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Judy Levey
Executive Director
Judy Levey joined JCUA in 2009 to manage the organization’s community development work. She created Community Ventures LLC to streamline the Community Ventures Program, JCUA’s zero-interest loan fund for affordable housing. Late in 2011, she assumed the position of CEO. As the former executive director of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky, Judy led a successful legislative campaign to establish dedicated funding for Kentucky’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Prior to joining JCUA, Judy was director of community outreach for the Urban Land Institute Chicago District Council. Earlier in her career, Judy worked for New York City Human Resources Administration in the divisions of Income Support and Medicaid. Judy holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Michigan. Judy is an executive board member of Beth Hillel Congregation Bnai Emunah in Wilmette.
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Rabbi Abrams is responsible for on-the-ground organizing, building relationships with community partners and engaging JCUA’s members and constituents in support of JCUA’s actions and campaigns. Rabbi Abrams is committed to uniting social justice activism with Jewish engagement. In her most recent position as assistant rabbi at Temple Chai (Long Grove, Ill.), Rabbi Abrams initiated a congregational program focusing on immigrants and workers’ rights, and spearheaded campaigns focused on environmental justice and sustainability. As director of faith community outreach for Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice in Los Angeles, Rabbi Abrams was responsible for creating and implementing strategies for engaging Jewish clergy in local and national worker justice campaigns. Her additional organizing experience includes project work in El Salvador with American Jewish World Service and with the Commonwealth Coalition of Boston. She is a graduate of both Smith College and Hebrew Union College.
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Joining JCUA in 2007, Asaf has extensive background in developing collaborations across racial, ethnic and religious lines, as well as non-profit operations, training, communications and program evaluation. He is a PhD candidate in political theory at Loyola University Chicago, where he also teaches. Asaf holds an MA in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago and a BA in philosophy and political science from Ben Gurion University in Israel. He has published academic articles on topics ranging from economic policy to digital technology and democracy, and has given talks in universities across the country.
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Verna Jaunes
Administrative/Finance Director
Verna Jaunes is a graduate of DePaul University College of Commerce. She has worked for JCUA in the areas of office management and administration since 1998. In this role, she is responsible for all facets of office operations including human resources, financial record keeping and administrative documentation.
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Rebecca Katz
Manager of Teen Programs
Rebecca graduated from Vassar College with a BA in American Culture, concentrating in Studio Art and History. For her junior year abroad, she studied post-conflict transformation in the Balkans. After graduating, she worked as the head hiking counselor for an international girls leadership camp. At Camp Rising Sun Rebecca planned and led backpacking trips in the Catskill Mountains that provided an environment for the teens to test their leadership skills. Through these experiences, Rebecca discovered her passion for empowering teens to develop their voices and enact change in their communities. She truly believes teens have ability to create concrete change and inspire mobilization.
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Jonathan Lehrer is an award-winning professional communicator who specializes in online communications (email newsletters, blogging, website design and management), media relations and strategic planning. His clients have included Jewish non-profit organizations, small businesses and state government agencies. A graduate of Northwestern University's School of Communication, Jonathan is a former synagogue president and has served as co-president of the Publicity Club of Chicago.
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Pamela Klier-Weidner
Director of Development and Organizational Advancement
A Chicago native, Pam has 20 years of experience in events management and promotion, including international marketing and public speaking assignments for the world's top firms. She served as director of corporate sales and special events at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place. Her career includes work in development for the Italian-American Human Relations Foundation and the James Jordan Foundation. At JCUA, she manages fund-raising strategy, donor engagement and major gifts. She is well regarded for her creative approach in matching passionate donors with just causes. She lives with her daughters, Juliette and Charlotte.
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