Rebecca (she/her) has worked with non-profits throughout her career. In 2004 she became the director of The Rainbow Center, now the Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity (SOJOURN).
Rebecca’s passion is to make shidduchs (matches); either with communities, people, or organizations. Connecting people who are on a sojourn with resources, support, and belonging is her ultimate goal. She believes that the world is better place when we lead with empathy.
McKenzie Wren (she/her) is a facilitator, artist, and ritual leader who believes that creativity, storytelling, and meaningful conversation can strengthen communities and deepen our connection to one another. As Special Projects Manager for SOJOURN, she works with synagogues, institutions, and communities across the South to support LGBTQ+ inclusion and belonging.
Drawing on a background in public health, community engagement, and the arts, McKenzie works at the intersection of creativity, community, and culture. She designs and facilitates retreats, strategic planning processes, workshops, and creative experiences that strengthen relationships, surface new possibilities, and support meaningful change.
McKenzie is a past president of Congregation Bet Haverim in Atlanta, where she serves as a spiritual lay leader. She is the founder of Ma’ayan Spiritual Arts, where she weaves together Jewish wisdom, ritual, creativity, and earth-based practice through art, teaching, and community gatherings. She is also ritual weaver for Tish, an emerging Atlanta community.
Rose (they/them) joined SOJOURN as a communications associate in 2021, spreading the word about SOJOURN’s programs, partnerships, and advocacy work through our newsletter, website, and social media. They cut their teeth in Jewish advocacy and storytelling as a fellow at Rice University’s Religion and Public Life Program, and landed at SOJOURN following a brief stint in digital fundraising for politics. They hold a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Policy Studies from Rice University, and completed the 2023-2024 HUC-JIR Jewish Ideas Fellowship.
Rose lives in Montrose, Houston with one housemate and two cats. In their free time, they enjoy reading queer sci-fi/fantasy novels, playing trumpet with the Houston Pride Band, and taking road trips across Texas.
Shannon (she/her) serves as the Program Administrator at SOJOURN, where she plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mission to promote and celebrate gender and sexual diversity across the South. With a strong background in leadership, coaching, and community engagement, she helps implement and manage impactful programs that educate, empower, and support individuals and organizations in fostering inclusive environments.
With years of experience in nonprofit leadership and program management, Shannon is committed to ensuring SOJOURN’s initiatives run smoothly and effectively. She collaborates closely with staff, volunteers, and community partners to coordinate events and expand the reach of SOJOURN’s educational resources.
Shannon holds an MBA and is a certified coach through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), equipping her with the skills to build meaningful connections and drive positive change. Her passion for advocacy, education, and community-building makes her an invaluable part of the SOJOURN team.
Shannon lives in Decatur, GA, with her partner of over twenty years, David, a social entrepreneur, their two teenage sons, and their lively feline littermates, Louis and Lucca. A family that prioritizes experiences over possessions, they spent five years living in Berlin, Germany. You can often find Shannon walking the Atlanta Beltline with her camera, finding joy in life’s small details.
Noah (they/them) grew up in a modern orthodox Jewish family on Long Island (but has since been on their own Jewish journey) and moved to Atlanta in 2020 for college where they studied Psychology, Gender/Sexuality Studies, and Jewish Studies and were deeply involved in Jewish life and student government. Noah now works full-time in clinical research, but outside of that you can find them reading a new book, rock climbing, or teaching 6th and 7th grade Hebrew school at Machaneh Shai!
Rabbi Malka Packer (she/they) is a Reconstructionist Rabbi, spiritual coach, educator, and life cycle officiant. For 10 years, she served as the Founding Director of 18Doors Atlanta, where she supported interfaith couples and families and provided training and resources to Jewish clergy and communities working to become more welcoming and inclusive. Malka is also an activist committed to justice, equity, and LGBTQ+ inclusion in Jewish life and beyond. Her rabbinate is shaped by a deep belief in collective liberation, and she strives to uplift marginalized voices and create spaces where everyone feels seen and valued.
