Menschwork, Inc. is run by a Board of Directors that we call the Wisdom Council — a group of men who have a deep commitment to our core values and to growing and supporting the Menschwork community.

Please feel free to contact a member of the Wisdom Council.

The Wisdom Council

Rabbi Shawn Zevit

Founding Member
Term expires December 31, 2027

RebShawn@menschwork.org

Rabbi Zevit is a dynamic and widely known spiritual leader, activist, liturgist, teacher, singer, author, consultant and Jewish Men’s work leader. “We’re thrilled to have Rabbi Shawn bring his many strong gifts to Mishkan Shalom,” says David Piver, Board President.

Rabbi Zevit is a 1998 graduate of The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and has smichah from Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi of blessed memory. He is the co-founder and co-Director of the Davvenen Leaders Training Institute and trains Jewish Spiritual Directors in the ALEPH Hashpa’ah Training Program.

Shawn serves as lead rabbi at Congregation Mishkan Shalom in Philadelphia, home to several men in the Menschwork community. He is blessed to be married to Rabbi Simcha Zevit.

Yosaif August

Founding Member
Chief K’velling Officer
Term expires December 31, 2027

Yosaif@menschwork.org

Yosaif August is a leader of Jewish men’s programs, life coach, award-winning healthcare innovator, published author, keynote speaker, workshop presenter and NIH funded researcher.

Since the early ’90’s, as a co-founder of the Jewish Men’s Retreat (and later of Menschwork), Yosaif has played an influential role in co-creating a new vibrant values-based masculinity. This evolving masculinity replaces the old paradigm of patriarchy and hierarchy with one that embraces community, connection, intimacy and trust.

Yosaif’s engagement in tikkun olam has been a lifetime one – early on as a community organizer and recently as a worker bee in other people’s campaigns. He loves writing and playing music, taking nature walks with his wife and spending time with fellow mensches.

David Malchman

Co-Chair
New Jersey Area
Joined WC 01/01/2024
Term expires December 31, 2027

chair@menschwork.org

Michael Landau

Co-Chair
New Jersey Area
Joined WC 01/01/2019
Term expires December 31, 2027
chair@menschwork.org

Michael Landau is an active volunteer in his synagogue, where he leads a special monthly Open Door Minyan that serves adults with developmental differences. In addition, Michael is active in living bridge partnership programs with various cities in Israel, the Greater MetroWest Federation (NJ) and the Jewish Agency.

Menschwork and the JMR have been an essential part of Michael’s Jewish journey for 14 years. He has attended 13 JMRs, served on a number of retreat planning teams and co-chaired several retreats. He is now on the Wisdom Council Steering Committee and was co-chair of JMR 30.

Steve Jones

Director
Philadelphia Area
Joined WC 01/01/2026
Term expires December 31, 2027

Steve joined the Wisdom Council on Janaury 1, 2026

Bill Magaliff

Treasurer
New York City Area --
Joined WC 01/01/2023
Term expires December 31, 2026

treasurer@menschwork.org

Bill is a musician, director and Jewish educator. He has worked extensively with kids of all ages. He is the owner of BMW Productions, which provides live bands, piano music for public and private functions, and community theatrical productions.

David Reisman

Secretary
South Carolina Area
Joined WC 01/01/2022
Term expires December 31, 2027

secretary@menschwork.org

David Reisman is a Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of South Carolina . His focus in both his teaching and research is cancer biology and genetics.

Originally from Chicago, David did his graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. David, along with his wife and children, moved to Israel where he was on the staff of the Weizmann Institute of Science for five years. David and his family, then to relocated to Columbia, S.C. David was the Faculty Advisor for Hillel at USC for six years. He actively participates in the USC Jewish Faculty Association.

David and his wife, Michal, along with a number of close friends, formed a Jewish Renewal-style Chavurah, “HaKerem”, that offers an alternative to the local Conservative and Reform congregations.

Harry Scheyer

Director
South Florida and New Jersey Areas
Joined WC 01/01/2022
Term expires December 31, 2027

Harry Scheyer is a former partner of a personal wealth management and financial life planning advisory firm in the Delaware Valley area of Philadelphia. He currently sits on the Rowan University Foundation Board, located in Glassboro, New Jersey. Harry formerly served as a trustee of Medford Leas, a CCRC (“Continuing Care Retirement Community “) located in southern New Jersey.

Harry lives in Delray Beach, Florida and West Berlin, New Jersey. He is married and has three adult children and four grandchildren. Harry graduated with a BAA from Temple University in 1969. Harry enjoys attending Shabbat services, reading, performing music and road biking. He is mindful of the following quote as as he travels through life: “The function of a Jew is to be a co-creator with G-d. The task of a human being is too perfect the world. Using the tools and abilities that G-d gave us.”

David Shaw

Director
New Jersey Area
Joined WC 01/01/2022
Term expires December 31, 2027

David Shaw is a writer and novelist who lives in New Jersey and has ten JMRs under his belt. Pastimes include studying mussar, kayaking and camping, woodworking, smoking meats and fish, schlepping up to Montreal to visit his daughters and complaining to those daughters about their decisions to live in Montreal.

He is active in his synagogue and can usually be found on the wrong end of most arguments on Shabbos. He is active in community food drives and banks.

Menschwork and the Jewish Men’s retreats as well as the Mishpacha groups have given a renewed sense of clarity and love to both his Jewishness and love of his brothers and sisters. He remains deeply indebted to all involved for the amazing new chapter of his life that the retreats have provided.

Gabi Silver

Director
Washington, D.C. Area
Joined WC 01/01/2026
Term expires December 31, 2027

Gabi joined the Wisdom Council on January 1, 2026.

Chris Taranta

Director
Philadelphia Area
Joined WC 01/01/2025
Term expires December 31, 2026

Chris Taranta lives just outside of Philadelphia with his, Amy Segel. He has three adult children, Jacob, Jonah, and Rosie. Chris teaches mathematics at Masterman, an academic magnet school in Philadelphia. He has also taught science and environmental education.

Chris is a Jew by Choice, having been intrigued by the religion as early as Central High School. He was inspired to become Jewish after taking a class taught by Sarra Levine at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, shortly before marrying Amy. Chris belongs to Mishkan Shalom. He regularly participants in Torah Study and He recently completed a two-year Mussar course. He enjoys leading geological hikes, biking, and playing disc golf with his sons and brother, Mark.

Roger Zimmerman

Director
Pittsburgh Area
Joined WC 01/01/2026
Term expires December 31, 2027

Roger joined the Wisdom Council on January 1, 2026.

Former Wisdom Council Members

Harold Belkowitz, 2018-2022 (Washington,D.C. area)

Ralph Benmergui, 2020-2021 (Toronto area)

Mark Dwortzan, 2017-2019 (Boston area)

Michael Evers, 2020-2022 (Cincinnati area)

Stuart Garber, 2008-2012 (New York City area)

Donald Gardner, 2014-2018 (New York City area)

Baba Lou Haber, 2022-2025 (Connecticut Area)

Marc Jacobs, 2016-2022 (Philadelphia area)

Josef Kottler, 2019-2025 (Boston area)

Herb Levine, 2012-2017 (Philadelphia area)

Lior Liebling, 2023-2024 (Philadelphia area)

Marc Kronisch, 2020-2021 (Connecticut area)

David Malchman, 2012-2017 (New York City area)

Michael Metelits, 2015-2017 (Philadelphia area)

Elliott Myrowitz, 2008-2019 (Baltimore area)

Lev Natan, 2008, 2019 (Massachusetts)

Simon Olsberg, 2018-2024 (Boston area)

Marty Pashelinsky, 2010-2018 (New York City area)

David Piver, 2018-2020 (Philadelphia area)

Les Picker, 2008-2009 (Maryland)

Allen Spivack, 2008-2014, 2023-2025 (Boston area)

David Strauss, 2010-2013 (Boston area)

Cobi Waxman, 2014-2017, 2021 (Washington, D.C. area)

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Reach out if you have any concerns to: info@menschwork.org.