Our Staff

Ora Wise, Education Director,  has a Masters in Jewish Education from the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary and is the director of the Children’s Learning Program at Kolot Chayeinu. Raised by a rabbi and Jewish educator, storyteller, and artist, Ora brings her passion for interpretation of Jewish texts, creating new and exploring ancient rituals, languages, and art into the innovative programming she co-creates with the rabbi, teachers, and parents. Wise is also the Curriculum Specialist for the Future City Media Workshops program in Detroit which is focused on using media and technology to strengthen local and national popular education projects and grassroots organizing. Additionally, Wise is the curriculum specialist and co-producer of Slingshot Hip Hop, a film documenting the lives of young hip hop artists in Palestine which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2008 and is the co-founder of the Palestine Education Project, a collective of educators, activists and artists connecting struggles for justice within the U.S. and Palestine.  Contact Ora at owise@kolotchayeinu.org

Sarah Strnad, Administrative and Operations Coordinator, is a graduate of Indiana University, and holds a Masters in International Human Rights from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.  Prior to joining the Kolot team, she served as the Assistant Director of Partners for Progressive Israel (formerly Meretz USA), an Assistant Manager specializing in project management at AXA Equitable, and a Jewish Campus Service Corps Fellow for the Hillel at the University of Denver.  Sarah has also interned for Jews for Racial and Economic Justice in New York City and Rabbis for Human Rights in Jerusalem, and is deeply committed to human rights and social justice on the local, national, and international levels.  Born and raised in Columbia, MO she has lived in Brooklyn for seven years and is very proud to call herself a Brooklynite.  Sarah remains a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan, and loves riding on the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island and eating bagels in Prospect Park.  Contact Sarah at sarah@kolotchayeinu.org

Rachel Brook, Family Kabbalat Shabbat Services Leader & Locally Grown Co-Chair, is a cantorial student, chorus conductor, children’s and adult services leader.  Rachel is in her 2nd year of Cantorial studies at Academy for Jewish Religion. As a musician and educator, Rachel teaches and leads family services at B’nai Jeshrun, is co-coordinator of Locally Grown Shabbat here at Kolot Chayeinu, and has taught and led services at several congregations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Westchester. A passionate supporter of Jewish music and education, Rachel is the conductor of Shir Chadash: Brooklyn Jewish Community Chorus, sings back-up for Kirtan Rabbi, performs with Zamir Chorale, and is the conductor of the Westchester chapter of HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir. She and her multi-talented trumpet-playing husband, Matt, are proud members of Kolot and so excited to get to know all the wonderful young families over this coming year.  For more information about Rachel, please visit rachelbrook.com.

Efrat (Effi) Baler Moses, Database Administrator  since 2006. Efrat was born in Israel and grew up in Jerusalem, Winnipeg, Canada and Boston, MA. She is a graduate of the Art and Sculpture department of the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, Israel. She has lived in NY since 1993 and has come to Kolot after many years working in the financial district and at private schools. Efrat lives and creates her art in Prospect Lefferts Garden.  Contact Effi concerning CLP payment inquiries or Membership Dues at accountsdatamanager@kolotchayeinu.org 

Heath Mackenzie Reynolds, Locally Grown Co-Chair & Admin, Young Brooklyn Jews. Originally from Seattle, Heath came to NYC in 2003 to study Philosophy of Religion at Union Theological Seminary and has now settled in Brooklyn. Heath has worked as a resource specialist and direct services provider since 1998 in health centers,  community organizations, libraries, colleges, and congregations, and also works as a case manager at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center.  Contact Heath at hreynolds@kolotchayeinu.org 

Trisha Arlin, Communications Coordinator, is responsible for the website content, emails,  is admin for our facebook page and our twitter account and edits and kibitzes on various written materials.  She has been an active member of Kolot Chayeinu since 1997.   She has edited Kolot's journal, VOICES, since 1998, and served on the Board for five years, as well as on the Kesher, Values Statement, Communications & Siddur Committees.  Trisha is a first-year rabbinic student at the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) and writes prayer and kavannot which can be seen on her blog, Triganza:  Words of Prayer and Intention. Trisha has a B.A. in Theater from Antioch College & M.F.A. in Film from the Columbia University Graduate Film Division.    If you have feedback or comments about this website, please contact Trisha via the Contact Us page or write to her at website@kolotchayeinu.org

Vanessa C. Almestica, Administrative Assistant, is a born and raised “Bklyn Girl.” She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Boricua College. Her work includes working for other not-profit organizations and overseeing the Administrative and Human Resources departments. Vanessa has a strong background in human resources, her passion for helping those in her community, her welcoming smile, and a perky attitude; that she is excited to bring to the Kolot community. Outside of work, she enjoys shoe shopping, good food, and doing the two T’s, traveling and tanning.  Contact Vanessa at vanessa@kolotchayeinu.org