Who Are We?

Dr. Samantha Balass is a family physician in Montreal, Quebec, with a special interest in dermatology. She earned her medical degree at McGill University, and pursued further training at the University of British Columbia, and Cardiff University. She serves as an Osler Fellow at McGill, where she mentors medical students, and she is a frequent speaker at medical conferences.

Dr. Balass is a first-generation Canadian of Iraqi and Iranian Jewish descent; her parents fled anti-Jewish persecution in their countries of origin and resettled in Canada. She became actively involved with the antisemitism committee of the Association des Médecins Juifs du Québec. She has spoken at numerous community events and has given several lectures on the history of antizionism, the challenges in addressing it, and effective approaches to combating it. She is a passionate and inspiring speaker who believes it is everyone’s duty to confront hate.

Dana is a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, speaker, and Jewish clinical consultant based in the Chicago suburbs. She specializes in trauma, eating disorders, and supporting older teens, young adults, and mothers navigating identity-based stress and life transitions. Dana’s work integrates clinical expertise with Jewish identity, community resilience, and nervous system informed care.

She is the founder of Cohen Counseling LLC and has created a growing network for Jewish eating disorder providers, while also co-creating Chicagoland Jewish Therapist connections. She co-founded Levari with Jennifer Kogan, LICSW, offering trauma-informed trainings that integrate practical strategies for confronting antizionism alongside tools that support nervous system regulation, clarity, and psychological resilience.

Through therapy, consultation, speaking, and community building, Dana is committed to helping individuals and communities feel grounded, seen, empowered, and supported in times of stress and uncertainty.

Jen Kogan is a clinical social worker, writer, and advocate with over thirty years of experience in mental health. She co-founded Levari trauma-informed trainings with Dana Cohen, LCSW integrating practical strategies for confronting antizionism with tools that support regulation, clarity, and psychological resilience. 

Jen is also co-founder of the Jewish Social Work Consortium, a group of US and Canadian social workers committed to restoring the foundational values of the profession. Her work centers on professional ethics and the protection of dignity across clinical, institutional, and community spaces. Jen addresses the impact of antizionism within mental health, where it distorts clinical frameworks and compromises ethical care. She is committed to advancing justice and well-being while upholding fairness, respect, and equal belonging for Jewish clinicians and clients.

Dr. Maayan Kreitzman is an agricultural scientist, who studies agroforestry, transition to perennial production systems, and food system vulnerability, residing in Vancouver. She is an Israeli-Canadian with family lineage from Eastern Europe and Syria. Maayan has a background in climate activism and community organizing, and was a former candidate and volunteer with the BC Green Party. She felt safe and welcome in environmental and activist spaces as a Jew until 2021 when online spaces and fellow activists erupted with anti-Israel hate and aggression, effectively pushing her out of spheres in which she once felt at home. Since 2025, Maayan has facilitated training and consulted with dozens of groups to strengthen their community and institutional responses to anti-Jewish harm.

Elaine Marans is a college professor and university instructor specializing in project management, business analysis, and leadership in complex organizational environments. She holds a Master’s in Education and is a mechanical and agricultural engineer with a focus on new product development.

As a trained internal complaint investigator, she brings experience in trauma-informed engagement and conflict resolution. A union advocate, community activist, and regional representative, she co-founded a women’s crisis centre.

She designs and delivers training for Jewish and allied audiences, focused on addressing antizionism in workplace, institutional, and union contexts.

Amanda has worked closely with school districts, administrators, and educators on communication initiatives, program implementation, and organizational coordination. She serves on her congregation’s Board of Trustees and is engaged in community leadership and governance. She has participated in training and educational efforts focused on combating antisemitism and antizionism and has produced online educational and advocacy content. She brings experience in stakeholder engagement, communication strategy, and relationship management.