ABOUT

Rabbi Mendy Wolf

Founder and President 

Rabbi Mendy Wolf is an educator and lecturer in Judaic thought, philosophy, and applied Jewish studies, with over two decades of experience teaching adult and post-high-school students. His teaching emphasizes conceptual clarity, engagement with primary texts, and the practical application of ideas to ethical reasoning, leadership, and personal growth. Beyond the classroom, Rabbi Wolf is a program builder and educational leader focused on creating structured initiatives that develop confident, values-driven students. His leadership work centers on designing curricula and frameworks that translate learning into lived experience and empower participants to take ownership of their growth and influence. 

Brush Hour is an educational initiative developed by Rabbi Mendy Wolf, built on the power of peer-to-peer influence. Designed as a teen-to-teen, peer-led framework, Brush Hour cultivates inner confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of Jewish identity in young women. Participants are empowered to articulate their values and express their passion and pride in Judaism to their peers, most powerfully through the shared mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles, which becomes a lived expression of identity and connection. The vision of Brush Hour is to serve as a flexible, institutionally adaptable framework that develops young women as confident leaders who influence from within their communities. 

Chana Barash

 Executive Director 

Chana Barash has always enjoyed working with teens. She is passionate about creating strong leaders and loves using her creativity to help make that happen. Chana is launching Brush Hour into a new frontier as we aim to bring this program to Jewish Girls from across all demographics. Her goal is for every Jewish woman and girl to feel empowered to step up to her crucial role as a leader of the Jewish people!