Olam Chesed: Chevra Kadisha Builders Program Meet Cohort Three
Jacob Boss Chevra Kadisha of Bloomington Indiana Bloomington, IN Dr. Jacob Boss has taught at Indiana University for many years. He is the Managing Editor of the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, and a lay service leader.
Larry Bronstein Chevra Kadisha of Southern Berkshires Southfield, MA Larry and his wife Nancy have been married for 45 years and share 4 children and 3 grandchildren. They built a chiropractic and health and wellness practice around family care, nutrition, homeopathy and teaching therapeutic lifestyle change approaches. Larry has degrees in Zoology, human biology, doctor of chiropractic and is board certified in nutrition. Larry cherishes community service and hopes to continue his work for as long as possible.
Iris Chadab Agudas Achim Washington DC/Virginia Iris is a graphic designer based in the Northern Virginia and DC area, serving for the past twelve years in her Chevra Kadisha and performing an estimated fifty to sixty taharot. This work felt like a calling from the moment Iris first learned about it at age thirteen. Recently, she took on a leadership role with her synagogue’s chevra. Her practice has deepened alongside her return to Jewish observance since October 7, 2023.
Cindy Dubansky Chevra Kadisha of Greater Des Moines Richfield, MN Cindy was born and raised in Iowa and moved around before landing in the Minneapolis, MN area. She became involved in a Chevra there over 35 years ago and has performed every role except men's tahara. Cindy retired in 2025 from a long career as a medical social worker but still does volunteer work in social services, and has enjoyed resuming her sewing hobby.
Marcey Goldstein Champaign Urbana Jewish Federation Urbana, IL At age 76, Marcey’s life has been shaped by various careers, relationships, communities, a commitment to personal growth and service to others. She believes in showing up for people with compassion, dignity, and purpose, values that have drawn her to the sacred work of the Chevra Kadisha. She is excited to learn alongside this cohort and bring new ideas and renewed energy back to her local community.
Bethany Henderson Hinenu Baltimore Baltimore, MD Bethany Henderson is a clinical social worker/therapist in private practice, working primarily with queer and transgender individuals. They are a member of Hinenu Baltimore and have been involved in the foundational work of building Hinenu's Progressive Chevra Kadisha. Bethany enjoys spending time in nature, going on hikes, dancing and going to concerts with friends and loved ones, and traveling with their partner.
Judy Kaye Community Hevra Kadisha of Rhode Island Providence, RI Judy is mostly retired after doing public interest law for 10 years and then running a DEI training and consulting practice for 30 years. She enjoys creating and leading Jewish chant and ritual, singing, reading, and being in mountains. Judy has three adult children (a son and identical twin daughters) and a toddler granddaughter.
Devon Nelson Chevra Kadisha of Bloomington Indiana Bloomington, IN Devon R. Nelson teaches music history courses at Indiana University. They are active in their synagogue as a lay leader, CK member, and religious school teacher.
Karsynn Nielsen Northern Colorado Chevra Kadisha Fort Collins, CO Karsynn is the co-chair of the Northern Colorado Chevra Kadisha. She firmly believes all creatures have a right to dignity in life and in death.
Ethel Pila Tampa Florida Chevra Kadisha Tampa, FL Ethel is the proud mother of three amazing humans and grandma to two wonderful grandchildren (and 2 more on the way, B'sha'ah Tovah). She tutored B'nai Mitzvah students and owned a Kosher Catering company for 20 years. She now enjoys traveling the globe with family and friends.
Jon Quinn Progressive Chevra Kadisha Chicago, IL Jon works with philanthropists through Alchemize, an advisory firm based in Chicago, guiding donors through strategic planning, research, and giving. He serves on the boards of the Just Transition Fund, Mikva Challenge, and Mishkan, a Chicago-based Jewish congregation, through which he is also part of the Steering Committee for the Chicagoland Progressive Chevra Kadisha.
Liat Racin-Dagin Boulder Chevra Kadisha Boulder, CO Liat is currently completing an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling focusing on grief, bereavement, and endof-life care. She facilitates grief and trauma support groups and is certified in Polyvagal-informed yoga and Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises. Liat is a licensed psychedelic facilitator and holds a PhD focused on ethnobotany. Her work reflects a longstanding interest in ritual and the ways we accompany one another through transition.
Gloria Saltzman Sinai Memorial San Francisco, CA
Gloria is a psychotherapist in private practice and also works for Sinai Memorial Chapel providing mourner care. She has had some writing published and continues to have a writing practice.
Nili Weissman Romemu Chevra Kadisha New York, NY Nili spent her life in GodSchool. She is an icon painter, a sacred cloth maker, healing practitioner, teacher and lover of God. One who brings people safely through the transitions of death to Eternal Life. She is also famous for her raw white chocolate cherry cashew cheesecake.
Dr. Harriette Wimms Baltimore Progressive Chevra Kadisha Baltimore, MD Kohenet Dr. Harriette is a community convener, Jewish professional, spiritual ritualist, lecturer, and social justice advocate, as well as the founder and ED of the Jews of Color Mishpacha Project and Community Relationship and Jews of Color Engagement Steward at Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh. A Schusterman and Selah fellow and trainer for Keshet and Kirva, she is also a licensed clinical psychologist and founder and clinical director of The Village Family Support Center of Baltimore. She has specialized training in perinatal developmental trauma, and communitysocial psychology, and has completed birth, postpartum, and end-of-life doula training. Most proudly, she is the mother of a 22-year-old daughter and enjoys gardening, tea, hugs, and listening to music.