Rekindle Fellowship Announces Graduation, Grants, and Two Fall Cohorts

By Matt Fieldman

The Rekindle Fellowship, a structured dialogue between Cleveland’s white Jewish and Black Christian communities, had an extremely busy June, receiving two significant grants, graduating its third cohort of 15 Fellows, and accepting two new Fall cohorts totaling 33 new Rekindle Fellows.

 “The Rekindle Fellowship is a prime example of the exact work we need to take place across the country now,” stated Marty Shankle, a cohort 3 graduate. “I was able to join together with people from across all communities of Cleveland to discuss topics ranging from religion and race to city planning. This program inspired me to become more active and connected me with several people who are looking to do the same.”

The third cohort graduated on Sunday evening, June 12, bringing the total number of Cleveland-area Rekindle Fellows to 41. The new Rekindle Fellows included:

·         Pat Bennett, Pat’s Granola

·         Daniel Blakemore, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

·         Alyson  Fieldman, MARCUM

·         Chase Foster, JHUB

·         Alethea Ganaway, Cuyahoga Community College

·         Ilanit Gerbich-Kalir, Jewish Federation of Cleveland

·         Paris Lampkins, Horizons Youth Services

·         Lindy Lurie, University Hospitals

·         Devorah Phillips, ReVision Proofreading

·         Adam Rosen,   Trzaska Rosen Faller LLC

·         Jamil Sanders, Deloitte

·         Marty Shankle, Infinity Power Partners LLC

·         Derrick Speights, EDWINS

·         Shirley White, University Hospitals

·         Demetrius Williams, Beat the Streets Cleveland

“I began this cohort not knowing exactly what I signed up for. Sure, I have been African American my whole life but what did the Jewish Community have to do with that?” shared Derrick Speights of EDWINS Restaurant. “I quickly found out that I was placed in this cohort by a higher power to learn. And that I did! I have learned so much about the Jewish Community and the African American community, the connections between them as well as the ways we can inspire each other to be better. Mainly I gained lifelong friends, family, and community partners that I look forward to making a change with.”

During the third cohort, Rekindle Fellows participated in “Rekindle Action Projects,” where they joined together to volunteer for local nonprofit organizations, with the goal of making small steps toward advancing racial and social justice in Cleveland.

 New Rekindle Fellows accepted into the fourth cohort, which starts in August and graduates in September, include:

·         Aaron Longino, Silver Lion Student Loan Advisors

·         Abbie Pappas, Counsel, Ulmer & Berne LLP

·         Alexandra Litofsky, Water Resources Engineer, OHM Advisors

·         Dara Steinberg, Principal, Steinberg Consulting

·         Debby  Rosenthal, Professor, John Carroll University

·         Diane Gaston, Associate Professor, Cuyahoga Community College

·         Illie Massey, Academic Manager, Job Corps

·         James Hailey, CFO, Senior Transportation Connection

·         Jeremy Sosin, Sosin Law LLC

·         Johnese Sherron, Neighborhood Development Coordinator, Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation

·         Justin Gould, Assistant United States Attorney

·         Lauren Werber, Rabbi, Temple B’nai Abraham

·         Linda Lanier, Assistant Professor, Cuyahoga Community College

·         Michele Weiss, Controller, Hebrew Academy of Cleveland

·         Susan Reis

·         Taylor Barnes, Director of Development, YWCA Greater Cleveland

·         Thandeka Cox, IT Fast Track Program Manager, Cuyahoga Community College

 The fifth cohort, which starts in September and graduates in November, consists of:

·         Brenda Jackson

·         Charles Ellenbogen, Teacher, John Adams College and Career Academy

·         Dahlia Fisher, Director of External Relations, Maltz Museum

·         Deborah Speights, Childcare Provider, Mz. Debbie’s Daycare

·         Devon Hickman, CEO, Center for Employment Opportunities

·         Frank Whitfield, Mayor, City of Elyria

·         Katie Kohn, Director of Human Resources, Urban Community School

·         LaRaun Clayton, Director of Compliance & Quality Improvement, Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana

·         Lisa Lazarus, CEO, Lazarus Forward LLC

·         Lucie Shiffman, Program Manager, Repair the World Cleveland

·         Mamie Green, Director, Social Phenom Travel Services

·         Marion Anita Gardner, Executive Director, Concerned Citizens Community Council

·         Peter Nagusky, President & CEO, The Federal Metal Company

·         Rachel Oscar, Mt. Sinai Health Foundation

·         Rivka Joseph, Social Worker at Antifragility Initiative, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital

·         Tee Matthews, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing

Rekindle also received three grants from national Jewish foundations, totaling $35,000 in funding. This will allow the organization to continue to advance its mission of rekindling Black-Jewish relations in Cleveland, while expanding nationally, well into 2023.

Moving forward, Rekindle welcomes ongoing engagement with the Cleveland community. This includes inviting social justice organizations to apply for Rekindle Action Projects, encouraging interested changemakers to apply for the Spring 2023 Fellowship cohorts, and embracing conversations with potential funders and partners.

Matt Fieldman                                                       Charmaine Rice

ABOUT THE REKINDLE FELLOWSHIP

Rekindle’s mission is to create meaningful social change by bringing leaders from the Black and Jewish communities together for open, face-to-face dialogue that breaks down barriers and builds new friendships and collaborations. The Rekindle Fellowship improves understanding, strengthens relationships, and invests in leaders, thereby accelerating social change and increasing equity in Greater Cleveland. Learn more at www.rekindlefellowship.org.