David Lewis, Chief Executive Officer
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Born and raised on Long Island, New York, David discovered his professional interest in Jewish education while working at the URJ’s Greene Family Camp in Texas, where he experienced the power of transformative Jewish experiences in the context of a shared and valued community. David has earned masters degrees from Hebrew Union College in Jewish Education (MAJE) and Communal Service (MAJCS), a masters in Social Work from University of Southern California, and completed course work in a joint Ph.D. program from Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia Teachers College. In addition, David participated as a fellow and an adjunct faculty member at the Institute for Informal Jewish Education (IJE) through Brandeis University. David’s greatest inspiration comes from his relationship with his family. David’s beloved wife, Rabbi Leah Lewis, serves as the Associate Rabbi of Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot in Irvine. Their 3 children, Gabriel, Jonah and Nomi, fill his life with joy and just the right amount of chaos. David also has passions for music, cinema, and guitar.
Becca Zarrabi, Interim Youth Program Coordinator
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Becca was born and raised in the Bay Area where she was an active participant in Jewish life, summer camp, and youth group. She came to Irvine in 2007 to attend UCI, where she graduated with a BA in Psychology and Social Behavior. Becca recently concluded a multi-year successful employment as the Youth Director for Congregation Shir Ha Ma’alot, in which she elevated their entire program. In addition, Becca has served on the Bureau’s youth staff over the past two years, serving as an administrator, as well as serving as a Madricha on the Bureau’s TIES trip. In short, she knows our programs intimately, she is a beloved member of our youth community by both professional and participants, and she brings a proven skill set in working with kids.
Sheri Gropper, Director of Operations
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Sheri has worked at the Bureau of Jewish Education since 1999. She currently manages the office, coordinates our adult volunteers, and runs selected youth programs. Sheri spearheads the Bureau’s “Teens Take Action Volunteer Resource Guide”. She coordinates our TIES summer Israel adventure, manages the President’s Volunteer Service Award program, and administers scholarships for TALIT Nation participants. Sheri joined the team at the Bureau after working 11 years in Jewish family education. She recently completed the National Educators’ Institute for Jewish Service-Learning, and looks forward to helping empower our teens with a lifetime of leadership, service, and activism. She has a BA from Cal State Northridge and has participated in CAJE (Continuing Advancement in Jewish Education) and American Jewish University courses. When she’s not at work, Sheri and her husband, Charles, try to keep up with their 2 adult children, Amanda and Michael, and have recently welcomed their first grandbaby, Madaline.
