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, Stephanie Wapner

Stephanie Wapner is honored to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Columbus Jewish Day School. As an advocate for Jewish education and community, she is committed to ensuring that every CJDS student receives an exceptional education rooted in academic excellence, Jewish values, and joyful learning.

Professionally, Stephanie is the Director of Administrator Engagement at Academic Engagement Network, where she works with colleges and universities nationwide to cultivate more welcoming environments for Jewish students. She previously spent more than 20 years in higher education faculty and administration at The Ohio State University.

Stephanie and her husband, Andy, are proud parents of two CJDS alumni.

Members at Large: 2026-2027

Avi Allen, Vice President, Governance- 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.

Aron Cohen, Treasurer- Bio coming soon!

Katie Rotenberg, Secretary - A Senior Consultant at Boon LLC, specializing in reporting analytics and merchandise planning. Katie serves as Secretary on the board of the Columbus Jewish Day School (CJDS), where she leads the recruitment committee and is president of the CJDS Parent Organization. Katie is also a member of the Community Impact Committee of JewishColumbus and serves on JCC committees for JChats and JCamps, contributing to programs that strengthen and connect with the community. She and her husband, Shaun, are proud parents of two children, a 7th grader and 4th grader.

Paul Lamb - Paul Lamb is the Regional Vice President of Caregiver Inc., an organization dedicated to providing high-quality services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a deep commitment to community service and inclusion, Paul actively works to support initiatives that improve quality of life and foster community engagement.

In addition to his role at Caregiver Inc., Paul serves as Treasurer, a member of the Executive Committee, and Trustee for the Columbus Jewish Day School (CJDS) Board of Trustees. He also contributes his expertise to the advisory committee for the Ohio State University Master of Healthcare Administration Program.

Paul and his wife, Naomi, are proud parents of a CJDS graduate who currently attends Bexley Middle School, along with their 5th grade child attending Columbus Jewish Day School. His personal and professional experiences reflect a strong dedication to education, community development, and inclusion, making him a passionate advocate for initiatives that support education and community well-being.

Jane Bodner- Lives in Bexley with her husband, Ilya, and their three daughters. She built her career specializing in strategy, operations, and organizational optimization, including over a decade at Limited Brands. Jane currently serves on the board of CJDS, where she has chaired the Sustainability and Development Committees. She previously served on the board of JewishColumbus, where she chaired Women’s Philanthropy, and is a member of the Jewish Federations of North America’s National Leadership Cabinet. She is passionate about advancing CJDS to meet the needs of the growing Jewish community and ensuring a sustainable foundation for future generations.

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!

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. Rabbi Hillel and his wife, Sharon are proud parents of 3 CJDS alumni.

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 Jewish Columbus and Columbus Jewish Day School. She lives in Gahanna, OH, with her husband Michael and their yellow lab, Beanie Baby.

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.

Allison Erlinger-Allison is the proud parent of rising second-grader Theo and rising kindergartner Iris, and is the incoming chair of the CJDS Kesher parent organization. She has spent almost seven years at home as a full-time parent and is excited to find a new role in helping to drive the growth and development of CJDS as a member of the Board. Prior to being a full-time parent, Allison’s career was in healthcare, first as a registered nurse at the OSU Wexner Medical Center and then as a medical research librarian in the Mount Carmel Health System and at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She holds bachelor’s degrees in nursing and classics, and master’s in classics and library science.

Gilad Shai-Gilad is the managing director of PTG USA, an Ohio-based manufacturer of advanced air and water solutions for advanced industries, including semiconductor facilities and data centers. PTG USA is part of a global group of companies headquartered in Israel. Previously, Gilad served as CEO of two natural gas distribution companies in Israel and as Deputy CEO and General Counsel of Israel Natural Gas Lines, bringing more than 20 years of executive leadership, governance, and commercial and legal experience.

Gilad is married to Tali and is the proud father of Itamar and Daniella, whom recently graduated from CJDS. 

Rachel Silverland-Bio coming soon!

Tobi Gold, Lifetime Non-Voting Board Member