Helena Hawkins resides in the San Francisco Bay Area but lives and breathes the Land of Israel. She and her fiance, David Sheyman, are actively working with Doreinu in order to inspire and connect the local South Bay Jewish community to the story of Israel’s return to history.

Yehuda Katz has been active with Doreinu and affiliated movements in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2007. After successful ventures in real estate and managing local musicians, he spent a decade working as a lead software engineer for some of Silicon Valley’s major tech companies. In partnership with the local Chabad (that began in his living room), Yehuda has spent the last three years building a vibrant young professional community in Santa Clara.

Esther Lamm Kanchik has a B.Sc. in Marketing and a B.A. in Literature from St. Johns University. Having worked as RAJE’s Director of Marketing and Development for seven years and managing the UJA Federation of New York’s Russian Leadership Division for three years, she’s excited to bring her experience with Jewish nonprofit organizations to the Doreinu team.

Jonathan Kadoch is a graduate of the University of Maryland and an online advertising professional living in Manhattan. As a New York-based representative of Doreinu, he led the Alliance for New Zionist Vision’s American delegation at the 37th World Zionist Congress (where he personally spearheaded efforts to push forward a resolution declaring the Jewish people indigenous to the Land of Israel).

Zachary Kogan came to the United States as a refugee from the USSR and grew up on Boston’s North Shore. The great grandson of Rabbi Morduch HaKohen of Dubrovno, he grew up in the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement. A former competitive skier and an avid musician, Zachary holds a degree in Global Business Science, Fine Arts & Humanities. He currently lives in Brookline, MA and is the Program Officer for Strategic Israel Engagement at Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

Michael Shepsis is a practicing attorney, having graduated from Northeastern University School of Law in 2009. He is a long time resident of the Boston area and is active in the local Jewish community. Seeking to bring an awareness of Jewish history and identity to young adults, Michael has helped found the Boston chapter of the Doreinu movement to provide fresh Jewish programming focused on identity politics and national consciousness.

Max Landaw is a practicing California attorney having graduated UC Hastings College of the Law and passing the California bar exam in 2011. He has had his own legal practice since 2012. While completing his undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley, Max helped found the Tikvah Zionist student organization. Seeking to bring an awareness of Jewish history and identity to young adults in the greater Los Angeles area, Max has teamed up with Jessica and Hana to provide a fresh brand of Jewish programming through the Doreinu movement.

Hana Doustar is currently pursuing an M.A. in Chinese Medicine at Emperor’s College. After completing her B.A. in psychology from the University of Antioch, Hana spent significant time traveling throughout Israel where she studied ancient texts, fell in love with the country and even volunteered her time with a grassroots peace organization. Determined to open an alternative medical clinic in Jerusalem following her graduation, Hana has meanwhile teamed up with Jessica Felber to share her experiences through the Doreinu movement.

Jessica Felber is a doctoral student at UCLA, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Cultures, with a special emphasis on Israel Studies. Since graduating with a B.A. from UC Berkeley in 2010, Jessica has worked and volunteered for several Jewish non-profit organizations including Jerusalem U, Core 18 Leaders’ Lab and Hasbara Fellowships. Seeking to foster a sense of peoplehood among Jewish young adults in Los Angeles, Jessica has teamed up with Hana Doustar to achieve her vision through the Doreinu movement.