David Gamse, president of the JCADA Board, has dedicated his career to strengthening human services and doing what JCADA does so well: keeping people safe. A gerontologist, he has served as adjunct faculty at the University of South Florida, held senior management roles at AARP, and led the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) as CEO from 1990 until his retirement in 2020. He has contributed his expertise to more than a dozen local and national boards and advisory committees.

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David’s commitment to community service began in high school, working at a Jewish day camp and serving in leadership roles in USY, where he met his future wife. David and his wife, Peg, now married 55 years, live in downtown Frederick, Maryland. They have two children, one grandchild, and one very demanding Siamese cat.

Sheila obtained her master’s in social work from Loyola University, Chicago in May 1997. She holds active licenses in both Maryland and DC and is a board-approved supervisor. She works at ClearView Communities, a residential treatment program for adults struggling with serious mental illness. Sheila has worked for over 25 years as a community and school social worker, supervisor and private practice clinician.

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She has been a member of JCADA’s board for the past two years, serving as Clinical Liaison and recently elected to serve as the Vice President. Sheila is an impassioned supporter for survivors of IPV, recognizing that their struggles affect not only the victim, but their families, children and larger communities.

Ken Simonson has been a JCADA Board Member since July 2024 and currently serves as Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee and member of the Development Committee. Previously, he was a member of the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA)'s Board and Executive Committee for more than 25 years.

Professionally, Ken is the chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America, the leading trade association for the construction industry. He lives in Chevy Chase DC with his wife Jan Solomon.

Linda R. Lipson, is a long-time resident of Montgomery County and member of Congregation Beth El in Bethesda.  She is retired after a career in health services research, including 20 years directing and managing research in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) related to women veterans’ health, access and equity.  ​

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Linda has served on numerous boards, including chairing the Religious School Board at Beth El and being on the regional board of the ADL. Linda also volunteers with Court Watch, a local non-profit, monitoring Montgomery County protective orders for domestic violence survivors; the JCA Interages Program working with school age children; and Bethesda Help, a local organization addressing food insecurity. 

Vivian G Bass of Bethesda, Md. is a past board chair of Jewish Women International (JWI). She currently serves as CEO Emeritus of Makom (formerly JFGH), Board Chair of Save a Child's Heart US, Board Vice Chair of Disability Belongs (formerly RespectAbility), Board Member of CaringMatters, Advisory Council Member of Tzedek D.C., a member of Federation's Community Leadership Council, and a Lion of Judah.

As a new board member of JCADA, Vivian is eager to help afford safety and security for vulnerable individuals in our local community, especially those with disabilities. Vivan looks to share 'life lessons' for ensuring best practices in nonprofit management, to provide consultation on effective donor cultivation and retention, and help the stategic fulfillment of the organization's most crucial and vibrant mission. 

Vicki Fishman is an attorney, currenly serving as Director of Virginia Government and Community Relations for the JCRC of Greater Washington.. She has served as President of Gesher Jewish Day School, Director of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Trustee of the United Jewish Endowment Fund, and is a member of the National and DC Leadership Councils of AIPAC.

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Vicki began her legal career at Ross, Dixon and Bell, LLC, and was a founding member of Fishman Klain, PLLC. Vicki received her BA in Religion from Swarthmore College and her JD from the University of Michigan Law School. She is also a graduate of the Wexner Heritage Program.

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Jenny attended Jewish day school through middle school. She holds a BA in psychology from The University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Public Health from Hebrew University’s Hadassah Medical School, and a Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College in New York. She has worked in the field of health social work supporting individuals and families through challenging times in hospital and community clinic settings. 

Jenny is honored to join the board and to make worthwhile contributions in both the clinical and educational programs.

Rachel Koehn Lund LCSW-C, a new member of the JCADA Board of Directors, currently works as a psychotherapist at The Counseling Center Group, and has years of professional experience centered on providing trauma-informed care, advocating for vulnerable populations, and fostering pathways toward healing and resilience.

Rachel is a working mom and a proud member of the Jewish community in the DMV area. She is thrilled to bring her clinical perspective to the governance and strategic planning of the organization.

Rabbi Lauren Laird is the rabbi and spiritual leader of Temple Beth Torah (TBT) in Chantilly, Virginia. She received smicha from the ALEPH Ordination Program and has served the Jewish Community for over 30 years as a spiritual leader, educator, and pastoral care provider. In addition to serving TBT, Rabbi Laird is the Managing Director of OHALAH – the Professional Association for Rabbis, Cantors, and Rabbinic Chaplains for Jewish Renewal.

Prior to becoming a rabbi, Rabbi Laird served as a contractor and Federal Government employee for nearly 20 years after earning her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from The George Washington University. Rabbi Laird looks forward to supporting JCADA’s mission and strategic planning. 

Mark Levine served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2015 to 2022. After the murder of his sister Janet by her husband in 1996, Mark wrote several laws in Tennessee and later in Virginia to protect survivors and their children from domestic violence, along with spearheadeding the establishment of centers throughout Virginia where Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners centers in Virginia to provide immediate treatment to sexual assault survivors. 

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A long-time member of the Virginia Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence, Mark has also long been an active member of the Jewish community and is pleased to bring his political, governmental, and legal expertise to JCADA.

Lindsay Lieberman is an attorney and founder of Lindsay Lieberman LLC, where she represents survivors of domestic violence and technology-facilitated abuse. She also trains attorneys, schools, and community organizations on trauma-informed practices, digital safety, and victim's rights.

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Lindsay lives in Washington DC with her husband and two daughters, and is proud to be part of the DC Jewish community. She is honored to join the Board of Directors of JCADA and looks forward to advancing it's mission by contributing her legal expertise and supporting it's prevention education, advocacy, and survivor services. 

Bio coming soon!

Cynthia Rutzick is a new member of the JCADA Board of Directors. She is an attorney and is the founder of her own law firm. Cynthia has long been committed to strengthening her community through volunteer leadership, serving on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. An active member of the Northern Virginia Jewish community, Cynthia is honored to support JCADA's important mission and looks forward to advancing its work.

Bio coming soon!

Jennifer recently retired from nearly 30 years as a Federal government civil servant at both the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Her job responsibilities primarily focused on policy-making, Federal budgeting, and human capital recruitment and development.

Jennifer lives in Bethesda with her husband and teen-aged daughter where they are active members of B’nai Tzedek in Potomac. She enjoys traveling, taking long walks with friends, and relaxing by the water.