What is the Young Adult Peer Connector Network?
What do the Peer Connectors do?
This Network is made up of incredible engagement professionals from different Jewish organizations in San Francisco, the South Bay, and the East Bay. They’re here to help young adult Jewish folks across the Bay Area find meaning and connection in Jewish life and community.
From their organizational home bases — ranging from an urban farm to a JCC to a synagogue without walls — Peer Connectors:
- build relationships with fellow Jewish 20- and 30-somethings.
- take peers out to coffee to learn about their interests, passions, and challenges.
- and connect young adults to resources, people, and programming — within their respective organizations and in the wider community.
Who is this for?
Whether you’re new to Jewish life, just curious about Jewish community, or have been connected to Jewish tradition for most of your life, the Peer Connectors are here to support you on your journey.
If you’re curious about one of their organizations, or just want to chat, reach out to them at their emails below to start the conversation — they would love to take you to coffee.
Piloted in 2019 and now in its 7th year, the Peer Connector Network is a collaboration between the Federation and GatherDC, that trains and coaches the connectors in relationship-based engagement. Want to learn more about this innovative initiative? Reach out to Amanda Cohen, Director of Community Partnerships and Grantmaking.
Emma Goss
Emma Goss (she/her) is the Young Adult Program Coordinator for ENGAJ at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto.
Emma grew up in the Bay Area and is excited to co-create fun and meaningful Jewish experiences in hopes of sparking lasting friendships and fostering an inclusive environment.
She founded a Jewish young adult group in Bakersfield with social and cultural events and volunteer opportunities.
Emma loves testing out new recipes in the kitchen and sharing her best ones with friends and family. She’s also always up for a hike, grabbing coffee and meeting new people.
Maya Katz-Ali
Maya Katz-Ali (she/her) is the Senior Community & Partnerships Manager of OneTable after returning from a fellowship at Jews of Color Initiative.
Maya was born and raised in a multicultural home in Oakland, California where she learned about building community across global contexts and bringing people together. She is an active community member and loves to be out in the field. She participates in the LUNAR Collective as a speaker and community ambassador. Maya sees sharing stories, traditions, and values across the dinner table as central to our growth as a global community.
Celena Ritchey
Celena Ritchey (she/her) is the Senior Program Associate at Repair the World in the Bay Area.
Celena is a Midwesterner at heart having West Coast adventures. She earned her BS in Environmental Policy from Ohio State University and did a Summer of Service with AmeriCorps VISTA following graduation, which inspired her to serve with Repair in Detroit as a Fellow.
Since then, she has worked in nonprofits in both Program Management and Volunteer Coordination roles. Celena enjoys volunteering in local community gardens. If you ever need to find her, check the thrift stores down Haight Ashbury.
Laine Schlezinger
Laine Schlezinger (they/them) is the Program Associate at Urban Adamah, a farm and community center in Berkeley.
Born and raised on the Peninsula, and recent graduate of The George Washington University, their passion for facilitating safe, creative, and liberating spaces has led them to work in Jewish education, academic writing consulting, transgender student organizing, and now, public programming and community-building at a Jewish urban farm!
When they’re not at the farm, you’ll likely find Laine getting messy in the ceramics studio or searching East Bay for the best matcha latte.