Heart of a storyteller
Brain of a strategist
To help Jewish nonprofits reach their goals, I mesh my greatest passions: penning words and building communities. As much as my right brain lives for the creative side of marketing, I understand results are driven by a balance of art and science. So I do my research first, getting to know the ins and outs of your organization. My findings always inform my content strategy and execution.
Why I Do This Work
Jewish communities are beautifully — and sometimes uncomfortably — complex. A good amount of those nuances have shaped my everyday life.
I was raised Jewish by stellar parents, an Ashkenazi Jewish mom and a Chilean Catholic dad. Even though I was a member of the tribe, one who chanted a lot of Torah, I often felt I wasn't Jewish enough. In public school and even college, I could never quite escape that question: “So you’re half Jewish?”
Time opened my eyes, helping me reject the notion of a “correct” Jewish background. We live in a million shades of gray. And there is no such thing as a cookie-cutter Jewish life.
My background, which I once thought discredited me, turned out to be one of my greatest strengths. I learned to meet people where they are. To be attuned to their needs and interests in a changing world.
For nonprofits, a one-size-fits-all-approach is a bunch of unkosher baloney. Jewish spaces are meaningful and somewhat messy. Full of purpose and diversity. Through words, I pinpoint and elevate the uniqueness of each Jewish community, fueling dollars and spirits.
My Professional Experience
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Wrote copy that helped 25+ Jewish nonprofits raise $20 million+
Former journalist with published stories in The Jerusalem Post, Orlando Sentinel and Baltimore Jewish Times, among other publications
Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minor in Judaic studies from University of Central Florida
Alumna of Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel
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At 18, I pulled a classic Jewish move and ran off to Israel before college. During my gap year, I learned at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem and then relocated to a small village in Haifa, where I created mosaics at a special needs school. Then, I headed home.
Back in my native Orlando, I studied journalism and Judaic studies at the University of Central Florida. The unpredictable, fast-paced nature of storytelling became my life. I started my career as a journalist, covering breaking news and human interest pieces in Jerusalem, Orlando and Baltimore.
The next step in my professional journey led me to Hillel International, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world. As the in-house writer and editor, I published more than 150 stories for blogs, news outlets, magazines, and annual reports. In addition, I managed student freelancers as they wrote stories for internal and external publications, including The Boston Globe. During my last year at Hillel International, I streamlined content collection by creating and launching the Hillel International Writers Program for students interested in storytelling.
From there, I charted a career in story-driven marketing. I jumped into agency life, helping nonprofit organizations and government agencies revamp their brand identities, master their messages, execute their campaigns and more. Many of those projects gave me opportunities to strengthen Jewish communities, nourishing my mind and my soul. I wanted to do that every day.
And now, I do. This year, I took a solo leap, inspired by the very marketing pros who taught me so much. I’ve built a little life around finding the right words, and today, as a freelance copywriter, I use that skill to uplift my communities. I have my dream job.
"Shana is an incredibly reliable partner, who always understands the assignment, delivers a solid first draft, and is willing and able to make any adjustments needed. Her writing is excellent and her demeanor is a joy to work with."
Shana Sisk
“I supervised Shana at a marketing agency, where she consistently excelled, grew and made our team stronger. She brought deep knowledge, genuine passion and diverse work experience to every project. She is equally delightful as she is brilliant.”
Eric Gurevich
“Shana is a thoughtful, thorough, diligent and inquisitive woman who you want on your team. She’s a dynamic storyteller who will lift your organization’s work to new heights and help showcase the stories that matter most in a meaningful way.”
Jessica Sugarman
“Shana provides immediate organization and creativity for our nonprofit fundraising and marketing partners. Our clients can’t be without her writing and account management skills. Her ability to produce quality, on-time work is second to none.”
Josh Kligman
“After the devastating events in Israel on October 7, 2023, Shana became a lifeline. Through the chaos of misinformation, vitriol on social media, and stories of joy and Jewish pride, she was right there with us. She adapted quickly to both our organizational identity and then adapted to the unthinkable crisis and response, consistently providing high-quality solutions, content, and perspective. Shana is a true professional, an unwavering ally, and a good human being.”
Patty Sanger
My Virtual Door is Open
I’m here to lighten your load. To connect,
send me a message.