Jennifer Gendel’s quarter century in education has included significant success as teacher, elementary principal, district administrator and college professor. As Matan’s Program Manager, Jennifer conducts professional development sessions as well as mentors participants in the Matan Institute for Youth and Education Directors, which is an inclusion training program for Jewish professionals.

Jennifer partners with synagogues, camps, schools and other organizations dedicated to including individuals with disabilities into their communities. Most recently, as a partner of the Ruderman Family Foundation and the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, Jennifer supported inclusion in over 600 member synagogues and youth movement (USY) groups. In addition, she served as the coordinator of the Shifting the Paradigm Project at Or Shalom in Vernon Hills, a project sponsored by Jewish United Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. In this role, she helped to create a model for children and their families that will allow them to experience authentic and meaningful experiences along their Jewish journeys.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Boston University, her Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from National-Louis University, and her Doctorate in Education in Leadership and Supervision from Loyola University of Chicago. Her research and professional interests are focused on providing high-quality professional development for teachers and administrators who support all learners.