JICNY Board of Directors

Executive Board

Alisa Adler is the President and Director of Sales and Investments of ASG Real Estate Services Group, Inc. servicing hedge funds, investors and individuals domestically and internationally. Alisa is involved in numerous charity organizations, by running events, being on boards or donating time and money. Alisa gives 100% to all that she is involved in.

David Berman has been President of Berman Capital since 1997, a firm he founded initially to manage proprietary capital. He holds a Business Science degree in Finance in 1984 and a degree in the Theory of Accountancy from the University of Cape Town in 1985. David also earned an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School in 1991. Through his philanthropic efforts, David has founded a program “Chess For Change” dedicated to teaching chess in the schools in South Africa.

Steve Eisenberg JICNY director and founder juggles a high-flying career on Wall Street with a passionate commitment to Jewish outreach programs. Steve Eisenberg was former Managing Director of investment firm Ehrenkrantz King Nussbaum, Inc., having previously served as a Vice President at Bear Stearns, specializing in Risk Arbitrage. Steve serves as a lay leader in kiruv, and as a consultant, developing programs for many outreach organizations across the United States. Steve's Monday night classes in Manhattan attract over 100 people and he is frequently invited to speak and lead programs around the world.

Melanie Gordon-Felsman began her career with Discis, where she championed an E-Learning company that was purchased by Harlequin Publishing. Melanie relocated from Toronto, Canada in January 2000 when she received Venture Capital to begin her own web-conferencing company. She now works in marketing and PR for companies such as Deloitte & Touche and Reuters. Melanie holds a Masters in English and a MBA in International Marketing.

Shawn Holt is Vice President of Business Development for Oddcast, the leading developer of speaking character technology for web marketing applications. Shawn has several years of international experience with the management consulting firm Booz Allen & Hamilton, where he helped medium size and global 100 firms build market entry and technology strategy initiatives. Shawn has an MBA from Columbia University, with a specialization in Marketing and Technology.

Ivor Jacobs was born in Manchester UK and moved to New York 9 years ago.He runs an online company selling electronics on the Internet. Ivor was introduced to JICNY by a friend and was impressed how the organization takes care of international singles and was invited to join the board and after having spent much of his time as a dedicated volunteer.

Jeff Stier, Chairman is the Associate Director of the American Council on Science and Health, where his responsibilities include development and media relations. He has served in leadership positions in various charitable and political organizations. These organizations include One Family Fund and the Young Jewish Leadership PAC. He has also served on the speaker's bureau for the Israeli Consulate of New York.

Jodi Samuels – Executive director and founder. JICNY is the brainchild of Jodi Samuels. JICNY is one of many Jewish outreach programs Jodi has initiated: She started the Australian branch of Aish HaTorah - an international Jewish outreach movement dedicated to inspiring Jewish Pride through innovative education and experiential programs - and grew Aish Australia into a flourishing organization within 2 years. In New York, where she is now based, Jodi has hosted over 7000 different people at her popular Shabbat table on the Upper West Side in the past few years. She arranges talks and learning programs at her home, and provides strategic and logistical support to a number of Jewish organizations in New York. With 12 years of diverse, international experience in business startup and marketing, Jodi has worked in the not-for-profit, finance, fashion, beauty and automotive sectors. Her expertise in strategic and relationship marketing, as well as business development, has given her the foundation to acquire and retain a strong membership base with JICNY. Jodi has an MBA from Bond University in Australia and a degree in Psychology.

Gavin Samuels JICNY director and founder is currently Senior Vice-President for Quark Pharmaceuticals. From 2000 to 2007 he held several positions in Pfizer Inc’s Worldwide Business Development and Worldwide Product Development Groups. His experience included licensing, M&A and Venture Capital. Between 1998 and 2000 Gavin served as Senior Associate - Healthcare Strategy & Corporate Affairs at Merck Sharpe & Dohme in Australia. Prior to that Gavin held several clinical positions in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Gavin obtained his medical degree from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, an M.B.A. from the University of New England, Australia and a degree in Health Economics from Monash University, Australia.

Julie Yusopov graduated from the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. She is currently employed by Optima Funds Management and has also worked for Hedge Fund World - GlobeOp Financial Services. She learned of JICNY when a friend brought her to one of our Shabbat dinners and enjoys the organization because she has made so many diverse friends and enjoys the variety of events and activities available.

Leadership Board

Gary Adler is the director of property management for ASG Real Estate. Gary oversees the numerous issues involving the management of the real estate assets of ASG and its clients.

Stuart Adler is the principal broker at ASG Real Estate. Stuart is trained as a real estate litigation attorney,which serves him well in evaluating and negotiating prospective real estate opportunities for ASG and its clients. His extensive network of real estate contacts, and his keen research skills enable him to keep a pulse on the real estate marketplace. He is also involved in numerous charitable organizations - with an emphasis on Jewish outreach and education.

David Fishof is a dream maker, making dreams come true for rock 'n' roll fans all over the world with his ever expanding Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camps. David was the first executive to combine the world of pro sports and rock 'n roll, earning him the prestigious Performance Magazine Innovator of the Year award and many other accolades.  The son of a Holocaust survivor, David learned early in life the importance of "paying it forward".

Mark (Naftali) Horowitz serves as Vice President for Bernstein Global Wealth Management. His education includes a degree in advanced Talmudic law and finance. He serves as a board member for various organizations and foundations.

Jeffrey Schachter is co-founder and managing partner at Cedarview Capital, a multi-strategy hedge fund with $135 million under management. Mr. Schachter was involved in institutional high-yield and distressed debt sales for nine years. Mr. Schachter was part of the initial start up of BancBoston Robertson Stephens' high-yield effort from January 1997 through May 2000.  Mr. Schachter began his Wall Street career at Jefferies & Company in March 1995.

Jennifer Smorgon is a board member on the Jack and Robert Smorgon Families Foundation which is a non-profit organization, committed to Australian and world wide philanthropic pursuits. The guiding principal is to help people in need and to develop long-term community solutions. The Foundation’s focus includes medical research, health issues, community welfare, homelessness and drug abuse – with particular attention to youth. Jennifer is also a founder of Dream Catcher, a program through the Reach Foundation that creates job opportunities and internships for underprivileged youth. Her dedication to the Jewish community is worldwide. She served as president of the Sydney, Australia chapter of WIZO Tamid (Women's International Zionist Organization) and has also served as a volunteer bereavement counselor for a Chessed. She is a board member of MJE (Manhattan Jewish Experience). Jennifer is living in California along with her husband and children and they are Jewish community leaders dedicated to serving their local community and Jewish communities abroad. Jennifer holds a BA in Art History from Brandeis University and attended the Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program at Columbia University.