Ellen Flax is a philanthropy and nonprofit professional who specializes in a) helping foundations, individuals/families, and grant-making institutions create, carry out, and evaluate giving programs, b) helping nonprofits strengthen their capacity to raise funds, evaluate their efforts, and operate strategically, and c) planning and implementing cutting-edge programming. She is currently the Director of the Schusterman Rabbinical Fellowship Program, which is creating a cadre of future religious leaders from both the Reform and Conservative movements who share a broad and dynamic vision for American Jewry. Previous assignments include serving as: a program consultant to STAR (Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal); a senior consultant to the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation; a program officer for a large family foundation; the director of education and outreach for a public foundation; and as a fund raiser for a community-based multi-service organization. Before entering the nonprofit world, Ellen was a journalist, and worked for Education Week and the Associated Press. Ellen earned a bachelor's degree, with honors, from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a master's degree and rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. In her capacity as a rabbi, she has been privileged to serve congregations in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Virginia, and has provided pastoral services at several elder-care facilities. |