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We offer one-on-one concierge meetings to teens and parents to help you discover amazing programs and opportunities. Schedule an in-person or online meeting at juf.org/meetspringboard.

Meet the Team

Our dedicated staff is here to help you navigate the vibrant landscape of programs available for Chicagoland teens. We connect teens and parents to amazing Jewish education, leadership and community building opportunities. 

For general questions, email Springboard@juf.org

Sarina

Sarina Fogel Gerson

Associate Vice-President, Community Outreach and Engagement

Sarina Fogel Gerson is passionate about building communities and connecting people to meaningful experiences. She is a lifelong supporter of immersive Jewish experiences and deeply appreciates the role those experiences played in shaping her Jewish identify.  Sarina’s primary responsibilities include planning, development, and evaluation of existing and new initiatives that will help more teens find exciting and meaningful ways to get involved in the Chicagoland Jewish community.

Her professional background is in strategic planning and leadership development, and she has a wealth of experience supporting non-profit organizations, businesses, camps and synagogues to develop innovative approaches to engagement. Sarina received her BA from Indiana University and her MBA from the University of Maryland.  She is also a graduate of the M² Senior Educators Cohort. In her free time, Sarina can be found sharing her love of music with her husband and three children, cooking and traveling.

Brittany

Brittany Abramowicz Cahan

Director

Brittany is proud of the diverse Jewish opportunities available in the Chicago area and is thrilled to be working on programming designed to help teens and families find meaningful Jewish opportunities. Growing up in Highland Park, Brittany was lucky to be able to participate in a number of Jewish communal programs. As a teen Brittany took on leadership roles in USY and was a counselor at JCC Camp Chi. These experiences inspired her to pursue a career in Jewish education and programmingy.

Brittany earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Sport and Tourism from the University of Illinois. At U of I, she was very active in Hillel and served as president her senior year. After graduation Brittany continued her studies at Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Eilat, Israel. Prior to working with Springboard Brittany worked as the Outreach Manager for Habonin Dror Camp Tavor and was a youth advisor at NSS Beth El. Brittany also holds an MA in Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus Institute for Learning and Leadership.

Jessica

Jessica Bank

Teen Engagement Specialist

Jessica is passionate about connecting with the local Jewish community and helping teens discover different organizations throughout the Chicagoland area to get involved in. As a teen, Jessica held various leadership positions with BBYO in Buffalo Grove, Illinois during the school year and spent her summers at Beber Camp in Mukwonago, Wisconsin as a camper and counselor.

Jessica earned a Bachelor of Science in Learning and Education Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In college, Jessica was involved in Illini Hillel’s leadership team and served as a board member for Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority. Upon graduation, Jessica worked at the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor as their Outreach & Program Coordinator. During her time in Ann Arbor, Jessica coordinated a student exchange program for 9th and 10th graders through the Partnership2Gether program. She is thrilled to return to community she grew up in and continue to work with teens through Springboard!

Danielle

Danielle Burstyn

Teen Engagement Specialist

Danielle is a creative content creator passionate about social justice and Jewish community-building. Growing up, Danielle was involved in several Jewish organizations and camps, such as JCC Apachi Skokie, JCC Apachi Rogers Park, Camp Nageela Midwest, and NCSY Midwest.

Danielle graduated from Illinois State University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Public Relations. At ISU, she worked for the school newspaper, The Vidette, and as a receptionist for the Dean of Students. Post-graduation, Danielle worked for Congregation Beth Am in Buffalo Grove as a Social Media Specialist and discovered a passion for content creation and Reform Judaism. She is excited to help Jewish teens find Jewish-related programs that fit their needs!

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