Leadership
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
Founder & President
Rabbi Yanklowitz has twice been named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek and has been named by The Forward as one of the 50 most influential Jews and one of The Most Inspiring Rabbis in America. Rabbi Yanklowitz is the author of 28 books on Jewish ethics and his writings have appeared in outlets as diverse as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and the Atlantic among many other secular and religious publications. He has served as speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and a Rothschild Fellow in Cambridge, UK. He has served as a City Commissioner on the Human Relations Commission for the City of Phoenix and on the Governor’s Advisory Council in Arizona.
Rav Shmuly received a Masters from Harvard University, a Masters from Yeshiva University, and his Doctorate from Columbia University. He was ordained as a rabbi by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, along with 2 private ordinations in Israel. He serves as the Founder President of YATOM: The Jewish Foster Adoption Network.
His wife Shoshana, and their four children live in Scottsdale, Arizona. They are also foster parents.
Alli Goozh
Program Manager
Alli has been an active part of the Jewish community for years, volunteering at Pardes Jewish Day School, participating and volunteering with Yatom, supporting the work of Arizona Jews for Justice and more. Alli is passionate about making the path to fostering and adoption far less daunting for people with room in their hearts and homes for these wonderful children.
After almost 20 years in her corporate career, Alli shifted her full attention to creating her two businesses. When not working or volunteering, Alli can be found spending time with her family, her rescue dogs, and her friends!
Sarah Howard
Program Manager
Sarah has spent her career deeply rooted in children- and family-focused nonprofit work, with experience spanning Jewish summer camps, as well as national and international organizations. She continues to nurture her connection to Jewish life by attending Tot Shabbat with her children. Sarah brings a passion for community building and development, particularly in spaces that support children and families. When she’s not working, she enjoys family adventures, hosting friends for dinner, and savoring quiet moments with her kids.
Isaac Blumenthal
Program Associate
Isaac Blumenthal is a motivated graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania who is devoted to social justice. In December of 2023, he graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in environmental studies while minoring in food systems, sustainability, and equity. Immediately after, he moved to Arizona to work with YATOM. From a young age, Isaac has been interested in helping vulnerable populations both domestically and globally. He has demonstrated his passion for international aid as he has been involved with organizations based out of South Africa, Ecuador, Israel and most recently, Nigeria.
Brandon Nahsonhoya
Native American Child Welfare & Humanitarian Support Coordinator
Brandon Nahsonhoya (Tewa/ Hopi) began work as a security driver for a human trafficking recovery program with F.I.R.E and Go to Work in 2016. He has an extensive background in personal security as he has worked in executive protection serving high level executives and athletes. He has also been trained by survivors of human trafficking and Side by Side International Church in safe recovery techniques. Brandon currently leads a Men’s and youth empowerment program. He engages boys and men in addressing violence against women and all persons. Recently, he expanded youth services through sports and providing education/awareness on sex trafficking, social media dangers, health and wellness. His experiences continue with Honwungsi Consulting Services, LLC who partners and works directly with Law enforcement and First responder personnel. Honwungsi also works closely with all 22 Arizona Tribal Nations and throughout the country bringing awareness and education on MMIP. Family Services are also provided through their Missing Persons Recovery Program and Human Trafficking Recovery Team. In his free time he is a football and basketball coach at the Junior high and High School level.
Valerie Smith
Program Associate
Valerie Smith is a senior at Arizona State University, where she passionately advocates for queer rights and embraces her Jewish identity. Committed to justice and equality, Valerie actively fights for social change while proudly upholding her Jewish ethics. Her dedication extends beyond human causes; she loves to volunteer in support of animal welfare, demonstrating her deep compassion for all living beings. Valerie’s vibrant activism and community involvement reflect her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
Neel Bhanushali
Financial Officer
As a Consultant at SM Bookkeeping Services LLP, Neel has had the opportunity to work with over 200+ clients from all over the world over the past seven years. His expertise lies in bookkeeping and accounting, accounts payable and receivable, payroll administration, and staff and junior accounting. In addition, he is well-versed in popular accounting software such as Quickbooks Online, Xero, Netsuite, and Wave App.
Board Members
David Lilienfeld
David Lilienfeld is a Senior Investment Analyst at Three Bridges Capital, a global investment manager based in New York. In addition, he serves as Director of Corporate Development & Strategy for Ameelio, a nonprofit focused on disrupting the prison telecommunications industry by decoupling incarceration and profit. David is also active as a Volunteer Mentor with Y Tu Tambien, a program focused on increasing access to higher education for Latinx & 1st-gen students. Previously, David worked in Investment Banking at Macquaire Capital in New York and in European Public Affairs for Novartis AG in Brussels. A graduate of SAR High School, he holds a BA in History, with distinction, from Yale University and an MPhil in Political Thought from the University of Cambridge. Outside of work, David is a passionate fan of the Grateful Dead and an avid squash player.
Diane Kolatch
Diane Kolatch is a high school English teacher. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Columbia University, and her Master’s Degree in Secondary English Education from Teacher’s College. Diane is a board member of the Etzion Foundation, and was previously a board member of Congregation Darkhei Noam in New York City. She enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with family and friends. Diane lives with her husband and daughter in New York.
Chad Shifrin
Chad Shifrin is an attorney focusing his practice on complex construction projects and disputes. Chad counsels clients in contract negotiation through project completion and litigates disputes in courts across the country. He is one of the five founding partners of the law firm Laurie & Brennan and serves on its executive committee. Previously, Chad was an attorney at the global law firm DLA Piper. When out of the office, Chad enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, reading, golfing, and rooting for Chicago’s sports teams.
Mike Morrison
Mike Morrison is a practicing trial attorney in Chicago, Illinois. He is married and has three children. He enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, traveling and playing basketball. Mike obtained his undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University, where he studied on a four-year athletic scholarship. Mike played Division I Men’s Basketball for four years and was the team’s co-Captain in his senior year. Mike was awarded the NIU Men’s Basketball Team’s Heart Award in 2003, which is given to the player who demonstrates the most inner drive and determination. He received his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School in 2006. Mike was included on the 2016 Emerging Lawyers Magazine list for Product Liability Defense Law and on the Illinois Super Lawyers–Rising Stars list for 2011.
Rabbinic Advisory Commitee
- Rabbi Ruven Barkan
- Rabbi Cari Bricklin-Small
- Rabbi Nate Crane
- Rabbi Braham David
- Rabbi Diana Gerson
- Rabbi Lisa Goldstein
- Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg
- Rabbi Jarah Greenfield
- Rabbi Andy Koren
- Rabbi Julie Kozlow
- Rabbi Igael Gurin Malous
- Rabbi Toby Manewith
- Rabbi Roly Matalon
- Rabbi Anat Moskowitz
- Rabbi Haviva Ner-David
- Rabbi Rayzel Raphael
- Rabbi Dr. Simcha Raphael
- Rabbi Yerachmiel Shapiro
- Rabbi Susan Silverman
- Rabbi Elyse Wechterman
- Rabbi Lina Zerbarini
