YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF SPS
We are a 20/30’s group of professionals: students, singles & couples, living in New York City, building community & meaningful Jewish experiences at SPS!.
If you're interested in joining, be in touch with Rabbi Dave Levy at rabbidave@spsnyc.org
NEW!
Torah To-Go with Rabbinic Intern Eitan Bloomstein and Ariel Friedman
The SPS Young Professionals present Torah To-Go — Torah made easy, convenient, and accessible. Whether you’ve got 10 minutes or a whole afternoon, join us to get your Torah fix wherever, whenever. No pressure, just powerful learning that fits into your busy life!
In a year where our phones have been the source of so much anxiety and stress, we will use this group chat as a way to see what wisdom we can bring from our texts - the ultimate combination of modern and ancient.
We will schedule 3-4 times over the course of the year to come together in person to learn Torah. Dates forthcoming.
YP Board Members
Daniel Cohen
Rebecca Cushman
Max Gershberg
Adam Grodman
Annie Jacobson
Dana Miller
Shira Nadel
Josh Pine
Josh Raskin
Laura Roth
Jason Schifrien
Cheryl Silverbrand
Joanna Wheeler
Daniel Cohen
Daniel started attending services at SPS in 2019 and became a member shortly thereafter having felt immediately welcomed by the community. He graduated from Brandeis University with his Bachelor's degree and also attained a Master's in Jewish Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College as well as his MBA from the University of Southern California. He currently lives on the Upper East Side with his wife and daughter where he enjoys cooking, baking, and watching sports.
Rebecca Cushman
Rebecca has been a member of SPS since 2019 and has loved getting to know the community through programs, services, and the Kol Rinah choir! Rebecca earned a Bachelor's Degree from New York University and a Master's of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She works for the NYC Department of Education Manhattan Transition and College Access Center supporting students with disabilities as they graduate high school and pursue college, careers, and independence. Born and raised in NY, Rebecca loves the bright lights of Times Square, exploring new restaurants and cafes, and is particularly excited for the return of Broadway theatre!
Adam Grodman
Adam has been a member of SPS since 2016, along with his wife Amy Elitzer. He enjoys the incredible community that has been built at Sutton Place as well as the wide range of religious and cultural activities that are offered. Adam works in advertising technology and lives on the Upper East Side with Amy, their six-month-old daughter and four-year-old cockapoo. Adam's favorite hobby is to explore the NYC food scene!
Annie Jacobson
Annie is an intersectional feminist, actress, singer, writer, and MS, CCLS candidate. She moved to New York City in 2017, and has been a proud part of the SPS community since 2019. She was honored to be a member of the JRS faculty during the 2019-2020 school year as well. Please don't hesitate to reach out to talk about anything related to dogs, child development, theater, activism, Walt Disney World, and/or vegan pints of Ben & Jerry's!
Shira Nadel
Shira has been a member of SPS since 2018. She is a born and bred New Yorker, currently living in Sutton Place with her husband and son. Shira currently works in corporate finance at News Corp. She earned her bachelor's degree in Economics from Indiana University, a master's degree in Management from NYU. She is very involved with various Jewish and Israel organizations including in her role as a Board Member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. She enjoys traveling (having been to 34 countries so far), cooking, reading, organizing, working out and spending time outdoors.
Josh Raskin
Josh has been a member of SPS since 2015, and is also a member of the SPS Board of Trustees. He is the co-founder of a talent management, brand consulting, and TV production company called Viking Sports and Entertainment Group. Originally from Plainview, New York, Josh graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Sport Management, currently sitting on the board of the Kinesiology Alumni Society. His background includes working in media sales, sports sponsorships, event activation, athlete representation, and is an internationally published author.
Laura Roth
Laura has been a member of SPS since 2017, participating in the community attending services and various cultural events. She lives on the Upper East Side, works in Business Development and runs a small challah baking business @loavesbylaura. Laura earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Binghamton University School of Management and her master’s degree in Taxation from Baruch College Zicklin School of Business. In her free time, she loves to snuggle with her baby girl, discover new wine bars in NYC and local restaurants while traveling.
Cheryl Silverbrand
Cheryl is originally from Rockland County, New York and has lived in New York City since 2012. She graduated from Binghamton University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and currently works as the Director of Human Resources at a Real Estate Finance Firm. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, traveling, Knicks games, volunteering and exploring all that NYC has to offer!
Joanna Wheeler
Joanna has been a member of SPS since 2016 and is active in both religious and cultural aspects of synagogue life. She lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with her husband and works in the Jewelry Department at Sotheby's. Joanna earned her bachelor's degree in Art History from Bucknell University and has Graduate Gemology degree from the Gemological Institute of America. She enjoys frequenting museums and galleries in NYC and rewatching old episodes of The Office.