Susan Sacks

President

Susan Sacks is a passionate advocate for Jewish teens and youth. Having worked in this space for more the 25 years, Susan currently holds the role of President of the Board of Directors of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, part of Jewish National Fund-USA’s commitment to Zionist Education. She has been a member of the Illinois JNF-USA board for over 20 years. With a strong commitment to fostering immersive educational experiences, developing Jewish identities for teens and building community, Susan works tirelessly to grow and lead Alexander Muss High School in Israel.

In addition to her roles at JNF-USA and Muss, Susan currently serves on the Foundation for Jewish Camp (“FJC”) National Board of Directors. FJC, the leading umbrella organization for 180+ Jewish summer camps across North America. Susan has also been a very involved lay leader in the Chicago Jewish community, having recently served on the Jewish United Fund’s Board of Directors, having previously chaired community outreach and oversaw the P2G Israel Partnership committee. In addition, Susan is on the Judaism Alive Board of Directors, helping to create leadership opportunities for teens and young adults.

Susan previously worked as a public school and college social worker as well as a human resource professional. Susan holds a BS in Education and Psychology from SUNY Oneonta and an MSW in Social Work from CUNY Hunter College. Susan and her husband Marc live in Deerfield, IL, and Rancho Santa Fe, CA. They have 3 amazing adult sons and 2 incredible daughters-in-laws.

Myron Stayman

Audit and Financial Aid Chair

Born in Chicago to Ukrainian parents, Myron was raised in Ohio and graduated from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He began his career as a CPA before moving into senior executive roles in both public and private companies. For the past 38 years, Myron has been with Merrill Lynch, where he serves as a Managing Director and has been repeatedly recognized as a top advisor by Barron’s and Forbes in their "Best in State" rankings. Married to Debbie, an LCSW, and proud father of three and grandfather of eight, Myron is deeply involved in community affairs. He serves on the JBF National Board and the board of Alexander Muss High School in Israel, with past leadership roles including president of Miami’s oldest synagogue and various board positions.

Lauraine Greenbaum

Board Member

Lauraine has been involved with JNF-USA for over 20 years, during which time she has served as Chair of the Water Task Force (then known as the Parsons Water Fund) and President of the New York Board. She has chaired 2 National Conferences and sat on various committees, including the Boruchin Committee and the Go North East Task Force. Lauraine has also created the program of Congregation Tours to Israel. She is a member of the World Chairman's Council and the Circle of Sapphire.

Jill Lewis

Board Member

Jill is a dedicated supporter of Muss, of which her daughters Rachel and Natalie Lewis are proud alumni. Jill brings a deep commitment to advancing Jewish educational opportunities and fostering a love for Israel to American Jewish teenagers. She has been actively involved with the Muss Mid Atlantic Committee since 2021 serving as chairperson for the last two years. Jill holds a Master’s in Health Administration from George Washington University and worked in the health field where she supported business development initiatives for hospitals in the southeast.

Lori Miller

Board Member

Lori Miller, a Michigan native now based in Phoenix, is a dedicated community leader and college consultant. After practicing law in Chicago for nearly a decade, she shifted her focus to philanthropic initiatives, serving on boards for organizations like Jewish National Fund-USA and Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Lori's passion for giving back extends to over a decade of volunteer work with the Swift Youth Foundation.

Joel Reinstein

Board Member

Joel Reinstein, an attorney originally from the United States, is a dedicated supporter of education and community development. He serves on the Board of Governors at Ben-Gurion University and is an advocate for Yerucham. A longtime champion of Alexander Muss High School in Israel, Joel is a lay leader, parent, and grandparent of two generations of alumni. He has been a Muss board member since the 2013 Alexander Muss High School in Israel/JNF-USA merger and is a former Chair of the Alumni Committee.

Michele Scheck

Board Member

Michele Scheck, DO, is a family practice physician dedicated to functional medicine, aiming to address the root causes of health concerns rather than merely treating symptoms. Dr. Scheck earned her degree from Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2000 and is licensed by The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. After years of traditional family medicine, she sought further training at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, emphasizing a preventive and integrative approach to patient care. Dr. Scheck is committed to educating her community on the benefits of a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Sam Lichtenfeld

Board Member & Bylaw Committee Chair

Sam Lichtenfeld is Muss alum and former madrich. He currently lives in downtown Chicago with his wife, two children, and miniature schnauzer. Sam is general counsel at a Chicago commercial real estate investment company.

Michael Feldman

Chair of Muss Chairs

Michael Feldman (Laguna Beach CA) worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. In retirement, he has found his true vocation: Getting Jewish youth to Israel. Michael has served on his synagogue's board and is currently the President of the Orange County & Long Beach region of JNF-USA. He and his husband are active in various philanthropies in Orange County related to the arts, the University of California, and human rights. Although Michael never attended Muss, his first trip to Israel was a seven week program at age 16 which firmly planted in him the seed of Zionism and his dearest wish is to give every Jewish teen that opportunity.

Ron Werner

Chairman & President Emeritus

Ron Werner is President and co-founder of HW Home, Inc., a Colorado-based lifestyle home furnishings retailer and design source. Prior to founding HW Home, he was a Sr. Vice President of Investments with Smith Barney. Werner currently serves as Vice President of Campaign on Jewish National Fund-USA’s National Board of Directors and Chairman of JNF-USA’s Alexander Muss High School in Israel. He is a member of the Nefesh B’Nefesh (Israel) Board of Directors. As an alumnus (1982) of Muss, Ron refers to his time at the school as the most important part of his educational experience. Werner previously served as President and Chairman of Jewish National Fund-USA’s Mountain States Region. He is also a proud member of the organization’s World Chairman’s Council and King Solomon Society.

Robert Weiss

Development Chair

Bio Coming Soon

Brian Seitz

Finance Co-Chair

Brian, a native of Atlanta, has led Plymouth Funding since 2013. With degrees in mathematics from the University of Texas and the University of Georgia, he brings expertise to his work and community involvement. An active board member for several nonprofits, Brian also enjoys coaching youth basketball in his spare time.

Karl Kaplan

Finance Committee Chair

Karl Kaplan (Mahwah, NJ) is the Managing Director of The Timna Group, LLC, a New Jersey-based investment firm founded in 2009. Karl co-founded OSG Billing Services in 1992 and served as the COO until 2013. Karl serves on the boards of Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County and Lunavi. Karl has been active in JNF-USA since 1997, is a past member of the JNF-USA of Greater New York Board of Directors, and a member of JNF’s Century Council. Karl’s interest includes Israel education and the next generation of Jewish leaders. Karl is married to Tracy, and they have 3 children. All of their children are Muss alumni, Jack, from the 2018 Fall Semester session, Max the 2020 Fall Semester session, and Ari, the 2021 ROOTS summer program. Karl serves on the Muss Budget and Finance Committee as the Chair.

Jerry Sokol

Governance & Legal Co-Chair

Jerry Sokol is a partner with the international law firm McDermott Will & Emery, based in the firm’s Miami office, and is the Global Head of Healthcare at the firm. Jerry is a corporate attorney who deals primarily on health care transactions. He is ranked in Chambers USA, listed as one of the best lawyers in America and is on the Super Lawyers list. He is also on the Nightingale’s best Transactional Attorneys List. Jerry is involved in many charitable organizations, including his position as a board member of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel and as a past Founding President of the Miami Beach Jewish Community Center. Jerry spearheaded the historical effort of building a new JCC in Miami Beach. Both Jerry and his wife, Allison, are Muss alumni and proud parents of 4 Muss alumni as well.

Jack Roldan

Marketing Chair

Jack Roldan serves as the Marketing Co-Chair for Muss, where he brings a unified vision and strategic expertise to drive impactful marketing across all his roles. As the owner and founder of See Deep Consulting, marketing advisor for the World Zionist Village, and a member of the Jewish National Fund-USA National Marketing Committee, Jack applies his holistic approach to crafting cohesive and far-reaching campaigns. His innovative leadership continues to shape meaningful initiatives that leave a lasting impact.

Joe Wolfson

Past Chairman & President Emeritus

Joseph Wolfson, an attorney with Stevens & Lee in Philadelphia, PA, is the Chairperson and a past President of the Board of Directors for Alexander Muss High School in Israel. A former state prosecutor for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Joe is deeply involved in the Jewish community. He currently serves as First Vice President of JNF-USA’s national board, Chair of the Executive Committee for JNF-USA’s World Zionist Village, and is a member of JNF-USA’s President’s Society and Century Council. Joe is also a past President of JNF-USA’s Philadelphia Board, former Chair of Makor, and a past President of the Reading, Pennsylvania Jewish Community Center.

Sharon Polansky

Presidential Advisor

Sharon Polansky is a marketing professional who has spent her career helping clients expand product portfolios, extend brands, identify targets and develop successful growth strategies. A New York native, she has served in community and Jewish leadership positions in educational, camping, synagogue and civic life across the country before settling in Los Angeles five years ago.

Sharon holds a PhD in Marketing Research from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. She is the mother of three adult children, two sons and a daughter (who made aliyah, served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and currently lives and works in Tel Aviv), and recently celebrated her 35th wedding anniversary with her husband Jeffrey Herbst who is president of American Jewish University.

In addition to her role at Muss, Sharon proudly serves as Assistant Vice President of Marketing to the JNF USA national board and is Muss Chair for the JNF-USA LA board.

Bob Benedon

School Partnerships Chair

Robert Benedon (Cherry Hill, NJ) has a private practice in Periodontics and Adult Restorative Dentistry and is a Clinical Professor of Periodontics at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental Medicine. Bob credits his USY Pilgrimage trip to Israel in 1972 as the genesis for his Zionist passion. He has held Leadership positions in Solomon Shechter Day School Association, Kellman Academy, Congregation Beth El, and the Jewish Federation of Southern NJ. He began his involvement in JNF-USA in 2005 on the Southern NJ Board of Directors, where he joined and later Chaired Makor. He serves on the JNF-USA National Board of Directors, Finance Committee and now the Muss National Board. Bob enjoys his involvement on the board as Chair of Day School Partnerships, combining his passions for Day School Education and Immersive Israel Experiences for our youth. Bob’s three sons are Solomon Schechter Day School, Akiba Hebrew Academy, and Muss alumni.

Robert Werner

Secretary & Audit Co-Chair

Bob Werner was a Sr. Vice President of the Werner Company for over forty years, the world’s leading producer of climbing products. Mr. Werner applied his expertise in metallurgy and chemistry to developing new alloys, composites, and manufacturing processes, greatly expanding the company’s product line and the safety of products. He eventually created four manufacturing plants for the family business that he managed. Bob is a veteran of the Korean War, where he applied his engineering skills to developing assets to support our military operations.

Bob and his wife Florence (z"l) are alumni of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel adult seminar and are parents and grandparents to Muss Alumni. Bob has served as Board Chair for Muss, Israel Tennis Centers, and Beit Issie Shapiro (Ranana). He served as a top leader in twelve non-profit organizations following retirement, where he applied his business experiences and, later, fundraising education and expertise to their challenges. Today, Bob also serves on the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Foundation and the Federation’s finance and audit committees, The Victory Center for Autistic Children, Lymphoma Research Foundation, and is currently an AMIIE Board member and Secretary. Bob resides in Aventura, Florida

Guy Miasnik

Strategic Planning Chair

Guy Miasnik is a serial entrepreneur, tech investor, and board member with a focus on early-stage opportunities in the security and enterprise SaaS sectors. He co-founded and led three companies, notably AtHoc, a venture capital-backed company serving the public safety and federal government sectors.

Guy is a committed force in social entrepreneurship and community service. He serves as a board member of the Jewish Community Federation of the San Francisco Bay Area and its $2 billion Endowment Fund, holds board positions with multiple educational institutions in California and Israel, co-founder and Chair of the Bay Area Center to Counter Antisemitism as well as various advisory roles at Harvard Business School including its renown 20+ years New Ventures Competition.

Guy holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a B.Sc. from the Technion, and a law degree (LLB) from Tel-Aviv University. In his leisure time, Guy is passionate about cycling, photography, travel and flying as a private pilot.

Ellen Kelman

Student Wellness Chair

Dr. Ellen Kelman is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Scottsdale, AZ. She serves as the volunteer director of adult programs for Stepping Stones of Hope, a nonprofit organization providing grief support for children and their families. Dr. Kelman is a member of the JNF-USA task force on Disabilities, a member of the World Chairman’s Council, and Circle of Sapphire. She is on the Alexander Muss High School in Israel Board of Directors and chairs the Student Health and Wellbeing Task Force.

Michael Kessler

Zionist Education Chair

Michael Kessler is the JNF-USA National Vice President of Education. He is married and a father of two girls. Michael is also the President of The Douglaston Companies.