Cara was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. She completed her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Higher Education at University of South Florida. Her dissertation focused on the areas of compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout. She also attended Tulane University for her undergraduate work and the University of Florida for her Master of Education degree.

Currently, Cara is a Product Development Specialist working on information technology e-learning products for high school students and adults. She has worked both in Higher Education and in the Software Engineering bootcamp space previously and is passionate about educating and empowering others during points of transition.

Cara is a graduate of the 2010-2011 Jewish Leadership Development Institute (now known as the Hope Cohen Barnett Leadership Institute). Most recently, she has served as a member of the Tampa Jewish Family Services (TJFS) board and advisory council. Additionally, Cara participates in Resolve’s Federal Advocacy Day focused on increasing awareness and interest in fertility and family building issues with legislators.

Cara lives in New Tampa with her husband, Jeff, their 3 year old IVF son, Joshua, and their dog, Bailee.

Why JFF?
Cara is passionate about the work of JFF based on her own experience. While going through her fertility journey, she recognized the importance of community, support, and advocacy. Having a medically complex case, Cara completed her family through IVF. Going through the process, Cara developed her self-advocacy skills and has supported other family and friends going through similar experiences. Being able to help others experiencing and impacted by infertility is a fulfilling way to give back.

Natalia graduated from the University of Southern California and went on to complete her MBA at Tel Aviv University. She has varied experience ranging from retail to hospitality and real estate development. She is a dynamic professional with a strong background in the commercial real estate industry. She is successful at managing multiple projects while meeting tight deadlines. Natalia has been involved in many aspects of the development process from financial reporting, analytical valuation work, through design development and construction management.

WHY JFF?
Although Natalia never chose to pursue a career in science/healthcare, she has always been drawn to medicine and the human body. While living in Israel she became aware of the many people traveling to Israel for medical treatment. As she began to explore this more, she had the idea of creating a service to bring Americans to Israel for IVF treatment. While the logistics proved to be too much of a barrier at the time, the information and people she got to know during that time made a mark on her. Upon moving to Tampa and learning about JFF, Natalia knew this was an important resource for the community and was excited to help this program launch in Tampa.

Sara Ingber graduated from Boston University School of Education where she received a Bachelor’s in Education. Sara taught high school for 1½ years before while obtaining her Master’s of Arts Degree in Education from the University of Southern California. She worked at the Braille Institute of America heading the Youth Program until 1987 where she then became a sales manager for Father’s precision metal-making company, later becoming VP of Sales. In 2001, Sara moved to Florida and opened a super-premium ice cream shop with her own formula and production (ice cream is one of her passions). In 2004, her family formed a real estate investment company where Sara performs the day-to-day management functions, as well as, retail acquisitions and sales. Additionally, Sara is involved in other volunteer work around the Tampa community and serves as Board President of Hillels of the Florida Suncoast.

WHY JFF?
Sara joined the Advisory Council because she believes that providing a way for a woman’s dream to come true to have a child is a humbling responsibility and an incredible privilege. Being a part of something this special not only allows other women to realize their most cherished dreams but allows her, in some small way, to assure the continuation of the Jewish people.

Joel Simon has served as senior rabbi of Congregation Schaarai Zedek since July of 2018. Rabbi Simon originally joined Congregation Schaarai Zedek in 2007 as assistant rabbi, becoming associate rabbi in 2010. As assistant/associate rabbi, he shared pulpit, pastoral, and life-cycle responsibilities with then - senior rabbi Richard Birnholz, while working specifically with the congregation’s youth and young professionals. After serving three years as senior rabbi of Congregation Shir Ami in Bucks County, PA, Rabbi Simon returned to Schaarai Zedek when Rabbi Birnholz retired after 32 years in that position.

Rabbi Simon grew up in Denver, CO and holds degrees in psychology and Jewish studies from the University of Arizona Honors College, a Master of Educational Administration with specialization in Jewish Education from Xavier University and both a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters degree and rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, OH. While attending the HUC-JIR, he founded a Jewish rock band called The Minor Prophets. Utilizing his musical background, Rabbi Simon loves incorporating music into many aspects of worship.

WHY JFF?
Rabbi Simon has worked with many couples experiencing infertility and is extremely pleased to be able to work with the Jewish Fertility Foundation to help provide aide and support within Tampa’s Jewish community. He is proud to be an advocate and is willing to be available to anyone for whom his presence would be a comfort.

Originally from Boca Raton, Leah Spero has lived in the Tampa Bay area since 2008. She is the contracts and real estate attorney for Amscot Corporation. She is a graduate of the 2013-2014 Jewish Leadership Training Institute, now known as the Hope Cohen Barnett Leadership Institute, and has served as a member of the Tampa JCCs and Federation Board for the past seven years and previously served on the Leadership Council and Jewish Community Relations Council. She is a 2004 graduate of the University of Central Florida and graduated from Nova Southeastern University’s law school in 2007. Leah has 5.5 year old twin girls that are her pride and joy, and will be starting kindergarten at Hillel Academy in August. They were born via surrogacy.

WHY JFF?
As a mother who has gone through surrogacy, I am very passionate about helping others through their fertility journey.

Dr. Barry Verkauf was born and raised in Tampa. He left for 17 years to go to college at Emory, Tulane Medical School, and training in OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was under the tutelage of Drs. Howard and Georgeanna Jones. After completion of this medical training, he served two years in the Army and then returned to Tampa in 1974 on the founding faculty of the USF College of Medicine. He initiated the division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility there.

In 1980, Dr. Verkauf founded what would become the largest and most successful Reproductive Endocrine Infertility practices in Tampa. After retiring in 2017, he returned to the University to initiate the division of menopause to start the Menopausal Clinic within the Department of OB/GYN. He remains on the faculty as an affiliated professor of obstetrics and gynecology.

WHY JFF?
I think the Foundation has a value because one of the most trying times of a woman's life is if she is unable to conceive when she wants to. I've had experience in dealing with many women in that circumstance and have the pleasure of their appreciation for help in acquiring a pregnancy. Some women require direction in order to get to the appropriate doctors to see for this issue. The Foundation will help in that regard.