Sharsheret Appoints Executive Director
Contact: Dana Norris, Board President
Telephone: 866.474.2774
Email: [email protected]
Teaneck, New Jersey (July 22, 2015) – Sharsheret is pleased to announce the appointment of Elana Silber as its new Executive Director. Elana, a graduate of the Mount Sinai Hospital/CUNY Masters in Business Administration Program, joined Sharsheret in 2003 and has served as the organization’s Director of Operations for the last 10 years. In this position, Elana has had overall strategic and operational responsibility for all of Sharsheret’s support, outreach, and educational programs and directed the implementation of new programmatic strategic initiatives.
“I am truly honored to continue the critical work of Sharsheret’s founder. Rochelle Shoretz was an extraordinary leader, mentor, and friend with whom I had the privilege to work closely side-by-side and to help grow Sharsheret to the premier organization it is today,” says Elana Silber. “We have laid the foundation for a promising future. I am proud to carry on Rochelle’s legacy, strengthening the Sharsheret, the chain of support, which will continue to improve the lives of all Jewish women and families facing breast cancer and ovarian cancer nationwide.”
Sharsheret has a clear road-map for the future with a multi-year, $1.8 million grant from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to amplify the organization’s cancer support programs; a newly completed 5-year Strategic Plan to enhance Sharsheret’s infrastructure and expand its regional structure; and an outpouring of encouragement and dedication from thousands of supporters committed to helping Sharsheret thrive in this next phase of organizational growth.
“There is no one who knows Sharsheret better than Elana. Almost since inception, she has been an integral part of Sharsheret’s growth and success,” says Board President Dana Norris. “As we face this pivotal moment in Sharsheret’s history, we have confidence that Elana will lead the team through our growth plans. The Board is committed to working closely with Elana and the staff as we honor Rochelle’s legacy.
About Sharsheret
Sharsheret, Hebrew for “chain”, is a national not-for-profit organization supporting young women and their families, of all Jewish backgrounds, facing breast cancer. Our mission is to offer a community of support to women diagnosed with breast cancer or at increased genetic risk, by fostering culturally-relevant individualized connections with networks of peers, health professionals, and related resources.
Since Sharsheret’s founding in 2001, we have responded to more than 45,000 breast cancer inquiries, involved more than 4,300 peer supporters, and presented over 250 educational programs nationwide. Sharsheret supports young Jewish women and families facing breast cancer at every stage – before, during, and after diagnosis. We help women and families connect to our community in the way that feels most comfortable, taking into consideration their stage of life, diagnosis, or treatment, as well as their connection to Judaism. We also provide educational resources, offer specialized support to those facing ovarian cancer or at high risk of developing cancer, and create programs for women and families to improve their quality of life. All Sharsheret programs are open to all women and men.
Sharsheret offers the following national programs:
The Link Program
• Peer Support Network, connecting women newly diagnosed or at high risk of developing breast cancer one-on-one with others who share similar diagnoses and experiences
• EmbraceTM, supporting women living with advanced breast cancer
• Genetics for Life®, addressing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
• Thriving Again®, providing individualized support, education, and survivorship plans for young breast cancer survivors
• Busy Box®, for young parents facing breast cancer
• Best Face Forward®, addressing the cosmetic side effects of treatment
• Family Focus®, providing resources and support for caregivers and family members
• Ovarian Cancer Program, tailored resources and support for young Jewish women and families facing ovarian cancer
• Sharsheret SupportsTM, developing local support groups and programs
Education and Outreach Programs
• Health Care Symposia, on issues unique to younger women facing breast cancer
• Sharsheret on Campus, outreach and education to students on campus
• Sharsheret Educational Resource Booklet Series, culturally-relevant publications for Jewish women and their families and healthcare professionals