Jewish Communal Women’s Leadership Project

Lauren Appelbaum is vice president of communications at RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can participate fully in the community. From entertainment professionals to presidential campaigns, journalists to philanthropists, she conducts trainings on the why and how to be more inclusive and accessible. Appelbaum is the author of “The Hollywood Disability Inclusion Toolkit” and the managing editor of The RespectAbility Report. She has also created an innovative Lab Program for entertainment professionals with disabilities working behind the camera, and supervises RespectAbility’s Fellowship Program. Outside of work, Appelbaum is the co-chair of Congregation Har Shalom's Disability Inclusion Committee and an active member of the synagogue's Sherman Early Childhood Center Parent Association. She also serves on the American Jewish Committee: ACCESS – DC Board in Washington, D.C. Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Appelbaum has a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University; she also has undergraduate degrees from Columbia University (political science) and the Jewish Theological Seminary (Midrash). She currently lives in Potomac, Maryland with her husband, daughter and dog.

Rachel Gildiner is the executive director of GatherDC, an innovative community-based start-up that connects Jewish 20s and 30s to each other, to Jewish life across D.C., and to sustained adult Jewish identities, wherever they go next. With over 12 years of professional experience in the fields of emerging adult identity development and relationship-based engagement, Rachel believes in the power of personal connection to build Jewish community. Rachel is also committed to the equity and advancement of women in the Jewish workplace and beyond, and has launched a vibrant national Facebook community to address these issues. Rachel has a B.A. in sociology from Columbia University, an M.A. in higher education administration from The George Washington University, and a certificate in experiential Jewish education from Yeshiva University. Rachel lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and three children.

Samantha Kupferman has worked in strategic communications on behalf of nonprofits, professional services organizations and public sector entities for the past decade. She was one of the original team members of the Washington-based strategic communications firm, West End Strategy Team (WEST), when it opened its doors in 2013, and she launched its New York office in 2015. At WEST, Samantha leads business development and marketing. She also conceptualizes and manages public relations and issue-based campaigns for nonprofit, advocacy and foundation clients, including significant work with organizations advancing human rights in the United States and globally. In addition to previous roles at private sector communications firms including Marathon Strategies in New York and Rabinowitz/Dorf Communications in Washington, Samantha has served as deputy communications director for Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, and as a features and city desk reporter at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock, focusing on coverage of the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Samantha holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and a bachelor’s degree in international politics from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where she received a certificate in Latin American Studies and during which time she studied in Chile and Spain. A proud Hoya, since graduating, she has served as a volunteer alumni interviewer of undergraduate applicants. She has spent significant time supporting nonprofits engaged in adult literacy programs, including serving as president of the board and as an English as a second language tutor for Literacy Action of Central Arkansas, and on the executive board of the Literacy Council of Montgomery County, Maryland. Samantha, a Washington-area native, lives in Bethesda with her husband and son.

Robyn Judelsohn leads BBYO’s Immersives Department and BBYO’s International Convention. She has worked with her team to grow the size and number of BBYO’s immersive programs, strengthen the programs, Jewish content, staff and curriculum training. In addition, Robyn manages BBYO’s commitment to growing our inclusion and mental health initiatives. Recently Robyn was promoted to direct BBYO’s International Convention, which has grown to over 3,000 teens from around the world and 5,000 total participants. Robyn serves as part of the BBYO Management Team. Robyn worked at JFNA (Jewish Federations of North America) for 10 years as a senior director with responsibility for community planning, disaster response, and public affairs in the Washington, D.C. office. Prior to working in the Jewish community, Robyn worked in politics for 10 years traveling to 30 states to work with state political parties, candidates for President, U.S. Senate, and other local offices. Robyn loves to be outside and active and travel the world. She also serves on the board of Girls on the Run Montgomery County and Perlman Camp. Robyn lives in Maryland with her husband, David, and her two children, Logan and Lily.

Malki Karkowsky is the director of women’s philanthropy at The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. She has always been interested in the intersection of Judaism and women: Her time as a professional in the Jewish community has focused on building connections with, between, and among members of the Jewish community, with a special focus on women and girls. Malki is interested in asking and discussing big questions about the Jewish (and broader) community and taking a wide-ranging, systemic look at affecting change to respond to those questions. Her time at local, national, and international organizations has given her a unique perspective on the Jewish community and women’s role in it as members, professionals, and changemakers. Malki lives in Silver Spring, Md. with her lovely, supportive husband, Jamie, and three adorable children (Shai, 7; Areli 4; and Tali 14 months.)

Michelle Malet holds a master of social work degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Arts degree in Jewish Communal Service from Gratz College. Throughout 18 years in the philanthropy industry, she has raised more than $40 million. She brings extensive experience working with Jewish organizations and has a deep-seated passion for philanthropy and Jewish communal building. Michelle serves as the director of development of the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, where she is leading the campaign to raise $34 million and a $10 million endowment to build the new Jewish Museum of the Nation’s Capital. The Museum will inspire visitors to connect, reflect and act: Connect across families and diverse communities; reflect on the relevance of the past to today; and act on behalf of their communities and values. Prior to this role, she spent four years in Melbourne, Australia, where she led the Jewish Holocaust Museum’s $10 million Capital Campaign and served as director of the Holocaust Centre’s $10 million foundation. She has also worked on national and international campaigns for The George Washington University and University of Melbourne.