Sybil Sanchez, Director
Sybil Sanchez comes to COEJL from the Jewish Labor Committee where she served as executive director. Having been director of United Nations affairs with B’nai B’rith International, and worked with other national Jewish organizations on international human rights and related advocacy for nearly ten years, Sybil holds a masters degree in international affairs from Columbia University and has previously worked for the United Nations and overseas in the Balkans. She speaks Hebrew, French, and Serbo-Croatian. Sybil is an advisory committee member of the Jewish Greening Fellowship, Jewcology and Camp Ramah in the Rockies, and she also chairs the Green Hevra, a new network of 15 Jewish environmental organizations.
Rabbi Steve Gutow, President and CEO, JCPA
Rabbi Steve Gutow has served the American Jewish Congress, Texas Civil Liberties Union, and numerous leadership roles, founded the National Jewish Democratic Council, served as Rabbi of the Reconstructionist Minyan of St. Louis and as Adjunct Law Professor at St. Louis University. He has written and spoken on various social justice issues. As President of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Steve has encouraged the Jewish community and government to protect Darfuris, reform immigration policy, support Israel, maintain poverty programs, and create a sustainable environment. In 2007, Steve was named among the “Forward 50 most influential Jews in America today,” and in 2009 Newsweek magazine named him the 20th most influential rabbi in America.
Sarah Levinson, Assistant Director
Prior to joining COEJL, Sarah Levinson served as the assistant director at the Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee in Kansas City. There she worked on community relations and justice related issues including civil rights, interfaith relations, and Israel advocacy. Sarah holds a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and a B.A. from Brandeis University with majors in American Studies and Near Eastern & Judaic Studies.
Dr. Mirele B. Goldsmith, Consultant, 2011
The past decade has seen an explosion of new, innovative programs in formal and informal Jewish education, leadership and social services. Mirele has contributed to this exciting development as a consultant specializing in program evaluation. Her clients have included UJA Federation of New York, BBYO International, the Jewish Community Center Association, and the Foundation for Jewish Camping. Prior to establishing her independent practice, Mirele created and implemented an acclaimed accreditation program for Hillel International, where she served as the Director of Professional Development and Accreditation. In addition to her work as a consultant, she teaches courses on evaluation in the Academy for Funder Education at New York University. Combining her interests in evaluation and sustainability, Mirele recently received certification as an SSC Green Auditor. Her consulting practice, Green Strides Consulting, helps organizations create their own green strategy. Clients include the Green Housing Initiative of the Supportive Housing Network of New York and the Jewish Greening Fellowship of Isabella Freedman Retreat Center. Mirele serves on the boards of Hazon and the American Friends of the Heschel Center for Environmental learning and leadership. She is a past board member of the Hadassah Foundation and the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. Mirele received her MSW from Yeshiva University and her PhD in environmental psychology from the City University of New York.
Nathan Schumer, Fellow, 2012
Nathan has been involved in several environmental campaigns, including the White House Interfaith Service Project, a group created by Union Theological Seminary and Jewish Theological Seminary in response to the President Obama’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge. Additionally, he is certified as an energy auditor from Bronx Community College. Nathan has a masters in Ancient Jewish History from the Jewish Theological Seminary and is a doctoral student studying Jewish history at Columbia University.
Jake Friedman, Green Hevra Program Assistant, 2012
Jake is an adjunct professor of animation studies and is the authorized biographer of famous Walt Disney animator Art Babbitt. He has experience with teamwork, logistics and administration, as well as having participated in several small working animator groups and handling the administration of running a college course. He’s an active member of the Manhattan congregation Romemu, where he founded their Eco-Circle group as well as their 20’s & 30’s outreach group and also spear-headed their adult leyning classes.
