Faculty
Hashlucha
Chanie Chein
Chief Executive Officer, M54
Director of Programming
Chabad at Brandeis
In 2001, Chanie co-founded the Chabad House at Brandeis University, aiming to connect with students through immersive relational experiences. She developed innovative programs centered on personal growth that also fostered deeper connections with Judaism and G-d. Over the years, the Chabad House has positively influenced the lives of countless students and alumni. Its impact steadily grows with each new incoming class of first-years. Chanie's dedication to meaningful conversations and attentive listening inspired the creation of the program in May 2020, amidst the onset of the Covid pandemic, which later gave rise to M54. In 2019 she participated in M²’s Relational Learning Circle 2 and in 2022 in M²’s Jewish Pedagogies Research producing a pedagogy of “The Long, Short Way” Fellowship. Chanie has chosen to home birth all six of her children.
Hashliach
Rabbi Peretz Chein
Chief Strategy Officer, M54
Executive Director
Chabad at Brandeis
Alongside Chanie, Peretz co-founded the Chabad House at Brandeis University, sharing the same goal and collaborating with her on its innovative programs. He possesses a fervent enthusiasm for disruptive innovation and adult education, two core pillars of M54. In 2019, he participated in M²’s Relational Learning Circle 2 and in 2023 in M²’s Pedagogies of Wellbeing Research Fellowship, producing a pedagogy of Farbrengen, a practice in which he finds great fulfillment. Peretz enjoys Torah study and marathon running.
Hashliach
Rabbi Peretz Chein
Chief Strategy Officer, M54
Executive Director
Chabad at Brandeis
Stephen
Markowitz
Strategy & Content
Markowitz Consulting
Stephen has dedicated the last twenty-eight years to working with nonprofit organizations and educators worldwide. He has held senior positions in leading Jewish organizations and recently created his own consultancy initiative based on a psychodynamic approach to personal and organizational well-being. He lives with his wife and four children in Jerusalem.
