Executive Committee

Lisa Freedman, Chair
Mindy Binderman, Vice Chair
Sylvia Gort, Treasurer and Finance Chair
Deborah Goodman, Grants Chair
Enid Draluck, Education Chair
Lanie Kirsch, Membership Chair
Linda Davis, Development Chair
Debbie Kurzweil, Governance Chair

Professional Team

Jodi Hirschfield, Executive Director, has broad experience in the Jewish community includes development, community relations and special events roles with The Davis Academy, JELF and the Marcus JCC. More recently, she has held key marketing and development roles in professional services industries. She also has worked with nonprofits such as United Way and American Cancer Society. Finally, she is an avid community volunteer, including as a Board Member of Hillels of Georgia and Solidarity Sandy Springs

Judy C. Marx, Operations Manager, came to JWFA as a sought-after consultant focusing on community-based organizations and interfaith efforts. Prior to her consulting practice, Judy spent 12½ years with American Jewish Committee where she served as the Atlanta Director, and where she was the Founding Director of the award-winning Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. She has remained an active volunteer with AJFF, as a committee co-chair, speaker and film evaluator. She is a member of the 2001 Class of Leadership Atlanta, and a 2002 American Marshall Memorial Fellow. In 2011, Judy was recognized by the Trumpet Awards, receiving the “High Heels Award,” in 2012 she was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel Board of Ministers and Laity at Morehouse College and in 2018 was presented with the Michael Kinstler Rainmaker Award by SOJOURN at its annual gala.

Rabba Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez, Grants Manager, is a values-driven Jewish educator, community builder, and visionary leader. Along with her work with JWFA, Rabba Melissa is a consultant focused on bringing her vibrant energy and varied expertise to organizations nationwide. She is also learning in M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education’s Senior Educators Cohort 7, an active volunteer leader, and known for her uniquely joyful Judaism.  Rabba Melissa received rabbinic ordination from Maharat and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois

Denise Deitchman, Programming Manager, has been living in Alpharetta with her family for the last 19 years. Originally from New York, her professional career has varied from Advertising Executive to Non-Profit Volunteer Manager to Health Coaching. Denise worked for Jewish Family & Career Services for many years overseeing the Volunteer Department. Denise has also served on the board of her Synagogue for many years and will be stepping into the role of President in June 2025.