Leading with Heart: How Rachel Berezin Builds Trust, Community, and Connection

Rachel Berezin, CEO, MyZuzah

I’ve worked alongside a lot of talented people. A few of them make you better just by being in the room. Rachel Berezin is one of those people—humble, steady, and relentlessly focused on what matters.

I first met Rachel when I was interviewing for a job at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF). From the first minute, she made me feel welcomed and motivated. Since we were both in the endowment space, we worked together often, and I quickly came to appreciate her honesty and openness to new ideas.

Rachel had two stints at HGF. The early days of PJ Library (a program that sends free Jewish-themed books to children around the world) were fast-paced and all-hands-on-deck. She told me about hosting the first ever PJ Library family engagement program during a winter advisory storm, where only one grandmother and her grandchild showed up. “I wondered if I should go back to the office and pack up my things,” she laughed.

Most people would have crawled under a desk. Rachel treated it like a lab: learn, retool, try again. That mindset has carried through her career: failure isn’t a verdict; it’s a teacher.

Then came the real-world stress tests: the Bernie Madoff collapse, COVID, and the tragedy in Israel on October 7. Through it all, Rachel has led with calm, creativity, and connection. She shared three lessons that helped her succeed in tough times:

• Flexibility: When leadership changes direction, pivot fast and keep moving while staying focused on your mission.

• Bird-dogging: Network with intent. Find the mentors, the connectors, ask for help, and always return the favor.

• When a door closes, find the window: Rejection isn’t the end; there are always other paths forward.

  
  

At Federation, Rachel worked with her colleagues and volunteer team to help flip the script on their “big event.” Instead of celebrity speakers, she put real stories on stage, including a Holocaust studies teacher from Parkland, FL, a family rebuilding after the Houston floods, and a local impact story. The room went silent (the good kind). People understood and were inspired by the speakers and the impact of the Federation. And they surpassed $1 million in donations! That night reinforced one of her guiding principles: people connect with people, and their stories are more moving than statistics.

Today, as CEO of MyZuzah, Rachel leads with that same grounded energy. If you don’t know MyZuzah, their purpose is beautifully simple: place a kosher, fair-trade mezuzah on the front door of every Jewish home. Their motto is to Connect, Protect and Unite Jewish people across the globe.

Rachel makes sure the inside matches the outside- the internal culture matches the external impact: every voice on the team is heard, and the scribes who handwrite the mezuzahs are paid fair wages. As she says, “A mezuzah shows the outside world how you live on the inside.” A Mezuzah is an expression of Jewish identity and pride.

Her fundraising philosophy is one I wish every board adopted, raise annual and endowment dollars. Annual giving fuels today. Endowment guarantees tomorrow!  It’s the checking and savings account of a healthy organization. That kind of clarity is why volunteers lean in, and donors trust her.

Outside of work, Rachel is a proud community theater participant. She enjoys acting, directing, and soon, writing. Those creative instincts spill over into her professional life, too. I’ve seen her turn a numbers-heavy presentation into something inspiring because she knows how to build scenes and tell stories.

Aside from the inspiring work Rachel is doing, I wanted to highlight her because of her empathy and encouragement. When I told her I was starting my own business, she said, “Ron, you’re going to be great! How can I help?” And the best part—she meant it.

I can’t wait to see her grow MyZuzah and debut her first written play. Whatever stage she’s on, Rachel’s presence makes everyone around her better.

If you would like to learn more about MyZuzah,  and the incredible team, check out their website: https://www.myzuzah.org/

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I help nonprofits raise more money through education, coaching, and strategic planning. I also lead high-impact professional development, coaching programs, and retreats for companies of all sizes. If you’re ready to strengthen your fundraising strategy, turn board members into advocates, or build a comprehensive legacy giving program, let’s talk.