Stephanie Dahan

I was born in Nice, France. My parents were born in Algeria and relocated to France during the decolonization war in 1962, where they met. Although my maternal grandfather was originally from Poland, I was mostly raised within the Sephardic customs. My religious upbringing was traditional, meshed with strong Zionist beliefs. I was always involved in diverse Jewish youth organizations. In 1992, I volunteered at an Ethiopian and Russian summer camp in Ashdod, which enlightened my understanding of the complexity of new immigrant integration. I came to NY in 2004 after graduating from my PhD. I was given the opportunity to work with a leading investigator in the field of mucosal immunology. My lab at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai focuses on dissecting the molecular mechanisms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Moving to NY was very exciting for me. A friend introduced me to JICNY and then I started attending regularly. I met Jodi through all the events and dinners she hosted at her home. I especially love the Shabbat dinners and always try to register early enough to secure a spot. JICNY has made a major impression on my life in NY. Jodi and her organization gave me a sense of anchor, which was the missing piece in my life. Watching her dedication, sagacity and altruism, I decided to get involved in the planning of the 9th Annual Gala. This event was an unbelievable success and I am glad I had the opportunity to contribute and to be part of the JICNY family.