About Jewish@Work

Rabbi Elan Babchuck is committed to leaving behind a world that is more compassionate and connected than the one he found. In pursuit of that commitment he serves as the Executive Vice President at Clal, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and the Founding Director of Glean Network, which partners with Columbia Business School. He was ordained in 2012, and earned his MBA that year, as well.

A sought-after thought leader, he is the co-author of Picking Up the Pieces: Leadership After Empire (2024, Fortress Press), and Meaning Making – 8 Values That Drive America’s Newest Generations (2020, St. Mary’s Press), as well as the forthcoming Tech in Search of Meaning (2025) and Move Slow and Fix Things (2026). He has delivered keynotes at stages ranging from TEDx to the US Army’s General Officer Symposium, published in The Atlantic, The Guardian, The Boston Globe, Washington Post, and Religion News Service, and has a column for The Wisdom Daily.

He is a Founding Partner of Starts With Us, a movement to counteract toxic polarization in America, and a founding Board Member of Springtide Research Institute, which focuses on spirituality, mental health and Gen Z.

He lives in Providence, Rhode Island with his wife, Lizzie Pollock, and their three children: Micah, Nessa, and Ayla. In his spare time, he is an avid rock climber and constant gardener.

Rebecca Leeman is the Chief of Staff at Clal, where she drives strategic initiatives, enhances organizational impact, and advances the mission of transformative leadership. Passionate about fostering belonging and connection, Rebecca specializes in creating inclusive spaces—whether gatherings, cohorts, or communities—that inspire meaningful engagement. Rebecca’s career spans roles at IBM, PwC, and Bridgewater, where she honed her expertise in people analytics, culture, and strategy. She pivoted to Jewish nonprofit work in 2023, bringing her experience to the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, where she served as Assistant Director of Engagement for North America. As a longtime Clal Associate, Rebecca designed innovative programs to support leaders and organizations in addressing the evolving needs of the Jewish community. Now, in addition to her role as Chief of Staff, she is the director of Jewish@Work, a pioneering program empowering Jewish leaders in the workplace to thrive.

Rebecca has an Organizational Studies and Applied Statistics degree from the University of Michigan. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband and son. In her spare time, she hosts lively Shabbat meals, plays board games, and enjoys long walks in Prospect Park.