Idaho Israel Alliance Board 2024-2025

Dan J. Berger is an Israeli-American entrepreneur. His newest venture, Assemble Hospitality Group, is a lodging concept for corporate retreats. He previously founded and led Social Tables, an event planning software company, which was acquired by Blackstone-owned Cvent in 2018 for $100 million. Dan is the recipient of numerous industry awards, including the Pacesetter Award from the Events Industry Council. Dan holds a BA from Hunter College and an MBA from Georgetown University. His book, The Quest — The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging — will be published by ForbesBooks later this year. He lives with his wife and daughter in Boise, Idaho.

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Jen Samawat Berger is an artist, social justice advocate and former political operative. She has served as a strategist and leader of initiatives in the New York City Mayor’s Office and Planned

Parenthood Federation of America. She was a member of President Obama’s Advance Team

on his first presidential election and two terms in office, representing the White House and

leading negotiations in dozens of states and countries on all matters pertaining to the

President’s visits. After moving from NYC to Boise, ID, Jen left her job as a Vice President at Civic Entertainment Group, where she led several strategic communications accounts for Ford Motor Company, in order to focus on building a family with her husband Dan. They recently welcomed their first child, daughter Sela Eden.

Originally from Southern California, Whitney relocated to Idaho in 2011, where she soon met her husband and best friend, Jeff. Together, they have five children who keep their lives full and lively. A dynamic professional, Whitney steadily climbed the corporate ladder to her current role as Director of IT Project Management and Operations at a large transportation and logistics company based on the East Coast. In her free time, Whitney stays involved in her community, volunteering at Chabad Jewish Center and contributing to causes she cares about. Her creativity thrives in her love for crafting and cooking for her family and friends. She is particularly proud of her challah and matzo balls!

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Tommy Ahlquist is a visionary entrepreneur and accomplished emergency room physician known for turning opportunities into profitable ventures. He’s built a successful career spanning medicine, business, and public service. Beyond his professional success, Tommy is a dedicated family man and active community volunteer, serving on various boards and as a lay minister. He lives by the mantra “you better have kerosene in your veins,” a phrase that captures his relentless work ethic. Whether at work, with family, or in the community, Tommy embraces the principle of always doing “one more thing,” a lesson he learned from his grandmother to maximize every day.

Liz Strader is deeply passionate about Judaism, public service, and community-building. She serves on the Board of Trustees at Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel (CABI), where she supports strategic planning and has volunteered in religious education. Liz is also active in strengthening ties between Idaho and Israel through her work with the Idaho Israel Alliance Board.

Professionally, Liz has extensive experience in public service, finance, and commercial real estate. She co-founded a capital markets joint venture, invests in early-stage businesses, and managed a loan syndication team at a large commercial bank. Currently, she serves as Council Vice President on the Meridian City Council, now in her second term. Liz is also on various boards, including Hashlynx, a blockchain-based loan platform, and has contributed to the Meridian Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Idaho Air Quality Board. She holds a BA in psychology with a minor in political economy from the College of Idaho and a graduate certificate in commercial real estate from NYU. Liz is a devoted mother of four, including newborn twins.

Dave McGarrah is the Teaching Pastor at Deer Flat Church in Caldwell, Idaho, where he has pastored for the last twelve years. Dave has been in active and ongoing ministry as a pastor and teacher for decades. Dave has traveled to Israel over 50 times, introducing hundreds to the Holy Land, and he loves to share the Israel experience with all who would like to see the Holy Land for themselves.

Dave and his wife, Jerri, founded Master Minded Ministries as a non-profit, 16 years ago. Master Minded Ministries came into being to help the Christian community understand the need to learn about our Jewish roots, and to love and support Israel and the Jewish people. Dave hosts a weekly radio program with his partner, Aaron Lipkin, who is an Orthodox Jew and long time friend. They are on 54 stations across the US.