Shoshana Gottlieb is an outstanding young Jewish educator and changemaker whose work has already made an extraordinary impact on Jewish learning and identity in Australia and beyond. As Head of Jewish Academic Learning at Masada College, she is committed to developing Jewish education of the highest calibre. Shoshana has raised the standard of Jewish studies by deepening student engagement with Tanakh, Mishnah, and Talmud as serious text-based disciplines. She has created programs that inspire students, most of whom come from non-Orthodox homes, to discover a love of Torah, Judaism, and community. In addition, her comprehensive teaching of Jewish and Israeli history strengthens students’ connection to Zionism, instilling in them a lifelong passion for Israel and Jewish peoplehood.

Shoshana’s leadership extends well beyond her school. She is an active contributor to the wider Jewish communal landscape, regularly presenting at Limmud conferences and Jewish studies forums in Australia, and has also been invited to speak at Limmud UK as a guest presenter. Her voice is increasingly recognised internationally as one of the most creative and impactful in contemporary Jewish education.

Her social media platform, Jewish Memes Only, is a unique and influential contribution to global Jewish life. With over 32,000 followers on Instagram and X, Shoshana uses humour, Torah commentary, and thoughtful analysis to reach a wide audience of young Jews across the world. Her work demystifies complex aspects of Orthodox life and texts, creating an inclusive and engaging entry point for those who may otherwise feel distanced from Jewish learning. Significantly, Shoshana has used her platform to champion the inclusion of LGBTQI+ Jews within Orthodox spaces, offering visibility, validation, and acceptance to those too often marginalised. This advocacy has been particularly impactful for young people seeking to reconcile their Jewish and LGBTQI+ identities.

In addition, Shoshana is deeply involved in grassroots community initiatives. She contributes to women’s prayer groups, delivers bat mitzvah classes to young girls, and participates in Jewish podcasts aimed at engaging younger audiences with depth and authenticity. Her scholarship, creativity, and warm accessibility make her a powerful role model for the next generation of Jewish leaders.

At just 30, Shoshana Gottlieb has already established herself as one of Australia’s most inspiring Jewish educators. She is not only shaping Jewish education within her school but also creating transformative change across the community by harnessing traditional texts, modern media, and inclusive values. She embodies the qualities of the Joshua Levi Young Professional Award: leadership, innovation, and a vision for a more engaged and connected Jewish future.