NextGen MKE
George Weinstein Fellowship
Milwaukee’s future leaders begin with Weinstein.
Overview
The George Weinstein Fellowship is the premier leadership program of Milwaukee Jewish Federation, dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders within the Milwaukee Jewish community. This initiative is rooted in principles of connection, learning, and active engagement. By assembling a diverse cohort of young adults, the Fellowship aims to fortify their leadership skills, empowering them to play pivotal roles as decision-makers in various capacities within the Federation, agencies, programs, synagogues, and other Jewish organizations across the community. Through a comprehensive 15-month curriculum rooted in core Jewish values, participants embark on a transformative journey with a network of their peers
Established by the Weinstein family in memory of George Weinstein, a dedicated Milwaukee businessman and philanthropist, the Fellowship is a testament to his commitment to ensuring the enduring strength of the Milwaukee Jewish community across generations.
A distinguished network of over 120 Milwaukee Jewish leaders have previously completed the Weinstein Fellowship. The George Weinstein Fellowship is a highly selective program and spots are limited.
Comprehensive Understanding of the Jewish Community
Gain a deep understanding of the Jewish community in Milwaukee, Israel, and worldwide, including key players, dynamics, and challenges.
Philanthropic Engagment
Develop a profound understanding of philanthropy, emphasizing its crucial role within the Jewish community, and cultivate skills for impactful giving and engagement.
Connection to Israel
Foster a meaningful connection to Israel, promoting a nuanced understanding of its importance and relevance within the global Jewish context.
Continued Learning and Action
Engage in a curriculum that builds on Jewish values, promoting ongoing learning, reflection, and action, with a focus on leadership values, thereby fostering a network of leaders within the Jewish community and beyond.
Community Leadership Development
Cultivate a sense of belonging within our community, forging connections with peers, alumni networks, and community leaders. Establish connections with agencies and programs within the Jewish community and lay the foundation for active involvement and leadership roles.
Current and Past Participants
Check back in fall 2026 for details on future cohorts.
* Of Blessed Memory
Cohort 1
- Brent Arnold
- Jennifer Chudnow Huston
- Zohar Harari
- Gary Lippow*
- Hallie Loeb
- Mitch Nelles
- Hannah Sattler
- Nathaniel Sattler
- Randi Schachter
- Daniel Schnoll
- Aaron Bernstein, Co-Chair
- Stephanie Dykeman, Co-Chair
Cohort 2
- Kelly Arnold
- Monica Arnstein
- David Arnstein
- Joe Devorkin
- Melanie Devorkin
- Dana Emold
- Steven Emold
- Andrea Florsheim
- David Florsheim
- Rebecca Kuhn
- Ellen Mauermann
- Eugene Mauermann
- Josh Minkin
- Chanan Posner
- Marina Rickun
- Noah Rickun
- Ben Shapiro
- Roxanne Shapiro
- Rebecca Wahlberg
- Jenni Chudnow Huston, Co-Chair
- Yonatan Zvi, Co-Chair
Cohort 3
- Daniel Arnstein
- Randi Arnstein
- Ilya Basin
- Mariya Basin
- Adam Bazelon
- Amy Bazelon
- Mordechai Cohen
- Jennifer Emold
- Jessie Freschl
- Marc Freschl
- Jonah Levenberg
- Hillary Richman
- Joshua Richman
- David Arnstein, Co-Chair
- Sharyl Paley, Co-Chair
Cohort 4
- David Cohn
- Noah Domnitz
- Rebecca Domnitz
- Laura Felix
- Michael Gosman
- Jordan Herbert
- Kimmy Herbert
- Aaron Karan
- Elana Karan
- Nicholas Kent
- Tami Kent
- Lauren O’Desky
- Stef Sager
- Ben Stern
- Erin Stern
- Adam Witkov
- Mitch Nelles, Co-Chair
- Melinda Swartz, Co-Chair
Cohort 5
- Lauren Blumenthal
- Angela Domnitz
- Ari Domnitz
- Derek Goodman
- Adam Greenspan
- Katrina Greenspan
- Michelle Karagodin
- Danny Kerns
- Jason Levin
- Olivier Reiher
- Malika Siker
- Danya Strait
- Mari Zimmermann
- Brent Arnold, Co-Chair
- Mitchell Moser, Co-Chair
Cohort 6
- Leah Fiasca
- Tarin Gordon
- Audra Hughes
- Michael Hughes
- Matthew Kleiman
- Greg Parrish
- Jessica Parrish
- Evan Primakow
- Jessica Primakow
- Danny Riemer
- Marni Seigle
- Max Seigle
- Howard Siegal
- Jordan Yanow
- Mitch Nelles, Co-Chair
Cohort 7
- Akiva Bergman
- Tzivi Bergman
- Seth Broidy
- Rebecca Chagall
- Alana Denny
- Raziel Hecht
- Aaron Katch
- Meghan Katch
- Laura Karan
- Peter Klein
- Raisa Koltun
- Yulia Koltun
- Jillian Marx Wenig
- Barry Pelz
- Ellen Pelz
- Danielle Romain Dagenhardt
- Barbara Tenin
- Bradley Tenin
- Rebecca Guralnick, Co-Chair
- Jonah Levenberg, Co-Chair
Cohort 8
- Stanton Abramson
- Joel Aizen
- Missie Barnett
- Tyler Borkin
- Jessica Carpenter
- Yaakov Cohen
- Chelsea Cross
- Ben Kranitz
- Molly Beth Kranitz
- Krystal Livingston
- Callie Padway
- Alisa Streets
- Adam Sweet
- Morgan Sweet
- Aleksandra Zobacheva
- Samantha ZumMallen
- Peter Klein, Co-Chair
- Raisa Koltun, Co-Chair
Cohort 9 (Current)
- Abby Bar-Lev Wiley
- Tova Blasberg
- Tracy Borkin
- CJ Goldberg
- Mike Gorelik
- Sammy Gorelik
- Rebecca Hart
- Rachel Maybird
- Solomon Miller
- Anna Palatnik
- Tamara Stolle
- Robyn Swernoff
- Olga VanBibber
- Rosie Vayner
- Lauren O’Desky, Co-Chair
- Adam Witkov, Co-Chair
What’s Expected
The Weinstein Fellowship requires a substantial commitment from fellows in terms of time, engagement, active participation, and philanthropic giving. Successful applicants commit to full participation in all scheduled sessions, including retreats and a transformative 10-day Israel trip. The program calendar is provided in advance to facilitate effective scheduling.
This comprehensive commitment ensures a transformative and enriching experience, fostering leadership development and community engagement.
Weinstein Fellowship Candidates Have…
- Demonstrated passion for and involvement in the Milwaukee Jewish community.
- A willingness to learn, explore new ideas, and embrace diverse perspectives within the Jewish community.
- A commitment to philanthropy and an understanding of its role in community development.
- An appreciation for global Jewish issues, coupled with a strong desire to make a lasting impact on the local Milwaukee community.
- A dedication to continuous learning and personal development, aligning with the program’s curriculum and values.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting, understanding the importance of collective efforts in community development.
- Capability for strategic thinking and planning, with an eye for long-term community impact.
- Appreciation for cultural diversity within the Jewish community, fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment.
- A genuine interest in fostering a meaningful connection to Israel and incorporating it into leadership roles.
- A commitment to making a lasting impact, demonstrated by a willingness to volunteer and contribute beyond the program’s duration.
After Graduation, Weinstein Fellow Alumni have:
- Served as Jewish Family Services Board Chair
- Served on the Milwaukee Jewish Federation Board of Directors
- Served as Milwaukee Jewish Day School’s FTO Chair
- Served as Vice Chair on the board for the Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center
- Served on a committee for the MJF Israel Center
- Served on Hillel Milwaukee’s board
- And so much more…
Contact Us
If you have questions about the fellowship commitment, timeline, or eligibility, please contact us.
Recent Highlights
Take a look back at past Israel Trip and Graduation photo galleries.
About George Weinstein
Born in 1924, George Weinstein was a visionary business leader and dedicated Jewish philanthropist whose impact spanned finance, real estate, and community life in New York, Milwaukee, and Israel. From shaping major corporate mergers to helping build synagogues, schools, and institutions, his leadership was guided by deep Torah values and a lifelong commitment to giving. His story is one of ambition, integrity, and service, with a legacy that continues through his family and the communities he helped strengthen. Read the full biography to learn more about his remarkable life and lasting impact.
Connect
Kelly has spent her career in the Jewish nonprofit world, working with many of the programs and organizations that helped shape her own Jewish identity and commitment to community. She is honored to serve as the Director of NextGen MKE at the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, where she focuses on engaging, developing, and connecting Jewish young adults through leadership development, community building, and philanthropy.
Kelly moved to Milwaukee in 2015 to serve as the Assistant Director of the JCC Maccabi Games, where she supported large-scale programming and logistics for this game-changing event. She then joined the BBYO team, first in the Wisconsin Region and then overseeing BBYO’s summer leadership programs, working closely with teens, families, and numerous staff to cultivate the next generation of Jewish leaders.
Kelly is passionate about building meaningful Jewish experiences, strengthening leadership pipelines, and ensuring a vibrant, connected Jewish future in Milwaukee and beyond.
