The 2020-21 Jewish Teen Initiative Peer Leadership Fellows form a diverse group of leaders, representing communities, synagogues, camps and organizations throughout the Greater Boston area. They each have unique Jewish journeys with varied backgrounds and will be working to help create a more connected and inclusive community for their peers. Meet the Fellows and learn more about their stories below!
Jessica Deitel
Jessica Deitel is a junior at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, where she is involved in event planning and fundraising for the Class of 2022. Jessica has been dancing for 12 years. Jessica is a member of Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, and she spends her summers at Camp Tel Noar. Jessica loves spending time with her friends and working with the little kids at her dance studio.
Ari Dvorkin
Ari Dvorkin is a senior at Lexington High School. He participates in Model UN and Quiz Bowl clubs and enjoys playing the piano. Ari is also involved in NFTY Northeast and his youth group at Temple Shalom Emeth in Burlington.
Sam Goldstone
Sam Goldstone* is a senior at Wayland High School. He is involved in student government, currently serving his third term as class president, and loves to discuss and debate pressing political issues. He is super excited for his third year as a JTI Peer Leadership Fellow and is also excited to serve as NFTY Northeast’s programming vice president.
Lauren Greenwald
Lauren Greenwald is a senior at Needham High School, where she is involved in student council and the Rebels a cappella group, in addition to serving as a senior ambassador. Lauren attends Temple Beth Shalom in Needham and is a leader for Mayim Chayim BBYO. Fun fact about Lauren: She moved to Boston from Atlanta last August.
Leah Koritz
Leah Koritz* is a junior at Gann Academy, where she is involved in Girls Who Code, the school newspaper, the creative writing magazine, softball and soccer. Leah enjoys hiking, writing and spending time with friends and family. She is a member of Temple Beth Shalom in Needham and is excited for another year as a JTI Peer Leadership Fellow.
Ryan Levitan
Ryan Levitan is a junior at Framingham High School, where he is involved in a jazz band and enjoys music and technology. Ryan likes to learn how technology works and build and code robots. Ryan is a member of Temple Beth Am in Framingham and has spent his summers at Camp Tel Noar. He really likes to connect with people and is excited to be a JTI Peer Leadership Fellow.
Amanda Noah
Amanda Noah* is a senior at Framingham High School, where she is on the field hockey and ice hockey teams. Amanda enjoys spending time with her friends, is a member of Temple Beth Am in Framingham and spends her summer at Camp Tevya. She is also on the board for her local BBYO chapter.
Ben Resnick
Ben Resnick is a sophomore at Needham High School, where he serves as vice president of his class and is involved with the investment club and Take Back The Night, which promotes awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault and its prevention. Ben plays soccer and tennis, belongs to Temple Beth Shalom in Needham and has spent the last eight summers at Camp Tevya. In his free time, Ben enjoys spending time with his friends and playing Xbox.
Ben Schanzer
Ben Schanzer is a sophomore at Algonquin Regional High School, where he is involved in student government, the school newspaper and the yearbook. Ben enjoys running, skiing and hiking, especially in the White Mountains. Ben is a member of Congregation B’nai Shalom in Westborough and serves on the youth group board. Ben also attends URJ Crane Lake Camp and is involved in NFTY.
Eyal Sharon
Eyal Sharon is a senior at Framingham High School, where he is involved in track and field. Eyal enjoys helping teach classes at Hebrew school. He is a member of USY, Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland and Camp Tevya communities, and he serves on the Framingham USY board as Israel affairs vice president.
Talia Weinstock
Talia Weinstock* is a junior at Needham High School. She is involved in different sports teams and enjoys hanging out with friends, cooking and playing basketball and tennis. She is a member of Temple Aliyah in Needham and spends her summers at Camp Ramah.
*Denotes Senior Fellows.
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