JUF Presents the 2019 Class of 36 Under 36

From meeting with legislators to stop the spread of misinformation regarding vaccines to designing LEED-certified buildings, today’s generation of innovators and philanthropists continues to make its mark.

The Jewish United Fund of Chicago (JUF) is proud to announce the eighth annual “Double Chai in the Chi: 36 Under 36” list of young Jewish movers and shakers in the Chicago area. The list showcases Jewish professionals in their 20s and 30s making major contributions through their work, free time, in the Jewish community, and beyond.

No matter their day job, these young professionals all share one common purpose: to give back. Chicago is rich with countless organizations, including nonprofits founded by honorees: Richard Schoenstadt Memorial Foundation, Hair For You Foundation, and Metropolitan Schoolhouse.

“Even a quick scan of the list provides a glimpse of the tremendous creativity, ingenuity, drive, and philanthropy of this generation and of their potential to shape and lead our community’s future,” says Stefanie Pervos Bregman, Oy!Chicago’s co-founding editor.

The annual “36 Under 36” list is supported, in part, by the Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation and its dedication to the present and future preservation of the Jewish people.

Donations to JUF of up to $36 in recognition of a 36 Under 36 honoree will be matched in full, doubling the impact and benefit to those in need in the community. To learn more and to donate, visit the JUF website.

JUF's 36 Under 36 2019

This year’s honorees:

  • Jillian Agdern, 33, of Glenview, architect at Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
  • Rebecca Boumstein, 33, of Arlington Heights, pediatric hematology/oncology nurse practitioner and founder of Hair For You
  • Miriam Brosseau, 35, of Evanston, founder of Tiny Windows Consulting
  • Tani Prell Epstein, 28, of Edgewater, director of Jewish learning and engagement at Emanuel Congregation
  • Scott Frazin, 35, of Lakeview, investment adviser, Anshe Emet Synagogue and JCYS board member
  • Anna Freedman, 34, of Lakeview, member of Anshe Sholom Bnai Israel and mikvah attendant pursuing a master’s in social work
  • Marissa Freeman, 27, of Lakeview, Chicago field manager at OneTable
  • Josh Frydman, 30, of Lakeview, WGN-TV sports anchor and reporter, host of “Sports Feed” on CLTV
  • Jason Garden, 34, of Lakeview, head of Investments at Citibank (Midwest)
  • Stephanie Goldfarb, 34, of Ravenswood, director of community engagement at Honeymoon Israel
  • Dana Gordon, 35, of West Town, jewelry designer — Dana Rebecca Designs
  • Nate Hartmann, 27, of Lakeview, CEO/founder of Yellow Box Studios
  • Samantha Isenstein, 33, of Andersonville, youth and young adult director at Anshe Emet Synagogue
  • Sarah Beren Karelitz, 35, of Wicker Park, consultant at Giving Tree Associates, member of JUF’s Young Women’s City Council
  • Jennifer Kelly, 32, of Rogers Park, founder and executive director of Metropolitan Schoolhouse
  • Karen Klass, 27, of River North, attorney and Keshet Junior Board Executive Committee member
  • Eve Reingold Kleinerman, 34, of Skokie, Illinois regional director for Sharsheret
  • Lauren Koenig, 28, of Buffalo Grove, senior risk management analyst at CVS Health and BBYO adviser
  • Jenni Kusma, 30, of Gold Coast, primary care pediatrician and health services research fellow at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
  • Avi Lesser, 32, of Highland Park, Keshet ambassador, lead singer of Avi Lesser Jug Band
  • Abby Mintz, 33, of Evanston, associate director of camper and staff life at Beber Camp
  • Liza Moskowitz, 25, of Lincoln Park, associate director of the Moishe House Without Walls program at Moishe House
  • Lori Orlinsky, 36, of Jefferson Park, children’s book author, director of marketing at WTTW Chicago
  • Revi Pearl, 34, of West Loop, senior manager at Deloitte, JUF Young Women’s City Council member
  • Amanda Pearlstein, 28, of West Loop, corporate banking relationship manager at PNC Bank, leader at Illinois Holocaust Museum
  • Benjamin Pisik, 28, of Lakeview, CPA at Charles Schwab Co., YLD Pride Committee member
  • Ross Putterman, 26, of Streeterville, BCG management consultant and founder of Richard Schoenstadt Memorial Foundation
  • Adam Rubenfire, 27, of Lakeview, content strategist at Modern Healthcare and Anshe Emet Synagogue board member
  • Rachel Sacks, 34, of Lakeview, president and owner of Leading Healthy Futures
  • Jordan Salins, 31, of River North, co-founder of Forager Logistics
  • Leah Sarna, 27, of Lakeview, rabbanit and director of religious engagement at Anshe Sholom B’nai Israel
  • Mike Schwartz, 32, of Lincoln Park, vice president of International Foodservice Manufacturers Association and outgoing YLD Board President
  • Ellie Spitz, 30, of Ravenswood, director of programs at Mishkan Chicago
  • Bill Steinberg, 25, of Highland Park, motivational speaker for Project SEARCH, project aide at Northwestern University Office of Alumni Relations and Development
  • Misha Vilenchuk, 25, of Buena Park, campus operations and development at KAHAL: Your Jewish Home Abroad
  • Eric Zoberman, 34, of Wicker Park, president of Percent Pledge and founding board member of Chicago Votes

The complete class of 2019 list is available on Oy!Chicago.


Emily Stone earned a degree in journalism from Elon University in North Carolina. Along with writing, Stone has a passion for digital storytelling and photography. Her work has been published in Chicago Athlete Magazine. Stone is a supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Stone is a fluent Spanish speaker who in her free time loves a good dance class.

 

 

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