Meet the Team
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Emily Rose, MD
Program Director
Dr. Rose joined the American Jewish Medical Association (AJMA) in May 2025.
The surge in antisemitism in the US after October 7 shocked her, and she felt compelled to join an organization dedicated to spreading truth and combating hate. As a medical professional who is trained to think critically and base decisions on evidence, she was alarmed by the spread of misinformation and the increasing hostility toward Jewish people and Israelis.
She obtained a BA from Colgate University, MD from New York Medical College, and completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Minnesota. She worked as a hospitalist and then a geriatrician taking care of acutely ill patients at skilled nursing facilities. Originally from the Boston area, she raised her twin daughters in Minnesota and now is residing in Park City, UT. She has deep personal ties to Israel and has visited twice on her own since October 7.
Melanie Kandel
Chief of Staff
Melanie joined the AJMA in September 2025 with 30 years of experience in donor relations, fundraising, board development, and strategic communications. She has a strong track record of building infrastructure, streamlining operations, and leading teams that drive mission-focused growth.
Most recently, Melanie served as Director of Development Operations at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where she helped enhance development systems, mentor staff, and support donor engagement efforts—contributing to the organization’s success in surpassing its fundraising goal. Her career also includes leadership roles at Georgetown University and Montgomery College, where she developed donor strategies, launched stewardship programs, and built operational efficiencies.
Melanie holds a B.A. from Clark University and studied at Tel Aviv University, deepening her lifelong connection to Israel. A passionate advocate for Jewish life, she actively supports the fight against antisemitism and antizionism and recently returned from a volunteer mission to Israel.
Her strategic mindset, operational expertise, and deep Jewish values make her a vital part of AJMA’s mission to empower Jewish healthcare professionals nationwide.
Jose Perez, CPA
Accountant
Jose is a seasoned Certified Public Accountant with over 12 years of experience in public and private accounting, specializing in nonprofit financial management. Known for delivering customized financial solutions, Jose empowers nonprofit organizations to achieve their missions with confidence. His client-focused approach and unwavering commitment to excellence have earned him lasting trust and consistent recognition from nonprofit leaders for his precision and professionalism.
While at BDO (formerly Goldstein Schechter Koch), Jose honed his expertise by auditing nonprofit entities throughout South Florida, where his meticulous attention to detail and dedication to quality were repeatedly commended.
Jose holds an M.S. in Accounting and a B.S. in Finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he received numerous academic honors. Combining technical expertise, a passion for nonprofit causes, and a collaborative spirit, Jose is a vital partner to the organizations he serves.
Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Stravitz
Michelle Stravitz is the Inaugural CEO of the American Jewish Medical Association (AJMA), having joined in February 2024. Serving in this role at AJMA is the culmination of Michelle’s years of experience founding and managing a non-profit organization in the oncology exercise space, as a lay leader in the Jewish community, management and strategy consulting, and delivering event planning services. Michelle Stravitz is the founder and former CEO of 2Unstoppable, a non-profit whose mission is to help women with cancer improve their cancer outcomes through exercise. She was the CFO of Spectrum Management Consulting and has 20 years of experience running a small consulting firm. Michelle has served as an Executive Board member, event/committee chair, and strategy consultant and is recognized as an influential leader in the Washington DC Jewish community. Ms Stravitz holds an MS from The George Washington University, a BS Economics and a BAS Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. She resides in the Washington DC area with her husband, has four adult children in New York and Boston, is a Jewish Day School graduate, and has deep personal ties to Israel.
