Elena Hoffenberg graduated from Harvard with a BA in History and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, focusing on modern Jewish history and Yiddish. While in college, she led Jewish student organizations, volunteered in local schools, and worked with materials in libraries and archives. These experiences contributed to her interest in how interpretations of the past shape our present and can transform our communities. As Development Assistant, she looks forward to working with supporters to broaden the impact of stories told through JWA.

Robbie Terman was born in Detroit, Michigan. Her childhood was filled with tales about the glory days of Detroit and its active Jewish community. Now she gets to live that history as the director of the Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. She has a master’s degree in Library and Information Science with a certification in Archival Administration from Wayne State University. As an archivist, she strives to bring recognition to stories forgotten by time.

Tess Kelly is a sophomore at Orange High School near Cleveland, Ohio who is thrilled to be part of Rising Voices this year. She writes short stories and poetry, which she performs at open mic nights around the city. Aside from a strong passion for the written word, Tess loves rock music, politics, and her close-knit temple in the small Jewish community of Elyria, Ohio. She participates in Lake Erie Ink, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing love of writing to underprivileged youth in Cleveland.

Sarah Biskowitz works at the Jewish Women's Archive as the manager of the Rising Voices Fellowship for high school students. She is a proud RVF alum herself from the 2016-2017 RVF cohort. Before working at JWA, Sarah completed the 2022-2023 Year Program at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies and served as the 2021-2022 Richard S. Herman fellow in bibliography and exhibitions at the Yiddish Book Center. A graduate of Smith College, her work has been published in Jewish Currents, Hey Alma, Pakn Treger, and In geveb: A Journal of Yiddish Studies. She has spoken about feminist Yiddish culture at the Maine Conference for Jewish Life, the Association for Jewish Studies conference, and various synagogue and Moishe House events. Visit her website www.sarahbiskowitz.com.

Molly Pifko is a junior at Lynnfield High School. When she's not in her room doing homework, blasting show tunes, or reading, she can usually be found at the Peabody ice rink, playing hockey with her fellow Tanners. In the mornings she is often playing flute, guitar or trombone in the band room or practicing cross-examinations for mock trial. Molly is a proud owner of three chickens and a member of Appleton farms CSA. She hopes to one day incorporate her passion for animals, food justice, and the environment into a career in biology or environmental studies.  

Maya Jodidio is a first year at Barnard College. When she is not working on biology research, she spends her time reading news articles, learning about waves of feminism, and working with youth in Socialist Zionist movements such as Habonim Dror and Hashomer Hatzair. She loves educating everyone around her about the need for social justice in the world. In the future, she hopes to use her ideals as a feminist in her career as a bioengineer or a doctor.

Madisen Summer Siegel is a  senior at Columbia University, with a double major in Applied Mathematics and East Asian Languages & Cultures. Madisen was part of the 2016-17 cohort of JWA’s Rising Voices Fellowship, is currently on JWA’s Board of Directors, and works with other alumnae as part of the Jewish Feminist Alumnae Network (JFAN).