Jacob joined New York Jewish Agenda (NYJA) in 2024 and serves as the Programming and Political Manager. Previously, Jacob was the Project Manager for a series of interfaith trainings aimed at stemming domestic terrorism and hate-based violence at a large Jewish nonprofit, and has volunteered for several local and state candidates in New York City. Jacob holds a B.A. in Political Science, Middle Eastern Studies, and History from Duke University. Jacob grew up on the Upper West Side and enjoys cooking, watching Duke basketball and the Yankees, and spending time with family in his free time.
Naomi joined NYJA in 2025 and serves as the Engagement Manager. She previously worked as an analyst at a research agency, where she specialized in social and political insights. Naomi graduated from Swarthmore College with a degree in Economics & Educational Studies. She founded a small grassroots minyan in 2023 and enjoys testing the limits of how many people can fit in her apartment for Shabbat.
Amy Rutkin is a veteran government and political leader with 25+ years of Capitol Hill and New York experience. She served as Staff Director to the House Judiciary Committee (the first-ever Democratic woman in the role) and Chief of Staff to Congressman Jerrold Nadler, and is a trusted advisor to Democratic Leadership and the White House.
Comptroller Brad Lander serves as New York City’s chief financial officer, leading an office of roughly 800 public servants in their work to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of city government and secure a more thriving and sustainable future for all New Yorkers.
Phylisa Wisdom comes to NYJA with a life-long commitment to service that she acquired growing up in a tight knit Reform temple community in San Diego. With that anchor, she has rooted all her professional commitments thus far in the deeply-held value of tikkun olam. Her Ladino-speaking Sephardic grandmother from The Bronx instilled a deep appreciation for the diversity of Jewish communities in New York City.
Amy Spitalnick is the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the national convener of Jewish coalitions working across communities to build a just and inclusive American democracy. She previously served as Executive Director of Integrity First for America, which became a powerful national voice in the fight against white supremacy and extremism.
Nancy Kaufman is a coach for women in the c-suite and a consultant for not-for-profits. She most recently served as CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW,) a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates inspired by Jewish values. NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Karyn Grossman Gershon is the CEO of Project Kesher, a nonprofit building Jewish life and empowering women leaders in Ukraine, Israel and Belarus. In Israel, Karyn has been at the forefront of supporting programming and advocacy for Ukrainian and Russian women immigrants and refugees and the Russian-speaking LGBTQ community.
Rabbi Kleinbaum is the Director for The Beacon and Senior Rabbi Emerita for Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum has dedicated her life to promoting social justice, LGBTQ+ and human rights, and progressive values within Judaism. Rabbi Kleinbaum served as a Commissioner on the New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR). Rabbi Kleinbaum is on the Executive Council for New York State’s Interfaith Council and the Co-Chair for the Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet of JStreet.
Rabbi Rachel Timoner is the senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Elohim, a synagogue based in Brooklyn, New York. She helped to launch RAC-NY and Reform California, two statewide efforts to bring Reform Jewish values to bear on core issues of our times. In November 2016, Rabbi Timoner, in cooperation with City Councilmember Brad Lander, founded #GetOrganizedBK to protect human rights and democracy in the Trump years.