Jewish Federations of North America are proud to announce Marya Slade as the new executive director of Student to Student, Jewish Federations’ program that trains Jewish high school students to share their personal stories with non-Jewish peers in classrooms across North America. 

 

Marya brings more than a decade of experience in Jewish education, nonprofit leadership, and developing and scaling educational initiatives that foster understanding and combat antisemitism.

 

She takes the helm of Student to Student at a moment of rapid growth. At the end of the 2023–24 school year, just before Student to Student joined Jewish Federations, the program was active in 19 communities with about 500 Jewish teen participants. The following school year, 714 Jewish teens in the 29 communities that reported presented to more than 28,500 non-Jewish students, bringing the total reached over the past three years to more than 60,000.

 

This year, it is operating in 50 communities, an increase of over 150%.

 

Jewish Federations plan to build on that momentum through Frontline, the new initiative announced in October to add 100 new professionals to Federations' civic engagement and community relations teams across North America. As part of Frontline, Student to Student hopes to welcome at least 15 more communities this school year.

 

"Student to Student has grown remarkably in just two years, and Frontline gives us the chance to take it much further," said Shira Hutt, Executive Vice President of Jewish Federations of North America. "Marya brings deep experience in Jewish education, campus life, and the fight against antisemitism, along with real passion for this mission. She is exactly the leader we need for the program's next chapter."

 

Student to Student trains Jewish high school juniors and seniors to visit classrooms with few or no Jewish students and share their own practices, beliefs, and experiences. By putting a human face on Jewish identity, the program helps dispel stereotypes and build understanding before hatred takes root, while giving Jewish teens the confidence and leadership skills to speak for themselves. 

 

Prior to joining Jewish Federations of North America, Marya spent five years at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), where she held national and regional leadership roles focused on educational strategy, program development, and organizational capacity building. Her work included designing and scaling educational programs, developing strategic partnerships, and equipping organizations and communities with the tools to recognize and address antisemitism.

 

Before joining ADL in 2021, Marya served for five years as the Teen Educator at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia, and for two years as the Director of Jewish Student Life at the University of Florida Hillel. Marya holds a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Knox College.

 

"Student to Student works because it puts Jewish teens in the room as themselves — curious, confident, and honest about their own lives — and gives their peers a chance to ask real questions," said Slade. "I'm honored to help lead this program as Federations across the continent make it a priority. I can't wait to work with our teens, our Federation partners, and the dedicated Student to Student team to reach even more classrooms."

 

Slade will join Student to Student leaders and Federation colleagues at Jewish Federations' General Assembly, Nov. 8–10 in Washington, where the program will be featured in a session entitled "Talking to Gen Alpha About Israel and Jewish Life."

 

To learn more or bring the program to your community, visit the Student to Student website.