The Jewish Grandparents Network, which educates, connects and supports grandparents as essential partners in enriching Jewish life, announced that Debra S. Weinberg (Known as “Debs”) will serve as executive director starting Sept. 1. Richard N. Bernstein will serve as the organization’s co-president. With these leadership additions and an increasing number of supporters, JGN is well-positioned for long-term sustainability to engage more families in meaningful and accessible Jewish experiences and content.
“Debs brings a unique combination of deep communal knowledge, exceptional development skills, and personal relationships with major Jewish leaders and funders that will lead JGN into our next era,” said JGN co-president Ilene Vogelstein. “She leads with people and purpose, blending cooperative leadership and inclusive decision‑making—perfect for JGN at this moment as we look to continue growing.”
Adds Vogelstein: “We’re incredibly fortunate as well that Richard N. Bernstein will serve as the new co-president with me. Richard has held leadership roles in some of our community’s most consequential organizations. His expertise in management, as well as his passion for helping others tap into Jewish experiences and learning, will be a vital benefit to JGN and the people we serve.”
Weinberg worked for the last decade as a certified leadership coach and facilitator. Previously, she served as executive director of ACHARAI: The Shoshana S. Cardin Leadership Development Institute, a community-wide bridge-building program for incoming presidents of boards of Jewish organizations. Recently, she emerged unscathed from a car accident, which profoundly influenced her desire for a more purpose-driven life.
Her role as savta to her four grandchildren took on even greater meaning, and she decided to devote her time and energy to helping more families engage in a purposeful Jewish life.
“I’m eager to lead JGN, surrounded by a stellar lay and professional team,” said Weinsberg. “In just eight years, JGN has built a loyal national following of grandparents and professionals and formed partnerships with organizations across the country. Research proves what many of us experience: Grandparents often play an integral, ongoing role in family life. They are uniquely positioned to strengthen the Jewish identities of their children and grandchildren and create vibrant Jewish homes. Moving forward, JGN will be an essential hub of this activity, driving Jewish engagement and learning.”
Among her initial expansive plans is an online Grandparents’ Jewish Learning Fest in winter 2025. It will celebrate and honor the essential role that Jewish grandparents play in their grandchildren’s lives, and in sustaining Jewish identity, culture and tradition across generations.
The daylong event will include online workshops led by expert presenters for grandparents nationwide and abroad. JGN will partner with other organizations to bring this flagship event to Jewish communities everywhere.
“In the midst of a strategic plan that charts an ambitious course for JGN, I look forward to ‘making the case’ why the community should look toward and invest in grandparents,” said Bernstein. “Under Debs’ stewardship, JGN can fully leverage the role, influence and financial means of grandparents, thus strengthening the entire Jewish community. We will also expand our reach and resources to help Jewish professionals effectively engage grandparents in their communities.”
JGN has seen a surge in engagement in the 21 months following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, coupled with an uptick in antisemitism worldwide. In the coming months, JGN will share more new resources, expert webinar events and interactive digital platforms with an eye toward growth.
Vogelstein pointed out that “our core audiences remain grandparents and Jewish professionals. What’s changed is our ability to better serve those audiences and meet this moment with strategy, skills and an unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of more Jewish families.”
