Board of Directors
Scott Rosen '10, President/Treasurer
Scott is a graduate of the McIntire School of Commerce with a double major in Economics. As a student, Scott was actively involved with the Jewish, McIntire and Greek communities. He was on the Board of Directors of Brody Jewish Center while a student, and rejoined as an alum in 2013.
Scott is passionate about accelerating U.S. healthcare system transformation as an investor, operator and advisor to innovative healthcare technology and services companies. Previously, he worked in the investment banking and private equity industries,
Scott is passionate about accelerating U.S. healthcare system transformation as an investor, operator and advisor to innovative healthcare technology and services companies. Previously, he worked in the investment banking and private equity industries,
Kate Belza-O'Bannon, Vice President
Kate Belza O'Bannon (she/her) serves as Repair the World's Chief Strategy Officer. In her role at Repair, she leads Repair's strategic planning, works with Repair's Board of Directors and key stakeholders, oversees development and digital strategy, and serves on Repair's Executive Team. She enjoys fusing her passions for tikkun olam, Judaism, and relationship building with other passionate leaders on the Repair team. Prior to joining Repair in 2017, Kate worked at the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, where she supported the Foundation's efforts to connect and support global networks of young Jewish adults. She started her career by completing a service year as a JDC Global Service Corps Fellow in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Kate studied at the University of Virginia, and serves on the boards and executive committees of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and Hillel at the University of Virginia. Kate is a recipient of the JPRO Network Young Professional Award. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with her husband, Clark, is an avid traveler, and can usually be found sipping on green tea and staying active through trying out the latest fitness trends, cooking (especially Asian cuisine as an homage to her Filipina heritage), and volunteering.
Kate studied at the University of Virginia, and serves on the boards and executive committees of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and Hillel at the University of Virginia. Kate is a recipient of the JPRO Network Young Professional Award. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with her husband, Clark, is an avid traveler, and can usually be found sipping on green tea and staying active through trying out the latest fitness trends, cooking (especially Asian cuisine as an homage to her Filipina heritage), and volunteering.
Gwen Goodkin, Secretary
Gwen Goodkin, a native of Philadelphia, has lived in Charlottesville with her family since 2002. Her professional background is in financial and database consulting. She worked for two small consulting businesses in St. Louis before moving to Boston in 1997 and starting her own firm. Her clients represented a wide range of family businesses and non-profits.
In Charlottesville, Gwen has volunteered in various positions for a number of different organizations. She is a long time volunteer with the Emergency Food Network and also coordinated the local TAP Project for UNICEF from 2007-2011. More recently, she has worked on special projects for the ACLU of Virginia and the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.
In Charlottesville, Gwen has volunteered in various positions for a number of different organizations. She is a long time volunteer with the Emergency Food Network and also coordinated the local TAP Project for UNICEF from 2007-2011. More recently, she has worked on special projects for the ACLU of Virginia and the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.
Fed Cohen, Immediate Past President/Member
Federico "Fed" Cohen Freue is Senior Vice President, Pricing and Investment Strategy at Mastercard, where he is responsible for pricing, investment management, and product strategy for Mastercard's Data & Services arm. Prior to this role, Fed was Vice President, Product Management, leading strategy and operations for Mastercard's Test & Learn analytics business. He joined through the acquisition of Applied Predictive Technologies (APT), where he led the firm's Latin America & Caribbean practice.
Fed has led engagements with major companies in fifteen countries and developed analytic techniques to optimize promotional and acquisition pricing, call center operations, and capital investments.
Fed graduated from UVA with a B.A. with Distinction in Applied Statistics and Economics. He lives in Washington, DC and recently finished his tenure as President of the Board of the Brody Jewish Center in Charlottesville, VA. Fed is a member of the Board for Yo-Yo Ma's Silkroad, a social impact organization working to make an impact across borders through the arts.
Fed has led engagements with major companies in fifteen countries and developed analytic techniques to optimize promotional and acquisition pricing, call center operations, and capital investments.
Fed graduated from UVA with a B.A. with Distinction in Applied Statistics and Economics. He lives in Washington, DC and recently finished his tenure as President of the Board of the Brody Jewish Center in Charlottesville, VA. Fed is a member of the Board for Yo-Yo Ma's Silkroad, a social impact organization working to make an impact across borders through the arts.
Stuart Berman '87 (MD)
Stuart Berman was born at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in 1959 and grew up in Norfolk. He attended the University of Pennsylvania for undergraduate school and majored in natural science. He was not active at the Hillel at Penn during his college years. He attended the University of Virginia School of Medicine, graduating in 1987. He had a very good experience at UVa and was very active at UVa Hillel.
Stuart did a one year research fellowship at Penn between his second and third years of medical school and was active at Penn Hillel that year. He did his internship at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he met his wife Ileana. He did his residency in radiation oncology at the Harvard Joint Center for Radiation Therapy. He was on the faculty at Cornell University Medical College for two years after completing residency and has been on the full-time faculty at Harvard Medical School since 1994. He is a radiation oncologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, specializing in thoracic oncology. He completed an MBA at Yale in 2009.
Stuart’s dad, a retired pediatrician, is an alumnus of UVa CLAS and the School of Medicine. His mother, father, and brother Bruce (UVa BA 1985) and family live in Norfolk. His brother Doug (UVa BA 1988) and family live in Weston, Florida. His sister Paula (no UVa degrees) and family live in Rockville, MD. His son Jacob graduated from UVa with a degree in physics in 2014.
Stuart is very enthusiastic about being on the board at UVa Hillel. An important Hillel mission, in his view, is outreach to students, even those who need a little encouragement. He wants UVa to be a place where all Jewish students feel it is an environment that is supportive of their Jewish needs and aspirations. Enhancing UVA’s attractiveness to relatively observant prospective students is an important goal.
Stuart did a one year research fellowship at Penn between his second and third years of medical school and was active at Penn Hillel that year. He did his internship at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he met his wife Ileana. He did his residency in radiation oncology at the Harvard Joint Center for Radiation Therapy. He was on the faculty at Cornell University Medical College for two years after completing residency and has been on the full-time faculty at Harvard Medical School since 1994. He is a radiation oncologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, specializing in thoracic oncology. He completed an MBA at Yale in 2009.
Stuart’s dad, a retired pediatrician, is an alumnus of UVa CLAS and the School of Medicine. His mother, father, and brother Bruce (UVa BA 1985) and family live in Norfolk. His brother Doug (UVa BA 1988) and family live in Weston, Florida. His sister Paula (no UVa degrees) and family live in Rockville, MD. His son Jacob graduated from UVa with a degree in physics in 2014.
Stuart is very enthusiastic about being on the board at UVa Hillel. An important Hillel mission, in his view, is outreach to students, even those who need a little encouragement. He wants UVa to be a place where all Jewish students feel it is an environment that is supportive of their Jewish needs and aspirations. Enhancing UVA’s attractiveness to relatively observant prospective students is an important goal.
Dan Brody '73
Dan was born and raised in Indiana, PA but has lived in Cville for 28 years. He is a UVa graduate (A&S ’73) and has an MBA from NYU. He has been happily married for 36 years to his wife, Nan. They have two sons, Buck, age 34, and Doug, age 33, and a daughter-in-law, Meaghan, age 33. All three are UVa graduates, and Buck is a Darden graduate as well. Buck and Meaghan live in Portland, OR where he is CFO of DAT Technologies, a portfolio company of Roper Technologies. Doug lives in NYC where he is a Director at Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts. Meaghan is a consultant at NSF helping medical device companies get through the FDS approval process. Dan's wife is an attorney and works for her family business.
Dan is the founder of Health Data Services, a company that develops software and provides services to physicians for practice management and electronic medical records. Dan is also involved with residential development in Albemarle County. He serves on the corporate board of Prolifiq Software and non-profit boards of EMCERT, and UVa Hillel. His interests revolve around current events, travel, and golf.
Dan is the founder of Health Data Services, a company that develops software and provides services to physicians for practice management and electronic medical records. Dan is also involved with residential development in Albemarle County. He serves on the corporate board of Prolifiq Software and non-profit boards of EMCERT, and UVa Hillel. His interests revolve around current events, travel, and golf.
Jenny David '97 (Law)
Jenny lives in Newport News, Virginia, and is a partner in David, Kamp & Frank, L.L.C., where her specialty is family law litigation. Jenny received her undergraduate degree from Mary Baldwin College in 1994 and her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997. Jenny met her husband, Josh (CLAS '94, LAW '97), during law school, and they have two sons, Reilly, who is a member of the UVA Class of 2024, and Reece, who is in middle school.
Jenny has been involved in the Jewish community on the Virginia Peninsula for over 20 years. She served on the Board of Rodef Sholom Temple, and has been active in the local Jewish Federation, the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, Inc., having served as its President, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Secretary, Campaign Chair, and Women's Division Chair. Jenny was a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet for the Jewish Federations of North America, and currently serves on the Board of Hampton Roads Academy.
Jenny and Josh have been very excited to watch the growth of Hillel at UVA since they were students at the University, and are grateful that there is such a vibrant Jewish community on Grounds.
Jenny has been involved in the Jewish community on the Virginia Peninsula for over 20 years. She served on the Board of Rodef Sholom Temple, and has been active in the local Jewish Federation, the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, Inc., having served as its President, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Secretary, Campaign Chair, and Women's Division Chair. Jenny was a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet for the Jewish Federations of North America, and currently serves on the Board of Hampton Roads Academy.
Jenny and Josh have been very excited to watch the growth of Hillel at UVA since they were students at the University, and are grateful that there is such a vibrant Jewish community on Grounds.
David Leblang
David Leblang is professor of politics at the University of Virginia and is a faculty associate at the Miller Center where he is the Ambassador Henry Taylor Professor of Politics. He is also a professor of public policy at the University’s Batten School for Leadership and Public Policy, where he is director of the Global Policy Center. A specialist in political economy, Leblang has served as a consultant to the International Monetary Fund, The Directorate of Finance and Economics of the European Commission, and the Department of Defense.
He is co-author of Democratic Politics and Financial Markets: Pricing Politics (2006) and more than thirty journal articles in publications including The American Political Science Review, The American Journal of Politics, International Organization, Economics and Politics, and the Journal of International Money and Finance. He has received research support from the National Science Foundation.
Leblang has written on the politics of economic growth, the determinants of exchange rate policy, the causes of currency crises and the link between elections and economic expectations. At present he is working on two large projects. The first examines how sending countries “harness” the human and material resources of their diasporas while the second focuses on the politics and policies that constrain the mobility of labor across states and nations.
He is co-author of Democratic Politics and Financial Markets: Pricing Politics (2006) and more than thirty journal articles in publications including The American Political Science Review, The American Journal of Politics, International Organization, Economics and Politics, and the Journal of International Money and Finance. He has received research support from the National Science Foundation.
Leblang has written on the politics of economic growth, the determinants of exchange rate policy, the causes of currency crises and the link between elections and economic expectations. At present he is working on two large projects. The first examines how sending countries “harness” the human and material resources of their diasporas while the second focuses on the politics and policies that constrain the mobility of labor across states and nations.
Samantha Magnes '17
Sam graduated from UVa in 2017 with a BA in Economics and an MPP from the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. She spent three years on the Jewish Leadership Council, including as Chair during her fourth year. She is originally from Long Island, and now lives in Fairfax, Virginia working as a research analyst. She is also a founder and resident at Moishe House Mosaic-Fairfax and loves to host Shabbat dinners with her fellow WaJews!
Debbie Poliner '80
Debbie is an architect in Washington, DC specializing in residential additions and renovations. She received her degree from the UVa School of Architecture in 1980.
As a first year student in 1976, Debbie sought out Hillel as a place that would allow her to maintain her Jewish identity socially, culturally and religiously. She is the daughter of Holocaust survivors and was raised in a home very much connected with Israel and Jewish tradition. Even though her family had most often lived in communities where Jews were a very small minority, she felt that she needed the comfort of a Jewish community at UVa. Her sister (Linda Steiner Kotz NURS'77) was still at UVa, and she told Debbie that Hillel had a reputation as a place for losers. The institution and the building had been in horrible disrepair for years.
But fortunately for Debbie, a young, dynamic interim director (soon to be rabbi) arrived and reversed the negative spell at Hillel. A new vibrancy began to emerge. Jewish students suddenly wanted to attend Shabbat services, holiday services, and Hillel sponsored social events. Other Jewish groups began to spin off from the energy at Hillel. Debbie participated in cooking Shabbat dinners for what started out as around a dozen students and quickly grew to room capacity (around 75). They had more requests for dinners than they had space, and the students had to pay for the dinner!
As a resident advisor during her second year, she was proud to invite Jewish first year students to experience the newly thriving Hillel. And, while introducing them to Hillel, she met her husband, Michael (CLAS'77 & LAW'80), at Hillel’s first week of classes Bagel Brunch. (Michael, by the way, was a UVa law student at that time and had completed his four undergraduate years at UVa without ever setting foot in the Hillel.)
Michael and Debbie have maintained a strong connection to their Jewish heritage. They spent several years living in Israel, and their sons, Ariel (SARC'09) and Adam (SARC'12), graduated from the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, MD. Ariel was lucky to meet his girlfriend at UVa Hillel, where they both were active participants.
Debbie knows firsthand how a successful Hillel can have a positive impact on a student's life. She never imagined that it would take 30 years for the improvements to the building to catch up to improvements of the programming and atmosphere, and she never imagined how it might happen. She is proud to say that for the past 31 years, she and Michael have continued to support Hillel. Debbie is thrilled to be able to work to sustain the incredible investment so many people have made in the Brody Jewish Center.
As a first year student in 1976, Debbie sought out Hillel as a place that would allow her to maintain her Jewish identity socially, culturally and religiously. She is the daughter of Holocaust survivors and was raised in a home very much connected with Israel and Jewish tradition. Even though her family had most often lived in communities where Jews were a very small minority, she felt that she needed the comfort of a Jewish community at UVa. Her sister (Linda Steiner Kotz NURS'77) was still at UVa, and she told Debbie that Hillel had a reputation as a place for losers. The institution and the building had been in horrible disrepair for years.
But fortunately for Debbie, a young, dynamic interim director (soon to be rabbi) arrived and reversed the negative spell at Hillel. A new vibrancy began to emerge. Jewish students suddenly wanted to attend Shabbat services, holiday services, and Hillel sponsored social events. Other Jewish groups began to spin off from the energy at Hillel. Debbie participated in cooking Shabbat dinners for what started out as around a dozen students and quickly grew to room capacity (around 75). They had more requests for dinners than they had space, and the students had to pay for the dinner!
As a resident advisor during her second year, she was proud to invite Jewish first year students to experience the newly thriving Hillel. And, while introducing them to Hillel, she met her husband, Michael (CLAS'77 & LAW'80), at Hillel’s first week of classes Bagel Brunch. (Michael, by the way, was a UVa law student at that time and had completed his four undergraduate years at UVa without ever setting foot in the Hillel.)
Michael and Debbie have maintained a strong connection to their Jewish heritage. They spent several years living in Israel, and their sons, Ariel (SARC'09) and Adam (SARC'12), graduated from the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, MD. Ariel was lucky to meet his girlfriend at UVa Hillel, where they both were active participants.
Debbie knows firsthand how a successful Hillel can have a positive impact on a student's life. She never imagined that it would take 30 years for the improvements to the building to catch up to improvements of the programming and atmosphere, and she never imagined how it might happen. She is proud to say that for the past 31 years, she and Michael have continued to support Hillel. Debbie is thrilled to be able to work to sustain the incredible investment so many people have made in the Brody Jewish Center.
Peter Sheras
Peter Sheras is a Professor in the Curry Programs in Clinical and School Psychology at the University of Virginia Curry School of Education and Chair of the Curry School Department of Human Services. A former Associate Director of the Virginia Youth Violence Project, he also maintains an Independent Practice with Charlottesville Psychological Associates. His work with adolescents, couples and families includes service as a co-coordinator of the Charlottesville/Albemarle School Crisis Network. He also works as a media psychologist on both sides of the camera. He was a consultant to the American Psychological Association's joint effort with MTV to produce the Warning Signs Television program which aired in April, 1999. He recently served on the American Psychological Association Task Force on Zero Tolerance in Schools.
Peter is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, a diplomat of the American Board of Professional Psychology and a member of the National Academies of Practice. He counsels and lectures in the area of youth violence, parenting, family function and adolescent behavior. He is the author of books and articles on adolescent behavior, youth violence, couples and clinical psychology, He is co-author of the Stress Index for Parents of Adolescents. His most recent books are: Your Child: Bully or Victim? and I Can’t Believe You Went Through My Stuff published by Simon and Schuster and Couple Power Therapy, published by APA Press. He is co-author with Dr. Dewey Cornell of Guidelines for Threat Assessment in Schools.
Peter and his wife, Phyllis are co-founders of a national non-profit supporting couples peer coaching in 13 cities in the U.S. He is a past president of Congregation Beth Israel and a past trustee of the temple as well. Peter’s father-in-law and Dan Brody’s father-in-law were best friends growing up in Chicago.
He is very committed to UVA and the experience of Jewish students here at UVa. He enjoys teaching and mentoring and having open discussions with students regarding their lives, aspirations and experiences.
Peter is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, a diplomat of the American Board of Professional Psychology and a member of the National Academies of Practice. He counsels and lectures in the area of youth violence, parenting, family function and adolescent behavior. He is the author of books and articles on adolescent behavior, youth violence, couples and clinical psychology, He is co-author of the Stress Index for Parents of Adolescents. His most recent books are: Your Child: Bully or Victim? and I Can’t Believe You Went Through My Stuff published by Simon and Schuster and Couple Power Therapy, published by APA Press. He is co-author with Dr. Dewey Cornell of Guidelines for Threat Assessment in Schools.
Peter and his wife, Phyllis are co-founders of a national non-profit supporting couples peer coaching in 13 cities in the U.S. He is a past president of Congregation Beth Israel and a past trustee of the temple as well. Peter’s father-in-law and Dan Brody’s father-in-law were best friends growing up in Chicago.
He is very committed to UVA and the experience of Jewish students here at UVa. He enjoys teaching and mentoring and having open discussions with students regarding their lives, aspirations and experiences.
David Haas '98
Alexa Rothborth '22, JLAB Chair
Alexa Rothborth is the current Chair of JLAB for the 2021-2022 year. She is a fourth year from Long Island, NY studying History and Jewish studies. Alexa will be attending law school after graduation. In addition to JLAB Chair, she has served as the Vice Chair of JLAB, Internal Chair of JLAB, First Year Connection intern, Birthright intern, and secretary of Hoos for Israel.
Outside of the BJC, she co-founded a social app with two other Jewish UVA students called Bingebound that helps people track their TV shows and share recommendations and reviews with friends.
Outside of the BJC, she co-founded a social app with two other Jewish UVA students called Bingebound that helps people track their TV shows and share recommendations and reviews with friends.
Morgan Suchin '23, Student Board Representative
Morgan Suchin is a third year from Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to being the student representative, she is excited to be the Jewish Women’s Group intern for the 2021-2022 school year. Morgan is pre-med and majoring in anthropology with a concentration in medical anthropology, ethics, and care. Morgan is an Echols Scholar and involved in PhiDE (a pre-health, co-ed fraternity), ethnobotany medical research, Virginia Ambassadors, and Virginia Anthropology Society. Morgan also started her own non-profit working with other CIOs using a mental health support website her brother and her made called Codyy.org.