Our Board
The Efshar Project Board is composed of invested stakeholders and community leaders that represent the various perspectives of our diverse community and bring expertise in key areas to strengthen and partner with our professional team.Amalia Adiv
Amalia is a writer, performer, and educator originally from Denver. She holds a Master’s degree from NYU in Educational Theatre with an emphasis on applied theatre, and a BA in Jewish Studies and Theatre from City College of New York. As an actor, Amalia performs across Colorado, and was recently seen at the Ellie Caulkins Studio Loft and with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s Violence Prevention Tour. Amalia spent five years teaching in a preschool classroom, and has developed classes for little ones that use process drama, imaginative play, and storytelling to aid social and emotional growth. She is also a newly certified pre and post-natal fitness coach and is currently pursuing a childbirth educator certification. Amalia has one son at home who is almost two, and she is excited to bring her expertise in early childhood and the creative arts to the Efshar Project!
Amalia Adiv
Early Childhood Educator and Performer
Rob Bernstein
Board Secretary, Princeton Hillel
Rob Bernstein
Rob Bernstein lives in Denver with his husband Bryant and boys Eshel (3) and Aviv (1). Rob’s family are active members at Rodef Shalom and the JCC. A former Hebrew-school teacher, Rob serves as board secretary for Princeton Hillel and previously had a leadership role with A Wider Bridge, a group supporting Israel’s LGBT communities. He is gratified to advance Efshar’s mission of uplifting the work that early-childhood educators do in the Jewish community of l’dor v’dor — and to support the educators who support our families.
When not parenting, Rob is associate general counsel at Mercury, a banking-technology company. Previously in government, he served as chief counsel for Senator Martha McSally and general counsel of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Before entering government, he practiced at Kirkland & Ellis and Bancroft in Washington, D.C. Rob served as a law clerk to Judge Danny Boggs, on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Louisville.
Tricia Bonman
Tricia Bonman is the Impact Funds Director at Early Milestones Colorado, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of Early Milestones’ special funds. Previously, she oversaw the Community Innovation and Resilience for Care and Learning Equity (CIRCLE) Grant Program at Early Milestones. Before joining Milestones, Tricia was a program officer at Rose Community Foundation. She began her work there focused on child and family development and spearheaded the organization’s grantmaking in the Community Action Fund, which focused on immigrants, refugees, anti-hate, and anti-discrimination.
Tricia holds a master’s degree in international human rights from the University of Denver, and dual bachelor’s degrees in international studies and Hispanic studies from Washington College in Maryland. Originally hailing from the Philippines, she has also lived in Japan, Delaware, Maryland, and Idaho, and is happy to call Denver home. She lives in the Cole neighborhood with her husband.
Tricia Bonman
Impact Funds Director, Early Milestones Colorado
Shayna Friedman
Director of admission at Denver Jewish Day School
Shayna Friedman
Shayna Friedman joined The Efshar Project board in the spring of 2020. She has worked in the field of Jewish education for over 20 years. Shayna currently serves as director of admission at Denver Jewish Day School overseeing the school’s recruitment and retention of families and administering the school’s financial aid program. She has worked in synagogues, camps, central agencies, and JCC’s serving learners of all ages from early childhood to adults. Shayna is passionate about inviting learners to find their connection to Judaism. She holds a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
Karla Hanlon
Karla Hanlon has been a financial and operational leader with nonprofit organizations in Colorado for over a decade, after gaining experience from the public accounting and for-profit sectors. She currently serves as the COO for Rocky Mountain Public Media (home of RMPBS, KUVO Jazz, and THE DROP), where she focuses on driving financial sustainability and efficient, adaptive operations. Karla’s approach to financial and operational strategies is grounded in values-based decision making and a dedication to serving communities. Previously, Karla served as the CFO/COO and Interim CEO for Jewish Community Centers of Denver and the VP of Finance and Operations for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University and received her CPA certification from the State of Illinois. Karla resides in the Central Park neighborhood with her husband (Sean) and three children (Emma – 18, Jacob – 15, and Olivia – 11).
Karla Hanlon
COO, Rocky Mountain Public Media
Rabbi Avraham Mintz
CEO, Chabad Jewish Center
Rabbi Avraham Mintz
Rabbi Avraham Mintz is a renowned communal leader and spiritual guide. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he studied in prestigious Rabbinical Colleges in Israel and Los Angeles before receiving his Rabbinical Ordination with honors.
Rabbi Mintz moved to Colorado in 2003 and established the Chabad Jewish Center of South Metro Denver which quickly grew into one of the largest Jewish Centers of its kind in the area where he serves as CEO and Rabbi. He oversees The Garden School, Camp Gan Izzy, Chabad Hebrew School and the Jewish Learning Institute which attracts hundreds of families from all backgrounds and affiliations. Rabbi Mintz lives in Lone Tree, CO with his wife Hindy and their children.
Cassandra O’Neill
Cassandra O’Neill is the Chair of the Governance Committee of The Efshar Project. She has been a consultant since 2000 and has worked with over 200 organizations to increase impact. She is co-author of Five Elements of Collective Leadership for Early Childhood Professionals (2017 Redleaf Press) Certified in Conversational Intelligence for Coaches and Appreciative Living Coaching. She has a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from UC Berkeley.
Cassandra O’Neill
Chair of the Governance Committee
Sheila Purdin
Director of Early Childhood Education at Temple Sinai in Denver
Sheila Purdin
Sheila Purdin began her career in early education thirty years ago in her native Seattle, WA. She is currently the Director of Early Childhood Education at Temple Sinai in Denver, CO. She was previously the director of two Reform synagogue early childhood centers in Atlanta, GA. During her twenty years in Atlanta she was an active member of the Jewish Early Childhood Council of Atlanta, having served as co-chair and chairing the Kallah planning committee, and sat on the board of PJ Library Atlanta. She participated in the URJ Pursuing Excellence in Your Early Childhood Center Community of Practice and is a First 36 Fellow. Sheila has been a member of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism since 2008 and currently serves as their VP of Marketing. She lives in Denver with her hamster, Princess Lightening Bolt, and has two adult children who are pretty fantastic.
Josh Rifkin
Josh Rifkin has been an early childhood educator at the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center for 11 years. In his current role as a Nature and Technology specialist, he nurtures and encourages the relationship between young children and the natural and technology worlds with the hopes of inspiring the next generation of stewards.
Josh believes in cultivating educational cultures that value mentorship programs and ongoing professional development for early childhood professionals. His newest professional adventure is taking part in a pilot career mentorship program sponsored by the Efshar Project. Josh lives in Denver with his wife Elinor, who is also an early childhood educator, and their young children.
Josh Rifkin
Early Childhood Educator, Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center
Cathy Rolland
Chair of The Efshar Project
Cathy M. Rolland
Cathy Rolland is the URJ’s Senior Director of Emerging Networks, which includes bringing innovated approaches focused on engaging individuals and families from diverse backgrounds with a focus on families with young children, youth/teens and 20/30s adults. Cathy is also the inaugural president of the Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ), an affiliate of the URJ. Cathy recently earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She also has a certification in Jewish Early Childhood leadership from Gratz college. Cathy and her husband reside in Denver, CO where she is honored to serve as the chair of the Efshar Project, previously known as the Colorado Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative.
Cantor Elizabeth Sacks
Cantor Elizabeth Sacks is the Senior Cantor at Temple Emanuel. She was ordained as a cantor in 2007 by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) and holds a B.A. in Jewish Studies and Music from Harvard University. From 2007-2012, Cantor Sacks served as the Associate Cantor at Central Synagogue in New York, focusing on worship, education, and young professional engagement. In addition to her congregational work, Cantor Sacks advises national Reform Movement organizations across the country, chairing and serving on associations for the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the American Conference of Cantors, and the Union for Reform Judaism, She is a frequent presenter at conferences and panels on the topic of worship design and ritual innovation. Cantor Sacks is married to Elias Sacks, Director of the Program in Jewish Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. Cantor Sacks, Eli, and their children – Charlie and Tova – live in Denver.
Cantor Elizabeth Sacks
Senior Cantor, Temple Emanuel
Jo Schaalman
Board Member
Jo Schaalman
Jo Schaalman is the CEO, co-founder, and co-author of The Conscious Cleanse and The Conscious Cleanse Cookbook. She was a state champion gymnast and a nationally ranked diver before a bike accident left her seriously injured. Through her own healing, Jo unlocked some universal healing principles that have become foundational to the Conscious Cleanse. Her role at the Conscious Cleanse is to lead the live programs, help develop new content, run daily operations, and lead business development and outreach. Jo studied at the Nutrition Therapy Institute and has been a yoga teacher for more than 15 years. She lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband and two kids.
Simon Schwartz
Simon Schwartz is the Chief Operating Officer at Strategic Resources Group Colorado, a boutique, Denver-based consulting firm specializing in association management and strategic planning. With over two decades of expertise, Schwartz is instrumental in guiding clients towards a unique identity that accentuates their strengths and capabilities. His extensive background encompasses networking, event coordination, business development, fundraising, and strategic planning.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Schwartz has garnered recognition from various organizations nationwide for his philanthropic contributions and outstanding professional achievements.
Simon Schwartz
COO, Strategic Resources Group Colorado
Dawn Spector
Director of Early Childhood Education and Young Family Programs at Rodef Shalom
Dawn Spector
Dawn Spector, a New York native, attended college in Jerusalem and at Queens College in Flushing, N.Y. where she obtained a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing with an emphasis on education. She obtained her Preschool Director’s Certification from Aurora Community College and has been involved with Jewish Education for over 20 years. She loves being able to reach children at a young age and help instill a passion for learning and Judaism that will hopefully last a lifetime.
As director of Early Childhood Education and Young Family Programs at Rodef Shalom, Dawn’s responsibilities include the ECEC (Early Childhood Education Center), Shabbat, Holiday, and young family programming.
Susie Valdez
Susie Valdez is the Senior Director of Early Childhood Education, Boulder JCC. She grew up in Boulder and attended CSU where she received her degree in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis in Education. During her time in Fort Collins, Susie was fortunate enough to work as a parent and family educator for United Way. Since 1988, she has been teaching or directing preschool. She has worked at the Boulder JCC since 2003, first as a teacher and now as the director. Susie feels so fortunate to be a part of such an outstanding program and surrounded by the wonderful teachers who work there.
Susie Valdez
Senior Director, ECE Boulder JCC
Mary Ann Weiss
Philanthropy Advisor, Walton Enterprises
Mary Ann Weiss
Mary Ann has spent over a decade working in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. She currently serves as a philanthropy advisor at Walton Enterprises, where she develops and executes diverse impact strategies. Previously, she worked at Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, where she managed a grants portfolio focused on Jewish community and Israel engagement. Mary Ann holds a master’s in Public Administration from George Washington University and a bachelor’s in American Studies from Skidmore College.
Passionate about building a joyful and inclusive Jewish community, Mary Ann has served as a resident of the Denver Moishe House, currently serves as a PJ Library Parent Connector, and is honored to support Efshar’s work to ensure quality Jewish early education. In her free time, Mary Ann finds deep joy in the outdoors with her family and two young daughters.
2024-25 Efshar New Committee Members:
(Please note our new board members will also join committees, which will be finalized in the next few weeks)
Development
Finance
Our Professional Team
Our Team
We are a skilled, experienced, and highly invested team of consultants and educators with expertise in Jewish and secular early childhood educational practices, leadership development, and policy/advocacy work.
Kelli Pfaff
Kelli Pfaff, Executive Director, is a seasoned professional in the education and positive youth development field. Kelli has spent her time working as an informal and formal educator, coach, facilitator, trainer, non-profit director, and school district leader. Kelli’s expertise includes strategic planning and large change management, influencing school and non-profit policy, developing large multi-million dollar public/private initiatives, and engaging in designing and supporting community partnerships in a variety of contexts within and outside the Jewish community.
Kelli Pfaff
Executive Director
Victoria Bisharat
Network Director
Victoria Bisharat
Victoria Bisharat, Network Director, Pedagogy and Leadership, is a passionate early childhood educator who aims to provide high-quality support, coaching, and community building for the schools in the Efshar Project network. Victoria has been a teacher, school leader, graduate teaching assistant, and administrator, and is an advocate in the field of ECE.
She earned her undergraduate degree at SUNY Purchase and her Master’s in Educational Psychology and Early Childhood Education at the University of Colorado at Denver. Victoria brings a passion for deepening thinking around quality, curriculum and relationships. She is committed to strengthening the diverse Jewish ECE communities in Boulder and Denver. Victoria is a proud mom to a Boulder JCC alumni and lives in Erie with her son.
Judi Morosohk
Judi Morosohk, Senior Pedagogy & Leadership Coach, has been in the early childhood education field for 45 years as a teacher, director, consultant, coach, and trainer. She was the Pedagogical Director of the Efshar Project from 2008-2022 supporting educators in Jewish ECE centers in Denver/Boulder in growing knowledge and skills of educationally sound practices, and seamlessly weaving Jewish values into everything they do. She continues to work for the project as a member of the coaching team. Judi holds an MA in Educational Psychology and Early Childhood/Special Education from the University of Colorado, Denver and a BS in Elementary/Special Education from the University of Delaware. Judi also works on a national level, coaching, mentoring, and training educators and directors in Jewish Early Childhood Centers across the nation.
Judi Morosohk
Senior Pedagogy & Leadership Coach
Natalie Drucker Boscoe
Pedagogy & Leadership Coach
Natalie Drucker Boscoe
Natalie Drucker Boscoe, Pedagogy & Leadership Coach, is a credentialed coach and certified trainer who has worked with a variety of Jewish and secular educational institutions, ranging from Sesame Street Workshop to Edmodo, the Denver Stanley British Primary School, Kodo Kids and the Paradigm Project. Most recently, she was the Director of Early Childhood Education at Congregation Sherith Israel, the oldest Jewish congregation in San Francisco. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Evolutionary Biology from Emory University and a Master’s in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado. Natalie was also selected to participate in the Jewish Early Childhood Educators Leadership Institute (JECELI), a national professional development and leadership program. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, five-year-old daughter, one-year-old son, and energetic goldendoodle.
Yeshnaya Dougherty
Yeshnaya Dougherty, Pedagogy & Leadership Coach, is an Early Childhood Educator who finds great joy in sharing her enthusiasm and experiences by partnering with educators as they explore, discover, and grow their teaching practice. She is a founding member of the non-for-profit Teaching Beyond the Square, based out of New York City, where she worked alongside educators in Jewish and secular schools across the Tristate area as a coach and presenter. Passionate and inspired by the curious minds of young children, Yeshnaya’s teaching practice and philosophy are largely shaped by her work with the Reggio Emilia approach. She received her M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University and her B.A. in Environmental Studies from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. Yeshnaya recently relocated to Denver, Colorado with her family and is thrilled to join the wonderful team at the Efshar Project.
Yeshnaya Dougherty
Pedagogy & Leadership Coach
Candace Lyons
Office Manager
Candace Lyons
Candace Lyons, Office Manager, works behind the scenes to ensure operations run smoothly at the Efshar Project. She has a background in communications and operations having worked in professional services organizations for most of her career. Candace previously worked for the JCC of Greater Boston as a Family Connector where she planned programs and events for families with young children. She was also the founding treasurer of Uprooted: A Jewish Communal Response to Fertility Journeys. As a recent transplant to Denver, Candace enjoys exploring all Colorado has to offer with her husband and two young daughters.
