Nina Ehrenkranz
Nina Ehrenkranz
Senior Educator
Nina was born and raised in London, where she spent over 15 years working in Jewish education as a teacher and tutor. She has taught middle and high school students of all backgrounds, and even served as the Head of Informal Jewish Education at Europe’s largest Jewish high school (enrollment 2,000). Nina also co-founded the Orah Torah Centre for Women, a weekly community-wide Torah class program in London. When she is not teaching, she enjoys reading, playing the piano, sewing, and swimming– including with her adorable baby son.
Rabbi Binyamin Ehrenkranz
Rabbi Binyamin Ehrenkranz
Director of Impact
Binyamin has been involved in Jewish community work since graduating from Yeshiva University in New York. He has consulted for several international Jewish nonprofits, and served for several years as Director of Orthodox Community Initiatives for the Tikvah Fund. From Memphis, Tennessee, Binyamin likes to write and serves on the editorial committee of Jewish Action, one of the largest English-language Orthodox magazines. During the pandemic he met and married his wife, Nina, in a backyard in London. They are the proud parents of a lively and gregarious son.
Leora Estersohn
Leora Estersohn
Director of Youth & Family Programming
Leora excels in bringing a fresh burst of excitement to the way Orlando’s children relate to our shared Jewish heritage. A licensed social worker and seasoned Judaic Studies teacher, Leora is adept at enabling students and program participants to share in her excitement for all things Jewish. The programs she leads are interactive hands-on opportunities for participants to connect with other Jewish kids and families in a fun and laid-back environment.
Rabbi Ari Fedrgrun
Rabbi Ari Federgrun
Director of Community Engagement and Education
Rabbi Federgrun is passionate about developing real relationships and bringing Judaism and Torah to life for those who want to be proactive about living an informed Jewish life. After studying for many years at Yeshiva University and its affiliate rabbinical school RIETS, he set out to the Pacific Coast, serving as the Associate Rabbi at the largest Orthodox synagogue in Vancouver, Canada. In addition to being a master teacher, Rabbi Federgrun has experience in pastoral care and marriage counseling, which he underwent training for by the renowned Gottman Institute. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Meira, and five lively, adorable children.
Sarah Gittleson
Sarah Gittleson
Co-Director, SPARK
Sarah has one motto that sums up everything she does - when you get involved in something, make sure to give it 100%. Her passion for life is evident in the many roles she has held - mom, educator, social worker, entrepreneur, friend and proud Jew. After leading the 2015 Momentum women’s trip to Israel and subsequent conversations with trip participants, she took it upon herself to take her passion for education, her excitement about Torah and Judaism, and her years of experience to the next level. She co-founded SPARK, the women's division of JOIN Orlando. Sarah loves traveling the globe, hiking, reading, being spontaneous, and spending time with the people she loves.
Rabbi Gabi Gittleson
Rabbi Gabi Gittleson
Director
Growing up in South Florida, it was a bit of a weather shock for Gabi when he continued his post high school rabbinic schooling in Milwaukee and NY. But after many years of alternate side parking and 5 AM shoveling, Rabbi Gittleson got his chance to return to sunny florida and make Orlando his home. Rabbi Gittleson loves sharing his excitement for Judaism and Torah with others, hanging out with his wife and four awesome kids, and really appreciates a hot Krispy Kreme donut. Rabbi Gittleson is known to be a great schmoozer and a pretty decent chef, so if you ever want to grab a coffee or join the Gittlesons for a Shabbat meal, just let him know.
Aliza Nabatian
Aliza Nabatian
Co-Director, JSU Central Florida
Aliza grew up in Hollywood, Florida. She received a degree with honors in Public Safety Management and Criminal Justice Administration, and brings tremendous management skills to JSU Orlando. Aliza enjoys cooking and art, and applies all her creative energies in bringing innovative programming to Orlando’s Jewish teens. She has personally been involved in Jewish education for the past ten years, teaching in many settings, including formal, experiential and special education classrooms. Aliza particularly loves the thrill of meeting new people and learning new things. She genuinely feels that one can learn something from everyone.
Daniel Nabatian
Daniel Nabatian
Co-Director, JSU Central Florida
Daniel has a passion for helping others. With his great sense of humor he is able to create a fun, healthy and challenging environment for teens to connect to their Jewish roots. Daniel is a licensed marriage and family therapist, and his therapy work experience includes working in public schools, drug rehab facilities, and at Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando. He married his fun, beautiful and quirky wife Aliza in 2013 and has three awesome kids, Arianna, Remy, and Liv. In his spare time, he works on trying to understand the brain of a five-year-old, golfs, plays the drums and listens to country music.
Shifra Yachnes
Shifra Yachnes
Co-Director, SPARK
Shifra grew up in a home that was dedicated to community outreach and moved around the globe together with her trailblazing parents connecting Jews to their rich heritage. She inherited a tremendous love for all Jews and has been involved in community engagement for over a decade. This included co-founding the Orlando Torah Center, a vibrant and warm community synagogue still growing in membership and innovative programs. Shifra brings her passion and love of people to everything she does, whether it be teaching, mothering, running a business or community involvement. She has led workshops and given lectures on Jewish values, character development and parenting, and led many women’s trips to Israel. Along with her family, Shifra enjoys all the perks of living in sunny Florida while she pursues her passion of helping women realize their great potential, to allow their inner beauty and greatness to emerge.
Rabbi Dovid Yachnes
Rabbi Dovid Yachnes
Men's Programming
Throughout his life, Dovid has been involved in helping others discover the skills and tools necessary to live meaningful and joyful lives. Inspired by his dedicated and loving parents, along with many years of study in the Rabbinical Seminary of America, he founded the Orlando Torah Center in 2010 and began work inspiring local Jews. His warm and calm presence, together with an inviting smile, provide his audience the freedom to attain their next level of growth. In 2020 Dovid began working in JOIN’s Men’s Division to provide Orlando Jews a growing connection to their heritage. He also serves as a life coach, empowering others to step into their best selves in relationships, careers, health, and spirituality.