CJDS Board of Trustees

Our Board of Trustees is comprised of current parents, grandparents, and community members who are extremely dedicated and generous with their time and resources.

Board Responsibilities Include:

  • Creating and maintaining the mission and vision of the school

  • Establishing policies for the school to ensure that the mission of the institution is pursued and upheld

  • Developing and implementing a strategic plan

  • Financial oversight of the school, including budget and fundraising efforts.

  • Creating and maintaining the mission and vision of the school

CJDS Board President, Ken Gold

Ken is a founding CJDS Board member, parent and current CJDS grandparent. Recognized as an innovative leader in business real estate development, Ken is the former CEO, and current Chief Growth Officer, at Skilken Gold Real Estate Development.

Other Community roles Ken has held include Executive Board Member of Columbus Jewish Federation, Chair of the Israel Department, Hillel Board Member, Congregation Tifereth Israel Board Member and Director of the Real Estate Center at Fisher College of Business.

Members at Large: 2025-2026

Stephanie Wapner, First Vice President - A Senior Lecturer and Program Director at OSU’s Fisher College of Business, Stephanie rejoins the Board as First Vice President.  Stephanie is mom to 2024 CJDS graduate David and rising fifth grader Leo.

Josh Feinberg, Immediate Past President - The proud parent of a CJDS alumnus, Josh has served on the board since 2020.  CJDS has been an important part of the Feinberg/Zelkind family since they moved from Brooklyn to Bexley in 2016, and Josh is passionate about making a CJDS education available to even more families across Central Ohio.  In his non-CJDS time, Josh works as a writer and content developer for museums, arts institutions, and historic sites around the country.

Katie Rotenberg, Secretary - Bio Coming Soon!

Paul Lamb, Treasurer - Bio Coming Soon!

Avi Allen - Director of Operations at the Wexner Foundation. Originally from St. Paul, MN, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brandeis University with a double major in Near Eastern Judaic Studies and History, later earning a JD from Washington University School of Law. Avi practiced employment law for nearly a decade before transitioning to mission-driven work as Executive Director at Congregation Agudas Achim in Columbus, Ohio. An active Jewish community leader, he has served roles at his synagogue and Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. Avi enjoys outdoor adventures with his wife Sarah and their children and playing recreational sports.

Jane Bodner - Bio Coming Soon!

Marlene Brisk - A councilwoman for the city of New Albany and is a member of several city panels and boards. She works in the field of commercial real estate management as Senior Vice-President and Counsel at Schottenstein Property Group. She earned a BS degree with a finance major from The Ohio State University Fisher Business School and a Juris Doctor degree from Emory University School of Law. She and her late husband were founders of CJDS, and their oldest daughter was in the very first kindergarten class. Her three adult daughters and her son-in-law are her pride and joy!

Rivka Cohen - After living in New York for some time, Rivka returned to her Ohio roots with her husband and two children (future CJDS students!) a few years ago. She is an independently licensed social worker at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Rivka participated in the 4th Leadership JewishColumbus cohort and was a member of the CJDS Head of School Search Committee In 2023-2024 prior to joining the board.

Rabbi Hillel Skolnik, Chair Committee on Trustees - CJDS Parent, Rabbi S., was ordained at Jewish Theological Seminary of America in May, 2011. After serving as the rabbi of the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation for seven years, Rabbi Hillel and his family moved to Columbus in the summer of 2018 where he now serves as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Tifereth Israel.

Sue Kagen Podell - From the Washington, D.C. area, Sue holds degrees in Clinical Nutrition and Nutrition Communications from the University of Maryland and Boston University. A Registered and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), she founded SKP Inc., a private practice focused on diabetes and eating disorders. Sue has served in leadership roles within Jewish communities in Chicago and Columbus, including as a trustee for JewishColumbus and Columbus Jewish Day School. She lives in Gahanna, OH, with her husband Michael and their yellow lab, Beanie Baby.

Dr. Jeffrey Tilson - Returning to Columbus 48 years ago after serving two years in the U.S. Navy as a dentist provided Jeffrey with the opportunity to build both a dental practice and a family. Together with Bethanne, he raised three daughters—Julie, Jamie, and Katie. Julie, along with her three sons, all of whom attended CJDS, now works at Jewish Columbus. Jeffrey has served on numerous boards within the community and has led two missions to Israel. Most importantly, he takes great pride in serving the growing Jewish community and remains committed to continuing this work.

Ofra Greenshtein - Born and raised in Israel and South America, speaks fluent English, Spanish, and Hebrew. She moved to the U.S. in 2008 to work with L Brands and has 27 years of experience as a global supply chain executive. After serving in the Israeli Air Force, she built expertise in strategic planning, contract negotiations, and organizational change.

Married with three children, Ofra remains deeply connected to Israel, volunteering with the Jewish community and co-founding Bracelets for Israel to support Kfar Aza. Now a consultant for overseas vendors and U.S. brand founders, she frequently travels to Israel to assist her mother.

Tobi Gold, Lifetime Non-Voting Board Member