PHOTO: Young Adult Board Chair Jake Sullivan opens his board gift delivered by Nadine Menashe before the Zoom retreat. Members received a journal labeled “Great YA Board Ideas,” a drink tumbler with their name and a personalized note from Nadine.

 

The new Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Young Adult Board held its inaugural retreat on Zoom for four hours Aug. 23. Board members are Jake Sullivan, Hope Peskin-Shepherd, Sarah Howard, Stuart Zeltzer, Ben Morgan, Hannah Holstein and Shayna Sigman. 
Federation governing board members Emily Benoit and Jess Hilbert and Federation associate Nadine Menashe led the new Young Adult board members through a series of exercises to help make the most of the year ahead. 
“Members quickly moved from introductions and getting to know each other’s unique skills to the real meat of the event, which was discussing our goals for the year and how to successfully represent the young adult community in Greater Portland,” says Nadine. “Participants asked thoughtful questions and naturally saw their work through a lens of equity and inclusion, wanting to unite every corner of our diverse community.”
At the end of the retreat, the board members had their first official vote: electing Jake Sullivan as the board chair. Jake will co-run meetings, act as a representative of the board to the greater community, and help ensure that goals and objectives are being met. 
The Young Adult Board will hold its first meeting in September; members will engage in further dialogue on how to make the Portland area a great place for Jewish young adults.  
Young Adult Board Chair Jake Sullivan grew up in Portland and attended Colorado College and the University of Cambridge. From 2017-2020, he served as a resident in Moishe House Portland, helping to create a welcoming space for young adult Jews. Jake is excited to bring his passion for connection, creativity and fun to this new venture.
Read about the other board members in the June 24 issue of the Jewish Review: 
jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/new-board-gives-new-generation-a-seat-at-table