MRC ALUMNA DANA MARGOLIS: OUR INCOMING DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY

We are delighted to share that MRC alumna Dana Margolis is coming home to Jerusalem and to the Shapell’s/Darche Noam family as our new Director of Philanthropy. In this role she will be responsible for fundraising and alumni relations. She will also be doing some teaching at MRC. She will begin her work on 17 Adar/ March 1.

Dana has been a powerhouse in the Milwaukee community for the last twenty years. She currently serves as the Director of Women’s Philanthropy for the Milwaukee Jewish Federation (after having also been a longtime volunteer for them) and as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the Department of Jewish Studies. Dana has also been a devoted lay leader – leading the volunteer fundraising efforts for Yeshiva Elementary School and holding key leadership positions with many other local Jewish non-profits. Dana credits her time at Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya for helping her build her personal and professional life. “The lessons and wisdom I gained during my treasured years as a student at Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya have guided me throughout the last 20 years. It was that chinuch that formed the foundation of my family and launched my career in Jewish education, philanthropy and community service.”

Dana impressed our professional and lay leadership with her commitment to our mission, strategic thinking, understanding of the field (including in the challenging COVID-19 era) and track record of success.

As alumni of the MRC and Shapell’s, Dana and her husband Adam have been quite connected to us over the last two decades. She shared, “I have always trusted the healthy and authentic Torah education and guidance Shapell’s and MRC provide and had the privilege to encourage many students to pursue the same opportunity.”

Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin said, “I am very excited and looking forward to work with Dana. Having someone who knows the schools from the inside, and who respects our ideology and has incorporated it into her own life, is a real advantage. Over the years Dana has been very helpful in our recruitment in Wisconsin and in ‘getting our name out’. It is only natural that Dana should be working for the institution that has been so dear and close to her heart for so many years.”

Dana, Adam and the children are looking forward to their return to Israel and to her new role. Dana said, “I am most looking forward to re-joining our Shapell’s/Darche Noam family and working together to ensure more young men and women have the opportunity to benefit from the magical experience of Shapell’s and MRC. I cannot wait to get home to Jerusalem and begin to partner with all of you- our alumni and friends.”

Though she is not starting until March 1, you are already welcome to reach out to her at dmargolis@darchenoam.org .