Deborah is a network-weaver who builds local and international community through Judaism, culture, and human empathy. She founded FED, which fosters dialogue and connection through food, art, creativity, and Jewish life, and has produced hundreds of creative Jewish dinner parties, retreats, and experiences in New York City and internationally. Deborah facilitates Global Jewry’s Arts & Culture Roundtable, and builds bridges between Israelis and Americans through Shazur / Interwoven, accompanying Israeli delegations across major US cities. Previously, she served as Network Director for Hakhel: The Jewish Intentional Communities Incubator, directing Israeli trips, international conferences, and the Arts & Culture Subnetwork, where grassroots, international community leaders formed lasting relationships, shared resources, and strengthened their capacity to engage their own communities.

Prior, she worked as Director of Communications at The AVI CHAI Foundation, as Editor & Publisher of PresenTense Magazine — coordinating more than 80 international volunteer writers, editors, and artists for each print issue — and Co-Director of the NYC PresenTense Fellowship for social entrepreneurs. A current member of the Nahum Goldmann Fellowship Leadership Cohort and ROI Community since 2009, Deborah served as ROI’s NYC Igniter for two years. She has been part of the 248 Network of JAFI, JewV’Nation with the URJ, and the iCenter’s iFellows program, and was named one of The Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36.” She holds an M.A. from Spertus Institute and a B.A. from Princeton University.