Roman Shmulenson is the Executive Director of COJECO - the central coordinating body of the Russian-speaking Jewish community of New York. Roman came to the United States with his family in 1993. He holds a BA in Judaic Studies from Brooklyn College and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Roman is a graduate of the Institute of Non-Profit Management at Columbia University School of Business. He lives with his family in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.

Alina Bitel is an informal educator, community organizer, and has been living her passion for Jewish communal life through her work and through her volunteer engagement. Alina joins the team as the Assistant Executive Director after 7 successful years at the Foundation for Jewish Camp, creating innovative engagement, educational and professional development models for the field of Jewish Camp. Prior to that Alina developed an array of programs for teens, young adults and families at the Marks JCH of Bensonhurst. Alina has also spent time consulting for various Jewish non-profit organizations.
Alina earned her Masters of Social Work at Columbia University and her BA in Psychology/ Russian and Slavic Studies at New York University. She also is a graduate of the JCC Association Merrin Fellowship, and holds a certificate of executive education from the UJA Federation of New York and Columbia University SIPA Muehlstein Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership.

Yigal Kotler, EdD, is a Jewish educator and historian. Yigal, a native of Odessa, Ukraine, became actively involved in the reawakening of Jewish life in the Former Soviet Union as the founder and director of the first Jewish school in his native city. Throughout his career, he has obtained extensive international experience in Jewish education and community development, working for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Hillel International, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, as well as other organizations in Israel and the U.S. Yigal joined the COJECO team as a Director of Jewish Education after successful years as a Director of Russian-speaking and Israeli outreach at the Global Day of Jewish Learning, the educational initiative of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. Yigal earned a Doctor of Education degree at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, William Davidson Graduate School of Education. He is a recipient of the 2022 Covenant Foundation Award for excellence in Jewish education. Yigal lives in Queens with his wife Inna and has three children Anya, Maya, and Jonathan.

Sofia was born in Kiev and made Aliyah with her family when she was 10 y.o. After high school graduation in Israel Sofia joined the Jewish Agency for Israel working with young new immigrants.

Holding B.A. in Social Sciences (Bar Ilan University) and M.A. Public Policy (Tel-Aviv University) Sofia is continuing her education in Touro College pursuing Master degree in Jewish Studies.

Sofia has a broad experience in teaching Hebrew, Jewish Heritage and modern history of Israel as well as a track record of initiation, development, coordination and leadership of variety of programs that connect people with one another, with Israel, their heritage, and with Jewish collective future.