New Year, New NowGen Co-Chairs!

NowGen is excited to present our new co-chairs for this year. These three volunteer leaders are stepping up to guide NowGen through 5786, and they are hitting the ground running. Please join me in welcoming Ellie Shafron, Sam Herb, and Haley Fried to NowGen’s long lineage of talented lay leaders. 

Each of them brings unique talents, expertise, and passion that will continue to drive NowGen forward this year. Together, they represent the very best of NowGen. I can’t wait for you to get to know them in their own words! 

Of course, no new beginning would be complete without thanking the outgoing co-chairs whose dedication shaped NowGen over the past year. Liran Federmann, our Rosh Graphic Design; Tali Izhaky, whose infectious energy inspires everyone around her to do their best (mazel tov on starting your first year of law school!); and Myles Hoffman, often found backstage at the coolest shows in Nashville or on a flight to the next adventure. Your creativity and leadership leave a lasting mark on our community and set a great foundation for next year’s programming. 

If your organization is interested in partnering with NowGen or connecting more Nashville Jews in their 20s and 30s to your work, reach out to Ellie, Sam, Haley, or me. We’d love to make it happen! 

Here’s to a year of new ideas, fresh energy, and new and old friendships. 

Ellie Shafron  

I’m from Cleveland, Ohio (Shaker Heights to be exact), and I am an elementary school teacher in MNPS. I got involved with NowGen through living in Nashville’s Moishe House for the last two years. Since the opportunity arose, I’ve always been a leader in my Jewish community from youth groups to Hillel, then Moishe House and now my local Federation. Jewish leadership has always been an important piece of my life. I am excited about experiencing more pockets within the young adult Jewish community of Nashville and branching out to new friends. As part of the NowGen board, my goal is to continue curating events to the community’s desires and bring more fun and new events for the coming year.  

Sam Herb  

I’m from Jacksonville, Florida—DUUUUUVALLLLL— these days I do a little of this and a little of that, but mostly content strategy and songwriting. I first got involved with NowGen at a Hanukkah party at the 5 Spot in 2016 or 2017, and I’ve been rockin’ and rollin’ ever since. My Jewish leadership experience goes back to being a song leader in NFTY, serving as the NFTY advisor for Nashville at Congregation Micah, and more recently curating vibes at most Jewish events. This year, I’m excited to keep pushing forward in both my golf and career journey while also helping to build the Jewish community here in Nashville. One of my big goals is to start an annual tradition for Jewish Nashville—something fresh that we haven’t done yet wink wink.  

Haley Fried 

I’m an occupational therapist from New Orleans! I got involved with NowGen through-the one and only-Michelle Biesman and stayed involved because of the many, additional friends I made. I was involved with the New Orleans and southern regions for BBYO and NFTY, and I served as NFTY Southern programming VP and president. I was the president of my university’s Chabad, and have been an active participant in Jewish communities in each city I have lived in. I am excited to be a part of fostering Jewish connections during a time when it can be hard to be Jewish. It is my goal to help others discover and be a part of the vibrant Jewish community we have in Nashville!