Karla Van Praag Becomes JOI's New
Executive Director
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Dear Friends of JOI:
We are pleased to announce that Karla Van Praag has accepted JOI's offer to become our next Executive Director. Karla's unique background and stellar leadership skills will increase JOI's impact as we create the next generation of Jewish leaders and raise our profile to a national level. Karla brings to JOI a wealth of experience in community organizing and social justice, including five years
working at Boston's Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), where she served as the
Director of the Synagogue Social Justice Program, and then
subsequently the Director of Planning and Leadership Development. Karla was a major force behind the development of the Greater Boston
Synagogue Organizing Project. She also oversaw the synagogue justice portfolio at the JCRC. 
"Karla is one of the single most talented staff members we've ever had at the JCRC," noted JOI Board member and Executive Director of the JCRC Nancy Kaufman. "She combines a passion for community organizing with a commitment to social justice from a Jewish perspective, which is the perfect combination for the Director of JOI."
Over the past two years, Karla has further developed her
nonprofit management and leadership skills in areas including
fundraising and communications as the Deputy Director of the
Somerville Community Corporation. She has been
trained as a community organizer and worked in youth development in low-income communities in Washington D.C. and Boston. Karla brings to JOI in-depth connections to the secular and Jewish
social justice communities within Boston and elsewhere. She has already worked
with many JOI Fellows and alumni in various capacities.
Karla holds a graduate degree from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, where she was a Public Service Fellow, and is a graduate of Wesleyan University. She lives in Revere, MA with her husband Rafael and son Zakkai. Karla can be reached at karla@jewishorganizing.org.
Everyone at JOI is
excited to have Karla join us starting September 10th. We thank all those that have supported the organization through this time of transition. We know that we can count on you as we continue to develop and grow.
Sincerely,
Adam Rogoff, JOI Board President
Philip Rosenblatt, JOI Board Treasurer
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Thank You to Interim Executive Director
Ann Silverman
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All of us at JOI would very much like to acknowledge Ann Silverman, our invaluable Interim Executive Director, who ably steered JOI for over eight months and conducted a top-notch executive search which brought us Karla. JOI is very much indebted to her. We wish her well.
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Rabbi Jonah Pesner Joins JOI Board of Directors
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We would like to welcome Rabbi Jonah Pesner, a long-time supporter of the JOI community and valued mentor to JOI Fellows and alumni, as the newest member of our Board of Directors. Jonah brings vast experience as a former congregational rabbi at Temple Israel and as the current founding Director of Just Congregations, plus his personal commitment to justice and deep knowledge of Jewish values. Jonah is also a leader with other organizations including the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and Jewish Funds for Justice.
 "I am thrilled to be joining the
board as
Karla Van Praag takes
on the role of Executive
Director," Jonah said. "Karla's
significant experience as a
leader guiding the Jewish
community to pursue
justice
positions her to build JOI. By
strengthening the organization
and inspiring
the Fellows, she
will transform our ability to train
the next generation of
Jewish
organizers. We are blessed to
have her dedication and vision."
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