NHC Board of Directors

Current as of February 2024

Executive Board

Chair
Susan Gulack

Vice-Chair
vacant

Immediate Past Chair
Darius Sivin

Treasurer
Martin Manley

Secretary
vacant

Members at Large

Abigail Bellows

Cathy Bowers

Leah Zeitler

Glenda McKinney

Michal Richardson

Raysh Weiss

Programs Director

Ilana Teitel

Operations Director
Alyse Portera

About the NHC Board

The NHC has a working board of directors. Most of the board’s real work happens in the times between board meetings. Board members attend meetings three times a year and commit to a two-year term.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors consists of the Chair (or Co-Chairs), Immediate Past Chair (or Co-Chairs), Chair (or Co-Chairs) Elect, Vice Chairs (if any), Secretary, and Treasurer.  The Executive Committee has the power to make decisions on behalf of the Board between the three annual meetings of the Board (November, March/April, and August), within certain limits.  The Executive Board meets every two weeks.

The NHC team of new and old board members considers these and other exciting questions:

  • How can the NHC provide new kinds of support to, and serve as the connecting hub for, the hundreds of grassroots Jewish communities that already exist across North America? How can we support the growth of new communities?
  • How can the NHC partner with organizations and foundations with similar goals?
  • How can we make the NHC more accessible– financially and otherwise– to a more diverse group of people?
  • How can the NHC deepen its financial and volunteer base to achieve these goals?

Board members are also expected to:

  • serve as representatives of the NHC, interpreting the NHC’s work and values to the larger community,
  • stay informed about the NHC, ask questions, and take responsibility for making informed policy, budget, and programming decisions,
  • serve on at least one board committee,
  • attend at least one NHC event each year,
  • participate actively in discussions and be willing to contribute, collaborate, listen, give, and take,
  • follow through on all work commitments and stay in good communication with board members and committee heads, and
  • Support NHC fundraising efforts in a way that is personally meaningful and appropriate to your situation.

Joining the Board

Board Member Role Description

The NHC board of directors welcomes people with skills in (or a willingness to learn) PR and marketing, grant writing, fund raising, organizational planning and management, accounting/budgeting, nonprofit board governance and development, volunteer support, and computer/website/technology.

In applying to serve on the NHC board, you are signaling your commitment to work hard toward growing and supporting this vibrant, joyful Jewish organization.

In return is your chance to shape the future of North American Judaism. Serving on the NHC board is your opportunity to dream, think big, and act with a group of passionate pioneers of havurah Judaism, past and present. It’s your chance to work with people who will appreciate your contributions, support your efforts to learn and develop new skills, and work collaboratively with you to make the NHC the best it can be. Havurah values are changing the face of American Judaism. We invite you to bring your own unique perspective, expertise, and talents to the conversation.

We warmly invite you to consider joining the team that’s building the NHC’s future.  If you are interested, please reach out to volunteer@havurah.org.