Board of Trustees

Addie Goodman

Lisa Rachlin

Lisa Rachlin is an attorney at a Boston-based biotechnology company. Formerly a litigator at a large law firm, Lisa continues to maintain an active pro bono practice, particularly in asylum law. A convert to Judaism, Lisa is passionate about engagement with a broad spectrum of Jewish background and observance, including interfaith families. Lisa has been a PJ Library parent for over ten years, and in recent years, she has helped to drive several PJ Library pilot projects.

At home, Lisa and her husband are raising three children, and they are active in their local Jewish day school. Lisa and her family are also members of Temple Reyim in Newton and the JCC of Greater Boston. Lisa holds a JD from the University of Chicago Law School, where she graduated with honors, an MM in Music Performance from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BFA in Music Performance and English from Carnegie Mellon University.

Michael Hoffman

Harold Grinspoon

Harold Grinspoon is the founder of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF).

Born in 1929 in Newton, Massachusetts, Harold was teased as a young boy for being one of the few Jewish youths in town. The anti-Semitic insults he endured and the subsequent events of World War II and the Holocaust left an indelible mark that would shape his worldview as both an entrepreneur and philanthropist.

In the early 1960s, Harold’s life changed when he purchased a dilapidated two-family home with money borrowed from an in-law. He repaired the house, rented it out for a profit, and launched a career in real estate that has spanned six decades.

In 1978, Harold met Diane Troderman, a former high school teacher who would become his wife and partner in Jewish charitable giving. A battle with tongue cancer in the 1980s had a dramatic impact on Harold and instilled a desire to find meaning beyond profit making. Harold, who credits his Jewish heritage and the values of Judaism as instrumental in his business success, chose to give back – investing his time, money, and energy into strengthening the Jewish community.

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) was established in 1991 with the mission of enhancing Jewish life. The Foundation's philosophy is infused with Harold’s business acumen: visionary ideas, dynamic partnerships, a focus on return on investment, and a drive to understand and meet the needs of people served. To date, the Foundation has invested more than $200 million dollars in Jewish causes, developing successful partnerships with Jewish communal organizations and fellow philanthropists to achieve best results.

In addition to his work with the Foundation, Harold has served as a founding partner and board member for numerous national and international organizations.

In May 2015, Harold joined Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates in signing the Giving Pledge, a commitment to dedicate the majority of his wealth to philanthropy.

Harold’s passions extend well beyond real estate and Jewish philanthropy. Known for his love of long walks and hiking, he also enjoys dancing, Pilates, and meditation. His passion for the arts find expression in an extensive collection that includes his own work with a series of tree sculptures.

Harold and Diane travel extensively around the world. Between them they have several awards and honorary degrees, as well as six children and eleven grandchildren.

Winnie Sandler Grinspoon

Jeremy Pava

Deborah Hochberg

Diane Troderman

Diane Troderman is a well-respected leader in the Jewish world.

In addition to her passionate interest in Jewish education, she has worked on behalf of women's issues and the renaissance and renewal of Jewish life in the former Soviet Union. Diane was the founding chair of the Hadassah Brandeis Institute, where she continues to serve on the board. She also serves on the boards of Israel Sci-Tech; Hebrew Publics – A Hebrew Charter School Network; the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education at JTS; the Washington Institute for Near East Policy; and Shalom Learning.

Diane is also the past chair of PEJE (Partnership for excellence in Jewish Education and JESNA (Jewish Educational Service of North America).

Locally, Diane served as past chair of both the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts and the Hillel House at the University of Massachusetts. She was the founding chair of the Hatikvah Holocaust Education and Resource Center now located on the University of Massachusetts campus.

Diane, together with her husband Harold Grinspoon, has been instrumental in the growth of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, where she now serves as a trustee and participates in the PJ Library Book Selection Committee. Between them, Diane and Harold have six children and eleven grandchildren.

Rabbi Elie Kaunfer

Rabbi Elie Kaunfer is President and CEO of the Hadar Institute. Elie has previously worked as a journalist, banker, and corporate fraud investigator. A graduate of Harvard College, he completed his doctorate in liturgy at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he was also ordained. A Wexner Graduate Fellow and Dorot Fellow, Elie is a co-founder of the independent minyan Kehilat Hadar and has been named multiple times to Newsweek's list of the top 50 rabbis in America. He was selected as an inaugural AVI CHAI Fellow, and is the author of Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us About Building Vibrant Jewish Communities (Jewish Lights, 2010). He also received semikha from his long-time teacher, Rav Daniel Landes. Elie serves on the board of Natan and on the advisory board of Upstart. Click to watch a short video of Elie as scholar- in-residence at the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America.