2009 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

Empowering Teens to Shape the future of The Jewish Community

The Door and Ladder Society of the MJCCA instills in teens the
responsibility and importance of collective philanthropy through
active participation in Jewish educational and hands-on experiences.

atlantajcc.org/doorandladder
 Suppose someone gave you $20,000 and said, “Use this to make our
Jewish Community a better place.” What would you do?

The Door and Ladder Society is a hands-on philanthropy program for

Jewish high schoolers who want to change the world. Over the course
of 12 weeks these teens collaborated with peers, local philanthropists
and change-makers to explore the meaning of philanthropy and their
responsibility to our community as they allocated $20,000 to worthy
Jewish organizations around Atlanta.

On behalf of our committee, Staci Brill, Ina Enoch, Lynne Halpern, Joel Marks, Eileen Snow Price and Jerry Weiner, we are proud to
help steward this incredible hands-on philanthropy program for Jewish teens.

After a careful selection process, these teens, who range from Orthodox to secular and come from many different high schools, both
public and private, are given the privilege of giving away a total of $20,000 to local Jewish charities. During their 12 week course,
which includes a curriculum of Jewish learning, interaction with local philanthropists, and hands-on workshops, they collaborate with
their peers to explore the meaning of philanthropy and their responsibility to the community. They learn how to write mission
statements that reflect their values; go on site visits to Jewish agencies all over Atlanta and agonize over the final decision of where
to allocate the money.

We have been thrilled to see these wonderful young people engage in such good work and after going through a program like this,
we are sure that we will be watching them take their places in our community for many years to come. Atlanta is one of only 10
communities in the nation chosen by The Jewish Teen Funders Network to receive a matching grant for this program. We want
to express our gratitude to to The Weinstein Foundation who matched the JTFN grant and the many generous donors who have
helped to make this important program a reality.

This program truly is one of the most exciting and engaging programs we involve ourselves in
and we can’t say enough how wonderful it is to meet with the kids, hear their stories and watch
the thoughtful process unfold as they work through the program.

Ellen Arnovitz
Lois Kuniansky
Co-Chairs, 2008-2009

Linking Our Past And Our Future

Each week in the Door and Ladder Society our sessions have focused on the various aspects of philanthropy and the
non-profit world. In order to link our experiences to each other as well as our Jewish community, each session began with
a classical Jewish text that related to the day’s topic. Not only have our participants been learning modern skills that will
carry them into their responsibilities as the next generation of Jewish leaders, they are doing so with a strong grounding in
Judaism and Jewish thinking!

These texts have guided our discussions and influenced us along every step we’ve taken. When Janel Margaretta Schwartz,
Chief Development Officer of the MJCCA, came to speak with us about the inner workings of a non-profit organization, the
Rambam was alongside her, reminding us all the ways in which we can and should help. When Carol Cooper and Rabbi Lou
Feldstein of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta spoke with us about their experiences with philanthropy, Rabbi
Joseph Karo reminded us that no one is exempt from the responsibility of giving. And when our parents joined us for a
special family session, the Talmud taught us that there is no better time for family than helping others and continuing the
cycle of education.
“The Door and Ladder Society is an opportunity
unlike many others. This organization is great
for Jewish Teens as a way to give back to
the community.
– Bradley Maran, The Galloway School

(L-R) Philanthropist Candy Berman, Ryan Goldstein,

Max Shafron, Jordan Reznik, MJCCA President Sherie Gumer,
Committee Member Staci Brill,
MJCCA CEO/Executive Director Michael Wise

“The Door and Ladder Society has opened my

eyes to how organizations really work.”
– David Jacobs, The Weber School

(L-R) Philanthropist Michael Plasker, Co-Chair Ellen Arnovitz,

Marisa Ahlzadeh, Co-Chair Lois Kuniansky, Knox Maslia,
Stefanie Adler, Brian Meyer

“I know now why being a part of the Door and

Ladder Soceity is so important. You could feel
excitement and energy in the room from all the
teens because we now understand what an impact
we will have on our Jewish community.”
– Shayna Brandi, Pope High School
(L-R) Committee Member Lynne Halpern, Samuel Feldman,
Scott Freedman, Benjamin Harris, Philanthropist Viki Freeman,
MJCCA Assistant Director Laura Lewkowict

“It was a unanimous decision on why we decided

to join this program. We mainly wanted to be able
to give back to the community in a way that has
never been available to us. A way that enables us
to make a lasting impression on the Jewish
community that will hopefully be around for
our children and maybe even our grandchildren
to see.”
– Aaron Maslia, Lakeside High School

(Top Row, L-R) Committee Member Ina Enoch, Morgan Stovroff,

Elyse Benjamin, Lynne Halpern, David Jacobs,
Door and Ladder Society Director Robert Medwed
(Bottom Row, L-R) JFGA President Carol Z. Cooper,
MJCCA Past President Laura Dinerman, Stefanie Adler

“JFGA President Carol Z. Cooper spoke about the

importance of seeing organizations from both
sides, not just as a volunteer but also as someone
who receives.”
– Noah Adler, Yeshiva Atlanta
(L-R) Nick Meyers, Philanthropist Jill Weinstein Levine, Benjamin Harris
 “The Door and Ladder Society is a powerful force for
the future of philanthropy in the Atlanta Jewish community. 
I was thoroughly impressed by the thoughtful and
passionate nature of the teens’ questions and ensuing
discussions. These young men and women have shown
a tremendous capacity for understanding the needs in
our community, and for creating a process for finding
solutions to those needs. I am very confident that these
young leaders will play an active part in Atlanta’s
Jewish future.”
- MJCCA Past President (Top Row, L-R) Nick Myers, Maia Hoberman, Rebecca Gaillard,
Bradley Maran, Door and Ladder Society Director Robert Medwed
Lisa Brill (Bottom Row, L-R), MJCCA Governance Board Member Ron Brill,
MJCCA Past President Lisa Brill, MJCCA Assistant Director Laura Lewkowict

“I have learned more about non-profit organizations

in the past few weeks than I think I have ever
gotten the chance to before.”
– Tammy Bronstein, Riverwood High School

(Top Row, L-R) Marisa Ahlzadeh, Tammy Bronstein,

Kyle Schaffer, Jonathan Berger
(Bottom Row, L-R) MJCCA Past President Laura Dinerman,
Committee Member Lynne Halpern

“I believe that every young teen needs to have a

(Top Row, L-R) Nikki Cohen, Committee Member Staci Brill,
clear focus and mission. Although it is a Kelli Regenbaum, Shayna Brandi
(Bottom Row, L-R) , Blair Siegler, Nicole Gillman,
challenging process, every teen must face the Co-Chair Lois Kuniansky, Alex Rubin
task ahead and conquer their fears of what lies
ahead in the future, and what lies ahead for the “I know that through the Door and Ladder Society,
rest of their lives.” I will be able to change one person – if not many
– Max Shafron, The Weber School more people’s lives.”
– Knox Maslia, Chamblee High School

“Since receiving so much guidance from the

community, I feel more empowered than ever to
positively impact the Jewish community in Atlanta.
I know that the Door and Ladder Society is an
important stepping-stone in my philanthropic
future, and will henceforth supplement me with
the knowledge I need to make informed choices
when dealing with non-profit organizations. “
– Rebecca Gaillard, Riverwood High School

(Top Row, L-R) Benjamin Harris, Noah Adler, Erin Smith, Aaron Maslia, “At that moment when we were discussing the
(Bottom Row, L-R) Committee Member Ina Enoch,
MJCCA Teen Services Director Kelly Brown, Co-Chair Ellen Arnovitz strategies I truly felt like an adult making a decision.”
– Ryan Goldstein, Riverwood High School
 The Door and Ladder Society The Door and Ladder Society
Cohort 2, Fall 2008 Cohort 3, Spring 2009
PARTICIPANTS PARTICIPANTS

Noah Adler Maia Hoberman Stefanie Adler Knox Maslia

Marisa Alzadeh Bradley Maran Elyse Benjamin Brian Meyer
Jonathan Berger Aaron Maslia Samuel Feldman Jordan Reznik
Shayna Brandi Nick Myers Scott Freedman Max Shafron
Tammy Bronstein Kelli Regenbaum Ryan Goldstein Melissa Sopher
Nikki Cohen Alex Rubin David Jacobs Morgan Stovroff
Rebecca Gaillard Kyle Schaffer Ryan Kaplan Jonathan Winston
Nicole Gillman Blair Siegler
Benjamin Harris Erin Smith
COHORT 3 GRANT RECIPIENTS

COHORT 2 GRANT RECIPIENTS The Economic Crisis Fund of the

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
MJCCA Day Camps $5,000
Camp Isidore Alterman To benefit the Jewish Community’s efforts to help
$7,000 those in the most need during the economic crisis.
To support the creation of an inclusionary day camp
program for children with autism.
Jordan Reznik,
Elyse Benjamin,
Aaron Maslia,
JFGA President
Carol Z. Cooper,
Brian Meyer

Jewish Educational Loan Fund

$4,000
To support their interest-free
Nikki Cohen, Marisa Ahlzadeh, MJCCA
Day Camps Director Jared Powers college loan program.

Amit Elyse Benjamin and

$3,000 JELF representative
Cathy Miller
To assist the B’yachad Buddy
Program, social programming
for youth with and without
disabilities.
MJCCA’s
Amy’s Holiday Party
$1,000
To allow 20 homeless or underprivileged children
attend the annual holiday party planned by teens.

Founder Amy Sacks Zeide and

Co-Chair Melanie Gaynes
Aaron Maslia, Amit Director of
Programming & Development
Karen Paz, Alex Rubin
 Thank You To our Donors & Sponsors

By supporting the Door and Ladder Society you have not only helped make our Jewish community a better
place, you have helped impact the future of Jewish giving. Because of your generosity our teens have been
given the opportunity to begin their own careers of giving.

The Weinstein Foundation • Jewish Teen Funders Network

Brill Charitable Supporting Organization • Drs. Ina and Harold Enoch
Viki and Paul Freeman • Halpern - Oppenheimer Family Foundation
Idlewood Supporting Foundation • David Kuniansky
Lois Kuniansky • Charlotte and Joel Marks • The Selig Foundation
Snow Family Foundation • April and Jerry Weiner
Cohort 2 Participants and Families • Cohort 3 Participants and Families

AGENCY SPONSORS

The Door and Ladder Society

Committee 2008-2009
Co-Chairs:
Ellen Arnovitz, Lois Kuniansky

Committee Members:
Staci Brill, Ina Enoch, Lynne Halpern, Joel Marks,
Eileen Snow Price, Jerry Weiner

Sherie B. Gumer
MJCCA President

Michael D. Wise
MJCCA CEO/Executive Director

Robert Medwed
MJCCA Teen Community Outreach and Education Director