Dessert & Dialogue: “Laughter is the Best Medicine”

Barbara Ponczek is a Social Worker who has been in the Social Service field for over 40 years.  Her experience with Mental Health, Physically disabled and the Older Adult populations have centered in the Philadelphia area.  She has worked at P.A.T.H., Kleinlife and as a Program Manager at NORC,(Naturally Occurring Retirement Community), thru Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Presently she is the Program Manager at Tikvah.  Her volunteer roles include a board member of the Sisterhood of Ohev Shalom in Richboro and an active member of the Sunrise Rotary Club.

Rhonda Cohen has worked in the Philadelphia Jewish community since 1988. Prior to that, she lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico most of her life where her family has been there since the 1860’s. She has her bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Denver and a Master of Social Work in Community Organization at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, a division of Yeshiva University.

She moved to Philadelphia with a travel background to work at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, planning Mission 1000, the first ever Mega-Mission to Israel. Prior to coming to Tikvah, she had worked at JEVS Human Services as the Outreach Coordinator for many years. In addition, she worked at Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center, JCRC, the Jewish Federation of Wilmington, Delaware, Jewish Heritage Programs, and the Jewish Publication Society. Rhonda is very involved in her community of Upper Merion Township and serves in an elected position as the Township Auditor.

Carter received his undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in studio art at Binghamton University and is currently pursuing an Education Specialist degree in School Psychology. In this field, he is most interested in early intervention methodology. Carter has worked with multiple non-profit organizations, including United Synagogue Youth (USY), Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, and Local Synagogues. He is also a freelance digital marketer and graphic designer. Carter continues to create and explore digital and mixed-media art in his free time.

Abby Gilbert comes to Tikvah with a wealth of knowledge and expertise about the Philadelphia Nonprofit Community. Abby is particularly expert in community organizing and planning, experiential education, and lay/professional relations. Some Tikvah members may already know Abby from her years managing the Northeast Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) or before that as the director of KleinLife in Northeast Philadelphia where Tikvah holds hosts events from time to time.

Abby’s volunteer roles in the community have included membership on the City of Philadelphia Police District Advisory Board, board service at the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center, also board service with the Northeast Sunrisers Rotary Club. Abby holds a BA in Communications from Temple University where she also did graduate work in Public Administration. She has a Masters degree in Jewish Communal Service from Gratz College. Abby resides in Jenkintown, PA with her husband, Gary Freedman. Abby and Gary have two grown daughters.