MEET OUR TEAM
Andy Friedland
Interim Executive Director
Andy Friedland moved to Portland in 2023 from Hartford, Connecticut, where he taught middle and high school Humanities. Prior to teaching, Andy served the Jewish community for five years as the Assistant and Associate Director of the Connecticut Anti-Defamation League (ADL). For his work responding to antisemitism, creating educational programming, and lobbying for legislative change, Andy was recognized as one of Connecticut Magazine’s “40 Under 40” in 2020. Since moving to Portland, Andy has been an in-house substitute teacher at Portland Jewish Academy and a house husband to his wife starting her medical residency at OHSU.
Preceding his work at the ADL, Andy worked in live theater, taught English at a kindergarten in Northeast China, and led an AmeriCorps team based out of Mississippi. Andy is a graduate of the University of Vermont Honors College, where he majored in English and Theater. He earned his master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from UConn.
Jesse Weiss
Springboard Innovation Fellow
Born and raised in California, Jesse Weiss attended Reed College where she helped revive the Jewish Student Union as its president, graduating in May of 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a concentration in creative writing. Jesse also goes by the following nicknames/Hebrew names: Jess, Shayah, or Shai. Jesse grew up in Silicon Valley, spending her summers in Jerusalem. She moved to San Diego in 2020 with her family where she fell in love with sunny skies and beaches. She loves to sing, play her guitar, listen to audiobooks, travel, and cook vegan and vegetarian meals. Jesse loves being an active part of the Jewish community and it is her goal to help Jewish college clubs and organizations thrive, and Jewish students find strength and growth within their communities.
Shlomit Tegavnesh Tegenye
Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow
Shlomit Tegavnesh Tegenye was born in Ethiopia and made an Aliyah to Israel when she was two years old. She grew up in Yokneam, a small city in northern Israel, as the fourth of six siblings and has always been very close to her family.
Shlomit studied Psychology and Educational Counseling, driven by her deep interest in understanding people, building meaningful connections, and making a positive impact.
Shlomit has also been deeply involved in community work and volunteering. She has mentored young students, worked with older immigrants learning Hebrew, supported young adults with developmental disabilities, and volunteered with individuals facing mental health challenges. These experiences were incredibly meaningful to her, as she truly enjoys helping others and believes in the power of community and human connection.
Shlomit loves meeting new people, exploring different perspectives, and creating meaningful relationships. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going to the beach, and traveling. She’s also a passionate animal lover and a committed vegan.
As an Israel Fellow at PDX Hillel, she’s excited to be part of the community, get to know everyone, and take an active role in campus life. She looks forward to sharing her story, hearing the experiences of others, and going on this journey together!