ALEPH:  Alliance for Jewish Renewal is honored to announce the appointment of
Michelle W. Malkin as its new Executive Director beginning January 1, 2026. An accomplished nonprofit executive, strategist, and community-builder, Michelle brings nearly two decades of leadership in Jewish communal life, organizational development, resource mobilization, and community engagement to support ALEPH’s spiritual mission.

Michelle holds master’s degrees in both Jewish Nonprofit Management and Public Administration, and her career is distinguished by executive roles that have consistently driven organizational and communal growth. She has a deep commitment to strengthening Jewish life locally, regionally, and nationally. Michelle served as the inaugural Executive Director of Temple Ner Tamid, where she significantly increased membership and philanthropic revenue. She was also President of the Garden State Network of Synagogue Executives, enhancing collaboration and professional support for synagogue community professionals across New Jersey.

In addition to her executive leadership, Michelle currently oversees a nonprofit initiative that strategically matches rising and established Jewish professionals with board service opportunities. She is also the creator and host of the widely respected “It’s Who You Know!” podcast, amplifying the voices of Jewish communal leaders and elevating conversations on organizational health, leadership, and innovation. She joins ALEPH at a moment of tremendous opportunity as the movement continues to grow, evolve, and deepen its global impact.

“ALEPH stands at a pivotal moment in Jewish communal engagement, as more people seek new ways of connecting to themselves, each other, and the spiritual world around them,” said Michelle W. Malkin. “Jewish Renewal has always been about opening doors to spiritual experience — weaving timeless Jewish wisdom into modern life, guiding the heart toward wholeness, and building communities where people feel valued and understood. I am humbled and energized to partner with our faculty, students, clergy, Alliance members, and global community to steward ALEPH into its next integration of growth and impact.”

Under her leadership, ALEPH will continue its mission to educate, ordain, and support rabbis, cantors, rabbinic chaplains, and spiritual directors; build communities of practice; and foster transformative experiences that bring Jewish identity, mysticism, and social consciousness into harmony.

“ALEPH has always been a home for seekers — a place where heart, spirit, and community come together,” said Hazzan Stephanie Weishaar, ALEPH Board Chair and Spiritual Leader at Kol Nefesh in Columbia, MD.
“Michelle brings an extraordinary combination of strategic leadership, organizational wisdom, spiritual openness, and relational warmth. We are confident she will guide ALEPH with integrity, creativity, and vision as we embrace our next chapter.”