Who We Are
Our Mission.
Upward Community is committed to developing emotionally healthy children, teens and young adults. We empower youth by creating safe spaces dedicated to fostering connections and building resilience, while supporting parents and educators as they navigate the challenges of raising children into healthy adults.
Rachel Karesh, LCSW
Executive Director
Rachel Karesh holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She has worked and excelled in social work for nearly two decades. Some of those experiences include: working as a social worker in a therapeutic post high school program for at-risk teens, providing mental health support and mentorship at Meor HaTorah Seminary in Israel, working as a school social worker at Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School and working as the camp social worker at Moshava Wild Rose.
Rachie served as the Clinical Director at Upward Community for over 10 years. During that time, she was instrumental in the building and opening of the Mozes and Helen Stern Counseling Center at Upward Community and was responsible for all assessments, counseling and crisis intervention of the referred teens.
Rachie now serves as the Executive Director of Upward Community where she is responsible for designing, developing and implementing strategic planning for the organization. She manages staff relationships, community outreach, program development and collaboration with the Board of Directors; all in an effort to help even more families reach new heights.
Rabbi Yechiel Bresler, LPC
Assistant Director
Rabbi Yechiel Bresler, previously our Educational Programming Director, has transitioned into the role of Assistant Director of Upward Community.
Rabbi Bresler earned his Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Rabbi Bresler has been a member of the Upward Community team since September of 2019. In addition to his role as Assistant Director, he is a Clinician and oversees the educational programming including community lectures and Mental Health Matters podcast. Rabbi Bresler also serves as the Assistant Rabbi at Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park.
Avery Amster
Director of Development
As of July 1st 2023, Avery Amster will be joining the Upward Community team as the Director of Development. Avery comes to us with a strong background in non-profit development, having most recently served as a Development Associate at Hebrew Theological College. In his previous role, Avery worked to both engage new donors, maintain relationships with past ones and assisted in running a capital campaign. At Upward Community, Avery will be tasked with creating and maintaining relationships with the Chicago community as a representative of Upward. He will be overseeing the financial strategy of Upward Community and ensuring that we will be able to continue to provide robust mental health programming. “Avery’s personable character, warmth, and relationship skills as well as his knowledge of the community and organization make him a perfect fit for this position,” says Josh Rosen, Executive Board Member. “We are confident that his passion, vision, and creativity will help Upward Community continue to grow and develop along with the needs of the community for years to come,” added Rabbi Yechiel Bresler, “We are looking forward to seeing great things from Avery!”
Rabbi Ari Scher
Director of Prevention and Enrichment
Rabbi Ari Scher began his professional career in academia teaching at Rochelle Zelle High School and then Yeshivat Hakotel in Israel. Rabbi Scher joins us from Arie Crown Hebrew Day School, where he was the Director of Students (boys division) and prior to that, a Student Guidance Counselor since 2016.
Rabbi Scher will be overseeing much of our enrichment programming including Upward Expeditions, LevelUp Lounge, UpShots Basketball, as well as developing new and exciting programs for all ages. He will also be an essential part of the prevention team, working with schools throughout the community on educational-based programming and prevention based services. We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Scher to the Upward team and look forward to great things!
Rivkah Efron
Director of Girls Prevention and Enrichment
Rivkah Efron has been coordinating enrichment programming for girls at Upward Community since 2012. Rivkah has created and overseen multiple enrichment programs including LevelUp Lounge for high school and middle school girls, sports leagues, summer programming, retreats and more. Rivkah recently joined us in a greater capacity as Director of Girls Enrichment. “Rivkah’s enthusiasm and love for all people is magnetic. She is selfless in her giving and knows how to connect with each and every girl while making them all feel special,” says Chaya Tova Hartman, Executive Board Member. Upward is excited to see the amazing programs that Rivkah will create in her new roll.
Shuli Tsadok, LCSW
Clinical Director
Shuli Tsadok received her Master’s in Social Work from Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She completed her first year of her internship training in Israel and her second year as an intern at Upward Community. Under the guidance of Upward Community, she worked as a clinician at Arie Crown Hebrew Day School and Ida Crown Jewish Academy where she provided individual counseling and educational programming for students. From there, Shuli continued working at Ida Crown Jewish Academy as the school social worker for seven years. Shuli worked with students on an individual basis and taught the Barry and Harriet Ray Step Up to Healthy Living Curriculum. Shuli rejoined the Upward Community staff in July 2017 as a Clinician for our Mozes and Helen Stern Counseling Center. In July 2020, Shuli began her new role as full time Clinical Director.
Lynn Shyman, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor
Lynn is a Psychotherapist with certification in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She was formerly the Director of Counseling Services in the Skokie Center of Jewish Child and Family Services where she provided clinical supervision, staff training and administrative oversight. Lynn also works with children and families in the midst of divorce and other family challenges. As a trained divorce mediator, Lynn has been a referring member of the Mediation Council of Illinois. Lynn started working in the Mozes and Helen Stern Counseling Center as Clinical Supervisor in August 2020.
Aimee Shemano-Krupp
Manager of Operations
Aimee Shemano-Krupp has a Bachelor’s from Tulane University and majored in English and Jewish Studies. She spent twelve years as owner and operator of a children’s Designer Consignment store in Highland Park called, Principessa. She also serves as the Chicago-North Shore Hadassah Vice President of Philanthropy as well as Co-Leader of their Building Hadassah Communities Cohort program in which she helps recruit and train emerging leaders. Aimee joined Upward Community as Manager of Operations in September 2018.
Rachel Zimmerman, LCPC
Trauma Consultant
Mrs. Rachel Zimmierman, LCPC, joins Upward as our Trauma Consultant. Rachel holds a Master’s Degree from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Clinical Psychology. Rachel has a background in cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma work, and EMDR. She is a dynamic presenter on boundaries, abuse prevention and healthy relationships. In addition to her work at Upward, Rachel works with a variety of issues in her private practice including body image, depression and anxiety. She is also a kallah teacher for Daughters of Israel.
Aimee Shemano-Krupp
Manager of Operations
Aimee Shemano-Krupp has a Bachelor’s from Tulane University and majored in English and Jewish Studies. She spent twelve years as owner and operator of a children’s Designer Consignment store in Highland Park called, Principessa. She also serves as the Chicago-North Shore Hadassah Vice President of Philanthropy as well as Co-Leader of their Building Hadassah Communities Cohort program in which she helps recruit and train emerging leaders. Aimee joined Upward Community as Manager of Operations in September 2018.
Rachel Zimmerman, LCPC
Trauma Consultant
Mrs. Rachel Zimmierman, LCPC, joins Upward as our Trauma Consultant. Rachel holds a Master’s Degree from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Clinical Psychology. Rachel has a background in cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma work, and EMDR. She is a dynamic presenter on boundaries, abuse prevention and healthy relationships. In addition to her work at Upward, Rachel works with a variety of issues in her private practice including body image, depression and anxiety. She is also a kallah teacher for Daughters of Israel.
Enrichment Staff
Rabbi Yaakov Silverman
Coordinator of Level Up Lounge for High School Boys
Rabbi Silverman received his Master’s in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to that, he studied at Ner Yisrael in Baltimore, the Mir Yeshiva of Jerusalem and Lakewood Yeshiva. Rabbi Silverman is currently working as a 12th Grade Rebbe at Fasman Yeshiva High School. His charismatic personality, love of teaching and sports makes him a sought after rebbe by all of his students. Rabbi Silverman joined Upward Community as the Boys Lounge Coordinator in 2021 and is excited to take the lounge programming to greater heights.
Clinical Staff
Lea Dugan, LCSW
Coordinator of Pediatric Mental Health Department Child and Family Therapist
Lea Dugan joined the Upward Community team in February of 2022 as a part-time pediatric clinician. It soon became evident to everyone at Upward Community that Lea was someone whom we wanted to join the team in a full-time capacity. As of June 1st, Lea has joined Upward Community full-time as the Coordinator of the Pediatric Mental Health Department.
Lea Dugan earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Michlelet Beit Rivka in Israel. Lea has experience working with children, families and communities around the world for over 20 years. She has lived and worked in Argentina, Israel, Iowa and Chicago. As a result of Lea’s success and passion as a preschool teacher, she later earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Erikson Institute- specializing in a developmental psychology approach with an emphasis on the child in its environment. Lea uses elements of play, sand art therapy and bibliotherapy to engage with her clients and is fluent in both Hebrew and Spanish. Prior to joining Upward Community, Lea worked as a clinician in multiple settings including hospitals, infant welfare settings and a pediatric clinic.
Rivkie Greenland, LPC
Clinician, Intake Coordinator
Rivkie Greenland is a Licensed Professional Counselor and earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bellevue University. Rivkie comes with 25 years of experience mentoring high school teenagers and young adults through Midwest and National NCSY. Additionally, she has been teaching kallahs and helping young married women in the area of Taharas Hamishpacha for over 12 years. Rivkie joins our team as a Clinician and Intake Coordinator for the Mozes and Helen Stern Counseling Center, “Rivkie brings years of professional and life experience to our counseling center. She is organized, detail oriented and takes great care of each client that she comes into contact with,” says Shuli Tsadok, “We are honored to have Rivkie join us at Upward Community.”
Sara Kanowitz
Clinician and Coordinator of Marketing
Sara Kanowitz is working toward a Master’s degree in Social Work at Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Sarah has been involved with several community organizations such as: Chai Lifeline, Friendship Circle, Keshet and NCSY 4G. She is using the skills she has gained in these various areas of chessed and teen leadership to help make Project Impact an exciting experience for adolescent girls across Chicago. Her warm, positive and outgoing personality makes her the perfect fit to run this program. Sara forms meaningful relationships with the “Teen Influencer” girls and provides them with fun and meaningful projects to help them give back to the community.
Michal Cohen, LCSW
Clinician
Michal Cohen earned her Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University. As an experienced clinician, Mrs. Cohen has helped countless individuals discover better paths in their relationship struggles and in dealing with mood disorders, anxiety and OCD. In addition to her work as a therapist, Mrs. Cohen spent 30 years teaching brides through the Daughters of Israel program. She also serves as the Rebbetzin at Congregation Adas Yeshurun, where she has been for the past 30 years. In addition to running her own private practice, Mrs. Cohen devotes one day a week to clients at the Mozes and Helen Stern Upward Counseling Center.
Jenny Hagage, LSW
Clinician
Jenny earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University. Jenny joined Upward Community after years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults at the ARK, Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School, Lubavitch Girls High School and Ida Crown Jewish Academy. Jenny joined Upward Community as a clinician in 2020. She is excited to be expanding her role at Upward Community, now working as a lead therapist in the Mozes and Helen Stern Counseling Center.
DJ Shabat, LPC, NCC CADC
Clinician
DJ Shabat earned his Master’s in Clinical Counseling from National Louis University. Prior to that, DJ had obtained his CADC from IAODAPCA in 2018 as well as his AAS in Substance Use Counseling from Oakton Community College. DJ has been working with people suffering from substance use disorder since 2018. He is excited to continue to help build and grow awareness of mental health at large and substance use services in particular. DJ joins the Mozes and Helen Stern Counseling Center as a Clinician.
Aviva Vilenski RN, LPC
Clinician
Aviva Vilenski comes to Upward Community with 25 years of experience as a nurse in intensive medical units, which has given her a deep understanding and appreciation of the connection between mind and body. She received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Yorkville University in New Brunswick, Canada. Aviva is a trauma informed clinician, trained in EMDR, who believes that no one should have to go through the pain and the struggles of life alone.
Yael Sonenthal, LPC
Clinician
Yael Sonenthal received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from North Park University. After spending her internship at Upward Community, she worked as a clinician in Arie Crown Hebrew Day School under the guidance of Upward. At Arie Crown, Yael offered students individual counseling, interpersonal skills groups and educational programming. Since then, Yael has served in various supportive and clinical roles including time at the Yellowbrick Program as well as in a private North Shore practice working with individuals, couples and families. Yael uses collaborative counseling techniques including attachment-based therapy, CBT and DBT to support clients as they work to achieve their goals. In 2019, Yael joined the Upward Community clinical team in addition to her work at a private practice.
Lizzie Janssen
Clinical Intern
Lizzie is a current Master’s student at Lesley University pursuing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Dance/Movement Therapy. Lizzie also teaches Judaic Studies at Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School. Lizzie’s experience comes from many years working in informal education and medical settings such as Camp Stone and Shaare Zedek Hospital.
Lizzie joined Upward Community in 2022 as part of a generous grant from the Ralla Klepak Foundation. She is excited to explore the ways Movement Therapy and the arts can heal trauma and allow children to form healthy attachments and relationships.
Yonatan Vinnik
Clinical Intern
Hailing from Passaic, New Jersey, Yonatan Vinnik is pursuing his Masters in Social Work at Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work. In his spare time he volunteers as a content creator at Project Trust, an internet safety organization, developing content to educate and guide parents about the mental health and general challenges of technology. As part of his work at Upward he is working with boys in the Fasman Yeshiva High School providing guidance counseling alongside their academic support staff. While in Chicago, he is learning at HTC. He is excited to join the amazing team at Upward and gain experience while working with members of the Greater Chicago community.
Upward Community Interns
Upward Community is proud to offer an internship program for those pursuing a Master’s Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Services. Our interns are placed in a variety of local schools to help the guidance staff and be an extra resource for the students. In the past, interns have joined us from schools such as Loyola, Wurzweiler, University of Illinois and more. The interns facilitate workshops and see children individually in the schools, as well as receive high quality training and supervision at the Upward Community office. Please contact us to apply.
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