Meet Our Team
Monika Lebrecht
Founder/Executive Director
Monika Lebrecht (she/her) is the founder and executive director of Shleesh, where she has helped build a Jewish community rooted in learning, creative expression, religious practice, and a commitment to living Jewish values.
Previously a business consultant, Monika left the consulting world to devote her skills to the business and organizational needs of the nonprofit sector, believing that professional expertise is most meaningful when put in service of work that matters.
Since 2016, Monika has also been active with a range of organizations and causes, bringing together community building, Jewish life, and social activism.
Previously a business consultant, Monika left the consulting world to devote her skills to the business and organizational needs of the nonprofit sector, believing that professional expertise is most meaningful when put in service of work that matters.
Since 2016, Monika has also been active with a range of organizations and causes, bringing together community building, Jewish life, and social activism.
Bert Autry
Content Director
Bert Autry is a Los Angeles-based artist and writer with extensive experience in the hard-core music scene. In addition to his musical repertoire, his artistry extends to a variety of milieux. At Shleesh, he manages content for Judaism Unplugged and occasionally fills in as a musician.
Bert’s professional work includes organizing and fundraising for mutual aid via music festivals where proceeds are direct aid or provide funds to arrange intermediate care.
Bert’s professional work includes organizing and fundraising for mutual aid via music festivals where proceeds are direct aid or provide funds to arrange intermediate care.
Sam Fine
Founding Board Member
Sam Fine (she/her) is an organizer, storyteller, Mussar practitioner and facilitator, and creative whose work explores the transformative power of art and storytelling in social movements. She stewards fundraising and communications at Kirva, an organization bringing Jewish ancestral wisdom and spiritual practice to people working for social change.
Sam began organizing with IfNotNow in 2016 and has continued to weave art and storytelling into Jewish organizing spaces ever since. Her creative and communications work spans visual design, storytelling, and strategy for organizations including Ayin Press, Bend the Arc, IfNotNow, In These Times, Jewish Currents, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, JQ International, Never Again Action, Tikkun Olam Productions, The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, and T’ruah.
Sam began organizing with IfNotNow in 2016 and has continued to weave art and storytelling into Jewish organizing spaces ever since. Her creative and communications work spans visual design, storytelling, and strategy for organizations including Ayin Press, Bend the Arc, IfNotNow, In These Times, Jewish Currents, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, JQ International, Never Again Action, Tikkun Olam Productions, The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, and T’ruah.
Rebecca Lascoe
Founding Board Member
Rebecca Lascoe is a dedicated yoga teacher and brilliant activist, she brings the same depth of thought, compassion, and commitment to everything she does. A lifelong supporter of a wide range of Jewish causes, she has lent her voice, energy, and talents to organizations and movements working to strengthen Jewish life and pursue justice.