Amid Growth of The Jewish Education Project, Susan H. Wachsstock Promoted to Executive Director, Amy Amiel Joins Team as New Chief Program Officer

PRESS RELEASE - June 16, 2023 

Contact: Jason Edelstein, 510-239-1102

Under leadership of President Lois Kohn-Claar and CEO David Bryfman, agency continues to expand engagement and educator support nationally

(New York) – Amid growth and expansion of its programs and resources supporting Jewish educators and learners, The Jewish Education Project today announced the promotion of Susan H. Wachsstock to Executive Director, reporting directly to CEO David Bryfman. Additionally, Amy Amiel is joining the professional team as the agency’s new Chief Program Officer. The promotion and new hire position The Jewish Education Project to further expand its leadership role in research, innovation, and professional development offerings to advance Jewish education.

“Susan has been one of the driving forces leading The Jewish Education Project’s exciting growth and increased impact over the last few years,” says David Bryfman, CEO. “We now serve educators in New York, nationally, and globally, covering numerous sectors and age cohorts in the field. Following the pandemic and other changes in education and family life, our work is more critical than ever. We are thrilled to have Susan’s talents, wisdom, and dedication to continue leading the way.”

Susan will oversee the integration of all work across agency divisions including Programming, Development and Operations. She has been with The Jewish Education Project for 9 years, including 4 years as the agency’s Chief Program Officer, and has been pivotal in the evolution and success of the agency as a thought leader, innovator, and provider of high-quality professional development. She previously served as the Managing Director of Jewish Education and Engagement, in which she supervised a team of several senior staff, and managed multi-year grants from major philanthropic partners, notably in the Jewish Teen engagement space through grants from UJA-Federation of New York, the Jim Joseph Foundation, and others in the Jewish Teen Education & Engagement Funder Collaborative.

Susan will officially begin her new position on July 1, 2023.  

“I’m deeply fortunate to work with such a dedicated team at the forefront of Jewish education,” says Susan Wacksstock. “We will continue to deliver high quality research and professional development opportunities and resources that support Jewish educators in the very best way possible.”

Amy Amiel was most recently a Senior VP at the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education, which brings hands-on STEAM learning to more than 170 Jewish day schools and yeshivot across 17 states impacting thousands of students annually. She worked previously at the Samis Foundation as a Senior Program Officer.

“Amy brings vital experience and a deep understanding of the important role Jewish education can play in families’ lives if we think big and push the envelope,” adds Bryfman. “We are excited to have Amy lead our efforts as we look to reach even more educators and communities.”

“I’m excited to join The Jewish Education Project at a time filled with opportunities,” says Amy Amiel, Chief Program Officer of The Jewish Education Project. “People are searching for experiences that help them find meaning and community. Jewish education, when done right, can be that vehicle–and our entire community benefits when more people thrive.”

The Jewish Education Project engages thousands of educators annually through training programs and other resources. It is a thought leader in the field of Jewish education, hosting podcasts and publishing papers on everything from student mental health, to Israel education, to educator pipeline challenges, and more. It also produces research, including the recently released From Census to Possibilities: Designing Pathways for Jewish Learners, that inform and shape policies and resource allocation by funders and other leaders.

 

 

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The Jewish Education Project is dedicated to inspiring and empowering educators to create transformative Jewish experiences.  The Jewish Education Project embraces the power of community and bold innovation to meet the need for relevant and meaningful Jewish education, working to ensure a vibrant Jewish landscape for all.  For more information, please visit https://jewishedproject.org