Board of Directors

ROB SCHWARTZ, FOUNDER

Denver, CO

Rob Schwartz is a visionary leader known for his ability to take bold ideas and turn them into impactful realities. Inspired by his deep admiration for Menachem Begin, particularly after reading Prime Ministers, Rob was struck by the lack of accessible information about the Israeli leader’s life. Determined to change this, he set out to create the first English-language documentary on Begin, resulting in UPHEAVAL: The Journey of Menachem Begin, a groundbreaking film that brings Begin’s legacy to life. As the founder of Hidden Light Institute (HLI), Rob leads a nonprofit film production studio dedicated to spotlighting historic Jewish and Israeli figures and events. His passion for storytelling and history aligns with HLI’s mission to engage audiences through documentaries, dynamic panels, and educational curricula. Rob’s career began after graduating from Rutgers School of Law, where he served as a city administrator before becoming Chief of Staff to former Senator Joe Lieberman. He later held leadership roles as a senior administrator at Yale New Haven Hospital and Senior Vice President at American Medical Response, the largest ambulance service in the U.S. He also founded Strategic Resources, a consulting firm specializing in healthcare trade associations, strategic planning, marketing, and regulatory counsel. Rob’s track record of getting things done, coupled with his visionary approach to both film and leadership, defines his career and contributions to HLI’s mission.

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​BARRY GURLAND, CHAIR

Aventura, FL 

Barry Gurland is a partner at DB Family Office Services, where he helps high-net-worth individuals and families develop strategic business plans for the future. He also serves as a partner at Daskal Bolton LLP, a leading regional CPA firm, advising on estate, succession, and retirement planning. With over 40 years of experience, Barry has held numerous leadership roles within the community. He was the first recipient of the Stanley C. Myers Young Leadership Award from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, where he currently chairs the Security and Collections Committee. Barry is also a past trustee of the Maccabi USA Sports for Israel Endowment Fund and received their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

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JUDY FLEISCHER, VICE CHAIR

New York, NY

Judy Fleischer is a distinguished journalist and editor with a rich background in business and finance reporting. An award-winning writer, Judy has contributed to leading publications such as Crain's New York Business, NBC.com, CNBC.com, and Advertising Age. She holds an MBA in Accounting and Finance from the Wharton School of Business and an MA in Journalism from Columbia University. Beyond her journalism career, Judy is deeply committed to community service. She serves as Vice President/Secretary of the Jewish Childcare Association, Co-Chairs the Advisory Committee of the Tikvah Fund, and has held leadership roles as a Trustee at the Tenement Museum and as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Hood College. 

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STEPHANIE STRAUSS

Beit Shemesh, Israel

Stephanie Strauss serves as the Executive Director of Yeshiva University in Israel, where she oversees all of the university's activities in the country. She manages the Jerusalem campus, supports various YU divisions, and develops programs for visiting students, staff, and alumni. Additionally, Stephanie leads the recruitment and enrollment department for gap year students from Jewish communities worldwide, giving her deep insight into the interests of Jewish youth today. She plays a key role in implementing Yeshiva University's vision for its Israel operations and enhancing its impact within Israeli society. Stephanie also serves as Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors Geographies and Regions Committee at the Jewish Agency for Israel.

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ROBERT BERNTON, TREASURER

New York, NY

Robert Bernton leads the North American Mid-Market Agency Team at Waze, a Google company. Before joining Google, Robert founded and successfully sold The Kosher Express, a company that delivered high-quality kosher meat across the United States. He holds an Executive MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a BBA from Emory University, where he served as President of Emory Hillel and was actively involved in campus life. Robert is a graduate of Rocky Mountain Hebrew Academy in Denver, Colorado.

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TAMARA BERENS

Washington, DC

Tamara Berens is the co-director of the Krauthammer Fellowship, the director of Young Professionals programs at Tikvah, and a contributor at Mosaic. She graduated from King’s College London with a BA in War Studies. Tamara worked for CAMERA and conducted research at think-tanks in Westminster, England, and Washington, DC, before beginning one of the inaugural Krauthammer Fellowships, then at Mosaic. Tamara’s writing has appeared in publications in the US, UK, and Israel such as National Review and The Weekly Standard and she has been interviewed by the Telegraph and Makor Rishon.

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MEL BOTTNER

Scottsdale, AZ

Mel Bottner, a respected family medicine physician, dedicated 43 years to healthcare, where he served as Co-Medical Director of ten clinics, overseeing 120 physicians. A graduate of the University of Toronto Medical School, Mel has also been a leader in the Jewish community, contributing to organizations like AIPAC, Federation, and synagogues, and serving on the board of the Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School. Now retired, he brings his expertise to his role as Vice President of Finance at Ahavas Torah. ​

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RABBI DANIEL COHEN

Stamford, CT

Rabbi Daniel Cohen is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and motivator known for his authentic, insightful, and engaging approach to navigating modern life and building a meaningful legacy. With over 30 years in the rabbinate, he serves as senior Rabbi at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, CT, the largest modern Orthodox synagogue in New England. He is the author of What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone? Creating a Life of Legacy and The Secret of the Light, with another book in progress co-written with NBA All-Star Allan Houston. Drawing from years of guiding life’s milestones and end-of-life reflections, Rabbi Cohen inspires audiences nationwide to lead lives of purpose. Rabbi Cohen co-hosts the syndicated radio show The Rabbi and the Reverend and brings joy to life through magic, sports, writing, and family. 

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RABBI PINI DUNNER

Beverly Hills, CA

Rabbi Pini Dunner comes from a distinguished European rabbinic family that survived the Holocaust and resettled in London, England. After completing yeshiva studies in England, the United States, and Israel, Rabbi Dunner earned a degree in Jewish History from University College London. He founded the Saatchi Synagogue in London’s West End, catering to post-graduate professionals. Currently, he serves as the Senior Rabbi at Young Israel of North Beverly Hills. Rabbi Dunner is the author of Mavericks, Mystics and False Messiahs (2018) and Hearts & Minds (2021).

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JONATHAN FELDMAN

London, UK

Jonathan Feldman is the Executive Director of Global Mutual, a leading property investment and management platform based in London and Los Angeles, overseeing more than £1.5 billion in assets. Before co-founding Global Mutual, Jonathan was Managing Director of Jayroma London Limited, an international clothing manufacturer. A qualified member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors since 1994, he previously served as a Senior Surveyor at Hillier Parker Chartered Surveyors (now CB Richard Ellis), specializing in retail property. Jonathan holds a BSc with Honors in Management Sciences from the University of Manchester.​

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TANIA FRAENKEL

Beit Shemesh, Israel

Tania Fraenkel is an experienced operations and project management leader with expertise in strategic planning, team leadership, and process optimization across both nonprofit and corporate sectors. A graduate of the London School of Economics, Tania is currently the Director of the Project Management Office (PMO) at OpenDor Media, where she has worked for over a decade. Among her responsibilities, she has managed film launch events in Israel, the USA, and the UK. Earlier in her career, she was a Senior Research Analyst at the Intel Information Bureau, a private security consultancy, before transitioning into various roles within Jewish communal organizations in the UK and Israel, including the Chief Rabbinate Bursary Fund, Friends of Bnei Akiva, Yeshivat Hakotel, and Aish HaTorah’s Jerusalem Fellowships. Before making Aliyah in 2003, Tania founded OneFamily UK, the British branch of the OneFamily organization that supports terror victims in Israel, regardless of faith or background.

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RABBI EFREM GOLDBERG

Boca Raton, FL

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg is the Senior Rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS), the largest Orthodox synagogue in the southeastern United States, serving over 800 families and more than 1,000 children. Recognized as one of South Florida's "Most Influential Jewish Leaders" in 2010, Rabbi Goldberg is a prolific writer, with his work featured on Aish.com, OU.org, and in publications such as Mishpacha, Mosaic, Jewish Press, and The Times of Israel. A passionate advocate for Israel, he has been part of a select delegation of rabbis invited to the White House to discuss US-Israel relations. In 2011, Rabbi Goldberg delivered the invocation to the US House of Representatives and has received several prestigious awards, including the "Star of David" award and the "Pillar of the Community" and "Israel Award" from Friends of the IDF.

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BRUCE GOULD

Orlando, FL

Bruce Gould was a principal of Gould Publications, Inc., a family-owned business that became one of the leading statutory law book publishers in the country before its sale in 2004. Bruce is deeply committed to philanthropy. He served as Vice President of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando and has been involved with the Jewish National Fund for over 20 years. He contributed lead naming gifts for an amphitheater and commemoration hall at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem. Currently, Bruce is leading the campaign to build the Holocaust Museum for Hope and Humanity in Orlando, Florida. He serves as a producer on the documentary Upheaval: The Journey of Menachem Begin and as Executive Producer of Centered: Joe Lieberman. An avid cyclist, Bruce has completed a 300-mile ride across Israel. Bruce holds a BA and an LLM from New York University and a JD from Touro College’s Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.​​

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BOBBY LEVIN

Aventura, FL

Bobby Levin is the President of Transformational Outsourcing, a successful digital marketing company he founded in 2008. With his extensive experience and expertise in marketing and advertising, Bobby has propelled countless small businesses to distinguish themselves from their competition. As a board member of Hidden Light Institute, Bobby brings invaluable skills and knowledge to support the organization's mission. His marketing prowess and vast network have been instrumental in promoting Hidden Light Institute's two movie productions and future projects. Bobby's digital marketing company plays a crucial role in enhancing the Institute's online presence and reach.

Bobby and his wife Katherine share a passion for organizing events that support various Jewish and Israeli organizations. Since the tragic events of October 7th, 2023, they have actively participated in meetings with organizations dedicated to fighting the disinformation spread through news channels and social media. These organizations have worked diligently to counter the disinformation about the attacks and Israel's response

Bobby is deeply committed to Hidden Light Institute's cause of combating anti-Semitism and Jew hatred. He is determined to use his professional experience and resources to contribute to the organization's goals and amplify its message of understanding and tolerance. With his proven track record of building a thriving business from the ground up and his dedication to making a positive impact, Bobby is a valuable addition to the Hidden Light Institute board.

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TAMIR OREN

Tel Aviv, Israel

Tamir is currently an executive at Exactius, a growth marketing company based in New York, and the Founder of Noga, an admissions consultancy that helps top Israeli students with their applications to Ivy League universities in the U.S. and UK. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of StandWithUs UK, where he led initiatives to combat antisemitism and educate about Israel across Europe. Tamir also launched the "StandWithUs UK Leadership Program," empowering students on UK campuses to become informed and effective leaders. Additionally, he is a reserve officer in the Paratroopers Brigade, with experience defending Israel and participating in the "Israeli Soldiers' Stories" tour on U.S. campuses.

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ANDREA KUPFER SCHNEIDER

New York, NY

Andrea Kupfer Schneider is a Professor of Law and Director of the Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law. Previously, she led the nationally ranked dispute resolution program at Marquette University Law School, where she taught Dispute Resolution, Negotiation, Ethics, and International Conflict Resolution for over 20 years. Andrea has published extensively on topics including negotiation, plea bargaining, ethics, and gender in conflict resolution. Her TEDx talk, Women Don’t Negotiate and Other Similar Nonsense, showcases her expertise in negotiation. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Andrea has also held leadership roles with the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and served on various national boards, including the JFNA National Board. 

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GARY SIMON

Cedarhurst, NY

Gary M. Simon is the Managing Member of UVE Partners LLC, a value-oriented investment fund he founded in March 2000. With a strong background in finance, Gary previously served as CFO for NASDAQ-listed companies, including Concord Camera Corporation and Multi-Media Tutorial Services. His career also includes roles as an investment banker in the M&A Group at Ernst & Young, Oxbridge Partners, and Barington Capital Group. Gary holds a BS in Accounting from Yeshiva University and an MBA from NYU's Graduate School of Business Administration.

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ELIAS SITTON

Mexico City, Mexico

Elias Sitton is the Managing Partner and CEO of LB Logistics, a leading cross-border logistics and sourcing company connecting Mexico and the United States. A seasoned entrepreneur with a focus on international business, he is also the Co-Founder of Gipsy Group, which represents major American, Israeli, and international brands in Mexico, distributing consumer products through leading retailers and department stores. In addition to his professional achievements, Elias volunteers with Mexico’s Holocaust Survivor ASsociation, hosting events and raising funds to support Holocaust survivors and their family members. He holds a degree in Business Management from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. ​​

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PROFESSOR SHAUL M. GABBAY (PH.D.)

Greenwood Village, CO

After his military service as a Commander in the Israeli Defense Force, Shaul Gabbay completed a B.A. at Bar Ilan University and an M.A. at Tel-Aviv University, Israel. In 1991 he received a Presidential Fellowship to continue his studies in the United States. In 1995 he completed his Ph.D. at Columbia University in New York and received an invitation from the University of Chicago for a Post Doctoral program. In 1998 he returned to Israel to join the faculty of the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. 

 

From 2001 to 2010 Professor Gabbay was the Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of Israel in the Middle East (ISIME) at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver.  His research topics focus on the Middle East and the Muslim World. He has published numerous books and papers.

 

He is currently the director of Global Research Institute in Denver Colorado.

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JAY L. RUBIN

Austin, TX

Jay L. Rubin retired as Shalom Austin CEO in 2016 following a decade where he played a key role in the growth and development of Austin’s Jewish community and the Dell Jewish Community Campus.

In a career spanning nearly four decades, Rubin also served as the Executive Director of Jewish Federations and JCCs in Augusta, Georgia and Canton, Ohio and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven where he first met Senator Joseph Lieberman z”l  and Rob Schwartz. 

Between New Haven and Austin, Rubin served as the Executive Vice President of Hillel International, part of the Senior Management Team recruited by then President and International Director Richard M. Joel credited with Hillel’s organizational transformation and global renaissance. Based in Washington, D.C., Rubin visited nearly every major university in North America and traveled extensively to help develop Jewish student life in Latin America, the former Soviet Union and Israel. He also served as Hillel’s liaison to the growing Chabad on Campus movement.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Rubin graduated from Stuyvesant High School, Binghamton University and Washington University in St Louis.

Since retiring Rubin has stayed active in Jewish life consulting and as a volunteer with the Austin Jewish Film Festival, Congregation Tiferet Israel, the Jewish Community Legacy Project and the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission.

 

RABBI YISROEL WILHELM & REBBETZIN LEAH WILHELM

Boulder, CO

Rabbi Yisroel & Leah Wilhelm are the co-founding directors of Chabad at the University of Colorado Boulder, established in 2005. For the past two decades, they have dedicated themselves to creating a welcoming, supportive, and vibrant Jewish community for CU students. Together, they oversee a team of ten staff members and engage more than 1,000 students each year. Both Rabbi Yisroel and Leah devote their time to teaching Torah, counseling students, and directing the wide range of programs offered through the Chabad Jewish Student Center.

 

Their commitment extends beyond Boulder as well. Rabbi Yisroel and Leah helped establish Yaldei, a nonprofit that supports Chabad Shluchim families raising children with special needs. Rabbi Wilhelm served on the board for over a decade and continues to contribute as a consultant, while Leah serves as a mentor to parents, offering guidance and support in navigating their unique challenges.

 

In addition, Leah Wilhelm directs the Boulder Mikvah, where she is passionate about educating and empowering women through this essential mitzvah.

 

Rabbi Wilhelm is also the founder and co-director of Project Likkutei Sichos, a grassroots initiative dedicated to fostering the study of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s teachings through classes, publications, and a widely used app. He has also served on the board of Sinai Scholars, a division of the Jewish Learning Institute, further contributing to Jewish learning on a broader scale.

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FERNANDO PESEL

Mexico City, Mexico

Fernando Pesel, widely known as Fais, is the CEO of a second-generation, family-owned company with over 60 years of history. He leads in the Diaries, Journals, and Binders retail space, as well as the Promotional Items market, guided by a deep sense of responsibility to people, legacy, and purposeful growth.

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An Industrial Engineer from Universidad Iberoamericana and an MBA graduate of IPADE, Fernando is an active member of CIFEM, where he explores the stewardship of family enterprises across generations. As President of Corporate Connections CC I Mexico, he is committed to cultivating trust-based communities and relationships rooted in integrity, generosity, and long-term value.

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He has participated in 10 Maccabiah Games as a basketball player. His passion for the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and Sionism reflects his belief that clarity, identity, and resilience are essential to meaningful leadership, conscious action, and the responsibility to build a better future for generations to come.

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THE HON. CLARINE NARDI RIDDLE

Alexandria, VA

The Hon. Clarine Nardi Riddle is Chair of the Kasowitz, LLP Government Affairs and Strategic Counsel Practice Group and former United States Senate Chief of Staff to Senator Joseph I. Lieberman.  Ms. Riddle served as the first female state Attorney General of Connecticut.  In addition, she served as a Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court, Connecticut’s highest trial court of general jurisdiction, and Special Counsel to Senator Lieberman when he was the Connecticut State Senate Majority Leader. She received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Saint Joseph College, Hartford, Connecticut.   
 
Clarine has been named a Government Relations Trailblazer by The National Law Journal. Additionally, the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General established The Clarine Nardi Riddle Award for Outstanding Leadership.  Clarine was awarded a 2020 Women, Influence & Power in Law Award for Lifetime Achievement by Corporate Counsel.  She received the 2023 Francis X. Bellotti Award by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).  She serves as Chair of the Advisory Committee of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law Center for Constitutional Democracy.  She is also on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Center for Excellence in Education and is Co-Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Campaign to Stop Violence.  She is also a Board member of No Labels and the Hidden Light Institute. 

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NIGEL PARKINSON

Washington, DC

Nigel Parkinson is the Founder, President, and CEO of Parkinson Construction Company, Inc., bringing more than 35 years of leadership in the construction industry while maintaining a deep commitment to philanthropy, education, and community advancement. Based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, he has expanded his firm’s footprint nationally and internationally, including work in Mozambique and Ethiopia, where his global engagement has informed his service-driven leadership. Mr. Parkinson holds a B.S. from Florida A & M University, an M.S. in Public Administration from Florida State University, and completed the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School. He is an active supporter of educational institutions, including the Bais Yaakov School for Girls in Baltimore and the Bush Educational Institution PLC in Ethiopia, where he has helped provide critical resources and modern equipment for students. A dedicated mentor to youth and minority students, particularly at Florida A & M University, Mr. Parkinson has been recognized for his service with Florida State University’s Distinguished Alumni Award (2022) and the Bert King Award for Service (2023). He also serves as a board member of Operation Understanding, an organization that convenes African American and Jewish teenagers to foster mutual understanding, shared aspirations, and awareness of their interconnected histories, particularly through the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. Mr. Parkinson is widely respected as a civic-minded leader whose board contributions are grounded in mission alignment, stewardship, and social impact.