American Friends of the Hebrew University Mid-Atlantic Region announced on Aug. 7 that it has named three new members to its board of directors from the Washington, D.C. area, according to an AFHU press release.
“It is an especially important time to be expanding our leadership engagement as we approach both the Hebrew University and AFHU centennials,” said William J. Kilberg, the president of AFHU’s Mid-Atlantic Region. “We welcome our three new board members, who will help spread the word about the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s meaningful role in Israel’s past, present, and future.”
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is an academic and research institution in Israel that serves more than 23,000 students and produces nearly 40% of Israel’s civilian scientific research. Hebrew University faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards and a Fields Medal, according to the university’s website.
AFHU, a nonprofit organization based in New York, has seven regional offices that work directly with the university.
The new members of AFHU’s Mid-Atlantic Region are Jesse Phillips, Galia Messika Greenberg and Salo Zelermyer.
Phillips is the chief financial officer at Sourcescrub, a data service for firms seeking to research, find and connect with bootstrapped companies. He participated in AFHU’s Leadership Empowerment and Development program, a leadership training program that identifies and develops future leaders who will become ambassadors for the university. He graduated from American University with a degree in finance, accounting and economics.
“I am pleased to have been selected to serve on the Mid-Atlantic Region Board and to help advance the exciting research, innovation, and scholarship at Hebrew University,” Phillips said. “There has never been a greater need to support Israel and affirm its future.”
Messika Greenberg is general counsel and director of firm initiatives at Potomac Law Group. She was selected for the Mishbatim Law Review after graduating from the Hebrew University Faculty of Law. After graduation, she served as the law clerk to Aharon Barak, who had been the presiding chief justice of the Israeli Supreme Court. Messika Greenberg is a member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington executive committee. She received a master of laws from the NYU School of Law in 2001.
“As a graduate of Hebrew University, I am delighted to continue to be involved in supporting and promoting my alma mater,” Messika Greenberg said. “We have a terrific board of directors in the AFHU Mid-Atlantic Region, and I look forward to working together to expand our reach.”
Zelermyer is vice president and counsel for federal affairs at Valero Energy Corp. In 2000, Zelermyer attended the Hebrew University Rothberg International School. Since 2017, he has served on the board of directors of the National Brain Tumor Society. In 2016, Zelermyer received the Hero Award from Unlikely Heroes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and slavery. He earned his bachelor’s in political science from George Washington University in 2001 and a J.D. from Boston College Law School in 2004.
“Since attending the Hebrew University Rothberg School, I have always had a strong connection to the University and am inspired by the spirit of resilience, the learning and the innovation taking place there,” Zelermyer said. “This is a great opportunity to help. I look forward to adding value and support to AFHU.”
Anna Ravvin, a board member of the AFHU Mid-Atlantic Region said she is excited to welcome the new board members.
“Each of our new board members has their own special connection to Hebrew University and will bring their energy and engagement to the Donors of Tomorrow Development Initiative,” Ravvin said in the press release.
