Mike Steklof is a member of Cohort II of the Created Equal Educators Fellowship of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America and the Director of Jewish Experience at the Buffalo Jewish Federation’s Center for Jewish Engagement and Learning. Mike works with children, teens, and adults throughout Jewish Buffalo to deepen their connection to Judaism through gatherings, relationships, and text. Mike also leads the Center’s Belonging Initiative, which works to create a welcoming environment for all who seek to engage and find their own space in Jewish life. Formerly, Mike was a Regional Director for BBYO and the Assistant Director of Camping and Youth Services for the Jewish Community of Louisville where he was part of the Merrin Teen Professional Fellowship. Mike is a doctoral student in Education at Gratz College where he is exploring how children are educated about gender in Jewish educational spaces and holds a Masters of Arts in Education from Gratz College and a Masters of Arts in Women’s Studies from the University at Albany, State University of New York. Mike enjoys cooking savory vegetarian dishes, training for half marathons and walking on bike paths.