Morris Alper, Student Chair

Morris Alper is a junior at MIT studying linguistics and math, and works at MIT’s TedLab cognitive linguistics laboratory collaborating on research into how the brain processes language. He is the founder of Netivot, a Boston-based group of LGBTQ Jews engaged with traditional Judaism. In addition, Morris is also the current treasurer of MIT Hillel and of the group MIT Queer West, an LGBTQ student group located on MIT’s West Campus. In his free time Morris enjoys bicycling and reading comics in Japanese.

Jeremy Ginsberg, Student Chair

Jeremy Ginsberg is a third year at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) where he is pursuing two B.A’s in History and in Global Studies. During his time at UCSB Jeremy is apart of many different organizations on campus. He has also served as, Co-Chair and Co-Founder of UCSB’s first LGBTQ Jewish Club (Kehset), a Founding Brother and Vice President of UCSB’s Zeta Beta Tau Gamma Xi colony, Vice President of Communications at Santa Barbara Hillel, and President of American Students for Israel at UCSB. In his almost nonexistent spare time Jeremy enjoys playing the flute, graphic design, photography and fixing computers.

Jessica Leuchter, Intern

Jessica Leuchter is extremely excited to join the Nehirim team. She holds a B.S. in chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry from Wake Forest University. Her involvement in LGBTQ Jewish activism began on Wake Forest’s campus when she combined her roles at bith Hillel and the LGBTQ center. She has been a student chair for the 2014 student retreat. Currently Jessica is working as a research assistant at the Weizmann Institute of Technology in Rehovot, Israel. Her goal is to pursue an M.D.-Ph.D. and combine her love for LGBTQ activism with her passion for research and medicine.

Harvey Perle, Midwest Organizer

Harvey Perle has been an enthusiastic participant in Nehirim events since 2009 as part of his own “coming out” process. His experience as a Coordinator of the Father’s Group of Minnesota, a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise Leader in the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and active participant in the drive for the 2013 legalization of Marriage Equality in Minnesota has been part of his commitment to community work in helping others easily transition into a LGBT lifestyle as previous generations have paved the path for him. Harvey has a variety of experience in programming for Jewish youth, working with the elderly based on his nursing home administrator background, and has developed an effective course in useful techniques that improves communications between people of all ages.

Alissa Platcow, Student Chair

Alissa Platcow is a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a double major in Vocal Jazz and Judaic Studies. At UMass, she co-directs an all female a cappella group, S#arp Attitude, and is very involved in the Jewish community. She has served as the president of many organizations under the UMass Hillel including LGBTJew and Koach, the conservative group on campus. After graduation, Alissa hopes to pursue a career as a rabbi.

Sam Rubinstein, Student Chair

Sam Rubinstein is studying Economics and Public Policy at Brown University, class of 2017. He is originally from northern New Jersey, where he graduated from a conservative Jewish Day School. Sam attended his first Nehirim event in early 2014, and shortly thereafter took on the role as facilitator of Brown RISD JewQ, a confidential space for Jewish LGBTQ+ members of the community at Brown and RISD to explore their identities. Sam is elated that Brown will host this year’s leadership conference, and is working overtime to ensure it is beneficial and enjoyable for all who attend! He enjoys exploring the ways in which Jewish and Queer identities are intertwined, and questioning what it means to be a member of the Jewish LGBT community. When not organizing on campus, he is an avid runner.

Jase I. Schwartz, Transgender Programs Organizer

Jase Schwartz fell in love with Nehirim in 2007 and has been to well over 10 retreats since. He directed the 2013 Winter Gathering and is a frequent workshop facilitator. Jase is a 6th grade Math Teacher in NYC. He also is a Licensed Master Social Worker and a community organizer. Jase is a board member of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, and the Co-Chair for the Trans Empowerment Committee. Jase is passionate about creating and building safe spaces for academic and personal growth, community building, and self expression.