JRC congregant David Rousso recently returned from an 2 week visit to  Israel and the West Bank. David will share his observations after meeting with Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers, activists, relatives and ordinary citizens. Among those he met include members of “Combatants for Peace,” “Family Circle,” a former Palestinian Jaffa city council member and family members of those still held hostage

Betsy Polk Joseph

As the Director of Jewish Life at Elon University, Betsy Polk leads a dynamic team, mentors a strong board of student leaders, helps to shape the direction of Elon Hillel’s Jewish Life Advisory Council and works closely with Elon staff, faculty, and
administrators. As an engaged community member, Betsy was tapped to on the Alamance County Emergency Food & Shelter Board. She is also an active member of Judea Reform Congregation where she has served several terms on the Board
of Trustees, leads congregation-wide listening sessions, and designed and facilitates LEAD-JRC, a cohort program for emerging congregational leaders.    

Betsy, a certified coach and mediator, is the co-founder of The Mulberry Partners, LLC., a coaching and consulting practice that’s helped hundreds of community-focused leaders in North Carolina and beyond communicate, collaborate, and resolve conflict. She is the co-author of the award-winning book, Power Through Partnership: How Women Lead Better Together (Berrett-Koehler Publishing).

Betsy, is a Shalom Hartman Campus Professionals Fellow and a Mandel Executive Leadership Fellowship. She received a BA from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and a MS from American University in Organization Development and
lives with her family in Chapel Hill, NC where she spends her free time reading, writing and painting with vibrant colors.