Cohen Hillel Academy alumna Alisa (Abrams) Bennett (CHA ’96) is the 2025 recipient of the Adam Madorsky Social Justice Award at Epstein Hillel School in Marblehead. This award is given each year in memory of Adam Madorsky, son of Karen and Jerry Madorsky, to recognize Hillel alumni who have continued to pursue social justice in their personal or professional lives.
From the very start of her career, Alisa has dedicated herself to helping others, particularly in underserved communities. As a social worker, she has a special interest in working with veterans and is committed to making sure that our society provides mental health and wellness support for them.
“It is so important we acknow-ledge that military members and veterans made so many sacrifices,” she said. “It is really our duty to take care of them and ensure that they have successful lives.”
Alisa credits her roots at Hillel for teaching her what it means to care for those in your community. “That’s what Hillel does. It welcomes each person and makes sure their needs are met. I always felt immense support academically, socially, and beyond. The example Hillel provided – to deeply understand people and feel connected to the greater community – helped guide my career path.”
Alisa’s first job after graduating from Northeastern University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology was working for the Department of Children and Families in Lynn. Then, after receiving her master’s degree in social work from Simmons University in 2008 and earning her LICSW, Alisa worked alongside her father, Dr. Howard Abrams, at the Salem Hospital Adult Psychiatric Inpatient Unit. It was there, said Alisa, that “I was able to build up my clinical skills and identify specific populations that I wanted to continue working with.” Some of her patients were veterans, and she was thus introduced to the Veterans Affairs system. Alisa was impressed by the VA’s unique model that provided all levels of health care in one system.
In 2011, Alisa was hired at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Bedford as the suicide prevention coordinator, working with high-risk veterans. “This role was both challenging and rewarding,” said Alisa. “I made many strong connections there with veterans and their families.”
Alisa went on to become a program manager of the VITAL Program (Veteran Integration to Academic Leadership) at the Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center, helping student veterans access all areas of health care. She saw firsthand how much determination it takes for veterans to achieve their academic goals. “I worked with one veteran in his 60s who was homeless,” she said. “He eventually graduated with a degree from Salem State University and got on his feet. I got to attend his graduation. It was incredibly meaningful.”
After 14 years at the Bedford VAMC, Alisa recently started working as the Northeast regional manager for outreach for Telemynd, a remote company providing accessible mental health services for the military and veteran populations. “Having seen firsthand the remarkable impact that connection and community can have for these individuals, it’s important to me to continue to connect veterans and service members to much-needed mental health care,” she said.
Alisa Bennett lives in Wakefield with her husband Ryan and her daughters Riley and Taylor. She spends a lot of time at basketball gyms, ski mountains, soccer fields, and beaches in Maine with Ryan’s family, and on the boat in the Berkshires with her parents, Izzi and Howie Abrams.
Alisa Bennett will be honored with the Adam Madorsky Social Justice Award at the Epstein Hillel School annual meeting on June 12 at 7 p.m.
Those who wish to attend may RSVP to lkreevoy@epsteinhillel.org.
