauryn Gorowitz joined YRF in May 2010. After graduating from the University of Delaware, she applied her B.A. in Anthropology to a position at the American Museum of Natural History. Later, while living in California, she cultivated an interest in special events and, upon returning to New York, took a position as an event planner at the American Friends of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. There she gained experience in orchestrating numerous non-profit events geared toward Israel and the New York Jewish Community.

 

 

Tamar Hellman Associate, Programs & Development

Tamar joined YRF in July 2008, after working in marketing and administration for an orchestra in New York City. Originally from Israel, Tamar focused her undergraduate studies on global security and, in particular, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while also maintaining her interest in music. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007 with a B.A. in International Studies and Music Performance.


Israel Staff:

Galit Toledano-Harris, Israel Executive Director
Galit Toledano-Harris joined YRF in 1992. She has been instrumental in growing the organization from inception to its current position of success. Galit started her career with the Israel office of UJA/Federation New York’s Renewal Project. In her tenure at YRF, Galit has become an expert on educational needs in Israel and has been recognized by many organizations and authorities in Israel for her accomplishments.

Lenny Stein, Chief Financial Officer
Lenny Stein joined YRF as its CFO in August 2004. Prior to his employment at YRF he was the Controller/Chief Bookkeeper at Hasbro Israel Ltd. for 10 years where he was responsible for all aspects of accounting including maintaining inventory and compliance with international reporting requirements.

Including the individuals above, the Israel office employs eight full-time positions and oversees the hiring and training of 300 teachers and project staff each year. For additional information about the Israel office, please visit www.yrf.org/il.
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