Originally from South Texas, Neely Kasanoff graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Politics, Rights, and Development and minored in French Studies. At NYU Paris, Neely worked with the Radio for the French Jewish Community speaking on the air about international politics. Neely’s thesis explored Ukrainian Jewish Communities as ethnocultural minority groups, and her interfaith background inspired her to co-found Abrahama NYU - which won an award as an “Outstanding Cross-Community Initiative” - to bring together students from Arab, Jewish, and Muslim diasporas.

Neely has been engaged with JDC Entwine and BBYO, was a Lauder Fellow with the World Jewish Congress and a Jewish Federations of North America Changemakers Fellow. She is passionate about song-leading for her local Jewish communities and increasing connection amongst the greater global Jewish community.

Neely is currently a member of the WJC’s Jewish Diplomatic Academy, and teaches Hebrew at her local Synagogue.