REUBEN D. ROTMAN, President & CEO
Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies
rrotman@networkjhsa.org | 201.977.2423
Reuben’s commitment to the field of Jewish communal service has been unwavering and has included professional leadership experiences in Federations and Jewish Family Service organizations in New Jersey, Detroit and New York, as well as service as a board member of J-Pro New Jersey and the Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies.
Currently, Reuben serves as the founding President and CEO of the recently established Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. The Network is an international membership association, which seeks to be the leading voice for the Jewish human service sector; the go-to place for best practices, research, innovation, training and partnerships. With a focus on the needs of its 140 member organizations, the Network’s overarching goal is to strengthen its member agencies so they can better serve those who seek their help.
Prior to his role with The Network, Reuben served as the Executive Director of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest New Jersey, where he oversaw significant revenue diversification for the agency resulting in marked growth in both annual operating and endowment support, along with an expansion of populations served.
Previously, Reuben held positions with UJA Federation of New York, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit. Reuben’s educational background includes an MA in the Management of Human Services from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management and an MA in Jewish Communal Service from the Hornstein Program, both of which are affiliated with Brandeis University.
LISA-LORAINE SMITH
Chief Program Officer
LLSmith@networkjhsa.org | 201.977.2542
Lisa-Loraine Smith is the Chief Program Officer for the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. In her position as CPO with the Network, Lisa oversees all program offerings and develops and directs the content for conferences, webinars and trainings. Lisa works closely with the lay and professional community of the Network to establish and maintain work groups among key affinity groups, toward the goal of ensuring that the content offerings of the Network meet the diverse and changing needs of the Network’s constituency.
Prior to joining the Network Lisa served for 14 years as the Executive Director of Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, CT. In her position at JFS of Greenwich, Lisa directed significant growth for the agency bringing a range of new initiatives and new client populations to the agency through the establishment of the Online Support Group Project, the Jewish Health and Healing Center at JFS and the JFS Support Group Center. Previously, Lisa served as the Associate Executive Director of Interfaith Neighbors in New York City and was the founder and co-director of the Peace of Mind Project, a mental health support and education effort following 9/11 which brought trauma informed crisis intervention services and a range of educational offerings to children, parents, teachers and community professionals. She also served as the founder and co-director of the Children’s Bereavement Project, which provided bereavement counseling to over 1,200 NYC adolescents and led to a longitudinal study and published findings to document outcomes for providing bereavement services to an underserved population. During that time, she co-authored two books, (2002) Courage After a Crisis: Family and Community Activities for Healing. Chicago: Family Support America and (2005) Grieving, Sharing, and Healing: A Guide for Facilitating Early Adolescent Bereavement Groups. Champaign, Illinois: Research Press.
Lisa received her MSW from Yeshiva University and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan. Lisa also earned a certificate in executive leadership from the Columbia University Institute of NonProfit Management.
KAREN ROSEN
Director of Membership Services
krosen@networkjhsa.org | 201.977.2614
Karen Rosen is the Director of Membership Services for the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. She manages more than 140-member agencies including professional development and special events.
Prior to joining NJHSA Karen served as the Manager of Event Planning & Member Relations at the International Association for Jewish Vocational Services (IAJVS). Previously, Karen served as Director of Fulfillment at DMW where she managed a direct mail production plant with billings over $2,000,000/year. She worked as a Marketing Manager at The Franklin Mint developing marketing programs through direct mail and print media for their collectibles and worked as Senior Account Executive and Fulfillment Manager at The McClure Group managing direct marketing programs and overseeing direct mail production for ten major health insurance companies across the country. Ms. Rosen is a past board member and past chair of the social action committee at Beth David Reform Congregation. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Communication from The American University in Washington D.C.
MEGAN MANELLI
Director of Marketing & Communications
mmanelli@networkjhsa.org | 201.977.2483
Megan Manelli is the Director of Marketing & Communications for the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA). Megan currently manages all internal and external agency communications.
Prior to joining NJHSA, Megan was the Director of Communications, Membership and Events at Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies (AJFCA). In this role Megan oversaw the membership of more than 120-member agencies, several affinity groups and partner agency relations. Megan attended Elon University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Communications with a minor in Human Services. She has professional experience within both the for profit and nonprofit sectors, including professional writing, and project management and sales.
ELISA J. HIRSCH
Director of Digital Technology & Operations
ehirsch@networkjhsa.org | 201.977.4056
Elisa J. Hirsch is the Director of Digital Technology & Operations for the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. Elisa ensures the smooth day-to-day functioning of Network operations, managing data systems, surveys, webinars and other special projects. She has recently become a Zoom guru and has helped the Network pivot its offerings to the virtual space. Elisa comes to the Network having served most recently as the Manager of Community Outreach and Engagement and as a Planning & Allocations Associate with the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. Previously, Elisa has held positions in Education both public and private, the food industry and on Wall Street. Elisa received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Media from Rutgers University and has done extensive graduate work in Digital Publishing. She lives in northern New Jersey with her husband and three daughters, son-in-law, and most recently, her Covid puppy, Barley. She is also your FairyMahjMother, as she is Northern New Jersey’s Mah Jongg instructor extraordinaire.
DARCY HIRSH
Washington Representative
dhirsh@networkjhsa.org
Darcy Hirsh is the Director of Government Affairs at the Jewish Federations of North America in their Washington office. She also serves as Washington Representative to NJHSA.
Darcy was most recently the Director of Virginia and D.C. Government and Community Relations at the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington. In this role, she advocated before local, state, and federal government officials on issues of importance to the Jewish community including support for social services, maintaining the separation of church and state, and combating anti-Semitism and other forms of bias. Darcy previously served as the Associate Director of the Anti-Defamation League Washington, D.C. Regional office and prior to that, as Director of Day School Advocacy at UJA-Federation of New York. She holds a JD from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, an MTS from Harvard Divinity School, and a BA in Religious Studies from Barnard College.
Darcy is a proud Buffalo native. After living in New York City for many years, she and her husband now reside in Chevy Chase, D.C. with their son and daughter.
JESSICA FOROUTAN
Executive Assistant
jforoutan@networkjhsa.org | 201-977-2540
Jessica Foroutan is the Executive Assistant for the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA). Jessica manages the daily functions of the NJHSA office, serves as the board liaison and provides direct support to Reuben Rotman.
Jessica has 10 years of experience working in the Jewish non-profit sector. Her background includes working in development supporting fundraising goals for Jewish organizations, managed the development of live programs and events, coordinated logistics and trainings for learning cohorts, and acted as board liaison.
Prior to joining NJHSA, Jessica’s most recent position was at the JCC Association of North America as Talent Management and Professional Development Associate. Prior to that she held positions at American Technion Society and UJA-Federation of New York.
Jessica, a New Jersey native, received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Montclair State University and resides in Northern New Jersey.
