EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Steven J. Edelstein | Executive Director
615.356.3242 ext. 250
Since 2000, Steve Edelstein has been the executive director for the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. In his role, Steve oversees direct service responsibilities in campaign, administration, supervision, planning and community relations.
Prior to joining JFN, Steve served as Associate Director of the United Jewish Communities/Council of Jewish Federations, midwest office; Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Toledo, Ohio; the Jewish Federation of New Bedford, Massachusetts; Assistant Director of the Jewish Community Federation of Rochester, New York; and, Campaign and Planning Associate of the Associated Jewish Charities in Baltimore, Maryland. Steve holds a Masters in Social Work from the
Toni Caldwell | Executive Assistant
615.356.3242 ext. 241
Since 2001, Toni Caldwell has been the Assistant to the Executive Director for the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. In her role, Toni provides support to the executive director with primary responsibilities in the areas that involve the Federation Board and the Annual Campaign’s annual allocations process. In addition, she provides support to the executive staff with various projects or responsibilities as directed by the executive director. Toni holds a Bachelors of Science from
CAMPAIGN
Naomi Sedek Limor | Campaign Director
615.356.3242 ext. 242
Naomi Limor Sedek is Campaign Director for the Jewish Federation and oversees the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign as well as VIP trips to Israel and Community Missions. During campaign time, Naomi primarily works with our Major Gifts Society as well as Men's and Women's Divisions. Naomi has been with the Jewish Federation of Nashville since 1996, as Campaign Associate, Director of Special Projects and Campaign Leadership Director. Naomi is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Naomi holds a Bachelors in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies from Brandeis University. She is fluent in Hebrew and proficient in Arabic.
Susan Pankowsky | Campaign Assistant | Newcomer Liaison
615.356.3242 ext. 276
Susan Pankowsky serves as Campaign Assistant to the Jewish Federation of Nashville. As such, she assists the campaign and communications departments in maintaining the Federation donor database and pledge card files, tracking campaign expenses, and managing e-Blast communications. As Newcomer Liaison, she welcomes Newcomers to Nashville and connects them to the Nashville Jewish Community.
Susan has worked as a librarian for almost 20 years, including in the past as the librarian and currently as a consultant for the Jewish Federation of Nashville. She currently serves on the Board of the Nashville Chapter of Hadassah. A native of
FOUNDATION
Andrea Gilbert Berger | Foundation Director
615.356.3242 ext. 260
Since 2004, Andrea has been the Director of the Jewish Foundation of Nashville. In her role, Andrea oversees the endowment division of the Jewish Federation of Nashville and is responsible for its overall administration and marketing, including the Jewish Foundation’s Book of Life program, its B’nai Tzedek program and annual grants process. She was also a speaker at the 2007 UJC General Assembly in
Andrea is an attorney by profession, having practiced at law firms in
Risa Klein Herzog | Foundation Development Director
615.356.3242 ext. 251
As Foundation Director, Risa is responsible for raising endowments to secure the future of the Jewish People. Previously, Risa spent eight years as the Campaign Director for the Jewish Federation, raising funds to help Jews in need locally, in
Prior to joining the Jewish Federation of Nashville, Risa has served the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, raising funds for their statewide arts education program, Humanities Outreach in Tennessee ( H.O.T.). She has served as Executive Director for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, raising funds for lifesaving research. At age 28, Risa participated in Livnot U'Lehibanot – To Build and to be Built, a three-month work, study and hiking program in
Carolyn Benick | Foundation Assistant
615.356.3242 ext. 268
Carolyn has been the Jewish Foundation Assistant since 2003. In her role, she assists the Director with the annual grant process, monthly grant recommendations, the Foundation Board of Directors, and the B’nai Tzedek program.
Prior to serving as Foundation Assistant, Carolyn was Administrative Assistant with the Jewish Family Service for 11 years and also assisted with the Jewish Observer as well as the Controller with accounts receivables and payables.
FINANCE
Vanessa Leibowitz | Chief Financial Officer
615.356.3242 ext. 224
Vanessa joined the Jewish Federation of Nashville in 2001 and has been the Chief Financial Officer since January 2007. In this capacity, Vanessa oversees all accounting, finance and human resources operations. Prior to becoming CFO, Vanessa also served as Accounting Associate, Assistant Controller and Controller.
Prior to joining the Federation, Vanessa worked in private industry in
Heath Hinson
Accounting Associate & H.R. Specialist
615.356.3242 ext. 254
Heath Hinson is Accounting Associate/HR Specialist. As accounting associate, he assists with Accounts Payable for the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Foundation, as well as billing and receivables for the Jewish Observer newspaper. As HR Specialist, Heath is responsible for setting up new employees, processing payroll and administering benefits. Heath attended
Tania Bukengolts | Accounting Assistant
615.356.3242 ext. 253
Since April 2007 Tania Bukengolts has been an Accounting Assistant for the Jewish Federation. As such, she processes journal entries, pledges, payments, billing and tax letters in addition to other general accounting duties.
Prior to joining the Federation, Tania worked at Global Trade Technologies as a Quality Assurance Analyst in
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Judith A. Saks | Director
615.356.3242 ext. 237
Judy Saks has been Community Relations Director for the Jewish Federation since 1998. She also serves as Editor of the Jewish Observer.
A native of
OBSERVER
Judith A. Saks | Editor
615.356.3242 ext. 237
Judy Saks has been Editor of The Observer, the community newspaper published by the Jewish Federation of Nashville since 1987. She also serves as Community Relations Director.
A native of
Kathy Carlson | Staff Writer
615.352.9839 or 615.352.9155
Kathy became a writer for the Observer, the Federation's bimonthly newspaper, in 2006 and covers events and people in
She has been a copy editor and reporter for the Nashville Banner and The Tennessean, covering law enforcement, business, and general assignment topics, and also was a writer and editor for M. Lee Smith Publishers, covering employment law topics. Kathy practiced law with a legal services organization and as in-house counsel with experience in employment law before returning to her career of preference, journalism. Kathy received her law degree from
LIBRARY/ARCHIVES
Leona Fleischer | Assistant Librarian
library@jewishnashville.org
615.356.3242 ext. 255
Leona Fleischer serves as the assistant librarian for the Jewish Federation of Nashville. In her role, she is responsible for the management of the five Jewish institutional libraries including: The Temple, West End Synagogue, Sherith
Prior to joining the Federation staff she was an involved community volunteer and continues such work in her spare time. Leona earned a Bachelors in Management Information Systems from the
IT
Allen Cummings | Information Technology Director
615.356.3242 ext. 275
Allen has been Director of Information Technology for the Jewish Federation since 2001. In his role, he maintains the Jewish Federation’s computer system, network capabilities and phone system.
Prior to joining the Jewish Federation, Allen was a Network Technician for an IT service company, maintaining its client computers and servers. Allen is A+ certified by the Computer Technology Industry Association.
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