Lena M. Lewis wanted to make a difference in her community, so she took up the reins of Jewish leadership like her mom and grandmother before her.
A third-generation member, Lewis is highly involved in the Greater Washington chapter of Hadassah, between membership, programming and fundraising: “Having that bond [with the women in my family] is very special.” She is a member of Edlavitch DCJCC’s EntryPointDC — a program for young Jewish professionals — and the BBYO Alumni Association.
Outside of her myriad volunteer roles, Lewis is a security expert and team leader for the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection division. She holds a bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Maryland and a certification in cybersecurity.
Lewis was named a 2024 Hadassah Evolve Leadership fellow. She lives in North Bethesda with her partner.
Tell me about your Jewish upbringing and background.
I grew up in a Conservative Jewish household. We had weekly Friday night Shabbat dinners, and belonged to Shaare Tefila Congregation in Silver Spring, Maryland, where I went to Hebrew school. I was involved in the B’nai Brith Youth Organization, BBYO, in high school, and then, after college, I became very involved in Hadassah and took on various leadership positions. My mom made me a lifetime member of Hadassah, even when I was still in college. She thought that I would enjoy being part of the organization and find it very rewarding, and she was right. She was very involved in the Jewish community, and I’m following in her footsteps.
After college, I got involved with the EDCJCC’s EntryPoint[DC] young professionals programs: Shabbat Clusters, different interest tribes. More recently, I started up a mahjong interest tribe and coordinated the women’s interest tribe.
What inspired you to get involved with your Hadassah chapter?
My mother; she was very active in Hadassah when I was growing up. I did actually go to some Hadassah events with her, helping out with gift wrapping back in the day, or going to silent auction[s]. I was always a joiner and I always wanted to get involved in the Jewish community and make a difference. I’m following in my mother’s footsteps when it comes to Hadassah, and I gave it a try. I was very open-minded and everybody was so warm and welcoming. I really supported the mission. So you could say that my mother was my inspiration.
How do you feel about being named a Hadassah Evolve Leadership fellow?
I’m very excited for this amazing opportunity to help grow this next generation of Hadassah leaders and [gain] personal growth and support Hadassah’s mission. To me, it’s like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
What are your volunteer responsibilities with Hadassah?
I’m on the planning committee for the Evolve D.C. community. I help get that community started in the D.C. area, I help with events, I help recruit new members into the D.C. community for Evolve, spread the word about Evolve, who we are, what we do and our mission, and get the next generation of future Hadassah leaders involved.
Why do you choose to volunteer?
I really like to try to make a difference and make an impact. I’ve just always been a joiner, and the mission of these different organizations, especially Hadassah, is really what drives me to help make that difference and to make an impact. I’ve always been a leader; I’ve always wanted to grow myself personally and professionally. And through these different experiences and opportunities, I’ve been able to help make that impact.
How have you grown as a leader?
I’ve really grown throughout the years. For me, it’s not just about being a member of a Jewish organization; it’s about taking on responsibility, taking on a leadership role because you can have a say in certain things. You can help make an impact. These experiences and opportunities that I’ve had throughout these organizations, whether it’s [with] BBYO or Hadassah or even through the EDCJCC young adult program, [have] really helped to shape the leader that I am today. Having support from other leaders and mentors has made all the difference, as well, and it’s really helped to get me out of my comfort zone.
Have you always been interested in cybersecurity?
No, I wasn’t always interested in cyber[security]. Actually, I have a bachelor’s in accounting, and I was always in accounting and financial reporting. The cyber arena is a newer career move for me.
How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, I love playing mahjong with my Hadassah friends, I do yoga, and I like to dance. I recently learned to play pickleball. I go to concerts [and] movies. I love seeing musicals on stage.
What’s your advice to young aspiring Jewish leaders?
I would say advocate for yourself and the mission you believe in and support. I think that’s very important. Be resilient; never give up. Don’t be afraid to take risks and to possibly fail. Turn challenges into opportunities. Making an impact is really, really rewarding. Get involved and get out there and just do your best.
