Avi Herring is passionate about bringing the best research and the most innovative thinking to Jewish organizations. Now in his third and final year, Avi entered the NYU Wagner/Skirball MPA-MA in Hebrew and Judaic Studies program to gain the skills to improve the leadership and management of Jewish organizations. Avi recently began working full-time as a planning associate at UJA-Federation of New York, where he focuses on strengthening Jewish day schools and fostering Jewish identity among Israelis. He was previously a Michel UJA-Federation FEREP (Federation Executive Recruitment and Education Program) scholar and intern at UJA-Federation. He graduated in May 2010 from the Joint Program with Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary with BAs in Middle Eastern studies and Modern Jewish studies.