Advisory Board - Junta Directiva - Conselho de Administração

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Aurora Levins Morales (she/ella) is a Puerto Rican Ashkenazi Jewish activist, historian, teacher, writer and poet who is significant within social justice movements. 

Her writing and activism persistently imagine a world in which the personal is understood as political and vice versa, the complexities of identity and heritage are explored rather than erased, and structures of oppression (racism, classism, sexism, imperialism, colonialism, capitalism, etc.) are recognized as interlocking, such that they must be simultaneously challenged to be dismantled. 

Aurora's contributions have been critical to third wave feminism and its evolution, Puerto Rican and Latinx feminism, disability justice, radical Judaism, climate change activism, and grassroots organizing.

Deborah Koenigsberger Gutierrez (she/her) is a Jewish-Latina community leader, tech executive, and entrepreneur who brings her international background and passion for combining diverse identities to make positive impacts in both professional and community spaces. As President of Tribeca Synagogue and Chief of Staff at Trips Platform, Inc., she bridges cultural innovation with strategic leadership.

Deborah's commitment to celebrating Jewish-Latino heritage led her to found The Mexican Judaica Store, where she creates unique pieces that honor both traditions. She recently organized the inaugural Mexican Jewish Film Festival at Tribeca Synagogue, a three-day celebration featuring films, presentations, and vendors that showcase the richness of Mexican Jewish culture. Her work in cultural preservation expanded internationally through a USAID-sponsored program in Morocco, where she taught Judaica handicraft techniques to local artisans, with their collaborative work now featured at the Center for Jewish History.

As a competitive athlete, Deborah represented her community in international fencing competitions, winning two bronze medals at the Maccabi Games in Israel. She holds a Master's in Corporate Communications from Georgetown University and serves on Mayor Eric Adams' Jewish Advisory Council. In her spare time, Deborah is passionate about animal rescue, providing care for street dogs and helping them find permanent homes.

Eddie Chávez-Calderón (he/él) champions the creation of a more inclusive, diverse America through his dedicated leadership as the Associate Director of Field Engagement at NCJW (National Council of Jewish Women). Hailing from Michoacán, México, and now a proud resident of Phoenix, Arizona, Eddie's journey as a DACA recipient and a devoted student of Torah has been the crucible forging his fervent commitment to justice and equality.

Eddie’s passion emanates from the harmonious blend of his deep-seated Jewish values, which emphasize continuous education and Tikkun Olam – repairing the world, and his personal confrontation with systemic oppression. His experiences have imbued him with a profound understanding of the intricacies of inequality and have fueled his resolve to cultivate a progressive movement dedicated to societal betterment.

With an unyielding belief in the power of unity and the richness of diversity, Eddie actively seeks to bridge divides and foster understanding. His work at NCJW has been instrumental in galvanizing communities and advocating for change, showcasing the potent synergy of faith and action. Eddie's life story is a testament to resilience, a beacon of hope, and a compelling call to action for those committed to shaping a more equitable and compassionate America.

Ely Benhamo (she/her) is a proud Cuban-American Jewtina hailing from sunny Miami, Florida. A lifelong Jewish leader, she currently serves as the National Director of Major Gifts for OneTable. 

Her commitment to the Jewish community is multifaceted. In addition to her work with OneTable and Jewtina y Co., she serves on the San Francisco board of Jewish Women International's Young Women's Impact Network. Here, Ely collaborates with like-minded individuals to advocate for women's rights and empowerment, contributing to the betterment of society.

A proud member of Jewtina y Co., Ely actively celebrates her rich heritage and diverse identity, embodying the inclusivity and dynamism that characterize the contemporary Jewish landscape. Through her various roles and initiatives, Ely continues to be a driving force for positive change, community enrichment, and cultural celebration within and beyond the Jewish community.

Jon Cohen (he/él) merges his dedication to community building with his personal mission for LGBTQ+ rights and representation as Keshet's Director of Community Mobilization. Applying his own experiences, he revels in the opportunity to organize diverse communities through an intersectional Jewish lens. 

After graduating from Florida State University, Jon engaged his passions for the Jewish community and service as a Repair the World Fellow in Brooklyn, leading young professionals in hands-on service through Jewish values. After his time as a Fellow, he served as the Interim Director of the Jewish Volunteer Center at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, executing community-wide service events and organizing a young professional volunteer movement. He then went on to become the Program Manager for Repair the World Miami, launching Repair’s 6th Fellowship city and spearheading programs and partnerships through local and national initiatives. 

A South Florida native, Jon lives in Miami with his partner, Kevin. Outside of work he can be found relaxing at the beach, reading, volunteering, and using online menus to plan the meal before getting to the restaurant.

Julia Hernández Nierenberg  (she/ella) grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and recently relocated to Minneapolis after having spent three years in Los Angeles. 

Growing up in an interfaith and multicultural household shaped Julia’s worldview from an early age. Celebrating both Catholic and Jewish traditions, fluently communicating in English and Spanish, and learning a wide array of family recipes from Mexican, Sicilian, and Turkish cuisines have all played integral roles in defining her cultural identity.

When she isn’t engrossed in work or studies, Julia’s passions come alive through storytelling and culinary experiments, offering a piece of her diverse heritage to those around her. She is an avid dancer, a curious consumer of podcasts and audiobooks, a regular visitor to local farmer’s markets, and a keen rock climber, continuously seeking new challenges.

Academically, Julia holds a joint Masters in Social Welfare and Public Policy from the University of California, Los Angeles. During her time there, she served as the communications liaison for the Luskin Latinx Caucus, actively engaging in advocacy and fostering connections within the community.

Julia’s diverse background and multifaceted identity continue to shape her perspectives and fuel her pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.

Melissa Fich (she/her) is a Staff Attorney at The Door's Legal Services Center, where she represents undocumented youth in their immigration court proceedings. Previously, she was a Litigation Fellow at the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), working on impact litigation to advance and defend the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and other people in need of humanitarian relocation.

Melissa's background as the daughter of Venezuelan Jewish immigrants inspires her to engage in this important advocacy work. She holds a J.D. from Yale Law School, where she was on the executive boards of the Jewish and Latinx law students associations, and a B.A. from Columbia University. Prior to law school, Melissa explored the intersection of Judaism and social justice as a participant in Avodah: the Jewish Service Corps in New York, and the Jewish Activism Summer School in Berlin, Germany.

She organizes events for Jewish young professionals in NYC through Moishe House. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys reading, hiking, and seeing Broadway shows.

Nate Looney (he/él) is the JEDI Director of Community Safety & Belonging at Jewish Federations of North America. A social entrepreneur, diversity strategist, US Army Veteran, and urban farmer, Nate comes to Jewtina y Co.'s board after being part of the second cohort of the PUENTES Fellowship. 

He was part of rescue efforts during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and deployed to Iraq in 2008. Nate is a Wexner Field Fellow, a Bend the Arc Jeremiah alum and Selah JOC Cohort alum. Nate is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion in the Jewish community in addition to sustainability and innovation in agriculture. He speaks publicly about intersectionality and diversity across multiple sectors. 

In addition to Jewtina y Co., Nate sits on the board of JQ International and Urban Adamah. When not working, Nate can be found on the water, sailing, deep sea fishing or body surfing. 

Tracy Escobedo (she/her) is a writer and voice actor originally from Los Angeles. After a brief stint in New York City, she now splits her time between Tel Aviv and her hometown. The oldest of three in a family of Mexican immigrants, she began questioning Christianity at the age of 10 while attending Catholic school. After college, she started attending Shabbat services and dinners, eventually converting to Judaism in 2017.

Tracy spent almost a decade at NBCUniversal, where she worked as a metadata QA manager and helped launch the streaming services Peacock and SkyShowtime. She is an alumna of the PUENTES Fellowship and Masa Israel. Her favorite holidays are Shabbat and Simchat Torah. In her free time, she enjoys baking, improv, traveling, and long hikes.