Community Blog Welcoming our New Trustees: Jesse Friedlander and Michael Goldberg
As we look to the new year, Hebrew College is embarking on the next phase of a multi-faceted strategic planning process. At this profoundly challenging time for our people, our nation, and our world, our work has never felt more life-giving and important, and we are committed to doing all that we can to broaden and deepen our impact, as we sustain vibrant Jewish communities through substantive learning, soulful leadership, and creative partnership and collaboration.
To join us in this work, Hebrew College is thrilled to welcome two outstanding leaders, Jesse Friedlander and Michael Goldberg, as the newest members of our Board of Trustees. Friedlander and Goldberg will leverage their business and legal experience, passion for pluralistic Jewish education, and creative spirit, as they contribute to our strategic growth initiatives and to the ongoing governance of the college.
Jesse Friedlander spent 20 years in Hong Kong, where he co-founded Des Voeux Partners, an international multi-family office now located in Bethesda, Maryland, which he continues to manage. His background includes equity and credit research experience at JPMorgan, Merrill Lynch, and Susquehanna International Group. He graduated from Yale College with honors in East Asian Studies, earned an MBA from Wharton, and holds an MA in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins SAIS (School of Advanced International Studies). He speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Indonesian. Friedlander is an Advisory Board member at Johns Hopkins SAIS and a Director at Asia Frontier Capital. He is also a writer, filmmaker, and podcaster. Passionate about the Abraham Accords, he writes on the Middle East and global markets. Jesse co-founded and hosted the ReOrient! Podcast and has been a frequent contributor to the South China Morning Post.
Michael Goldberg is Of Counsel at the law firm of Casner & Edwards, where he specializes in business bankruptcy, financial restructuring and business transactions, as well as commercial real estate transactions. Over 35 years of practice, his clients have spanned a range of industries, including high-tech and biomedical device companies, medical practice groups, and nonprofit institutions. Goldberg is routinely listed by legal and general publications among the top bankruptcy and restructuring lawyers in Massachusetts. He frequently lectures on bankruptcy topics, particularly the impact of bankruptcy on real estate transactions. He will bring the expertise and creativity which define his legal career to the Board of Trustees.
“We are excited and deeply honored to have Jesse and Michael join our board,” says President Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld. “This is a time that calls upon all of us to strive to lead with tremendous care, wisdom, intelligence, creativity, and courage. Jesse and Michael bring all of these qualities and more—and we are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with them as we shape the next chapter of our vital work at Hebrew College.”