Our Board

Andrea co-founded the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice Northwest in 2017 with the goal of raising the activism of Jewish and multifaith communities. She is a former High School English teacher and was activated to be an advocate from the classroom for undocumented students. Andrea believes that telling our stories and taking action together is how we build the world we wish to see.

A co-founder of the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice Northwest, Diane Baer was strongly influenced by her family’s Jewish values and immigration stories. A health research professional, she has lived in Seattle for 50 years engaging with the Jewish community and human and civil rights organizations in social justice work. Diane believes that JCIJ can amplify the Jewish voice to foster immigrant justice alongside current and future partners through accompaniment and advocacy.

Dick joined JCIJ in 2018 and became a Board member in 2022. He worked in various capacities in television production and operations, the wireless industry, software testing, and retired from Boeing as an Engineering Technical Specialist. Dick was drawn to immigrant and refugee causes by a strong desire to ensure, with affected communities' guidance and leadership, that anyone requesting assistance does not have to walk alone.

Dina Burstein is a retired pediatric nurse who grew up much-influenced by her immigrant grandparents. She loves to work from her home base in the Jewish community with immigrants, who are also her home base. She believes that our work in solidarity with immigrants will lead to a world of joy, safety, and dignity. She is a co-founder of JCIJ and currently serves as co-chair of the JCIJ Board.

Josh first connected with JCIJ in 2019 while working on immigrant accompaniment with the Church Council of Greater Seattle, appreciating the opportunity to organize with fellow Jews. He now works on climate policy, and sees immigrant justice and the practice of accompaniment as deeply linked to our collective ability to thrive in a politically and physically unstable world.

Talya joined JCIJ in 2024, having long admired the Coalition's ways of working; rooted in Jewishness and guided by a dedication to real solidarity. Talya is a Program Director at Citizen University, where she leads learning experiences that help people explore & invest themselves in the idea that “we’re all better off when we’re all better off.” She is inspired by the bravery and brilliance of her ancestors, loved ones and strangers, all navigating immense intensity day in, day out -- and committing themselves to making this world more loving and livable for themselves and others!