Diversity & Inclusion Part 2 - Disabilities

This is the second session in our Inclusion and Diversity series. This virtual panel, moderated by JRS Executive Director Nancy Gale, will address Disability inclusion in Jewish life and Jewish Pittsburgh through the local, national, and Israeli lens.

Our Panelists include:

Sharon Ehrnwald is the Director of Overseas Relations for Israel Elwyn. Sharon has been with Israel Elwyn for 7 years, starting as a Job Placement Coordinator in the Jerusalem & Southern Israel Branch. With a BA in Social Work from Ariel University, an MA in nonprofit and Community Organization Management from Hebrew University, Jerusalem, and a certification of Directors and Officers in the Social Sector from Reichman University.

Abed Daka is the Director of Supported Living Services for Israel Elwyn. Abed has over 27 years’ experience at Israel Elwyn in various positions, including coordinator of supported living services and director of community living services. Since 2018, Abed has served as director of Israel Elwyn’s supported living services. As part of this position, Abed is responsible for providing services to some 270 residents living in Israel Elwyn’s various living services.

Lily Coltoff was a Communications Fellow for RespectAbility’s National Leadership Program for Spring and Summer 2020. Originally from Philadelphia, Lily graduated in December 2019 from American University in Washington D.C. with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies and Public Health. Lily has spent a great deal of her life advocating for access for herself as well as for the awareness and understanding of rare conditions.

Alison Karabin- Alison is the Project Manager for Families in Transition at Jewish Residential Services (JRS) here in Pittsburgh. Alison grew up in Pittsburgh. After college, she moved to Israel for 5 years, earning her MSW from Yeshiva University’s Wuzweiler School of Social Work. Alison has worked in medical and geriatric social work and began at JRS in 2015. Alison lives in Squirrel Hill with her husband, son, and dog (Roxy).