Rabbi Elan Babchuck and Rebecca Leeman

Rabbi Elan Babchuck Rabbi Elan Babchuck is committed to leaving behind a world that is more compassionate and connected than the one he found. In pursuit of that commitment, he serves as the Executive Vice President at Clal, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and the Founding Executive Director of Glean Network, which partners with Columbia Business School. He was ordained in 2012, and earned his MBA that year, as well. A sought-after thought leader, he has delivered keynotes at stages ranging from TEDx to the US Army’s General Officer Symposium, published in The Atlantic, The Guardian, Washington Post, and Religion News Service, and has a column for The Wisdom Daily. He is also the co-author of Picking Up the Pieces: Leadership After Empire (2023, Fortress Press), and contributed to Meaning Making – 8 Values That Drive America’s Newest Generations (2020, St. Mary’s Press). He is a founding Board Member of Springtide Research Institute, which focuses on spirituality, mental health, and Gen Z, and a Founding Partner of Starts With Us, a movement to counteract toxic polarization in America. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island, with his wife, Lizzie Pollock, and their three children: Micah, Nessa, and Ayla. In his spare time, he is an avid rock climber and constant gardener.   Rebecca Leeman is the Chief of Staff at Clal, where she drives strategic initiatives, enhances organizational impact, and advances the mission of transformative leadership. Passionate about fostering belonging and connection, Rebecca specializes in creating inclusive spaces—whether gatherings, cohorts, or communities—that inspire meaningful engagement. Rebecca’s career spans roles at IBM, PwC, and Bridgewater, where she honed her expertise in people analytics, culture, and strategy. She pivoted to Jewish nonprofit work in 2023, bringing her insights and learnings to the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, where she served as Assistant Director of Engagement and Recruitment for North America. As a longtime Clal Associate, Rebecca designed innovative programs to support leaders and organizations in addressing the evolving needs of the Jewish community. Now, in her role as Chief of Staff, she is launching “Jewish at Work,” a pioneering initiative empowering Jewish Employee Resource Groups to thrive. Rebecca has an Organizational Studies and Applied Statistics degree from the University of Michigan. She currently lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with her husband, Maor. In her spare time, she hosts lively Shabbat meals, plays board games, leads davening, and enjoys walks in Prospect Park.