Team

Rabbi Chaim Sampson

Founding Director

Rabbi Sampson is the founding director of Project Inspire. He was formerly the educational director of Aish UK for 7 years, as well as the Executive Learning Director at the Aish Center on the Upper West Side of New York. He has authored much of the educational curriculum for Project Inspire, enabling thousands of people to more actively share the beauty, warmth and meaning of Judaism with their fellow Jews. Rabbi Sampson grew up in North London and still speaks with the Queen’s English. He learned and taught at Aish HaTorah in the Old City of Jerusalem for 10 years, and was blessed to be a close talmid of Rav Noach Weinberg zt”l, the founder of Aish HaTorah, for 26 years. He also studied under the tutelage of Rav Yaakov Weinberg zt”l in Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore. Rav Chaim resides in Passaic, New Jersey, with his wife Yocheved and son Shmuel.

Yossie Friedman

CEO

Yossie joined the Project Inspire team in 2008 as Managing Director. With his exceptional organizational skills and dynamic leadership, he has been a driving force behind the organization’s growth and many of its hallmark initiatives, including the Tisha B’Av Films and the annual Convention. Over time, his role has evolved to focus more on big-picture strategy, leadership development, and guiding the overall direction of Project Inspire. An alumnus of Yeshiva Yagdil Torah, RJJ, and Lakewood’s BMG, Yossie lives with his family in Jerusalem.

Lauren Levitt

COO

Lauren joined Project Inspire in 2018 after working at several Jewish nonprofits in NYC. As Chief Operating Officer, she plays a central role in ensuring that the organization’s day-to-day operations align with its strategic goals. Lauren leads cross-departmental execution, oversees internal systems and workflows, and helps drive accountability across the team. Acting as a key decision-maker, she works closely with the CEO to ensure programs and initiatives run efficiently and on time. She enjoys helping the organization run smoothly and takes pride in supporting the people and mission behind Project Inspire. Lauren lives in Passaic with her husband and their adorable children.

Kaila Lasky Spiro

Director of Partner Relations

Kaila Lasky Spiro is a seasoned Jewish outreach professional with over 20 years of experience in the Jewish nonprofit world. She began her career as a sought-after motivational speaker for leading organizations such as the Jewish Federations of North America, Aish HaTorah, Chabad International, and many others. Today, Kaila leads Project Inspire’s Women’s Division, where she oversees partner development, strategic planning, and mentorship—bringing innovation, leadership, and deep relationship-building expertise to every initiative. She specializes in recruiting and developing partners and in empowering frum Jewish women to reach out meaningfully to their less affiliated Jewish sisters.  She lives in Monsey with her husband Rabbi Ken Spiro.

Rabbi Yoni Zakutinsky

Director, Project Inspire Brooklyn

Rabbi Zakutinksy plays a leading role in bringing Project Inspire’s initiatives and efforts to the Brooklyn community. Through exciting programming, one-on-one learning, and dynamic shabbatons, Rabbi Zakutinsky has brought inspiration to thousands of Torah observant Jews, encouraging them to reach out to their Jewish friends and neighbors of all backgrounds. Working with his wife Shulamis, Rabbi Zakutinsky has brought a myriad of less affiliated men and women on highly subsidized trips to Israel. Rabbi Zakutinsky lives with his family in Brooklyn, NY.

Tova Cohen

Finance Manager

Tova Cohen is the Finance Manager at Project Inspire, she oversees all areas of finance and administration, including payroll, accounts payable and receivables, banking and reconciliations, and sales commission tracking. Tova has been contributing her skill and dedication to Project Inspire since earning her master’s in accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2011. She currently lives in Lakewood with her husband and children.

Danielle Haas

Client Operations Manager

Danielle has been leading and developing the Project Inspire Learning Program since 2012. She finds great meaning in forming personal relationships with 1-on-1 learning participants and regularly hears inspiring feedback from their experiences. Always eager to offer support, she helps connect participants with Shabbat hosts, yeshiva or seminary programs, and opportunities for trips to Israel. She also manages the organization’s database, which tracks all aspects of engagement related to individuals involved in kiruv—enabling Project Inspire to measure and expand its impact. In addition, Danielle is part of the production team for the annual Project Inspire Tisha B’Av film. Originally from the U.S., Danielle holds a degree in Journalism and Communications from Temple University and now lives in Jerusalem.

Tzivyah Ovadia

Operations and Marketing Coordinator

Tzivyah is the Operations and Marketing Coordinator at Project Inspire, where she brings the organization’s mission to life through strategic branding, content development, digital marketing, social media and more. She also plays a key role in helping to streamline operations and building internal systems that support long-term growth. With over a decade of experience in education, including years teaching at Bais Yaakov of Detroit, Tzivyah now channels her creativity and organizational strengths into initiatives that spark connection, strengthen Jewish identity, and build community. Based in Detroit and a proud mother of three, she’s passionate about turning inspired ideas into lasting impact.

Chaya Azer

Office Manager

Chaya serves as the Office Manager at Project Inspire, bringing warmth, professionalism, and a strong sense of purpose to her role. Raised in Baltimore and deeply rooted in community values, she has contributed to Jewish schools and non-profits across Maryland, Ohio, and New Jersey. With a background in property management and a natural gift for organization, Chaya plays a vital role in keeping daily operations running smoothly. A proud mother of six, she is known for her approachable nature, collaborative spirit, and genuine dedication to the mission of building a stronger, more connected Klal Yisrael.

Gila Block

1on1 Relationship Manager

Gila has been a relationship manager for the 1on1 program for six years. Jewish outreach not only comes naturally for her, but is a passion of hers as well. The best part of her job is hearing about the long term relationships that evolve from learning partnerships, and hearing how the program has changed participants’ lives for the better. She lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with her husband and children.

Shaina Newman

1on1 Relationship Manager

Shaina is entering her 8th year as a relationship manager for the 1on1 learning program at Project Inspire. Having graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lander’s College for Women with a major in Judaic Studies, Shaina has a strong interest in textual studies and showing others the unbelievable depth of the Torah. She is passionate about finding perfect learning partnerships and seeing their progression. She lives with her husband and sons in Maalot Dafna, Yerushalayim.

Diti Raice

1on1 Relationship Manager

Diti Raice is the newest member of the 1:1 team, and is loving it! With her background in Jewish outreach, she is passionate about helping people find the right learning partners for them and hearing about their process. Diti is currently completing her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling through Bellevue University and lives in Jerusalem, Israel with her family.