Cohen Hillel Academy alumna Shira (Farber) Kraft ’97 is the 2026 recipient of the Adam Madorsky Social Justice Award at Epstein Hillel School. 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.

“Looking back, I absolutely credit Cohen Hillel Academy with instilling in me a strong sense of Jewish identity, a strong sense of Jewish pride,” said Kraft. “That foundation sent me on a trajectory that led me to my work in Jewish communal spaces.”

Kraft’s work reflects a deep belief in access, continuity, and shared responsibility grounded in a lifelong dedication to strengthening Jewish communal life.

Currently, Kraft is the associate vice president of gift planning and endowment at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), where she leads efforts to strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of the Jewish community in Greater Boston and beyond. She joined CJP in 2021 to guide strategy and growth in legacy giving and endowment development, helping ensure the vitality and continuity of the Jewish communal ecosystem and its shared priorities for generations to come.

“I feel a responsibility to serve the community. There’s that sense of, ‘If we don’t do it, who will?’ My parents instilled in me that community isn’t something you simply receive; you have to contribute to it as well,” said Kraft.

Reflecting on the connections between Jewish communal services and social justice, Kraft explains that in order to help repair the world, “We are obligated to heal ourselves, take care of our people, and ensure access to community. Building a community that is available and welcoming to all helps to empower the advocates that are serving vulnerable populations. I see that a lot in our work at CJP.”

Prior to CJP, Kraft served as chief communications and development officer at the Jewish Women’s Archive (JWA), where she led fundraising and marketing initiatives to advance JWA’s mission of amplifying Jewish women’s voices and preserving their stories. Earlier in her career, she was director of Nishmah at the Jewish Community Center in St. Louis, a program dedicated to engaging and empowering women and youth across diverse Jewish backgrounds.

Kraft’s commitment to community-building and collective responsibility is also evident in her volunteer leadership at Epstein Hillel School (EHS). Since 2023, she has served on the board of directors, where she has held key roles, including chair of the development committee and co-chair of Yad b’Yad, the school’s parent organization.

This past year, Kraft played a central role in leading Epstein Hillel School through its pivotal “Step Up to the Moment” campaign, helping to secure critical resources and chart a sustainable path forward for the school.

“I had never run an emergency campaign before – most development professionals never will,” said Kraft. “But I couldn’t sit back. I couldn’t let this happen without being part of the solution. There was a tangible moment where I felt like I needed to help galvanize the community to turn things around. So many people stepped up and stepped in, and we were able to achieve what we set out to achieve in that moment. There’s still significant work to do, but I feel proud to be able to help give the school a lifeline. I hope that I’ve inspired other people to step up and contribute in some way.”

Kraft will continue with this momentum in leadership for Epstein Hillel School – she is slated to serve as chair of the board in the 2026-27 fiscal year, pending a vote of directors.

Kraft holds a B.A. in art history from Barnard College of Columbia University and earned her chartered adviser in philanthropy (CAP) designation from the American College of Financial Services in 2024. She has served on the boards of the Jewish Journal of Greater Boston and the Planned Giving Group of New England and is a current participant in the Jewish Federations of North America’s Executive Accelerator program.

Kraft lives in Marblehead with her husband, Jeff, and their two sons, Micah and Leo, who attend Epstein Hillel School.

Shira Kraft will be honored with the Adam Madorsky Social Justice Award at the Epstein Hillel School Annual Meeting on June 3, at 7:15 p.m.
RSVP to rkaren@epsteinhillel.org.