Posted on August 7, 2025
Ariel PJ Stewart is Managing Director: North America for The Bronfman Fellowship. Previously, Ariel served as Director of Emerging Leadership and Senior Program Officer at The Covenant Foundation. At Covenant, Ariel provided thought leadership for the field of Jewish education while leading initiatives focused on community building, program design, and leadership development. Ariel also directed the Foundation’s annual Pomegranate Prize for emerging Jewish educators, stewarding the process and providing mentorship and guidance to its recipients. At Covenant, Ariel took particular pride in connecting with educators, professionals, clergy, and lay leaders from across the spectrum of Jewish life. Her experiences at Covenant greatly deepened her passion for creating meaningful impact. She continues to hold tremendous gratitude for the myriad opportunities to contribute to Jewish educational initiatives in North America, partner with outstanding educators and other stellar professionals, think creatively, and dream big.
Ariel’s background in Jewish communal leadership, nonprofit administration, and clinical social work greatly informs the perspective through which she approaches her work. Her past experience includes supporting unhoused Detroiters to access health, employment, and other essential resources. Ariel also founded and implemented a comprehensive program which trained educators in Jewish day schools, supplementary schools, and other educational settings within the Detroit Metropolitan Area in best practice for advocating for early intervention, supporting youth, and improving student outcomes. Ariel is also an experienced facilitator and mental health counselor.
Ariel graduated from American University with a B.A. in Psychology. She received her M.S.W. from the University of Michigan with a specialization in Management of Human Services and an additional focus in Interpersonal Practice. While at Michigan, she also earned a Certificate in Jewish Communal Leadership as part of the University’s Jewish Communal Leadership Program. Ariel is a proud resident of Sunnyside, Queens where she lives with her husband Elie and their two children. When not at work or day dreaming about the future of Jewish communal life, Ariel enjoys exploring the city, communing with nature, making art, thrifting, and decorating for any and every holiday.
