Posted on 01/08/24
Baltimore, MD - Jan. 8, 2024 - The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore recently announced the selection 16 young adults to participate in its Young Leadership Council (YLC). As part of this two-year program, these local leaders will engage in monthly leadership seminars, delve into the work of The Associated and its network and learn from community leaders.
The selected candidates went through rigorous evaluation, providing them with a unique chance to connect with some of Baltimore’s most influential community members. As part of YLC, these young adults will evolve as young leaders that will help them with their careers and their community at large.
Each member contributes a distinctive blend of skills and perspectives, reflecting the organization's diverse and collaborative spirit. The 16 participants to receive the honor include, Arielle Garber, Alexis Gorenstein, Avi Wolasky, Ben Waller, Elana Taub, Heather Brown, Jacob Dorfman, Jeff Pensak, Joey Fink, Jordan Hirsch, Lauren Sibel, Leib Price, Max Cardin, Merav Levine, Parker Schnell and Sarenka Smith.
Avi Wolasky
Avi Wolasky is a born and bred product of Baltimore. After graduating high school, Avi spent two years in yeshiva in Israel while also obtaining his bachelor's degree from Excelsior University.
Afterwords, he attended law school at Georgetown University, where he recently graduated. Avi has just begun working at Storzer and Associates, a law firm in Owings Mills specializing in litigating RLUIPA claims, religious land use issues arising from discriminatory practices against religious institutions, including synagogues, churches, and mosques. Avi is also a member of the Baltimore City Police Accountability Board.
In his free time, Avi enjoys writing, playing piano, and spending time with his wife and two children.
Jacob Dorfman
Jacob was born and raised in New York. He attended SUNY Binghamton where he earned a BA in Political Science and Philosophy, Politics and Law, as well as a Masters in Business Administration, with concentrations in Leadership Consulting and Marketing. During his time at SUNY Binghamton, Jacob founded the university’s chapter of the American Parliamentary Debate Association, a debate team that is still nationally competitive. He also served as president of MEOR Upstate, a Jewish organization on campus at Binghamton and Cornell, president of the Graduate Management Association and the Jewish identity chair for the Beta Nu Chapter of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.
After college and graduate school, Jacob went to Israel for two years to study in yeshiva at Machon Yaakov, The Rabinowitz Institute. It was in Israel that he grew in his religious observance, becoming shomer torah and mitzvahs. While in Israel, he met his wife, Elana.
Jacob’s next stop was Baltimore. He received a full merit scholarship to attend the University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law. Since graduating law school in 2020, with a JD and a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Jacob clerked for the Honorable Robert Taylor, Jr. of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. He is currently an attorney with the firm Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner and Davey, P.A., specializing in wills, consumer protection, and family law services for his clients.
Jacob’s most important accomplishment, however, is the beautiful family and welcoming home he and his wife constantly strive to build and maintain.
Leib Price
Leib is a dynamic individual with an entrepreneurial zest. While in college, Leib worked as an insurance broker and leased houses in Baltimore City. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Thomas Edison University, Leib received his license in nursing home administration.
Leib currently works as a nursing home administrator for Autumn Lake Healthcare at Alice Manor, where he oversees a staff of 95 individuals and seven department heads. He is also in the process of opening his own startup medical company. In his spare time, Leib enjoys studying Talmud, exercising at the JCC and spending time with his wife Yakira and daughter Nava Leah.