JCC Association of North America is proud to announce the 13th cohort of the Merrin Teen Professional Fellowship, a 12-month program designed for JCC professionals who work directly with teenagers in Jewish Community Centers and Camps (JCCs) across the continent.
“Connecting teens to meaningful Jewish experiences is key to creating a vibrant Jewish future,” says Joy Brand-Richardson, vice president and director of training and professional development at JCC Association. “The Merrin Fellowship offers an impactful, high-quality program to a select group of early-career JCC professionals, fostering a strong cohort of colleagues and friends across the movement. Fellows in Cohort 13 bring a diverse range of experience—including those who lead and assist JCC Camps, BBYO, JCC Maccabi Games®, and afterschool programs—and are all deeply committed to ensuring that the teens in their communities feel valued and find a welcoming environment at their JCC.”
Merrin Fellows gain leadership and management skills, strengthen their professional networks, advance their career path, and deepen their Jewish knowledge. Most importantly, they develop expertise in serving teens effectively, including connecting them to the Jewish community and its values and to multiple facets of Jewish living, learning, and celebrating. More than 150 JCC professionals are alumni of the Merrin Fellowship, and some have risen to C-suite and executive director positions in the JCC Movement, a testament to the success of Merrin as an early career JCC Talent offering.
“My participation in the Merrin Fellowship over the past year has been a truly transformative experience,” shares Ethan Cohen, assistant director of youth engagement and special events and BBYO city director at the Arthur M. Glick Jewish Community Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and a member of Merrin Cohort 12. “It has not only equipped me with invaluable skills to excel in my current role but has also opened my eyes to the vast leadership potential within the JCC Movement. This prestigious program has instilled in me the confidence and direction to pursue my professional aspirations with renewed vigor.”
The fellowship includes in-person seminars, monthly webinars, collaborative work in small groups, and an intensive, 10-day seminar in Israel, scheduled for next winter. Members of Cohort 13 will have the opportunity to meet with alumni of past JCC Association talent and leadership programs through the movement’s Alumni Buddy program. Fellows will also participate in ProCon, JCC Association’s gathering for movement professionals, in October.
For Sam Aboudara, an alumnus of Cohort 8 in 2009 and chief operating officer and executive director at NJY Camps, his experience as a Merrin Fellow demonstrates the program as a valuable investment in JCC Movement leadership: “As someone who participated in the Merrin Fellowship, supervised multiple alumni of the program, and served as an advisor, I can say with great confidence that Merrin is an investment in present and future leadership, and for those fortunate enough to be fellows, it is a tremendous gift. Merrin was one of the first touchpoints to make me think about my career and professional field in grander terms. It provided me with a community of like-minded peers (with whom I’m still closely connected) and access to field experts who challenged me to think in new ways. I credit the Merrin program for a variety of other professional opportunities that have come since, including job advancements, graduate study, and other professional cohort experiences.”
With more than 10,000 full-time professionals, over 20,000 part-time staff, and 17,000 seasonal staff, the JCC Movement is the largest employer on North America’s Jewish communal landscape, and JCC Association is devoted to developing the talent of the JCC workforce and continuing to attract the best and brightest to the movement’s work.
The Merrin Fellowship is generously funded by longtime donors Seth Merrin and Anne Heyman, z’’l, making it possible for JCC professionals who work with teens to better serve this critically important sector of the Jewish community. The program enhances Merrin Fellows’ professional profile in their JCCs and throughout the movement, enriches and deepens their Jewish identities, and helps them augment their own network of Jewish communal professionals—in JCCs and other organizations—across North America. Most importantly, it demonstrates JCC Association’s commitment to support Jewish professionals in the early stages of their careers and helps ensure a full pipeline of qualified Jewish communal professionals for the future.
Cohort 13 of the Merrin Teen Professional Fellowship comprises these individuals:
Alyssa Engelson is the program director for the youth, teen and camping department at the Minnesota JCC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine from the University of Kansas and enjoys playing and watching sports, woodworking and refinishing furniture, and spending quality time with my friends and family.
Justin Greenbaum is the associate director of teens and tweens at the Asheville JCC in North Carolina, where he oversees all teen and tween programming, including BBYO, middle school initiatives, and counselors in training. Greenbaum also serves as assistant director of Camp Ruach, managing middle school groups, excursions, and addressing tween-specific needs during camp. Previously, Greenbaum held positions in youth engagement and programming, honing his expertise in creating meaningful Jewish experiences for young people. A skilled communicator and program strategist, he was recognized as Employee of the Year at the Asheville JCC in 2022 and nominated as BBYO Advisor of the Year in 2022 and 2025. Greenbaum earned a degree in mathematics from Muhlenberg College and is a trained JResponder for the JCC. The child of two rabbis, he is passionate about fostering community and developing future leaders through experiential education. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time outdoors and reading fiction.
Lyndsey Heffern is the youth program director at the Shaw JCC of Akron in Ohio. Heffern attended the University of Dayton and The University of Akron and holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and is trained to specialize in reading instruction. She also was trained as a JResponder by JCC Association. Heffern coaches youth track and field, enjoys hiking with her dog, spending time with her family and friends, and is in her toddler mom era, kept busy by her 16-month-old son.
Dylan Hersalis is the youth coordinator and Jewish music director at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC in Miami, Florida. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Hersalis previously worked at ORT School, leading artistic and cultural projects for audiences of all ages, and for the Buenos Aires city government, where he coordinated audiovisual communication teams. A dedicated leader in the Jewish community in Argentina, he was the director of leadership at the Bet-Hilel community and collaborated with various organizations, including KKL, Masorti Olami, and NOAM. He is an alumnus of Cohort C of the Tzedek initiative offered by JCC Association. Hersalis holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales (UCES).
Davis Hubbell is the director of teen engagement at the Tucson JCC in Arizona, where he oversees Better Together, a volunteer grant initiative that fosters intergenerational education among teens and seniors. Hubbell is passionate about connecting with people, embodying the change he wants to see in the world, and staying active, always ready to jump into just about any sport, noting that shooting hoops at the J between emails is a major perk of his job. He attends Israel Academy webinars and deeply values the professional development opportunities provided by JCC Association.
Ely London is the manager of community care at Camp Chi, part of the JCC of Chicago, where she manages wellness, inclusion, and community teams and oversees other important aspects of camp. London hires international staff, oversees the leads process, and works with new campers. She also has been a crucial part of successful, multi-million dollar fundraising campaigns. As an alumna of Camp Chi, she is proud to give back to the community that helped shape her. Prior to her current role, she was a dance major at the University of Illinois.
Isabel Lunken is an engagement associate at 4Front, Baltimore’s Jewish teen initiative managed by the JCC of Greater Baltimore in Maryland. In this role, she develops innovative cohort programming, inspiring youth leadership and community engagement. Previously, she was the waterfront director at Camp Seneca Lake (CSL) and taught at Beth Am Synagogue. Passionate about creativity and wellness, Lunken operates an art commission business and competes as a triathlete alongside her family. Her commitment to professional development includes participation in the Friedman Fellows program, Ignite Conference, and JFNA General Assembly, expanding her Jewish communal leadership. Lunken graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a degree in architectural studies and minors in studio art and environmental-entrepreneurial studies. She maintains active involvement in her community by serving on Beth Am’s Torah Scribing Committee and supporting CSL’s alumni engagement.
Liela Majedi is the youth and teen services director at the Dallas JCC in Texas, where she oversees after-school and break programs, serves as the teen travel camp director, and leads the JCC Maccabi delegation. Originally from Southern California, Majedi began her JCC career as a teacher at the Aronoff Preschool at the Merage JCC of Orange County in Irvine, California. She earned a bachelor’s degree in child and human development from California State University, Fullerton, and a master’s degree in family and human development. She is passionate about fostering community connections and nurturing Jewish life among young people and families. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, cheering on the Dallas Mavericks, and exploring local restaurants in Dallas.
Matan Malka is the teen community collaborator at the Merage JCC of Orange County in Irvine, California. He recently attended the JCC Global Conference in Budapest, Hungary, and is eager to explore other professional development and networking events in the JCC Movement. Malka holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Sonoma State University and a master’s degree in teaching from Brandeis University. He enjoys food (eating and cooking), movies, travel, and languages.
Caroline Mellow is the youth and teen manager at the Dell JCC, a branch of Shalom Austin in Texas. In this role, Mellow supervises the after-school program, works as a liaison with Austin’s Jewish teen youth groups, and is a member of the JCamps team, focusing on teen camp programs and extended care. Mellow graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and an additional major in Jewish studies. She enjoys hiking, gymnastics, and listening to live music at the farmer’s market.
Jessica Posnock is the program manager for JCC Maccabi® at JCC Association of North America in New York, New York. She began her career in Jewish communal work at the Columbia/Barnard Hillel and gained valuable experience with JCC Maccabi as an intern in 2019, combining her love for sports with her passion for engaging teens in the Jewish community—something she continues to pursue in her current role. A New Jersey native, Posnock earned a bachelor’s degree in community and nonprofit leadership and communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. When she is not working, she enjoys exploring new workout classes, indulging in reality television, and trying the newest items at Trader Joe’s.
Jamie Seda is the teen engagement director at the Mandel JCC in Palm Beach, Florida, where she creates meaningful programs that inspire teens to connect, grow, and thrive. Previously, Seda was an educator, teaching kindergarten, first grade, and sixth-grade reading. Her time in the classroom fueled her passion for guiding young people and fostering their development. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Florida Gulf Coast University and brings her expertise and enthusiasm into every aspect of her work. When she’s not working to empower teens, Seda spends time with family and friends, dives into books, and enjoys the Florida sunshine. She is passionate about building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping teens discover their potential and their place in the community.
Stefanie Shapiro is the camp, youth, and family engagement manager and the director of Camp JCC at the JCC of Greater Raleigh, an agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh in North Carolina. In this role, she creates engagement opportunities for families, connects Jewish youth to one another, and meaningfully links campers and staff to Judaism. Previously, Shapiro was the learning experience coordinator at a Reform synagogue in Indianapolis, Indiana, creating programs for families and teaching in the religious and Hebrew high schools. As a Merrin Teen Fellow, Shapiro is excited to gather new ideas and strategies to enhance teen engagement in Jewish life and help young people in her community find connection and meaning. She holds an undergraduate degree in history and elementary education from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a master’s degree from National Louis University in special education.
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About JCC Association of North America
JCC Association of North America leads the JCC Movement, the most expansive and inclusive platform for Jewish life in the U.S. and Canada, which comprises more than 170 Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps (JCCs). By virtue of its size and scope—serving more than 1.5 million people weekly, in person, and online—and with guidance and support from JCC Association, the JCC Movement dynamically influences efforts to create Jewish community, vibrant Jewish life, and intentional and measurable Jewish outcomes in local communities and across the continent. Learn more at JCCA.org or on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).
Please note that JCC Association of North America should not be referred to as JCCA or the JCC Association but initially as JCC Association of North America and as JCC Association in subsequent references.
JCC Talent elevates JCC professionals and lay leaders and the workplaces they serve by offering experiences and initiatives that enhance Jewish knowledge, foster cultures of inclusion and belonging, and strengthen the JCC Movement’s talent infrastructure. Learn more in the JCC Resource Center or email [email protected].
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