Repairing the World, One Family at a Time

This year’s recipient—Shira Greenberger, a social work student graduating with a 4.0 GPA and induction into the Phi Alpha honor society—has embodied that mission in both her professional and personal journeys.

“She’s a leader. A strong, grounded person,” said Elhanan Marvit, professor and director of program operations. “People gravitate to her. We want to nurture leaders who can step up when families face shocks or disruptions and help them reorient so they don’t fall apart. That’s exactly what she does.”

Unconventional Path

Greenberger’s path to social work was not conventional. With a B.A. in English literature from Touro in 2003 and nearly two decades as a high school teacher, she initially found her calling in the classroom. At SKA High School, she taught English, coached academic teams, and advised the literary magazine, often taking on leadership roles that extended well beyond teaching—including coordinating the school’s successful Middle States accreditation.

“I fell into teaching by accident,” she said. “But I stayed because I loved working with teens and building something meaningful.”

Over time, she began to feel pulled toward a different kind of service—one that addressed the complex and often hidden struggles within the community. That calling intensified through her involvement with Amudim, a nonprofit organization addressing abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges in the global Jewish community. As a writer and advisory board member, she helped translate sensitive casework into narratives that could raise awareness while protecting confidentiality.

“I’ve always been drawn to the difficult spaces—the places where people don’t always want to look,” she said. “What mattered to me was approaching those situations without judgment and with genuine empathy.”

That perspective led her to another organization supporting observant Jewish families navigating complex issues. As director of operations, she serves as the first point of contact for families in crisis—often answering calls late at night from individuals grappling with fear, confusion, or isolation.

“People reach out when they’re at a very vulnerable moment,” she said. “Our goal is not to tell them what’s right or wrong. It’s to help them stay connected—as parents, as families—while respecting their values and realities.”

“She’s doing clinical work in the community with observant families, helping them navigate incredibly sensitive situations,” Marvit noted. “That requires resilience, emotional intelligence, and leadership—all qualities that define the Tikkun Olam Award.”

Life Experiences Shape Approach

Greenberg’s life experiences helped shape her approach. She married young, raised three children, and navigated a decade as a single mother before remarrying and blending families.

“Being a single mom taught me resilience and responsibility,” she said. “It also gave me a deeper understanding of how complex family life can be—and how important it is to approach people with compassion rather than judgment.”

That philosophy guided her decision to pursue her MSW, while continuing to work full-time. “I knew I wanted to be in a healing profession. The work I was doing called for clinical skills, and I wanted the training to support families in the most effective way possible,” she said.

At Touro, she found both academic rigor and a supportive environment. She also became a UJA fellow and completed Mental Health First Aid USA certification, further strengthening her ability to respond to individuals in crisis. Throughout, she successfully balanced coursework, leadership responsibilities, and family life.

That balance is part of what makes Greenberg exceptional, said Marvit. “Leadership isn’t just about titles. It’s about showing up consistently, with integrity and compassion, even when the work is hard.”

For Greenberger, that commitment is rooted in a simple principle: “It’s about being the best version of yourself—for your family, for your work, for the people you’re trying to help,” she said. “If I can help people find empathy—for themselves and for each other—that has a ripple effect. It goes from one person to a family, to a community, to the next generation,” she said.