Our Staff

• Home
• About •
• Our Staff

As executive director, Jarad oversees the operations of both the Federation and the Des Moines Jewish Foundation. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Jarad moved to Des Moines in 2006. He earned his BA from UC Santa Barbara and MBA from Drake University. Jarad previously worked at the Consulate General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest and Drake University. He met his wife, Lilianna, on Birthright Israel and together they are the proud parents of Flora Gardenia.

Sophie grew up in Des Moines and moved to Washington, DC for college in 1995. In November 2012, she moved back to Des Moines with her husband Matt, daughter Hailey, and son Lester. Formerly a Family Care Coordinator at Early Stages with DC Public Schools, Sophie supported families of children ages 0-5 from time of referral through the child’s placement into special education.

 Sophie received a MEd in School Counseling from George Mason University and a BA in Elementary Education from American University. Sophie taught elementary school in Montgomery County, Maryland and Fairfax County, Virginia for 9 years. Sophie’s primary goal is to support and foster children’s growth and inquiry into Judaism.

As Director of Jewish Family Services, Karen works with diverse populations and develops programs to support our community. Karen’s social work training and experience focuses on aging populations, and she was awarded the University of Iowa Community Social Work Award for her work with elders in rural communities. Her business background includes organizational development, strategy, human resources, learning and development, and over a decade of project management. For Karen, “ahavat Israel”—love and care for our tribe—is what led her to the Federation during this time when Jewish communal institutions are a critical resource for support and advocacy. A native San Franciscan and first-generation American from an Israeli family, Karen has been an Iowan since college, earning her BA, MSW, and MBA all at the University of Iowa (Go Hawks!). Karen and her husband Kevin have a daughter Rebecca, who is a college student in Boston.

Sandi is the Director of the Iowa Jewish Historical Society and has been with the Society since 2008. Sandi holds an MA in History and an MBA from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA and a BA in History from Lenoir-Rhyne College in NC. She is the Past President of the Iowa and Nebraska Museum Associations and served as an officer and on the national Council of the American Association for State and Local History. Sandi is responsible for the management, development, promotion, and funding of the IJHS.

Sarah is the Curator and Manager of Collections at the Iowa Jewish Historical Society and has worked at IJHS since 2011. Sarah earned her MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and her BA in Anthropology with a Minor in History from Iowa State University. Sarah main focus is on the development, management, and care of the IJHS collections, and the development of exhibits.

Henry works in the Accounting department and really loves the friendly atmosphere and the rich Jewish history of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. He enjoys cooking, reading, and going to social activities such as concerts. One thing most people don’t know about Henry is that he used to play the banjo!

Benjamin is a passionate Jewish educator, programmer, and camp professional originally hailing from Omaha. After teaching in Beit Sefer Shalom, other community supplemental religious schools, and Jewish summer camps for many years, he is excited to be part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. Benjamin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Drake University, focusing on vocal music, music education, and ethnomusicology. He has also taken MBA coursework in non-profit management.