Our Board of Directors provides Keshet with the direction and forward momentum needed to not only grow our services but also our impact and connection to our community. Many board members have been with us from the very beginning, while many are new voices, helping us navigate the decisions needed to continue our growth now and in the future. Keshet’s board is unique with at least 51% of directors being families members of people with disabilities.
Become a VolunteerMichelle is an author, life coach, and self-described professional board member, who has given her time and talents to many Jewish nonprofits. As a blind woman, Michelle holds fast to the motto of the disabled community, “nothing about us without us,” and feels a deep, personal commitment and connection to Keshet’s mission.
Gil has worked in the advertising, graphic arts and direct mail printing industry for over 35 years. He was introduced to Keshet in 2008 and served as an active member of the Professional Leadership Board until 2018. Gil joined the Board of Directors to help make a difference in the lives of our participants and families.
Steven has been an executive in the healthcare industry for many years, most recently as the Chief Corporate Development Officer of Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. He has three children: Ali, Lizzie and Jason, a Keshet MY Life resident.
Barbara is a retired Chicago Public School principal. As the mother of Bradley, Keshet has been part of their lives for over twenty years and is so grateful for the outstanding programming and friendships it has given him.
Estella is a GADOL participant. She lives in a home with five roommates and loves to paint and cook. Estella is dedicated to Keshet and helping people.
Jeremy is a long-term health care operator at Tower Hill Healthcare Center. He generously gives his time as a board member to many organizations in our community. Keshet is important to his family as his daughter is a student in our school.
Asher is a proud parent of Keshet GADOL team member Noah Bronfeld. He is a CPA and experienced owner with a demonstrated history of working in the investment management industry.
Anna is a long-time supporter of Keshet, having grown up at Solomon Schechter Day School, JCC day camps, and Camp Chi where inclusion and belonging was the norm. Anna is the School Partnerships Manager at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
From the time she was a teenager, Chaya Tova has devoted herself to helping her local and global Jewish community. As a longtime supporter of Keshet, Chaya Tova is excited to see the organization grow and develop into one with a more strategic direction in creating a vision to support individuals with disabilities and their families.
Keshet has been a part of Gail’s life since her daughter Sarah first took part in Keshet Sunday School at five years old. Gail started her career as a CPA and recently retired from working in her family’s medical practice.
Michael Friedman is the CEO and Founder of Hilco IP Merchant Banking, an integrated provider of intellectual property advisory and monetization services, and principal investor in intellectual property-related transactions. He is also a Lecturer in Law at The University of Chicago Law School and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Northwestern University Law School.
Mitchell is an accomplished attorney at Much Shelist with more than 20 years of experience. He has long been a supporter of civic and charitable causes in Chicago and beyond and has made social responsibility and philanthropy two of his firm’s highest commitments.
Wendy is the first Chief Entertainment Officer at Wintrust, where she collaborates with leadership to establish strategies for business success through client and employee engagement. She is excited to join the Keshet community and contribute to the mission.
Andrew is an associate at Much Shelist with a focus on corporate law and representing private equity firms. He is also the brother of Rachel, Keshet MY Life resident. For the past two years, Andrew and his wife, Galya, have sat on numerous Keshet fundraising and event committees.
When it comes to passion about Keshet, Doug is it. He is inspired by all the organization does for his son and so many others. Professionally, Doug is an accomplished media and marketing executive having worked with the Walt Disney Company, Oprah Winfrey, Sony, Nate Berkus, Queen Latifah, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and Hearst Magazines.
Doug currently serves as BBYO’s Director of Learning and Development, where he works with staff to train on and support their work with teen leaders. Doug has chosen to commit time to Keshet because of his passion for inclusion—in all forms and settings—and is excited to help however he can.
At Keshet, we are fortunate to have such a dedicated, caring and wide-reaching community. We recognize the following Honorary Trustees for their tremendous service to Keshet. Keshet awards this honorific to people for their years of leadership and/or role in founding of Keshet.
Sharon & Charles z”l Frankel
Phillip Goldstick
Robert & Debra Hartman
Mark & Micki z”l Iris
Dr. Kevin Kirshenbaum
Dr. Sandy & Glenda Mason
Michael Maling
Milton & Laurie Wakschlag
In the spirit of constant evolution and growth, Keshet is excited to announce two new volunteer leadership councils. Becoming a member of these groups provides you with an insider’s view into Keshet, non-profits and our community. You’ll find many opportunities for hands-on leadership, social networking and sharing your passion for inclusion. Both councils are currently accepting new members.
At Keshet, we have made a commitment to create a community of belonging where people of all abilities learn, play, work, live, and grow together. The Leadership Council is a team of volunteer professionals who drive that commitment via targeted fundraising and advocacy efforts to support one specific area of Keshet’s budget annually.
This targeted fundraising focus is determined by the council in partnership with Keshet’s leadership team in May of each calendar year, followed by a strategy meeting where the council will formalize plans to meet (and exceed) the goal.
The Next Generation Council is a team of recent college graduates and professionals who are committed to promoting Keshet’s mission and growing the organization’s impact. Through a series of social and outreach events, the council aims to engage the next generation of Keshet supporters, advocates and friends.
The inaugural council will be led by two co-chairs who will work to develop the council’s leadership team. Next Generation Council members are asked to make a minimum of a one-year commitment to the council.