Empowering Communities with Purposeful Support
The Senser Foundation
Based on the Jewish ideal of “B’tzelem Elohim” (in the image of God), the Senser Foundation’s vision is of a world where all people are recognized to have merit and deserve equal respect. We believe that diverse, liberal, and democratic values must flourish.
To advance our mission, we partner with impactful organizations in the U.S. and Israel that are active in the following areas:
- Women’s rights, security, and empowerment
- Liberal and democratic values
- Social and religious diversity in Israel
- Strengthening marginalized communities
- Next-generation engagement with Jewish peoplehood
- Organizations that are responding to the unprecedented situation in Israel following the events of October 2023
The Senser Family
Naomi Ragins Senser, MD
Naomi retired from a busy pediatric practice many years ago to raise her children and to devote herself to women’s issues, Jewish causes, and pro-Israel initiatives. Since then, she has served on many nonprofit boards. She is a trustee and Grants Chair of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago. She serves as Board President of SHALVA, a Jewish domestic violence counseling and education organization. Her volunteer work at SHALVA has included speaking about domestic abuse at various synagogues, community gatherings, and professional medical forums.
Naomi completed the Master of Jewish Professional Studies program at Spertus College, as well as the executive education program through Northwestern University-Kellogg and the Board Member Institute for Jewish Nonprofits. She earned a BS in Zoology from the University of Michigan and an MD from Northwestern University Medical School.
Jerry Senser
The bulk of Jerry’s professional career was spent at Institutional Capital LLC, an investment advisory firm in Chicago. From 2007 to 2015, Jerry served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer and was responsible for ICAP’s investment team, strategies, and overall management of the firm. As CEO and CIO, Jerry managed domestic, international, and global equity portfolios for institutional investors with a staff of about 60 people. After a 30-year career at ICAP, Jerry retired from the firm in September 2016. Before ICAP, Jerry was an economist for 7 years at Stein, Roe & Farnham, an investment advisory firm in Chicago.
Jerry graduated with a BA in economics from the University of Michigan and has an MBA in finance and business economics from the University of Chicago.
Naomi and Jerry reside in Highland Park, Illinois, with three adult children and four beautiful grandchildren.
The Foundation Team
Amit Marom
Strategic consultant for the foundation - Founder, Marom Group
Amit is a social entrepreneur, passionate about making a difference in the world and promoting excellence & cross-sectoral collaboration among stakeholders in the social-financial arena. After serving for 14 years (1993 – 2007) in a variety of command positions in the Israeli paratroopers’ brigade and as the Assistant to the Defense Attaché at the Israeli Embassy (2001-2003) in Washington DC, Amit decided to make a career change. Following his heart and values, he turned to the growing and changing social-financial arena and joined Elem, a leading organization providing services to at-risk youth. During his two years as Elem’s Director of International Development, Amit formed meaningful relationships with international organizations working in the philanthropic sector and began finding ways to influence the sector, optimize social return and enhance social models through the utilization of effective business models.
In 2009, Amit founded Marom Group, a leading strategy consulting firm that offers tailored and full-service philanthropic solutions. The Group works with clients to define a clear vision and mission, design strategic plans, create customized operational models and lead implementation and monitoring, and evaluation processes to ensure long-lasting social impact. As part of his philanthropic activities, in 2011 Amit founded Marom Foundation in order to support social entrepreneurship around the world. Amit also serves as a board member for a variety of non-profits.
Shelly Tene Barkai
Digital transformation consultant for the foundation
CEO of Philtech
Shelly is a digital, marketing, and innovation expert, with an experimental mindset and a constant ambition to help organizations grow. Over the past decade, Shelly has led several leading digital companies in the fields of marketing and digital consultancy. She holds immense knowledge and expertise across industries, including in marketing, the tech arena, startups, politics, health, retail, finance and institutions of higher education.
Shelly acted as CEO for Websem (2016-2019) – a leading digital agency with over 35 digital experts. After nearly 12 years in managerial positions in the business sector, in 2020 Shelly decided to bring her broad skillset to the social world, and founded Philtech. Philtech helps social organizations grow through the use of technology and digital tools. Philtech works closely with organizations, founders and institutions to make an impact, expand their reach and increase their effectiveness.
Shelly holds an EMA in digital culture and philosophy from Tel Aviv University.
Linda Maiman Feinstein
Foundation legal consultant
Attorney Linda Maiman Feinstein serves as legal counsel for the Senser Foundation. She also is a member of Dentons, where she specializes in trusts, estates and wealth preservation.
Linda has extensive experience establishing charitable foundations and other non-profit organizations that enact the values of her clients. She also counsels multiple generations of families and helps them create tax-sensitive estate plans that effectuate personal and philanthropic goals while preserving wealth for future generations.
Linda graduated cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law. Before entering
law school, she majored in journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also was a newspaper reporter
at the Milwaukee Journal and received the Milwaukee Press Club Award and the Wisconsin Education Association
Council Award for public education reporting and analysis.
Linda is deeply committed to the values and mission of the Senser Foundation. She has also been active in numerous pro-Israel and Jewish community organizations.
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