About

For over a decade, Mesorah DC has been bringing Jewish spirit to our nation’s capital, enhancing the Jewish experience of hundreds of young professionals each year. Mesorah DC programs provide educational and social opportunities for Jewish professionals in their 20’s and 30’s.

Jewish people of all backgrounds and affiliations feel comfortable and welcome to come meet new people at our events, as well as to explore how Jewish tradition interfaces with the 21st century.

Please join us at one of our many programs soon!

 


Lay Leaders

TBD

TBD

Daniel Shapiro

(727) 504-8994

Daniel, a recent graduate, is an attorney in DC who lives off King Street in Old Town Alexandria. He grew up in Florida and plays golf.

Arielle Stephenson

(424) 731-5645

Arielle is from California and is a 3rd-year student at GW Law. She lives in Dupont Circle and loves to cook Moroccan food. 

Meet the Team

Founder and Executive Director

Rabbi Zvi Teitelbaum

Program Coordinator

Ms. Emma Slonim

Communications Director

Ms. Raquela Karamson

Senior Lecturer

Rabbi Ozzie Burnham

Teacher/Mentor

Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum

Teacher & Mentor

Mrs. Devorah Buxbaum

Relationship Coach

Mrs. Rachel Burnham

Executive Administrator

Ms. Judy Komarow

Founder and Executive Director

Rabbi Zvi Teitelbaum

Contact Rabbi Teitelbaum to find out more about any of our programs, classes, and services or for personal counseling.

Hailing from NY but proud to call DC his home, (although he still is a hopeless NY Giants fan) Rabbi Zvi Teitelbaum is passionate about inspiring young Jews to the richness of their heritage. Mesorah started as one of Rabbi Teitelbaum’s visions of what could be. He quickly recognized the great untapped potential of the young professional demographic and helped pioneer the now commonplace Friday night dinners that checker the DC area. He helped re-open the doors at Sixth & I and usher in a spiritual renaissance to DC with popular classes and events.

Rabbi Teitelbaum over the years has lectured extensively at many of the local universities and institutions as well as the Smithsonian and the White House.

He and his wife Esti have raised seven beautiful children that are their pride and joy.

Favorite hobby: shmoozing.

Program Coordinator

Ms. Emma Slonim

Emma is from Tampa Florida and has been in DC for about six years. She works in HR and has her B.S. in Finance from University of South Florida. In her free time, she loves to play squash and pickleball! Emma loves finding new coffee shops and exploring new places in DC. She lives in Adams Morgan with her puppy, Marty.

Communications Director

Ms. Raquela Karamson

Raquela Karamson is a communications and new media expert with a creative soul and natural knack for building strong engaged communities.

Raquela spent nearly a decade working in communications, media and public relations and crisis management. Beginning her career at the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem, then subsequently working for the US departments of State and Defense before transitioning to new media consulting for leading nonprofits, PR firms and innovative startups.
Raquela has visited or lived in 18 countries and holds 4 different citizenships!

Raquela now leads our new media and marketing strategy.

Senior Lecturer

Rabbi Ozzie Burnham

Since his teen years, Rabbi Ozzie Burnham’s driving force has been to “carry the Jewish ball downfield”. With deep passion for and experience in Jewish education, Ozzie co-founded MEOR Maryland, a jewish outreach organization at The University of Maryland. Ozzie’s talents in strategy, systems, and communications led him to become MEOR’s National Director of Operations, overseeing over twenty campus.

He recently made a switch to the commercial sector in which he manages a firm that provides business services to healthcare clients.

Throughout, and to this day, the goal of driving that Jewish ball down field still remains top of mind. Rabbi Burnham is therefore thrilled to be a part of the Mesorah team and to play a role in the meaningful Jewish exploration of DC’s young professional community.

Rabbi Burnham is a licensed sailor and scuba diver.

Teacher/Mentor

Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum

Contact Rabbi Buxbaum to find out more about classes/services or for personal one-on-one learning.

Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum is a dynamic Jewish educator who connects with people of all ages and backgrounds in a language and style that they feel at home with. He lectures on a wide range of topics including daily spirituality, love and relationships, Kabbalah/mysticism, Jewish mindfulness and more, encouraging each individual to discover their unique potential and joy in their Judaism.

Rabbi Shlomo is also the founder of  The LEV Experience, a grassroots organization meant to assist individuals deepen their connection to Jewish life. He lives in Silver Spring with his wife Devorah, and five beautiful children.

Teacher & Mentor

Mrs. Devorah Buxbaum

Devorah holds a masters in social work from the university of Denver and is a passionate and dynamic lecturer for audiences of all ages. She is co-founder of the Lev Experience where she teaches weekly Torah classes and leads Challah baking sessions.

Fun fact: although she grew up in Denver CO she has no idea how to ski!

Relationship Coach

Mrs. Rachel Burnham

Rachel Burnham was born in New Haven, CT and earned both her BA in psychology and MA in OT in New York City. She now coaches goal oriented singles to relationship success, as they navigate the path through love, connection and lifelong companionship.

Her favorite pastimes are travel and exercise.

Executive Administrator

Ms. Judy Komarow

Contact Mrs. K with any general information requests.