Rachael Fried

Executive Director

Rachael (she/her) joined JQY in 2013 and became its Executive Director in 2019. Under her leadership, the formerly volunteer-run organization has grown to a professional one with a team of eight salaried employees, a Drop-in Center in Times Square, and an operating budget of $2.1 million. She is committed to ensuring that the voices of queer Jewish individuals are heard and celebrated. Rachael received her MSW in Community Organizing from Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University, an MFA from Parsons in Transdisciplinary Design, and a BA in Studio Art from Stern College, where she served as president of the Stern student body and a Presidential Fellow. A lifelong Jewish camper, she was Division Head, Program Director, and Director of Operations at Camp Nesher. Rachael is a Wexner Field Fellow, the 2022 JPro Young Professionals Award recipient, and one of The Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36″. She lives in Washington Heights with her wife and their dog.

Dr. Jeremy Novich

Clinical Director

Anthony Merced

Director of Operations

Gila Romanoff

Director of Programming

Shifra Shine

Communications Manager

Shifra (she/her) is thrilled to be part of the JQY team. This is her first position in the nonprofit sector after working in the fashion industry for 8 years. Shifra has a B.A. in Communications and Television & Radio Production from Brooklyn College. In her free time, Shifra enjoys reading classic poetry, listening to pop music and picnicking with her husband, daughter and dog in local parks. 

Chagit Lyssy

Development Manager

Chagit (they/them) joined JQY as the organization’s first full-time Development Manager. They bring extensive experience in nonprofit development, having worked for many years as a fundraiser in Israel, where they lived for many years. Chagit holds a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. They currently live in Washington Heights with their wife.

Maris Krauss

Expansion and College Program Manager

Maris Krauss (she/her) is the Program Manager at JQY, where she manages the daily operations of JQY’s programs. She has worked at several Jewish nonprofits and synagogues in membership and operations, and led initiatives to increase LGBTQ+ inclusion in Jewish life cycle rituals. Maris completed the UJA Ruskay Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership in the summer of 2024, where she learned with a cohort of other experienced Jewish nonprofit professionals. She is also a graduate of the Avodah Justice Fellowship and the JDC Entwine Community Representative leadership program. Maris holds a B.A. in Psychology from Ithaca College and enjoys traveling, baking, and poetry.

Tali Benkoe

Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Support & Volunteer Coordinator

Tali Benkoe (they/them) is an LCSW with a dual focus on the aging population and queer youth. Tali began their career in Israel, running groups for Israeli queer teens in Jerusalem and serving as a rehabilitation counselor for adults with severe mental illness. While in graduate school, Tali recognized their passion for end of life issues and completed an internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering. At the same time Tali continued to deepen their involvement at JQY, running programming, working at the Drop-in Center and staffing the Warmline. Before joining JQY full time, Tali worked as a Palliative Care social worker with Landmark Health. Tali identifies as trans, non-binary and is in the process of completing a short film about the period leading up to their transition.

Tali completed their B.A. in Business Administration at Machon Tal (Jerusalem) and their MSW at Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.

Haylee Feist

Program Coordinator

Haylee Feist (she/her) is so excited to join JQY as the Program Coordinator and Avodah Fellow. Haylee recently graduated from Duke University, where she studied Public Policy and Psychology. She is passionate about building welcoming communities and is eager to support JQY’s mission through creative programming and events. In her free time, Haylee enjoys making coffee, thrifting, and creating art with her friends.

Ari Wes

Digital Content Creator

Ari Wes (they/them) has been a part of the JQY team since 2021 and is excited to tap into their creative skills as the JQY Content Creator. Ari holds a BA in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Educational Theatre. They have previously been involved in queer advocacy efforts at Yeshiva University and was a member of the founding YU Pride Alliance board in 2019.

Sara Glass, Ph.D., LCSW

Clinical Supervisor

Sara Glass, Ph.D., LCSW, is the clinical director of Soul Wellness NYC in Midtown West, Manhattan, where she leads a team of clinicians who work together to implement cutting-edge therapeutic treatment in a warm and supportive environment. She completed her Ph.D. in psychology at Capella University, where she published research on the objectification of women in popular media. She has also authored a book chapter on treating the conflict between religion and LGBTQ identities as it presents in the psychotherapy arena. Glass has completed post-graduate training in EMDR, Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Collaborative Divorce. Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS), Art Therapy, and Sand Play Therapy. She has supervised graduate students, along with treating children and families for more than 15 years. For more info, visit drsaraglass.com.

Renanit Levy

Advancement Advisor

Renanit Levy (she/her) is an advancement advisor who partners with a range of Jewish organizations to secure the resources they need to increase their impact; she has been working with JQY since 2020. Renanit founded R.Levy Consulting in 2016 after having worked in leadership roles in Jewish community settings for over two decades. Immediately prior, Renanit served as Director of Philanthropic Partnerships at Hazon (now Adamah); she has also worked as the Director of The Gottesman Fund and as a grantmaker and communal planner in the areas of Jewish education and identity, government relations, and health and human services at UJA-Federation of New York, as well as in admissions for The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Renanit holds a graduate degree in Jewish Communal Leadership and Nonprofit Management from the University of Michigan School of Social Work, where she was the Ernie Michel Fellow through the Federation Executive Recruitment and Education Program. She is a certified trainer in the Respectful Jewish Workplaces Initiative; a graduate of Bend the Arc’s Selah Leadership Program, which trains Jewish leaders to be effective, sustainable and collaborative agents for change; and an Affiliate of the SRE Network. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and three daughters and is an avid yogini, dedicated member of two book clubs and active community volunteer.

Denah Emerson, MFA

Designer & Drop-in Center Admin

Denah Emerson is a Drop-in Center admin and a graphic designer here at JQY. She received her B.A. in Art and English Communications from Yeshiva University, where she worked as the canvassing committee, ensuring fair and entertaining election processes for all. She subsequently earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Design and Technology from Parsons The New School for Design, focusing her research on digital immortality. Denah works as an artist, graphic designer, editor, and research and marketing specialist. She also works in informal education, running programs for high school students every summer. Denah embraces millennial digital nomadism as a wandering writer, performer, dance fitness instructor, financial advisor, life coach, and certified bartender. Denah is clearly a jack of all trades, master of none. 

Suri Lipski

Drop-In Center Social Worker

Suri (she/her) is an LMSW who specializes in eating disorders and supporting LGBTQ youth. She earned her BA from Stern College and her MSW from Wurzweiler School of Social Work. As a former drop-in attendee and proud member of the Jewish Queer community, Suri is passionate about helping Jewish LGBTQ youth feel seen, supported, and empowered. Suri believes deeply in the power of community and strives to create spaces where people can show up as their full, authentic selves. Outside of JQY, Suri works full-time as a therapist supporting individuals in eating disorder recovery, guiding them towards healing, self-compassion, and wholeness. In her free time Suri enjoys doing arts and crafts and spending time in nature. 

Tami Adelson

Drop-In Center Social Worker

Tami (she/her) is a licensed social worker in New Jersey and New York with master’s degrees in both Social Work and Higher Education Administration. Tami began her career in higher education and transitioned to working as a clinical therapist after the pandemic. Tami has worked with JQY on and off over the past four years and appreciates being part of the incredible JQY team and working with all of our fabulous Drop-In members.

Ollie Paneth

Drop-In Center Welcomer

Ollie Paneth (they/them) is the Welcomer at the JQY Drop-In Center. As a former JQYer, Olllie is glad to pay it forward and provide a friendly face at the welcome desk for new and returning participants. Ollie has experience working at various LGBTQ+ drop-in centers in New York and teaches sexual health and transgender care to tweens and young adults in the LGBTQ+ community.

EMO Sanchez

Social Work Intern

EMO (he/him/they) is completing his MSW at the Columbia School of Social Work. EMO is dedicated to supporting mental health in the LGBTQ+ community and brings many years of experience working with youth and young adults as a theatre director and educator. He earned his BA at the University of Minnesota in Theatre Arts and spent 20 years working as a professional actor, singer, dancer, stage director and educator. EMO also works as a home care manager while attending graduate school and values bringing meaning and joy to end of life care. He was married in 2019 and lives in Inwood with his husband.  

Greta Parr

Social Work Intern

Greta (they/them) is completing their MSW at Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Greta is passionate about working with LGBTQ+ youth and young adults with a focus on trauma-informed care. They earned their BA at Barnard College in Anthropology. In their free time, Greta enjoys crocheting, listening to music, and reading.