PEJE Partners and Board of Directors

From PEJE's inception over 13 years ago, PEJE was funded and governed solely by its partners. In 2010, PEJE sought a broader funding base and added non-partners to its governing board. Through board meetings held several times a year, the directors make decisions about PEJE policy and future initiatives, guided by the organization’s mission and by the insights of the PEJE staff.

Michael H. Steinhardt
Founding Chair

Amy Katz
Executive Director

PEJE Partners

The AVI CHAI Foundation, New York, NY

AVI CHAI is a private foundation endowed by Zalman C. Bernstein that is committed to the perpetuation of the Jewish people, Judaism, and the centrality of the State of Israel to the Jewish people.

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Longmeadow, MA

Harold Grinspoon is the founder of Aspen Square Management, a national real estate company. In 1990, Mr. Grinspoon founded the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) which fosters Jewish education opportunities throughout Western Massachusetts, offering grants to Jewish day schools, camping, youth programming, family education, and increasing tzedakah. Among its national efforts are the promotion of the B'nai Tzedek program which encourages Jewish teen philanthropy, and the Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education, a national incentive program for teachers administered by Jewish Education Services of North America, Inc. (JESNA). Mr. Grinspoon's charitable commitments extend beyond the Jewish community to programs in the arts, education incentives for inner city children, and medical research.

The Jim Joseph Foundation, San Francisco, CA

Jim Joseph z"l was President and Founder of Interland Corporation, a developer of investment properties headquartered in San Mateo, California. Over the past 30 years, Interland's developments have included corporate headquarters and offices for major corporations, multi-family residential communities and commercial properties. Mr. Joseph served on a wide range of charitable boards, with a special emphasis on educating Jewish youth and assisting the Jewish elderly. Mr. Joseph established the Jim Joseph Foundation in 1987. The Foundation's primary interest is to ensure a strong, self-supporting, respected Jewish community, through improving the education of Jewish children.

Fran and Bobby Lent, Hillsborough, CA
Fran and Bobby Lent head the Levine-Lent Family Foundation which focuses on helping build the Jewish Day Schools enterprise and on building the pluralistic Jewish schools enterprise in Israel. Both Fran and Bobby are on several boards of Jewish day schools and high schools as well as providing advice and council to many day schools across the country. Bobby serves on the boards of the San Francisco Jewish Federation and Endowment as well as the Peninsula JCC. He is also the President of the North Peninsula Jewish Campus Foundation. Bobby serves as the Treasurer of PEJE. Bobby Lent is the Managing Partner of Hillsven LLC, a venture capital firm located in the Silicon Valley. Hillsven LLC invests and plays an active role in innovative high tech firms primarily in Israel and the U.SA. Bobby is the Chairman of Business Events, Inc., an early stage enterprise software service focused on Business Opportunity Discovery for the Fortune 2000, which is headquartered in California with core R&D located at Kibbutz Glil Yam, Israel. Bobby is also Chairman of Traiana, Inc., an enterprise Internet company focused on Trading Relationship Management, which is headquartered in New York and has core R&D located in Ramat Gan, Israel. In early 1996, Bobby was the co-founder of Ariba (Nasdaq: ARBA), an enterprise software company, which is the recognized leader in Enterprise Spend Management. In 1995, Fran founded and led Fran's Healthy Helpings, Inc., a national frozen food company focused on delivering healthy frozen meals for young children. Fran sold the company in 2002. Fran now focuses on raising their two teenagers who both attend Jewish day school.

The Jess and Sheila Schwartz Family Foundation, Phoenix, AZ

Sheila Schwartz and her late husband, Jess Schwartz, have supported Jewish day school education for many years in the Phoenix area, and she is a founder/board member of the Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School. Her three children all received day school educations and the tradition is continuing with her grandchildren. In addition to serving on the board of the Phoenix Hebrew Academy, Sheila has been a leader in the Federation and Women's Division, Kivel Women's Auxiliary, and Endowment Fund. She was awarded the Special Community Award by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. Her current leadership activity includes Arizona State University, Jewish National Fund, the Council for Jews with Special Needs, the Jewish Community Center, the Weizmann Institute, and Bar Ilan University.

David and Fela Shapell Family Foundation, Los Angeles, CA
David and Fela Shapell have a long-standing and passionate interest in Jewish education. Survivors of the Holocaust who settled in Los Angeles in 1952, they have made the continuity of the Jewish people a personal and philanthropic priority. Through the David and Fela Shapell Family Foundation, they have been leaders and active supporters of Jewish educational institutions--day schools, high schools, yeshivas, universities and post-graduate programs--in both the United States and Israel. In addition, the Foundation provides funding for a number of synagogues, museums, medical institutions, and social services programs within the Jewish community. The Foundation has placed particular emphasis on Holocaust education through its major support of Yad Vashem. Mr. and Mrs. Shapell's three children are actively involved in the management of the Foundation.

Jeffrey and Deborah Swartz, Newton, MA
Jeffrey and Deborah Swartz are passionate believers in Jewish education. Jeff is CEO of Timberland, a NYSE listed footwear, apparel and gear company. He is chair of the board of City Year, a national youth service organization, and serves on the Board of Business for Social Responsibility. He is an active volunteer and board member of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Boston's federation. Deborah, a teacher by training, is an active board member and officer of the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston.

Sustaining Partners

Robin and Brad Klatt, Livingston, NJ
Robin and Brad Klatt are long-time supporters of day school education and programs that enable Jewish children to reach their potential. Robin is a full-time fundraiser working with their local day school and The Living Legacy/Friendship Circle (special needs) programs. Brad is the Managing Partner of Roseland Property Company. Robin and Brad spend a great deal of time "investing with their hands as well as their checkbook" in many philanthropic efforts. They serve as Board members for numerous institutions that benefit Jewish education in the United States and Israel including The Center for Advanced Judaic Studies and the Hillel at University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins Hillel, Boston University Hillel and J.L.I.

The Samuel Bronfman Foundation, New York, NY

Edgar M. Bronfman is the Chairman of The Seagram Company Ltd. Mr. Bronfman is the president of the World Jewish Congress, an international federation of Jewish communities and organizations whose primary goal is to preserve and foster the worldwide unity of the Jewish people. He is also the president of the World Jewish Restitution Organization, devoted to ensuring the return of communal Jewish property stolen by the Nazis. Mr. Bronfman serves as chairman of the International Board of Governors of Hillel: the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. In 1999, President Clinton awarded Mr. Bronfman the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor.

The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, New York, NY
In 1995, after a legendary Wall Street career, Michael H. Steinhardt retired to devote his time and fortune to the causes of the Jewish world. Beneficiaries of his support have included the Israel Museum; Hillel, where he serves as Co-Chairman of its International Board of Governors and founder of its Steinhardt Jewish Campus Service Corps; and The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, a foundation he created. The mission of The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life is to renew the Jewish community through innovative programs that nurture the identify of individual Jews while transforming the institutions of the Jewish community. Among its most well-known initiatives are PEJE, Makor, and Birthright Israel, where Mr. Steinhardt serves as Co-Chair.

The Wexner Foundation, Columbus, OH
Leslie H. Wexner is Founder and Chairman of The Limited, Inc., and Intimate Brands, Inc. Mr. Wexner has a profound interest in the development of tomorrow's leaders as demonstrated by his support the Wexner Foundation; the Wexner Heritage Foundation; the Wexner Israel Fellowship Program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, where he has also spearheaded the creation of The Center for Public Leadership; and the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

Board of Directors

Steve Berman, Atlanta, GA
Steve Berman is the president of OA Development, a real estate development firm that has developed and acquired over two million square feet of office, industrial, and business park space in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. He is past president of the board of trustees Greenfield Hebrew Academy and past president and co-founder of the Weber School, a Jewish community high school. He served as past treasurer of the American Israel Chamber of Commerce Board and is a member of the Jewish Family and Career Services Board. A Wexner Heritage Foundation alumni, Steve is a columnist for national publications including Atlanta Jewish Times and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. An avid runner and biker, Steve lives in Atlanta with his wife Gita and has three daughters: Mara, Aviva, and Shira.

Michael J. Bohnen, Needham, MA
Michael Bohnen has served as President of the Adelson Family Foundation since the Foundation was formed in January, 2007. Prior to that, he was a partner at the Boston law firm of Nutter, McClennen & Fish, where he is now Of Counsel. Michael was listed in Best Lawyers in America, Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Chambers USA. He is the co-author of Massachusetts Corporate Forms. Currently PEJE’s Treasurer, Michael served as Chair of Boston’s Jewish Federation (CJP), its Community Relations Council, the Solomon Schechter Day School and was Founding Chair of Gann Academy (formerly The New Jewish High School). He also served as national Chair of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. He is currently co-chair of CJP’s annual campaign and a member of the executive committees of the Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Funders Network. Michael is a graduate of Providence Hebrew Day School, Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He lives in Newton, MA with his wife Joyce. They have two daughters (both day school grads) and four grandchildren (the older two are in day school).

Nancy Hamburger, Potomac, MD

Nancy Hamburger has a law degree and is a full-time volunteer for a variety of organizations. She is a past president of the board of directors of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and has served the school in numerous roles. She is currently the president of the mid-atlantic region of the American Friends of the Hebrew University, is an associate member of the board of governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and has served on the Melton Centre International Advisory Board. Nancy has been an active member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, serving on the Lion of Judah Cabinet, the Israel and Overseas Executive Committee. She was also the chairperson of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s “Partnership 2000” Committee. She and her husband Paul are the parents of Ben, Josh, and Emily, all graduates of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland.

Brad Klatt, Livingston, NJ

Bobby Lent, Hillsborough, CA

Alvin T. Levitt, San Francisco, CA
Al Levitt is a partner in the firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. He has served as a director and officer of the San Francisco Estate Planning Council, a director and officer of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco; of the Jewish Home for the Aged, and of Mount Zion Hospital. He also serves as a member of the executive committee of the State Bar of California Tax Section and as the chairman of the IRS/Western Region Bar Associate. He currently serves as the president and a director of the Jim Joseph Foundation and as director of the Swig Foundation, Contemporary Jewish Museum, PEJE, Yerba Buena Alliance, and Yerba Buena Arts and Events. Al is married to Rosanne Levitt, who is prominent locally and nationally in the development and implementation of outreach initiatives for Jewish interfaith couples and families. Al and Rosanne Levitt have three children and five grandchildren.

Lauren K. Merkin, New York, NY

Gail S. Norry, Philadelphia, PA
Gail Norry is the chair designate for National Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federations of North America. She is also the co-chair of the Center for Jewish Life and Learning of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the past president of the Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Gail also serves on the National Women’s Philanthropy board as co-chair of the TECH team, providing training, education, consulting, and help for communities across the county. Gail has been active at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia for the past 20 years, where she is a member of its board of trustees. She also serves as a board member of PEJE, the United Way of Southeastern PA, and of Congregation Beth Sholom. Gail is married to Dr. Elliot Norry and is the mother of Dahlia, Benjamin, and Jordana.

Pamela Rohr, New York, NY
Pamela Rohr presently serves as board chair of the Ramaz School, a position she has held for the past four years. Prior to that, she served as treasurer, and for many years as member of Ramaz’s executive committee. She is a director and executive vice president of the Rohr Family Foundation, which, in addition to its various foci on Jewish education, through its Hidden Sparks unit (www.hiddensparks.org) develops and implements programs for diverse learners in Jewish day schools. Pamela is also a member of the board of the Nash Family Foundation. A graduate of Brandeis University (’82) and of Ramaz (’78), she and her husband George have four children and live in New York City.

Rochelle Shapell, Los Angeles, CA

Sheila Schwartz, Phoenix, AZ
Sheila Schwartz is a member of Beth Joseph Congregation. Her currently affiliations include ASU, CJSN, JCC, Crysalis, Weizmann Institute of Science, Technion, Phoenix Hebrew Academy, Lion of Judah, US Holocaust Museum, Bar Ilan, and PEJE. She is also a founder/board member of the Jess Schwartz Academy (K-12). Previously she served as a board member of Phoenix Hebrew Academy, Federation and Women’s Division; Central High School; and Kivel, Kivel Women’s Auxiliary. Sheila was given the Special Community Award by Federation, received the JNF Tree of Life Award in 2003, and was awarded the Medal of Honor from The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix in 2010. Sheila is married to Jess Schwartz, the founder of American Creditors Bureau. They have three children—Frank, Abby, and Lesley—and five grandchildren, four of whom are students at the Jess Schwartz Academy.

Deborah Cogen Swartz, Immediate Past Chair, Newton, MA
Deborah Cogen Swartz served as the chair of PEJE from 2007-2010. A member of the board of directors of CJP in Boston, Debbie currently co-chairs the federation’s Leadership Resource Development Committee. She earned an Ed. M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and has had a life-long interest in schools and education. Debbie has been involved in many national and community initiatives promoting and supporting Jewish day school education. She is presently a volunteer leader at the Maimonides School in Brookline, MA, and served three terms as the president of the board of the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston. Debbie and her husband Jeff have been PEJE Partners since 2001.

Diane Troderman, Chair, Longmeadow, MA
Diane Troderman is a longtime passionate national leader in the field of Jewish education. In addition to her current role as chair of the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE), she is former chairperson of the Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA). She is an active partner with husband Harold Grinspoon in many philanthropic activities in their home region of western Massachusetts as well as nationally and internationally. The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, which Ms. Troderman helped to found and direct, is creator of the nationally renowned PJ Library Program. Among many roles, Mr. Grinspoon and Ms. Troderman are members of the Board of Governors of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.