Team Categories: Professional Staff

Peter came to JCP with nearly twenty years of leadership experience in a variety of Youth Development organizations where he was continually inspired by the tenacity and flexibility of young people and the liberatory focus of the work. Most recently, Peter was the Executive Director of Summer Search NYC (2015–2023), doubling the size of the organization in that time. He is excited to apply that successful track-record to a Jewish community organization and grow in his own practice, all while helping to bring JCP into its very bright future.

Originally from Trenton, NJ, Peter lived in Washington state for more than twenty years where, prior to work in the nonprofit space, he owned a restaurant outside of Seattle. For three years, Peter served as a Trustee of Temple Beth-El in Jersey City and Chaired their ‘Kadimah!’ Capital Campaign. Outside of work, Peter can be found running, going to live music events, searching for the perfect pizza, or hanging out at home with his family.

Jeffrey Alton brings a broad financial background to JCP, including experience in non-profit finance, commercial banking and investments. He has worked both as a service provider and customer in many areas, sharpening his skills in budgeting, project analysis and retirement plans. His work experience includes positions of increasing responsibility at financial institutions including international banks and private investment firms. Jeffrey is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the New York Society of Securities Analysts. He received a BBA from the University of Notre Dame. Jeffrey lives in New York City with his wife and three daughters.

Edward Kelly is a Facilities Manager whose extensive experience has included years at the 42nd Street branch of NY Public Library, the three building Google campus and the Sherry Netherland hotel. Most recently, he served for a year as Correspondence Manager at National Debt Relief performing duties as varied as code writing and creating client introductory documents. He holds an undergraduate degree in Film Production from Hunter College.

Ray Antonison is a content manager and visual artist from New York whose background includes writing, social media management, website management, and media creation. They hold a Bachelor of the Arts in Playwriting & Screenwriting and Journalism from SUNY Purchase, and after graduation, began teaching in Brooklyn. As a content creator, Ray has worked on brand launches, fashion merchandising, and all aspects of video production, and their animation experience includes bicoastal and international work with nonprofits and creators. Ray works often with other art mediums, predominately collage, and paints and draws illustrations.

Lara has spent her career advocating for human rights and combating systemic violence. She holds a Master degree from University College London in Social Global Development. Her main focuses have been human trafficking prevention, working to end gender-based violence at Sahiyo and supporting survivors and working with LGBTQ+ youth experiencing housing instability and aging out of foster care. She has experience in small grassroots nonprofits and Department of Justice-funded projects alike, and is guided by a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens.

She is deeply connected to Jewish culture and treasures singing niguns, how much candles are centered in our tradition, and values such as Tikkun Olam, questioning and communal support. She is so excited to be involved with such a warm community at JCP and is eager to be part of creating meaning and connection through each unique moment of the calendar.

Outside of work, she loves making collages and other art, biking all over, cooking for loved ones and learning about the history and present of the world!

Kalina Venugopal (she/her) grew up in California and received her B.A in Theater Arts from Santa Clara University in 2017. Kalina is an actor who has recently been in projects such as Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (HBO), Bull (CBS) and other projects. Kalina loves being a part of the JCP team, and in her spare time trains for marathons, eats tons of pasta, and is a proud volunteer for the non profit arts organization Film Fatales—which advocates for marginalized directors of all genders for television/film.