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 ora@kolotchayeinu.org
Diane Kirschner, Administrative Director, has been part of the Kolot Chayeinu community since 2009, when she was hired as Kolot’s first Administrative Director. Diane oversees many aspects of Kolot including daily operations, personnel, email communications and logistics, and works closely with the Executive Committee and Board on governance and policy issues. Before coming to Kolot, Diane’s value-driven career led her to work in a range of capacities for various not-for-profit organizations including Americans for Peace Now and American Friends of Hebrew University. She maintains a small consulting practice providing program planning and meeting facilitation, writing and editing services, and organizing and communications support. Diane is a NYC licensed ceremonies officiant . She teaches Compassionate Communication and facilitates a group at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, where she is a member. She is also a weaver and a member of Weave a Real Peace which serves as a catalyst for improving the quality of life of weavers and textile artisans in communities-in-need. Contact Diane at dkirschner@kolotchayeinu.org
Efrat (Effi) Baler Moses, 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, CLP Administrative Assistant also co-organizes Kolot's Locally Grown Shabbat services with student rabbi Scott Fox. 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, Content Manager, 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 writes prayer and kavannot which can be seen on her blog, Triganza: Words of Prayer and Intention. 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
