AFHU Mid-Atlantic Region names new board members in DC area

American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) Mid-Atlantic Region announced three new members to its board of directors from the Washington, D.C., area: Jesse Phillips, Galia Messika Greenberg and Salo Zelermyer.

“It is an especially important time to be expanding our leadership engagement as we approach both the Hebrew University and American Friends of the Hebrew University centennials,” said William J. Kilberg, president of AFHU’s Mid-Atlantic Region. “We welcome our three new board members, who will help spread the word about the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s meaningful role in Israel’s past, present and future.” 

The new Mid-Atlantic Region board members include:

Jesse Phillips, chief financial officer at Sourcescrub, the world’s leading data service for firms looking to research, find and connect with bootstrapped companies. Phillips participated in  AFHU’s Leadership Empowerment and Development (LEAD) program, an immersive leadership training program that identifies and develops future leaders to become ambassadors for the Hebrew University. He is a graduate of American University with a BSBA degree in finance, accounting and economics.

“I am pleased to have been selected to serve on the Mid-Atlantic Region board and to help advance the exciting research, innovation, and scholarship at Hebrew University,” Phillips said. “There has never been a greater need to support Israel and affirm its future.”

Galia Messika Greenberg is general counsel and director of Firm Initiatives at Potomac Law Group, PLLC. She is an alumna of the Hebrew University Faculty of Law and was selected for the Mishbatim Law Review. Following her graduation from Hebrew University, she served as the law clerk to the Honorable Aharon Barak, who at the time was the presiding chief justice of the Israeli Supreme Court. Messika Greenberg is currently a member of the JCRC of Greater Washington executive committee. She received an LL.M. in 2001 from the New York University School of Law, where she graduated with honors. 

“As a graduate of Hebrew University, I am delighted to continue to be involved in supporting and promoting my alma mater,” Messika Greenberg said. “We have a terrific board of directors in the AFHU Mid-Atlantic Region, and I look forward to working together to expand our reach.”

Salo Zelermyer is vice president and counsel for Federal Affairs at Valero Energy Corporation. In 2000, Zelermyer attended the Hebrew University Rothberg International School. Since 2017, he has served on the board of directors of the National Brain Tumor Society. In 2016, Zelermyer received the Hero Award from Unlikely Heroes—a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and slavery. He graduated with a B.A. in political science from George Washington University in 2001 and a J.D. from Boston College Law School in 2004.

“Since attending the Hebrew University Rothberg School, I have had a strong connection to the university and am inspired by the spirit of resilience, learning and innovation taking place there,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to help. I look forward to adding value and support to AFHU.”

Anna Ravvin, AFHU Mid-Atlantic Region board member, said: “I am so excited to be welcoming these three generous and dedicated board members to the AFHU Mid-Atlantic region. Each of our new board members has their own special connection to Hebrew University, and will bring their energy and engagement to the Donors of Tomorrow Development Initiative.”