FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alisa Doctoroff Named New Board Chair of Atra
The organization enters a new chapter of rabbinic innovation as Lisa Messinger concludes her tenure as founding board chair
(November 5, 2025) – Atra: Center for Rabbinic Innovation is pleased to announce the appointment of Alisa Doctoroff as its new board chair. Doctoroff succeeds Lisa Messinger, who has served as Atra’s founding chair since its inception and whose visionary leadership has been instrumental in establishing the organization’s mission and impact.
Doctoroff brings extensive experience in Jewish communal leadership and a deep personal connection to Jewish life and values. A longtime advocate for Jewish education and community building, she has served on and led numerous boards including UJA-Federation New York, the Jewish Funders Network, The Jim Joseph Foundation, The Abraham Joshua Heschel School, The Hadar Institute and the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), She is a graduate of Harvard College and received an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Doctoroff also holds an MA in Jewish Studies from JTS.
“I am honored to step into this role and build upon the incredible foundation that Lisa Messinger has created,” said Doctoroff. “I have always believed deeply that rabbis matter. They serve as guides for us both as humans and as Jews. Almost six years ago, Atra launched as a small but mighty startup and is now poised to become a hub for the rabbinic ecosystem. As we enter this new chapter, I am excited to work alongside our talented board, staff, and supporters to expand our reach and deepen our impact.”
Raised in a family where Jewish tradition and social responsibility were central pillars, Doctoroff grew up attending synagogue regularly in her hometown of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Both her grandfather and great-grandfather were rabbis who instilled in her a profound appreciation for her Jewish roots, and her parents modeled the importance of giving back to the community. This foundation has informed her decades of volunteer work and philanthropic engagement in Jewish causes.
Atra’s Executive Director, Rabbi Shira Koch Epstein, expressed enthusiasm about the leadership transition: “As Atra expands exponentially to meet a growing need, Alisa’s rare combination of institutional experience, prioritization of relational work, and deep understanding of rabbinic leadership is helping us do so successfully — staying grounded in our values while growing our reach and impact across the field.”
The board transition comes at a time of significant growth for Atra, as the organization continues to expand its programming and reach within the Jewish community. In the coming week, the organization is poised to announce the results of a comprehensive study exploring the current state of the American rabbinate.
Reflecting on the significance of this appointment, Doctoroff added, “My positive and meaningful Jewish experiences have always guided me toward work that strengthens our community — that honors the values passed down through the generations and evolves to meet new realities. Today’s rabbis carry an immense burden, and they need our support. I could not be more thrilled to work with Atra to address the unique pressures our rabbis are facing at this moment and ensure they have the resources and connections for them and our communities to thrive.”
Atra: The Center for Rabbinic Innovation equips rabbis — and the ecosystem that supports them — to grow, adapt, and lead the Jewish people in a rapidly changing world. Atra envisions a vibrant Jewish future where every Jew and seeker can say, “my rabbi,” and in that relationship find wisdom, care, guidance, and connection to a living tradition. Through training, networks, research, and bold ideas, Atra is reimagining how rabbis are prepared and supported. As a convener and thought leader, Atra connects funders, institutions, and practitioners to advance research, seed pilot initiatives, and strengthen the rabbinic pipeline — elevating best practices and evolving rabbinic leadership to meet the changing needs of the Jewish people. Its three pillars — the Atra Academy, which equips rabbis to navigate today’s complex landscape; the Atra Rabbinic Network, where rabbis of every denomination and role collaboratively practice these skills with peer support; and the Rabbinic Idea Lab, where research and innovation translate into concrete solutions — together form a platform for field-wide transformation that ensures the Jewish people has the rabbis it needs. Atra’s work is grounded in a simple but urgent belief: rabbis matter more than ever.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Alisa Doctoroff:
- https://atrarabbis.org/
- Media Contact: Dina Fuchs-Beresin
- Email: dina@singcreativegroup.com
- Phone: 404.819.2902
- Atra Contact: Emma Kraft
- Email: emma@atrarabbis.org
- Phone: 202.449.6619