Anne Sherman is the current president of Kolot Chayeinu and a consultant and strategic planner for Anne Sherman is the current president of Kolot Chayeinu and a consultant and strategic planner for various non-profit organizations. She first joined Kolot because she wanted her son to attend Hebrew school. Anne had no background in organized Jewish life, but heard very strong pitches in favor of Kolot and decided to join after attending their Purim party. Her first involvement was primarily as a parent, with her son and later her daughter attending Kolot’s youth education program. She became involved in the meetings planning Kolot’s direction after Rabbi Ellen Lippmann had announced her retirement and was invited to consider a nomination in 2016. Anne became the president of Kolot this in January 2022 after being a member for over 5 years. As president, Anne works closely with the Rabbi and Executive Director. She is most proud of her work on the restructuring plan of the board, which will be a real step forward in managing Kolot’s tremendous growth in a way that will best serve the congregation. Three words she would use to describe herself are “confused but committed.”

In this interview, Kolot Chayeinu Board President Anne Sherman discusses how became a member of Kolot with her family at the time of her son Benjamin’s bar mitzvah, and how Anne subsequently rose to Board Member and now President. Anne elaborated on how her involvement at Kolot has been within the “context of major change,” adaptation, and growth; she joined the Board around the time that founding Rabbi Ellen Lippmann announced her retirement, and just a few years later the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She described the main challenges and projects she has worked on as Board Member and President, including the development of full-time staff, leadership transitions, exponential community growth, institutionalizing new organization standards and Board committees, advancing on a path towards anti-racism, and the financial logistics of running a religious congregation. Anne also spoke of her personal spiritual journey, beliefs, and conversion to Judaism, and how she developed a sense of duty and obligation to serve others, not only in her role at Kolot but as a professional non-profit consultant and strategic planner.

“I can’t not do this” – Anne Sherman describes her sense of duty and commitment to serve others

“I don’t take that for granted” – Anne Sherman talks about her personal religious and spiritual journey and beliefs

“Support and strength…adapt and grow and change” – Anne Sherman elaborates on the future and challenges of Kolot from both a values and logistical perspective.