In the fall of 2023, I was searching for something deeper. I applied to the Hineni Volunteer Network program through Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) because I felt a powerful calling to reconnect with my Jewish identity as I prepared for my marriage later that year. I wanted to step into this new stage of life surrounded by community and purpose, and I was especially motivated to strengthen Boston’s Jewish life for young adults. Hineni matches community members with Jewish communal organizations that need governance and advisory support. My application and interviews coincided with the High Holidays—those reflective weeks when we ask who we want to become and how we want to show up. I didn’t know it then, but the world was about to change with Oct. 7 just weeks away.
I also felt personally driven by my heritage. I am both Russian and Ukrainian, and as the war in Ukraine intensified, I felt drawn to find ways to bridge these communities—here in Boston and abroad. I wanted to honor my family’s roots while supporting Jewish communities in Ukraine facing enormous challenges.
Hineni placed me in several unique roles: serving on the board of Action for Post-Soviet Jewry (ASPJ), an organization focused on strengthening Jewish life in the former Soviet states through community engagement and humanitarian efforts; joining CJP’s Young Adult Leadership Board; and serving as co-chair of the Ben Gurion Society, CJP’s donor recognition society for young adults who contribute $1,000 or more annually to the Annual Campaign. Each role has given me a different lens on what leadership means and why it matters.
Shortly after joining the Ben Gurion Society, we welcomed Michael Uram for a powerful conversation about how we connect with others even when we disagree. The dialogue was honest and grounded—not in politics, but in empathy and community. We explored how to listen to one another, stay curious, and build bridges across differing experiences and identities. It was a meaningful moment of unity, especially as the climate for Jews in the U.S. and around the world became more complex and painful after Oct. 7.
That moment affirmed something for me: Leadership isn’t only about programming, fundraising, or strategy. It’s about cultivating belonging, resilience, and shared purpose. The events of Oct. 7—followed by rising antisemitism—only underscored how urgent it is to help young Jews connect with their heritage, Israel, and each other through culture, education, and community.
My work with ASPJ has allowed me to bring that same mindset to global Jewish responsibility. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with leadership on ways to engage young adults through brainstorming sessions, outreach, and event planning. We’ve worked to strengthen awareness around ASPJ’s mission, build intergenerational connections, and develop a strategic plan for the future, while honoring the organization’s legacy. These experiences have taught me how to activate volunteers, communicate impact, and build momentum around mission-driven work.
Looking back, I joined Hineni because I wanted to be part of something rooted in heritage and meaning. Today, I feel even stronger in that conviction. Community is not something you simply join—it’s something you build alongside others. Hineni has helped me step into leadership, deepen my connection to my identity, and contribute to Jewish life in Boston during a moment when we need one another more than ever.