John Winer
Bergen County, New Jersey
Dr. John Winer is currently the Executive Director at J-ADD serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Bergen County New Jersey. He has worked in Australia, Israel and the U.S. advocating for full inclusion and quality of life for individuals with disabilities since 1986. He is married to Nina and they have 2 daughters both of whom are living in Israel. John is looking forward to sharing best practices from around the world as they relate to improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their inclusion into society. He is interested in research that is being conducted today that aids our understanding.
Laura Paley
Bergen County, New Jersey
Laura is a mother of four children three of which are on the Autism Spectrum. Laura is an active supporter of local special needs schools and organizations in Bergen County (Sinai Schools, Friendship Circle, Yachad, and others) and member of the JNF Special Needs Taskforce. Her phone, email, and door are always open for networking with special needs parents for support and information. Laura is looking forward to seeing the many other excellent sites on this tour and meeting the other trip members who all must be very special people to sign up for a tour of this nature.
Moshe Grossbaum
Bergen County, New Jersey
Moshe Grossbaum is a Chabad Rabbi and the Executive Director of the Friendship Circle in Bergen County, NJ. He also runs the highly acclaimed Living Legacy programs bringing Judaism alive for children through hands-on workshops that focus on Jewish holidays and rituals. As executive director of the Friendship Circle, he looks forward to learning all about Israel’s advances for the population with special needs. His hope is that he will be able to bring some of the ideas back home and use them in innovative programming for Friendship Circle. He lives in Paramus with his wife and 9 children.
Steven Paley
Bergen County, New Jersey
Steve is an inventor, businessman, and teacher with over 30 years experience in various fields of technology. He served as President of the Texwipe Company, a leader in contamination control products for the semiconductor industry. Steve has an MS degree in mechanical engineering/product design from Stanford University, a BS degree in electrical engineering, and a BA degree in English literature from Tufts University. As a father of three special needs children, Steve has been actively involved in various Jewish special needs programs in Bergen County and recently started a company called ARISE Technologies to teach robotics to children with special needs.
Dale Anglin
Cleveland, Ohio
Dale joined the Cleveland Foundation in October as the Program Director for Youth and Social Services. She also served 11 years as Associate Director for Programs at the Victoria Foundation in Newark, NJ, where she was responsible for programming in higher education, K-12 education, out-of-school time, summer youth employment and leadership efforts. Dale also served as the Executive Director of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management for the Congressional Research Service, in Washington D. C. Dale is interested in learning more about how to support special needs children and families in the education and out-of-school time fields.
Mark Aeder
Cleveland, Ohio
Mark is a Surgeon and Director for Surgical Quality at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. An East Coast native, he has spent nearly his entire life in the Midwest, primarily Cleveland and Kansas City. He is on the Board of Directors of Friendship Circle of Cleveland and enjoys seeing it’s marvelous growth and ever increasing contributions to the Cleveland community. His goal for this Mission is to gather new thoughts, insights, and perspectives of the Israeli leaders while creating a new personal network with fascinating and dedicated co-travelers.
Nancy Aeder
Cleveland, Ohio
Nancy is a yoga instructor who has spent years working with children/young adults with special needs. Additionally, she works with adults with Parkinson’s disease, movement disorders and cancer survivors. She has taught preschool cooking for over a decade. As a former Speech Language Pathologist specializing in children with special needs, she has an incredible passion for Friendship Circle and a love for fabulous enrichment it brings to the community children and volunteers. Her goal for this Mission is to learn how Israel works with the special needs population, and what ideas she can bring back to her community.
Yossi Marozov
Cleveland, Ohio
Rabbi Yossi Marozov is the Executive Director of Friendship Circle of Cleveland. Under Yossi’s and his wife, Estie’s leadership Friendship Circle of Cleveland has become a leading organization for children with special needs and teen volunteers.
With his wife Estie and their 7 children, they are passionate about spreading kindness and goodness to all their surroundings and on this trip, they hope to learn about the care Israel’s government and society provide to individuals with special needs.
Steve Weinberg
Cleveland, Ohio
Steve is the President and CEO of Weinberg Wealth Management, an investment advisory firm with deep roots in the Cleveland Community. Steve is very active in the Cleveland Jewish Community and currently is Board Chair at Friendship Circle of Cleveland.
Steve is excited to learn about Israel’s progressive outlook and approach with people who have special needs.
Suzanne Seifert
Cleveland, Ohio
Suzanne Seifert is CEO at North Coast Community Homes, a $6M organization that provides community housing for nearly 800 persons with disabilities in Northeast Ohio. Suzanne and her staff work to push the boundaries of how NCCH homes can serve its residents. Suzanne has also held leadership positions with American Red Cross and Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio. Suzanne is thrilled to be on this trip as it is a tremendous learning experience. She particularly wants to see ideas and opportunities for new designs for North Coast Homes that support the goals of the residents.
Elaine Eisner
Cleveland, Ohio
Elaine B. Eisner is a Principal of the Eisner Gohn Group. The firm specializes in life insurance, special needs planning, long-term-care strategies, income solutions and disability insurance. Elaine is the mom to Alana Gohn, a nine-year girl old with significant developmental disabilities. In 2012 Elaine, along with her husband Scott created LiveSpecial.com, one of the most comprehensive resources for families, caregivers, advocates and teachers. In 2017 Elaine launched the Celebration of Champions, the first event honoring individuals living exceptionally with special needs. Elaine is on the Board of Community Fund Management Foundation, Estate Planning Council of Cleveland and LiveSpecial.com.
Bassie Shemtov
Detroit, Michigan
Bassie Shemtov is co-founder and director of Friendship Circle. She has overseen the expansion of Friendship Circle in Michigan from four families and eight volunteers to several hundred participating families and close to 1,000 volunteers with several divisions and facilities. Bassie looks forward to learning about the vocational opportunities that Israel provides its adults with disabilities.
Dennis Bott
Detroit, Michigan
Dennis has been with MORC since 1976. He worked directly on early community placement initiatives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including participating in the closure of most of the State of Michigan’s largest public institutions. As CEO of MORC, he has been active in promoting the growth of the organization to the point that it is now recognized as the largest private non-profit company in Michigan, serving over 5,000 individuals with long-term care needs. Dennis is looking forward to the opportunity to explore community integration for people with different abilities from economic, cultural and geographic vantage points.
Gary Fetter
Detroit, Michigan
Gary is originally from Michigan but has been living in Israel since 1973. Gary his MSW from Bar Ilan University and has been involved in geriatric social services the last several years. Gary is participating in this trip as the representative of the Fetter Family Foundation and is personally interested in getting involved with and contributing to helping individuals with disabilities.
Hemant Rajput
Detroit, Michigan
Hermant is a retired Aerospace Mechanical Engineer. Hermant keeps himself busy with reading, traveling and volunteering. He currently teaches 2nd-grade students at a Detroit Inner City Elementary School and enjoys golfing during the summer. Hermant is accompanying his wife, Mrs. Minoti Rajput who specializes in planning for families that have Special Needs family members.This trip will provide an opportunity to learn more about it. Moreover, Israel has much to offer in way of culture and social life to explore.
Richard Bernstein
Detroit, Michigan
Justice Richard Bernstein became the first blind justice, elected by voters statewide, to the Michigan Supreme Court in November 2014. Prior to being elected to Michigan’s highest court, Justice Bernstein was known as a tireless advocate for disabled rights as an attorney in Metro Detroit. Blind since birth, Justice Bernstein is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Michigan and earned his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University School of Law.
Levi Shemtov
Detroit, Michigan
Levi Shemtov is the co-founder and executive director of Friendship Circle. Levi started Friendship Circle along with his wife Bassie in 1994. Since then, Friendship Circle has spread to over 80 cities worldwide serving over 7,000 individuals with disabilities and 11,000 teen volunteers. Levi is looking forward to learning about the technology advancements made in Isreal and drawing inspiration from other trip participants.
Lori Blumenstein-Bott
Detroit, Michigan
Lori Blumenstein-Bott, LMSW, is a committed professional who has dedicated her life’s work of over 30 years to persons with developmental disabilities, providing therapy in a clinical milieu and developing organizational leadership. Her past experiences include work as an executive level leader within various human services organizations. Lori presently serves as the CEO for The Andrew Kukes Foundation for Social Anxiety. As a participant with the Exceptional Israel experience, Lori is looking forward to learning from other similarly committed professionals and experiencing new approaches that she can bring back to her own work.
Minoti Rajput
Detroit, Michigan
Minoti is a wealth advisor with an expertise in planning for families with special needs family members. She is dedicated to finding the right ways for these families to plan and provide lifelong care for their loved ones. Minoti is intrigued by the long-term planning that the Israeli families do for their adult children with disability and the work and residential opportunities offered by the government. She is also eager to learn and understand what special needs planning strategies that Israel offers that can be implemented in the US.
Ron Hodess
Detroit, Michigan
Ron is a real estate and corporate attorney at Miller Canfield where he has worked for the past 32 years. He lives in West Bloomfield, Michigan with his wife Sue and two boys, Jay (24) and Andy (21). Both boys have autism and have been active with the Friendship Circle of Michigan for the past 20 years. Ron is currently the Board Chair for the Friendship Circle of Michigan and is also on the board of the Autism Alliance of Michigan. Ron actively worked on the autism insurance legislation that was enacted in 2013.
Tzvi Schectman
Detroit, Michigan
Tzvi is the coordinator of the Exceptional Israel mission to Israel. He currently the director of Special Projects at Friendship Circle. Tzvi coordinates many of online campaigns and resources that Friendship Circle provides. He has been part of the team at Friendship Circle since 2007 serving as family coordinator and marketing director. He lives in West Bloomfield with his wife Sarah and six children. Tzvi looks forward to learning about technological advances made for individuals with special needs.
Galia Kut
Jerusalem, Israel
Galia is an accomplished adviser and investor with 30+ years of technical and financial experience managing large hitech projects and teams. She has a special interest in impact investments and women-led companies. Galia is Involved with a number of special needs groups and projects as a mentor and adviser including Friendship Circle of Jerusalem.
Chanie Canterman
Jerusalem, Israel
Chanie Canterman and husband Eliyahu Canterman, parents of five, have been the directors of Friendship Circle, Central Jerusalem, Israel for the past eight years. In 2008, Chanie opened a branch of Friendship Circle in Jerusalem, Israel. Starting out with only six families and ten volunteers, Chanie and the Friendship Circle Team gave the organization their all. Friendship Circle Central Jerusalem now supports over 100 families together with 150 volunteers. Chanie is a licensed parenting workshop facilitator with an MA in Jewish History and Social Work. She channels her talents, humor and personality into making this organization it’s best.
June Schechner
Livingston, New Jersey
June got involved in Friendship Circle of Livingston, New Jersey through her daughter MayaBea and has now herself been a volunteer and group leader for over 11 years. As a parent of a volunteer, June has seen the value Friendship Circle provides to its respective community and is looking to learn more about this Trip. June hopes to learn about Israel’s advancements in inclusion, autism research, as well as residential and work opportunities (independent and assisted) for Israel’s population.
MayaBea Schechner
Livingston, New Jersey
MayaBea Schechner has been working with the Friendship Circle for over a decade. She has a degree in Child Development from Tufts University, and has been working as a 1:1 paraprofessional in various positions in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey for the last five years. With a focus on American Sign Language in both her education and professional life, MayaBea has always been fascinated by the intersection of language, culture, and disability. Through this trip, she hopes to learn more about the way Israel and Judaism treat those who need our help most of all.
Laurie Landy
Manalapan, New Jersey
Laurie Landy is a social entrepreneur who has dedicated her life to bettering the community. As an Occupational Therapist, Laurie founded Special Strides, a nonprofit, therapy clinic and equine facilitated activity center. Weekly, 150 clients throughout the lifespan enhance their lives through the partnership of the natural environment and engagement with horses. Laurie serves on several boards such as the Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ, Special Strides and Neighbors Fundraising for Neighbors. Laurie is looking forward to connecting, learning with other professionals in a milieu that is full of innovation and tikum olam from an administrative and therapeutic perspective.
Susan Rehr
Manalapan, New Jersey
Susie Rehr, a physical therapist for 32 years, has been involved in healthcare from many different angles. Treating adults with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury and strokes in her early career and specializing in pediatrics with the use of hippotherapy for the past 20 years. While enjoying the treatment of current clients, she has set her sight on the future of the profession by teaching physical therapy students, other practicing therapists, and adaptive riding instructors. As the Executive Director of Special Strides and past Vice President/Treasurer of the American Hippotherapy Association leadership roles have been elemental in her development.
Tova Chazanow
Manalapan, New Jersey
Tova was raised in Toronto, Canada and studied in Toronto and Brooklyn, NY. The Lubavitcher Rebbe sent Tova and her husband to establish a Chabad House in Monmouth County, NJ to create a Jewish community. In the past 30 years, Tova and her family have established many programs in the community. Chabad of Western Monmouth & Ocean County now has 5 locations each running a variety of programs geared to children, teens, adults and seniors. Tova runs the Bikur Cholim Hospital Visitation Program, Women’s Events and Classes, programs for seniors and helped establish the Friendship Circle of Central Jersey.
Fred Stock
Miami, Florida
As CEO, Fred oversees all functions of Jewish Community Services (JCS) — the largest non-profit Jewish social service agency in South Florida and one of the largest human services agencies in Miami. Fred came to JCS, in 2008, with a strong background and critical experience in the nonprofit sector. Fred had been the Chief Operating Officer of the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital – the largest geriatric healthcare facility in the Southeast. Fred is looking forward to learning about the different residential and outpatient programs for Autistic and related communities. He is interested in developing affordable housing options for adults with autism in South Florida.
Michael Alessandri
Miami, Florida
Michael Alessandri, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD). Dr. Alessandri is also Clinical Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics and Assistant Chairman of Community Outreach and Engagement in the Department of Psychology. He has worked with individuals with autism and their families for over 35 years. Dr. Alessandri has consulted, presented, and published around the globe and is very interested in exploring Israel’s unique approach to autism and related disabilities in terms of education, employment, and community engagement.
Mendy Dechter
Miami, Florida
Since he was a child Rabbi Mendy Dechter was focused on becoming an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. His love for humanity and every individual worldwide inspired and led Mendy on this wonderful journey to make a difference in the community. Mendy is the Executive Director of the Friendship Circle in Miami Beach and North Dade. Rabbi Dechter has made it his mission to bring the community together to love, accept and integrate those with disabilities. Mendy is looking forward to witnessing firsthand the miracles taking place in the Holy Land and drawing inspiration to further grow Friendship Circle in Miami.
Jon Levy
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jon is an Orthopaedic spine surgeon in private practice in Pittsburgh for the past 25 years. Jon and his wife Tracy have 3 children ages 24, 22, and 18. All of them were very much involved in Friendship Circle. Jon is very excited to be joining this national group of Friendship Circles to learn about Israel’s innovations and advancements of integrating individuals with special needs in the broader community.
Laura Marshak
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Laura has been a professional advisor to Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh since it’s inception. In addition, she is a professor at Indiana University of Pittsburgh and a psychologist in private practice. Her career has focused largely on matters pertaining to individual and family adaptation to disability and quality of life issues. She has written eight books for professionals and/or the public on disability related topics. Laura is looking forward to learning about Israel’s progressive vocational programs as well as those that exemplify good inclusion.
Mordy Rudolph
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Rabbi Mordy graduated high school at Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh, and studied in London, England, and Israel, before receiving his Rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinical College of America at Morristown. In 2006, together with his wife Rivkee, they founded the Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh. Mordy is looking forward to learning about new programming initiatives that he can implement at Friendship Circle and the Jewish Community in Pittsburgh.
Rivkee Rudolph
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Rivkee serves as the co-director of Friendship Circle along with her husband Mordy. She graduated high school at Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh and continued seminary studies in Israel. She has several years of experience in Early Education and taught several years of pre-school in Pittsburgh and New York. Rivkee looks forward to learning about creating a more inclusive community and how Israel’s government and nonprofit organizations foster inclusion.
Tracy Levy
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tracy is a Dermatologist in solo private practice in Pittsburgh for the past 22 years. Tracy and her husband have three children ages 24, 22, and 18. All of them were very much involved in Friendship Circle, Tracy is an active member of Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh’s Board of Trustees, and currently serves as the President of the Board. Tracy is excited to learn about Israel’s progress in inclusion and vocation and advancement for individuals with special needs, and bring their wisdom back to Pittsburgh.
Chana Kavka
Sydney, Australia
Chana Kavka with her husband Sender, brought the Friendship Circle to Sydney. Chana completed a Masters of Special Education at Touro College. She has experience working as a preschool classroom teacher and has worked at the Auditory Oral School of NY, an early intervention preschool for children with hearing impairments and auditory processing disorders. Today Chana focuses on increasing the social participation of individuals with a disability through advocacy, education and outreach at the community level. Joining this trip will provide Chana with fresh ideas and will provide an experience that challenges our current thinking, ideas and strategies.
Sender Kavka
Sydney, Australia
Sender currently serves as the Executive Director of the Friendship Circle of Sydney Australia. He focuses on volunteer recruitment, leadership development, program management and stakeholder engagement. Sender is a native of Seattle has over 20 years of community programming experience including the management of several day and overnight camps, community engagement in Poland and student engagement at New York University. Sender is looking forward to exploring the innovation and progress in the most ancient region in the world and is looking forward to bringing back these ideas to Sydney.