Meet the Third Space Team

Jessy Dressin (she/her) is the founding Executive Director and Rabbi of Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh. Rabbi Jessy, as people affectionately call her, was ordained at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles in 2012 and has been working as a community rabbi for the last twelve years. She most recently worked as the Senior Director of Jewish Education for Repair the World after building a nationally recognized model for young adult engagement, Charm City Tribe, out of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore.

The through-thread of Jessy’s rabbinate has been a combination of entrepreneurial spirit and disruption in an effort to ensure that Judaism and Jewish tradition can be relevant and resonant in the lives of those who are not connecting to the community in “traditional” ways. Rabbi Jessy is deeply committed to the belief that meaningful Jewish engagement is about the real basics of Judaism: learning, practice, service and kindness to others. Thus, she aspires to be a conduit to individuals and communities engaging deeply with the wisdom of Jewish tradition as both a voice and influence on how Jews and their loved ones move through the world today. She has been named one of The Forward’s Most Influential Rabbis, published multiple articles on Jewish peoplehood and engagement and presented an Eli Talk called: The New Wanderers – God, Millennials and Jewish Engagement. Most recently, Rabbi Jessy published an essay in the book Phish and Contemporary Jewish Identity titled: Pilgrimage and Communal Rejoicing from the Ancient Temple to YEMSG. In every place, she aspires to convey that Judaism fares much better when approached as a playground – immersive, tactile, interactive and full of discovery.

When not at Third Space, Rabbi Jessy loves spending time with her husband Mark, seeing live music, convening with nature and traveling to new and favorite places.

Lou Fusco (They/Them) is the Operations Manager at Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh. Lou graduated from Goucher College in 2021 with a BA in Anthropology & Sociology, with a concentration in Social Justice, and a double minor in Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies and Dance. Prior to working at Third Space, Lou was a Repair the World Baltimore Fellow for two years where they created and facilitated service-based community programming for Jewish young adults focusing on a wide variety of social justice themes like education, food, environmental, and gender justice.  

Lou deeply believes in the principle that we do not need to qualify our identities- Jewish and otherwise- in order to belong. They understand the importance of representation of intersectional identities and know that for many, the mere act of showing up as one’s full self is brave and radical. Lou is motivated to create an environment at Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh in which people of all different backgrounds can come together to learn, connect, and have fun.   

Outside of work, Lou enjoys reading, knitting, spending time with friends and family, and watching football on Sundays. They also have a deep love for the city of Philadelphia- where they grew up- and will happily share recommendations on where to get a Philly cheesesteak. 

Leroy Pinder (he/him) has lived one block from Shaarei Tfiloh synagogue since 1969.  His family was the ninth black family to move into the neighborhood.  As a teenager, Leroy worked at the synagogue for Michael Sopher and Ms. Arnold who helped to make the synagogue run.  He was very excited when he heard Shaarei Tfiloh would be opening back up again and wanted to be part of the team.

Leroy worked for the Mass Transit Association for 28 years among many other jobs he’s held.  Leroy has 7 kids, 30 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.  He loves to play music.  The bass guitar is his preferred instrument.  He was happily married to his wife, Sandra for 20 years, until she passed.  Anyone who knows Leroy well knows that he likes his ‘me time’ from 6 – 8 pm every night and he’s best known by the name ‘Boo Boo’. 

Randi Benesch (she/her)  is the Director of Strategy and Developmentat Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh.  Previously, she served as the Director of Advancement for Baltimore Center Stage, overseeing all development initiatives, including corporate, foundation and individual giving. Randi had spent the previous five years as the Managing Director of Arts and Culture for the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore.

 Cultivating relationships, crafting an inspiring story and activating engagement are at the core of Randi’s work at Third Space. Randi has been honored and proud to have been involved in all aspects of the initial research, creation and launch of Third Space and can’t wait to continue to watch it evolve. 

She currently serves on the boards of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning and 4Front Baltimore. Randi lives in Ellicott City, Maryland and finds peace and joy while hiking in nature or dancing to live music. 

Harriette Wimms is the Community Relationship and Jews of Color Engagement Steward at Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh.  Kohenet Dr. Harriette is a community convener, Jewish professional, spiritual ritualist, lecturer, and social justice advocate for people marginalized by power and oppression. She is a Maryland licensed clinical psychologist, and founder and executive director of the Jews of Color Mishpacha Project. 

As a Black Jewish woman who has lived in and loved Baltimore for nearly 40 years, Harriette is passionate about the mission of Third Space. Harriette feels we need “middle spaces” where we are able to meet with people who are like us and different from us, to build connections that lift up the beauty of Baltimore and the sacredness of our diverse experiences and similar hopes for a strong Baltimore. She is especially interested in exploring legacy experiences of people in the Mondawmin and Auchentoroly Terrace neighborhoods and helping the community where Third Space lives feel welcomed and respected. 

K’ Harriette is a Schusterman fellow, a Selah fellow, and a contract trainer for Keshet. She is most proud of being mother to her 20-year-old daughter. She enjoys gardening, sipping cups of tea in the morning, giving hugs, and listening to music. 

Leah Greenwald (she/her) is the Events Coordinator at Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh, bringing a diverse range of experience to the role. From freelancing as a florist to managing a high-end dog training facility and running a design studio, Leah’s eclectic background gives her a unique edge. She’s also lent her talents to local startups, perfecting her skills in organization and administration.

Passionate about creating memorable experiences, Leah thrives on bringing people together for fun and connection. Having lived in three cities, she loves weaving together her interests in music, art, and community, and is eager to spark that energy at Third Space.

When she’s not planning events, Leah enjoys live music with friends, exploring new destinations, hitting the gym, soaking up nature, and hanging out with her adorable fur baby, Frankie Mayo.