Chai Lifeline regional directors from across the United States and around the world gathered for the organization’s 2026 Regional Directors Conference, a two-day meeting focused on strengthening regional leadership and advancing Chai Lifeline’s vision for 2027.
Bringing together organizational leadership, regional directors, and development staff, the conference explored strategies for expanding Chai Lifeline’s reach throughout Klal Yisroel, strengthening community partnerships, and building the foundation for continued growth.
Rabbi Mordechai Gobioff, National Director of Client Services, opened the conference with a discussion on the evolving role of a regional director and the importance of building strong community relationships. Chai Lifeline CEO Rabbi Simcha Scholar shared the organization’s vision for 2027, emphasizing the responsibility of regional directors to reach families who have not yet connected with Chai Lifeline, develop local leadership, and strengthen the relationships and resources that make sustained regional growth possible.
The rest of the day addressed relationship-building, donor engagement, fundraising, and collaboration between program and development teams.
The second day focused on using data and artificial intelligence to guide regional strategy, strengthening relationships with hospital executives and community leaders, and using marketing and PR to expand awareness of Chai Lifeline’s programs and strengthen its brand. Workshops on communication, accountability, and leadership offered practical tools for building stronger regional teams.
The conference concluded with a planning session in which regional directors developed priorities and concrete goals for 2027, translating the organization’s broader vision into actionable plans for their respective communities.
Participating regional directors included Rabbi Doniel Freund (Midwest), Racheli Daniel (Mid-Atlantic), Rabbi Sruli Fried and Rabbi Yehoshua Brodsky (NJ/PA), Randi Grossman (West Coast), Nachman Maimon (New York/Camp Simcha), Esther Leah Sandhaus (Southeast), Yaacov Blanshay (Montreal), Rabbi Mordy Rothman (Toronto), Daniel Gillis (UK), and Zaza Finkelstein and Debbie Aftergut (Belgium).
Also participating were Hershy Katz, director of Achim B’Yachad, Chai Lifeline’s Chassidish division; Jack Tabush, director of the Sephardic Division; and Elad Maimon, director of Chaiyanu/Chai Lifeline Israel.
Reflecting on the importance of regional leadership, Rabbi Gobioff said, “Strong leadership means taking initiative, bringing people together, and finding new ways to make a difference in our communities. This conference is an opportunity to share ideas, learn from one another, and return home ready to turn those ideas into action.”
Rabbi Scholar added, “Every region has an opportunity to reach more families and strengthen its impact. Our responsibility is to look beyond the needs of today and build the foundation that will allow Chai Lifeline to continue growing and serving families for years to come.”
As Chai Lifeline looks toward 2027, the conference reinforced a shared commitment to building stronger regions, reaching more families, and ensuring that children and families facing serious illness, crisis, and loss continue to receive the support they need.
