Meet Our Staff

Naomi Tucker – Founding Executive Director 

As Shalom Bayit’s founding Executive Director, Naomi can guide Rabbis, Jewish organizational leaders, survivors, educators, and colleagues in the field of violence prevention. Naomi has served in staff, board, and volunteer capacities in battered women’s programs in the US and abroad for over 37 years, including a five-year term as board secretary of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Since founding Shalom Bayit in 1992, her work builds linkages between the Jewish community and the secular domestic violence movement.

Naomi has been instrumental in developing the national Jewish communal response to gender- based violence, and faith-based approaches to addressing violence in the home. She co-authored some of the first Jewish healing rituals for survivors of abuse (1992), the Love Shouldn’t Hurt Jewish teen dating violence prevention curriculum (2007), and Faith in Violence-Free Families, an interfaith clergy training in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health. Her writing on domestic violence in the Jewish community has been published in Sh’ma: Journal of Jewish Ideas, the JPS LifeLights series, and the anthology Righteous Indignation.

Naomi sits on the National Task Force to Combat Jewish Poverty, the We Commit Steering Committee promoting respectful Jewish workplaces in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Steering Committee of the San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium, and the Advisory Board for REVEAL, a national research study on domestic abuse in affluent communities.

In her own words: “I am truly proud of  the scope and growth of Shalom Bayit over the past 30 years and the ways that we have shifted the Jewish communal response to abuse. What I love most about my work at Shalom Bayit is that every day I get to witness women turning their lives around and finding hope. There is no greater honor than being able to support that change and journey to freedom.”

Lev Amor – Director of Programs & Operations

As the Director of Programs & Operations, Lev is available to discuss how your organization can partner with Shalom Bayit. Lev supervises Shalom Bayit’s Prevention Team and oversees the organization’s overall operations. Lev joined the Shalom Bayit team in 2016 and previously served as the Community Outreach Program Manager for 5 years. They have a decade of experience in education program management. This experience spans across higher education, edtech, and nonprofit settings, with a specialization in gender justice and violence prevention.

In their own words: “I believe that Bay Area Jewish communities have a unique opportunity to leverage the strength of our values and close connections to end abuse and create safety. ”

David Cohen – Manager of Strategic Advancement

As Manager of Strategic Advancement, David can guide individuals to find meaningful ways to support Shalom Bayit and have an impact. Whether you are considering a one-time gift for a special occasion, a regular monthly or annual gift, or a legacy/estate gift, David is ready to assist you in finding the best fit for meeting your personal philanthropic goals.  David brings over thirty years of Bay Area Jewish nonprofit experience to Shalom Bayit. After proudly advocating for many years for social justice with the Anti Defamation League and representing institutions which “put Israel’s best foot forward” (Weizmann Institute of Science & Shaare Zedek Medical Center), David embraces a very personal mission as part of the Shalom Bayit family.

In his own words: “Shalom Bayit combats significant and deeply disturbing ills in our society, and in our Jewish community. As a proud father of three children, I am humbled to be part of a passionate, multi-talented team of professionals and volunteers who want to eradicate destructive oppression, especially against women.”

Deb Fink – Direct Services Manager

Deb provides compassionate support, crisis intervention and safety planning for domestic violence survivors through individual counseling, support groups, and advocacy. Leading our counseling team, Deb coordinates all client programs and is available to guide community members who are supporting friends or family experiencing abuse. Deb earned her Master’s in Counseling from the University of Maryland in College Park and spent her early professional life on the East Coast and in Israel. She moved to the Bay Area in 1997 and has served the Jewish community through a wide range of organizations. Deb was a fellow in the Tauber Program for Holocaust Educators and the Tikea Fellowship for Educators of Jewish Teens. She continued her professional learning at the Melitz Center for Jewish Zionist Education, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Yad Vashem and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.

In her own words: “I am passionate about the transformative healing that can take place within the warm embrace of Jewish community. I’m thrilled to be part of the incredible team at Shalom Bayit that is doing this sacred work.”

Tamar Altfest – Office Manager

As Shalom Bayit’s Office Manager, Tamar serves as a resource and go-to for information about Shalom Bayit’s operations, programs, and services. She helps the office run smoothly by providing support to the team and the larger community. Her 15+ years of professional experience includes a range of services—from client, project, and office management to Human Resources and People Operations. She is happiest when in service of others and is thrilled to champion the important work of Shalom Bayit. Born in Israel, Tamar feels a deep connection to Jewish culture and has enjoyed volunteering for Wilderness Torah and attending Urban Adamah’s Kabbalat Shabbat. Tamar grew up in New Jersey and Northern Virginia, and attended Santa Clara University where she obtained her BA in English and French.

In her own words: I’m passionate about nurturing Shalom Bayit’s vital mission of helping women in the Jewish community find their wings to safety and freedom.

Lorianna Seidlitz-Smith – Events and Engagement Manager

As Events and Engagement Manager, Lorianna helps individuals and community groups connect in meaningful ways to make a difference at Shalom Bayit. Lorianna oversees all agency events including our annual Creating Hope dinner, and coordinates our volunteer program. With over 15 years’ professional experience in business operations and event planning, as well as many years in executive lay leadership positions, Lorianna passionately produces powerful experiences that connect people to meaningful causes. A Berkeley native, Lorianna serves on the Board of Congregation Beth El as Vice President of Membership, the board of Berkeley Lacrosse Club and her children’s school PTA board where she works on diversity, inclusion and equity of Jews and persons of color.

In her own words: “I’m proud and grateful to be part of Shalom Bayit’s incredible team working to end gender-based violence.

Kinneret Katz – Development Assistant

As Development Assistant, Kinneret supports our Development and Event Management team with administrative tasks. Kinneret has been involved in a variety of community and Jewish nonprofits, ranging from local food insecurity to Uyghur Genocide advocacy, and thrives in helping behind the scenes. She received her B.A. in East Asian Studies from the University of Rochester.

In her own words: “Shalom Bayit saw a vital need in our community and ran to fill it, and that ethos carries us through all the work we do. I’m so grateful to be part of such a mission-driven space.”

Alaina Fox – Domestic Violence Counselor/Advocate

As a Domestic Violence Counselor/Advocate, Alaina works with clients as part of the Direct Services team. She provides individual counseling, DV resource navigation, and helpline support. Alaina’s dedication to addressing gender-based violence began with the organization From Survivors, For Survivors and continued as a peer counselor and crisis hotline responder for survivors of intimate partner violence. Alaina holds a degree in Women’s and Gender Studies and Psychology from Wellesley College where she deepened her understanding of violence at the interpersonal and societal levels. Alaina is grateful to continue serving her community at Shalom Bayit.

In her own words: “It is beyond inspiring to witness the courage, resilience, and resourcefulness of Shalom Bayit’s clients. I feel honored to have the opportunity to support survivors in their journeys toward safety and empowerment.”

Marianna Kristberg – Svoboda Counselor/Advocate

Marianna is a graduate of Eastern Washington University and has a Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Marianna has 25 years of experience working with victims of domestic violence and their families. She has been with Shalom Bayit since 2019, working with the Svoboda program – helping Russian Speaking victims of domestic violence. Marianna is fluent in Russian and Ukrainian languages.

In her own words: “I love helping people! It’s amazing to see the positive changes and successes!”

Zephira Derblich-Milea – Senior Educator

As Shalom Bayit’s Senior Educator, Zephira can answer questions about our Love Shouldn’t Hurt program and strategize how to bring healthy relationships, violence prevention, and consent education into your communities. Zephira has worked as a violence prevention educator for over 22 years. In 2005, they began managing Love Shouldn’t Hurt (LSH), Shalom Bayit’s outreach and prevention program for Jewish youth. This program has enabled them to connect their passion for preventing domestic violence with their love for the Jewish community. In 2012, Zephira was awarded the prestigious Helen Diller Award for Excellence in Informal Jewish Education.

In their own words: “I am so grateful for the work I do at Shalom Bayit to help create a culture of consent and end domestic violence. It is truly a gift to be able to support and empower youth and youth allies in having healthy friendships and relationships in their lives.”

Shalom Bayit Advisory Board
Vivien Braly and Stephanie Levin, Co-Chairs
Shannon Edelstone
Allie Emrich
Jerilyn Gelt
Ruth Katz
Tracey Klapow
Dyanna Loeb
Talya Monash Marcus
Sandi Morris
Shari Rubin-Rick
Janet Schneider
Kate Taffel

Honorary Board
Minouche Kandel, JD
Pam Kramer
Roselyne C. Swig