Chevy Chase, Md.,-- Rachel Mohl Abrahams, an AVI CHAI Foundation senior program officer specializing in Jewish education and day school initiatives, will join the Jewish Education Innovation Challenge’s (JEIC) professional team in January 2020 as part of her new role as senior advisor for education grants and programs at the Mayberg Foundation, which incubates JEIC.
As senior advisor, Abrahams will direct her efforts to both the Mayberg Foundation's core grantmaking program and JEIC’s work with day school grantees, innovative Jewish educational initiatives and philanthropic partnerships. Abrahams brings more than two decades of experience in Jewish educational project design, program management, and evaluation.
Abrahams will advance the impact and scope of JEIC’s grantmaking, which supports the scaling and implementation of contemporary, proven educational models designed to reignite students’ passion for Jewish learning and improve the way Jewish values, literacy, practice, and belief are transferred to the next generation. Additionally, she will elevate JEIC’s position as a positive disrupter in the Jewish day school field by conferring with staff and stakeholders on organizational strategy and advocating for change initiatives in Jewish education.
As part of her new role, Abrahams will build on AVI CHAI’s important work in personalized learning by continuing to champion these methodologies in Jewish education.
“We are so excited to bring Rachel’s knowledge and experience to our work creating radical change in Jewish day schools,” said Sharon Freundel, JEIC Managing Director. “In particular, her expertise about so many different approaches to personalized learning will be essential in helping our grantees and partners realize successes that will ultimately benefit the students.”
Abrahams holds an M.A. in Bible from Bernard Revel Graduate School and a J.D. from the Cardozo School of Law, and she previously worked as an attorney specializing in family law. She lives with her family in New York.
The Jewish Education Innovation Challenge (JEIC) is a bold initiative to catalyze radical change in Jewish day schools across North America. By collaborating with educators, funders, influencers, and consumers JEIC challenges day schools to optimize student internalization of Jewish wisdom, identity, and decision making in the modern world. Initiated in 2012 and incubated by the Mayberg Foundation, JEIC draws support through multiple philanthropic partners in its pursuit of lasting school change through directed funding, philanthropic partnerships, impactful conferences, and innovative educational enterprises.
For questions, contact Rebecca Weisman, senior communications officer, at communications@mayberg.org.