Elissa Barrett, Cohort 5: National, 2008; and Cohort 7: Organizational, 2009

Who ever thought being pushed to acknowledge the full complement of my strengths and my obstacles to success could be so rewarding and so enjoyable! The relationships I have built in Selah have proved invaluable, personally and professionally.


I am grateful to Selah for the tools I now regularly employ in managing team meetings, setting project goals and pushing myself and my team to imagine and implement ambitious plans for our organization's future. And I am grateful for the camaraderie with my fellow participants with whom I found an instant sense of fellowship and whom I have called on frequently to guide my decision-making in all aspects of my life.

Elissa Barrett is the vice president and general counsel of Bet Tzedek Legal Services and past executive director of Progressive Jewish Alliance, one of Bend the Arc’s legacy organizations.