Rachel Goldberg-Polin

Rachel Goldberg-Polin became a global advocate for hostage freedom after her son, Hersch, was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, following severe injury. For nearly a year, her and her husband Jon traveled the world meeting with leaders, speaking publicly, and urging action for Hersh and all hostages. On day 330, the IDF confirmed Hersh was murdered in captivity along with five other young hostages.

Despite unimaginable loss, Rachel continues to share her story and her message of hope and resilience across the globe, including VOICES 2026. Grounded in her faith and sustained by community support, Rachel has turned her grief into purpose: working toward a more vibrant Israel and a strong, democratic Jewish life. Her commitment to tikkun olam inspires action, builds resilience, and rallies others to join in communal repair.

Jacki Karsh

Jacki Karsh is a six-time Emmy-nominated journalist with more than a decade of reporting for the LA County Channel, where she covers civic life, culture, and humanitarian issues across Los Angeles. Her earlier work includes The Westside Current, Westside TV, CityTV Santa Monica, and Young Hollywood.

Widely recognized for eliciting clarity and candor from influential leaders, Jacki has conducted thousands of conversations across public policy, national security, philanthropy, business, and culture. She is also a frequent emcee for leading institutions including the Milken Global Institute, Duke University, the City of Beverly Hills, Teach Coalition, The Montgomery Summit, and Combat Antisemitism.

Since October 7th, Jacki has led nearly 100 public conversations on the Israel–Hamas war and media bias, and her writing has appeared in The Times of Israel, The Hill, JNS, and the Jewish Journal. She is the founder of the Karsh Journalism Fellowship and serves on multiple nonprofit boards. Jacki holds two degrees from Columbia University and lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.

Judy Binder

Judy Binder’s life has been a quiet embodiment of philanthropy and the preservation of Jewish culture. Raised in Arcadia, California, in a family deeply involved in Jewish life, she developed an early commitment to service through her local synagogue, BBG, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles.

Throughout her adult life, Judy has championed causes rooted in dignity, compassion, and education. Her leadership includes serving on the Board of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center and becoming a passionate advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness after caring for her mother. In 2016, she was honored by Alzheimer’s Orange County as the Philanthropy Partner Honoree.

After settling in Newport Beach, Judy and her husband, Phil, became active members of Temple Bat Yahm. Through Jewish Federation of Orange County, she joined Women’s Philanthropy as a Lion of Judah and later served as Chair of the Lion of Judah Committee. Judy’s generosity is grounded in responsibility, legacy, and love for her people. As the 2026 Women’s VOICES Woman of the Year, she embodies the spirit of VOICES.

Neshama Carlebach

Neshama Carlebach is an award-winning singer, songwriter, writer, and educator who has performed and taught in cities around the world. A winner and four-time nominee in the Independent Music Awards for her most current release, Believe, and winner of the Global Music Awards Silver Award for Outstanding Performance by a female vocalist, Neshama is one of today’s best-selling Jewish artists.

As the first then-Orthodox woman of her generation to perform for a mixed-gender audience, Neshama has sparked public conversations with brave forays into the place of women in Judaism and today’s world. In the aftermath of the October 7th attacks, Neshama brought thousands of people together throughout the NY metro area for concerts that raised over half a million dollars for Israel.

For more than two decades, Neshama has shared her insights on various topics as an essayist. Neshama's most current writings have been featured in various publications and widely shared on platforms worldwide. Neshama is currently writing a memoir and pursuing rabbinic ordination at AJR.