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Beth Lebenson Praver
Director of Alumni Engagement
646.592.4493
beth.lebensonpraver@yu.edu
Beth Lebenson Praver is the Director of Alumni Engagement, a position she has held since January 2023. She has worked in the nonprofit Jewish world for more than 30 years, specifically in engagement work for more than 10. Previous to her time at YU, Beth worked at the Friends of Israel Scouts, Eden Village Camp, the Israeli Consulate in New York, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and Bi-Cultural Day School in Stamford, CT. Beth holds a bachelor's degree in Jewish and Near Eastern Studies from Washington University in St. Louis and a master's degree in forensic psychology from the John Jay School of Criminal Justice. She is also a certified social worker for the State of Connecticut.
Beth leads the Office of Alumni Affairs, visioning new programming, supervising the day-to-day operations of the team and expanding the department to meet the needs of YU’s 70,000+ alumni around the globe. She believes deeply in the mission of YU and is strongly committed to Klal Yisrael. Beth is married to Rabbi Dr. Shaul Praver, and they live in Connecticut with their three children.
Jack Turell '18 YC
Manager of Alumni Affairs
646.592.4493
jack.turell@yu.edu
Jack Turell graduated from YU’s Sy Syms School of Business in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing and holds an MBA in business administration from SUNY Oswego. After spending two years working in nursing home administration, Jack returned to Â鶹Çø to serve as Manager of Alumni Affairs in February 2022. He works with young alumni and alumni events related to YU athletics. Jack believes strongly in YU's sense of family and enjoys reconnecting alumni with the university. He is a proud father to Nati, whom he envisions will follow in his YU athletic or theatrical footsteps. Jack is especially proud of his brother, Ryan Turell, who began his illustrious basketball career playing for the YU Macs.
Susan Kirshner-Sheldon ’97S
Alumni Relations Coordinator in Israel
susan.sheldon@yu.edu
Since February 2022, Susan Kirshner-Sheldon has served as alumni relations coordinator in the YU Israel Office. After earning her bachelor’s degree in English communications from Stern College for Women in 1997, she worked in the human resources industry and earned her MS in HR management and development from National Louis University in Chicago. She then worked for various health care technology startups. Susan works to engage the more than 5,000 YU alumni currently living in Israel as well as provide engagement opportunities for alumni who visit Israel from abroad. Among her favorite memories of Stern College are classes with Professor Hatvary and Dr. Evelyn Cohen, both of whom strongly impacted her love of literature and art. Susan made aliyah in 2014 and lives in Jerusalem with her husband, Jeremy Sheldon.
Adam Zerman
Development and Events Associate
Adam Zerman has served as YU’s Development and Events Associate since November 2022. He earned his bachelor's degree in business management from Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI, in May 2022. At Â鶹Çø, he works on alumni, fundraising and donor-based events, specializing in logistical support and event management.
For general questions, email alumni@yu.edu.