Make The Promise

JYP Partner Interview x Rob Derdiger, CEO of AEPi

Rob Derdiger, CEO of AEPi

How long have you been implementing the program? 

AEPi brothers have been actively involved in the Jewish Youth Promise for more than four years now. Last March (March of 2025), we reached a major milestone when the 10,000th AEPi undergraduate member signed the Promise to be active and contributing members of the Jewish community throughout their lives.

Why did you start to implement the Promise in your school/organization? In other words, what led to the decision to incorporate JYP into your programming? 

Mike Leven came to AEPi with this idea as he was launching the Jewish Youth Promise, and at that time, the Jewish Future Promise. The needs were compelling – ensuring the continuity of our people. We need to be proactive and intentional about establishing active members of the Jewish community and perpetuating the culture of our people.

With the Jewish Youth Promise, it’s a natural continuation of the pipeline. Let’s not start talking to people when they’re in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Let’s start talking to people now, when they’re young, and get them to intentionally commit to being active and contributing members of the Jewish community. That dovetails with the AEPi mission to develop the future leaders of the Jewish community.

And then, there is a clear path from committing to being an active member of the community and supporting that community philanthropically.

How do you use the Promise in AEPi, and how do you leverage it beyond just the automatic registration?

Since Mike is an AEPi (Tufts, 1959), we will try to claim a little credit for the spark of this idea back when Mike was in his 20s, because it is so aligned with what AEPi does in terms of the Jewish community.

The Promise is easy to implement because it’s just a tweak and an intentionality.

The moment that someone becomes a member, we have them sign the Promise. From there, that leverages into reminders of the Promise both as they go through the AEPi experience and then after graduation. And an element that’s been additive to AEPi is this idea that they’re going to get reminders on a regular basis to be intentional and proactive members of the Jewish community. While they are students, our chapters do philanthropic work. We’ve given millions and millions of dollars to philanthropic causes. So, they sign the Promise, but they also do the work of giving back – of tikkun olam – while in school, and those two things intertwine into – we hope – a lifetime of being committed members of the Jewish community.

What part of the JYP experience is most impactful for your students?

I’ll tell you anecdotally how I know that JYP has been impactful. A month ago, I was at an ICRF gala dinner here in Chicago, where its young leadership board was also invited.

What stood out to me was how many young professionals on the board coming up to me, who were involved in both ICRF and AEPi. They were probably some of the original Jewish Youth Pledge signers at the time. I was amazed. At just this one event, there were several people who were 22 or 23-year-old AEPi grads now directly involved with this organization as a youth board member. And that’s just one organization in one city.

So, I know we have some magic happening. The Jewish Youth Promise is certainly part of that. It’s most addictive in that it’s out there. It’s in your face. And it is not shy about talking directly about your engagement as a core responsibility of being an active Jewish community member and as an AEPi member.

How does the Jewish Youth Promise further AEPi’s mission, and do you believe that it will ensure students continue to support the Jewish people in Israel?

I definitely think the Jewish Youth Promise supports AEPi’s mission. It just adds fuel to the fire. For us, there are these seven outcomes that define leadership. One of those seven things is dedication to tikkun olam.

I believe in having those conversations and planting the seeds now when somebody’s young. If the Promise does half of what it did for my family, for the families of AEPi students and AEP alums, then the rate of success is just monumental. I can say from personal experience that it just encouraged the conversation.

If you were to recommend the Promise to another school or organization, what would you say?

Yes, I’d recommend the Promise 100%. What I would say is don’t just use words. Put the Promise into action.

The Promise is an absolutely spectacular way to begin the conversations. We’re finding that for our students it’s about education, and it’s about instilling values for our alumni. It’s about conversations about giving to our organization and being active members of our community.

And so, if you’re ready to do it, then jump in with both feet and promote it broadly. Talk about it, not in place of something else, but alongside other things. It’s something that I talk about at alumni events all the time. If you do nothing else, go look at how our students and alumni have adopted the Jewish Youth Promise. It’s such a little ask with such a big impact. And I believe that for AEPi and for other organizations, if people just start thinking about what’s important to them, it benefits all organizations that do Jewish communal work.

Debbie Campbell’s career as a marketing professional spans over three decades. Well-known and highly regarded in the retail, hospitality, franchising, and non-profit industry, she has played a leadership role in developing highly successful brands, and fully integrated marketing and advertising programs, and service cultures.

Most recently, Campbell, served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Georgia Aquarium, a 501(c)3, responsible for driving attendance, as well as creating and expanding the revenue streams. Prior to Georgia Aquarium, Campbell served as vice president of marketing and branding for Foot Solutions, Inc.

Previously, Campbell served as senior vice president of marketing for Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. She was a key player in this start-up company and served as a member of the USFS Operating Committee, USFS Executive Committee, and key liaison to two Franchise Advisory Councils.

Campbell is a graduate of Emory University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing. She holds a Master of Business Administration in management from Georgia State University.

Prior to joining the Jewish Future Pledge team, Jenna worked at Jerusalem U as a Distribution Associate and Writer.  She has worked for many Jewish organizations in her professional life including the Anti-Defamation League, United Jewish Appeal, and Aish International.  Jenna is dedicated to Jewish causes, animal welfare and the environment. 

She received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and her Master’s in Education from the University of Massachusetts.  She currently lives in Denver with her husband and children.

Mark Silberman is the Chair of the Board of the Jewish Future PROMISE. He is the former president of Temple Kehillat Chaim in Roswell, Georgia and former national board member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), where he served on the North American Camping (NAC), budget, and business practices committees. 

He is the former Chair of the Board for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, has served on the Board of Trustees for the past eight years, was the campaign chair in 2017, and has served on numerous Federation committees. 

Mark is on the ex-board of JFNA and serves on the board of Jewish Family & Career Services, Hillel’s of Georgia, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and the Alliance Theatre. He has been a primary funder and advocate of PJ Library and Jewish Camping in the Atlanta community. Additionally, Mark is a national board member of the Foundation for Jewish Camping.

Mark holds a BA from American University and lives in Atlanta with his wife Linda. The couple has four grown children and six grandchildren.

Before coming to Jewish Future PROMISE, Hadara has had a varied career in both the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds. She has been an entrepreneur, building Jan Micolle, a successful women’s clothing manufacturing company that sold to major retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s.

As vice president of distribution and a co-producer at Imagination Productions, an independent documentary film company with a focus on the Jewish world, Hadara placed their films with services like Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes.

Hadara also served as vice president of partnerships at OpenDor Media and brought their Israeli history content to a diverse group of religious, educational, civic, and governmental organizations throughout North America.

Hadara is a community leader and innovator.  She co-founded Chaver L’Chayel and helped establish the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in Atlanta, where she also served as a board member for seven years.

Josh is an experienced non-profit professional, having most recently served as a Regional Director at BBYO. Additionally, he has experience working in retail management, high end luxury sales, and customer service.

A native of Herndon, VA, Josh is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity and Hillel. Post college, Josh spent a year living in Israel as a participant on Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows program, then gained practical life skills while traveling the world.

Josh loves great food experiences, spending time with family and friends and helping build a strong Jewish future.

 

Mark Silberman is a partner and co-owner of Refrigiwear, the world’s leader in cold weather industrial work clothing and accessories. The company, nearing its 65th year, has now welcomed 3rd generation of family members into the workplace. 

Mark is a past president of Temple Kehillat Chaim in Roswell, Georgia, as well as a past national board member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), where he served on the North American Camping (NAC) committee, budget committee, and business practices committee. He is currently the chair of the board for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and has served on the Board of Trustees for the past 8 years, as well as the campaign chair in 2017 and on numerous Federation committees. Mark also serves on the nation JFNA board.

Mark also serves on the board of Hillel’s of Ga.  Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and the Alliance Theatre. Mark has been a primary funder and advocate of PJ Library and Jewish Camping in the Atlanta community. Mark is a national board member of the Foundation for Jewish Camping.

Mark holds a BA from American University and lives in Atlanta with his wife Linda. They have four grown children and six grandchildren.

Before coming to Jewish Future PROMISE, Hadara has had a varied career in both the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds. She has been an entrepreneur, building Jan Micolle, a successful women’s clothing manufacturing company that sold to major retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s.

As vice president of distribution and a co-producer at Imagination Productions, an independent documentary film company with a focus on the Jewish world, Hadara placed their films with services like Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes.

Hadara also served as vice president of partnerships at OpenDor Media and brought their Israeli history content to a diverse group of religious, educational, civic, and governmental organizations throughout North America.

Hadara is a community leader and innovator.  She co-founded Chaver L’Chayel and helped establish the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in Atlanta, where she also served as a board member for seven years.

Josh is an experienced non-profit professional, having most recently served as a Regional Director at BBYO. Additionally, he has experience working in retail management, high end luxury sales, and customer service.

A native of Herndon, VA, Josh is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity and Hillel. Post college, Josh spent a year living in Israel as a participant on Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows program, then gained practical life skills while traveling the world.

Josh loves great food experiences, spending time with family and friends and helping build a strong Jewish future.

 

Mike Leven is a legendary business executive and visionary philanthropist. Inspired by Warren Buffet’s and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge, Mike founded the Jewish Future PROMISE to carry on his family’s commitment to Judaism.

Mr. Leven currently serves on the boards of AEPi Fraternity Foundation; HERSHA Hospitality Trust; Honorary board member of Birthright Israel Foundation; Trustee Hadassah College of Jerusalem and The Marcus Foundation.

Professionally, Mike ended his tenure in 2019 as the chairman and chief executive officer of the Georgia Aquarium to devote more time to charitable endeavors like the Jewish Future PROMISE. In the past, he has served as president and chief operating officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, the chairman and chief executive officer of US Franchise Systems, the president and chief operating officer of Holiday Inn Worldwide, and the president of Days Inn of America.

Mr. Leven is a co-founder of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), an organization that has more than 19,000 members owning more than 40,000 hotels.

Mike is the author of Can’t Do It Yourself: How Commitment to Others Leads to Personal Prosperity, which shares his roadmap to personal and professional success, ending each chapter with a lesson to live by in business and life.

Before coming to Jewish Future PROMISE, Hadara has had a varied career in both the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds. She has been an entrepreneur, building Jan Micolle, a successful women’s clothing manufacturing company that sold to major retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s.

As vice president of distribution and a co-producer at Imagination Productions, an independent documentary film company with a focus on the Jewish world, Hadara placed their films with services like Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes.

Hadara also served as vice president of partnerships at OpenDor Media and brought their Israeli history content to a diverse group of religious, educational, civic, and governmental organizations throughout North America.

Hadara is a community leader and innovator.  She co-founded Chaver L’Chayel and helped establish the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in Atlanta, where she also served as a board member for seven years.

Mike Leven is a legendary business executive and visionary philanthropist. Inspired by Warren Buffet’s and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge, Mike founded the Jewish Future PROMISE to carry on his family’s commitment to Judaism.

Mr. Leven currently serves on the boards of AEPi Fraternity Foundation; HERSHA Hospitality Trust; Honorary board member of Birthright Israel Foundation; Trustee Hadassah College of Jerusalem and The Marcus Foundation.

Professionally, Mike ended his tenure in 2019 as the chairman and chief executive officer of the Georgia Aquarium to devote more time to charitable endeavors like the Jewish Future PROMISE. In the past, he has served as president and chief operating officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, the chairman and chief executive officer of US Franchise Systems, the president and chief operating officer of Holiday Inn Worldwide, and the president of Days Inn of America.

Mr. Leven is a co-founder of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), an organization that has more than 19,000 members owning more than 40,000 hotels.

Mike is the author of Can’t Do It Yourself: How Commitment to Others Leads to Personal Prosperity, which shares his roadmap to personal and professional success, ending each chapter with a lesson to live by in business and life.

Josh is an experienced non-profit professional, having most recently served as a Regional Director at BBYO. Additionally, he has experience working in retail management, high end luxury sales, and customer service.

A native of Herndon, VA, Josh is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity and Hillel. Post college, Josh spent a year living in Israel as a participant on Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows program, then gained practical life skills while traveling the world.

Josh loves great food experiences, spending time with family and friends and helping build a strong Jewish future.

 

Nadav Alkoby has established a career in public relations, having previously worked with Alpha Epsilon Pi and Zionist Organization of America. Additionally, he worked on political campaigns in Florida and Alabama for United States Senators and members of Congress. A native of Miami, Florida, Nadav attended Florida Atlantic University and earned a B.A. in Political Science with a focus on Middle East Politics.

Nadav owes his deep passion for Israel to his family roots in the Holy Land and his religious faith. One of the values of the Torah most important to him is love thy neighbor, and he spends much of his free time volunteering within his community.

Most recently, Nadav was instrumental in the Surfside Champlain Tower collapse recovery efforts. He volunteered by preparing and handing out meals to first-responders, comforted survivors and victims’ families, and coordinating the distribution of donations. When not pursuing his passion for the Jewish Community, Nadav enjoys seeking adventure at National Parks. 

Yanna Angel, originally from Israel, is a former Contact Personnel/Case Manager – Sergeant in the Israel Defense Forces. Angel has a strong background in customer success, having worked most recently with Engaged Media, a WebMD Company. Dedicated to serving others in the non-profit sector, Angel previously worked for the Jewish Family & Career Services as their case manager focused on Holocaust Survivors, The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN, and with the Consulate General of Israel.

Angel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management from Sapir Academic College in Israel.

Mark Silberman is a partner and co-owner of Refrigiwear, the world’s leader in cold weather industrial work clothing and accessories. The company, nearing its 65th year, has now welcomed 3rd generation of family members into the workplace. 

Mark is a past president of Temple Kehillat Chaim in Roswell, Georgia, as well as a past national board member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), where he served on the North American Camping (NAC) committee, budget committee, and business practices committee. He is currently the chair of the board for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and has served on the Board of Trustees for the past 8 years, as well as the campaign chair in 2017 and on numerous Federation committees. Mark also serves on the nation JFNA board.

Mark also serves on the board of Hillel’s of Ga.  Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and the Alliance Theatre. Mark has been a primary funder and advocate of PJ Library and Jewish Camping in the Atlanta community. Mark is a national board member of the Foundation for Jewish Camping.

Mark holds a BA from American University and lives in Atlanta with his wife Linda. They have four grown children and six grandchildren.

Prior to joining the Jewish Future Pledge team, Jenna worked at Jerusalem U as a Distribution Associate and Writer.  She has worked for many Jewish organizations in her professional life including the Anti-Defamation League, United Jewish Appeal, and Aish International.  Jenna is dedicated to Jewish causes, animal welfare and the environment. 

She received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and her Master’s in Education from the University of Massachusetts.  She currently lives in Denver with her husband and children.

Josh is an experienced non-profit professional, having most recently served as a Regional Director at BBYO. Additionally, he has experience working in retail management, high end luxury sales, and customer service.

A native of Herndon, VA, Josh is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity and Hillel. Post college, Josh spent a year living in Israel as a participant on Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows program, then gained practical life skills while traveling the world.

Josh loves great food experiences, spending time with family and friends and helping build a strong Jewish future.

 

Mark Silberman is the Chair of the Board of the Jewish Future promise. He is the former president of Temple Kehillat Chaim in Roswell, Georgia and former national board member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), where he served on the North American Camping (NAC), budget, and business practices committees. 

He is the former Chair of the Board for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, has served on the Board of Trustees for the past eight years, was the campaign chair in 2017, and has served on numerous Federation committees. 

Mark is on the ex-board of JFNA and serves on the board of Jewish Family & Career Services, Hillel’s of Georgia, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and the Alliance Theatre. He has been a primary funder and advocate of PJ Library and Jewish Camping in the Atlanta community. Additionally, Mark is a national board member of the Foundation for Jewish Camping.

Mark holds a BA from American University and lives in Atlanta with his wife Linda. The couple has four grown children and six grandchildren.

Before coming to Jewish Future PROMISE, Hadara has had a varied career in both the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds. She has been an entrepreneur, building Jan Micolle, a successful women’s clothing manufacturing company that sold to major retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s.

As vice president of distribution and a co-producer at Imagination Productions, an independent documentary film company with a focus on the Jewish world, Hadara placed their films with services like Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes.

Hadara also served as vice president of partnerships at OpenDor Media and brought their Israeli history content to a diverse group of religious, educational, civic, and governmental organizations throughout North America.

Hadara is a community leader and innovator.  She co-founded Chaver L’Chayel and helped establish the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in Atlanta, where she also served as a board member for seven years.

Mike Leven is a legendary business executive and visionary philanthropist. Inspired by Warren Buffet’s and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge, Mike founded the Jewish Future PROMISE to carry on his family’s commitment to Judaism.

Mr. Leven currently serves on the boards of AEPi Fraternity Foundation; HERSHA Hospitality Trust; Honorary board member of Birthright Israel Foundation; Trustee Hadassah College of Jerusalem and The Marcus Foundation.

Professionally, Mike ended his tenure in 2019 as the chairman and chief executive officer of the Georgia Aquarium to devote more time to charitable endeavors like the Jewish Future PROMISE. In the past, he has served as president and chief operating officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, the chairman and chief executive officer of US Franchise Systems, the president and chief operating officer of Holiday Inn Worldwide, and the president of Days Inn of America.

Mr. Leven is a co-founder of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), an organization that has more than 19,000 members owning more than 40,000 hotels.

Mike is the author of Can’t Do It Yourself: How Commitment to Others Leads to Personal Prosperity, which shares his roadmap to personal and professional success, ending each chapter with a lesson to live by in business and life.