Meet the 2026/2027 Leadership Circle!!

Morning Circle

Anna Bartov My name is Anna Bartov, and I’m a junior at Crystal Springs Uplands School. I enjoy playing basketball and lacrosse, as well as baking. I’ve been volunteering with Friendship Circle for about a year and a half, and my favorite part has been building a meaningful connection with my buddy and being able to make an impact in her life. I’ve been paired with the same buddy throughout my time volunteering, which has made the experience especially meaningful to me. I also really enjoy meeting new people who I might not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet. I am really excited to meet new people and make more fun, engaging activities and events for the volunteers.
Ben Hermoni

Ben Hermoni, 11th grade, Los Altos
I like cars, going to the gym, and traveling 
4.I’ve been volunteering at FC for 3 years
5.My favourite thing about FC is knowing I leave an impact
6. Im most excited for being part of Leadership circle this year to be able to help others out!
Charlie Post Hi, I’m Charlie. I am a junior at Los Altos High School, and I am really excited for my 5th year in Friendship Circle. My favorite part of Friendship Circle is being able to hang out with my buddy every session and experiencing all the cool activities. Outside of this, I enjoy playing football, basketball, and golf.
Ella Cohen

Ella Cohen, 11th, Castilleja

I love to bake, dance, sing, and go on hikes! I love being outside, especially when I'm biking or walking somewhere beautiful.

I've been volunteering with Friendship Circle for 3 years, since my freshman year of high school. I've been on Leadership Circle for 2!

My favorite thing about Friendship Circle is getting to see my buddy every week; it's my favorite distraction from school and a time to have fun!

I'm most excited about coordinating volunteer shabbats this year as a part of Leadership Circle!
Ellie Katz Hi! My name is Ellie Katz, and I’m a Junior at Mountain View High School. I love to go hiking, travel, and dance. I’ve been volunteering at Friendship Circle for two years, and my favorite part is getting to know my buddy and building a connection with her while doing fun activities together.
Genevieve Shimshowitz My name is Genevieve Shimshowitz. I'm a senior at The Kehillah School. I enjoy scrapbooking, traveling, visiting my friends all over the world, spending time with my dog, and listening to music. This will be my third year volunteering at Friendship Circle! My favorite thing about FC is the genuine connections formed between volunteers and their buddies. I'm most excited about contributing to the overall FC community by planning activities and overseeing events!
Josh Bernstein Hi, my name is Josh. I am a Senior at The Kehillah School. I enjoy Music and Sports. I have been volunteering at Friendship Circle for 2 years. My favorite thing about FC is seeing the meaningful connections between volunteers and buddies. I am most excited about meeting new buddies and helping create new fun activities 
 
Laya Goldstein My name is Laya and I'm a junior at Menlo Atherton High School! I am so excited to be volunteering at friendship circle this year! I love hanging out with my friends, going on adventures, reading, science, music, art, and sports (I play flag football at M-A). This will be my second year volunteering at Friendship Circle. My favorite thing about it is the community and being able to connect with everyone in a meaningful way. I am so excited to become closer with everyone this year and spread happiness!!
Mye Zuckerman Hi! My name is Mye and I'm a sophomore at Los Altos High School. I love crafting, hanging out with friends, and being with animals! Ive been volunteering at friendship circle for a year now and my favorite thing about friendship circle is the connection it allows you to make with your buddies. Last year I got to be paired with Lauren and get to know her, and together we were able to find new things she enjoyed like reading, stickers, and more. I genuinely feel that by the end of it I was so much closer with her than when I first met her and it's such an awesome feeling to truly have a personal connection and be there to support a friend when they need it. This year, I'm super excited to plan programs and activities for morning circle and continue to help support both the volunteers and whoever I get as my buddy!
Noa Levin Hi! My name is Noa Levin and I am a junior at Mountain View High School. I am a competitive dancer, and in my free time I enjoy playing music, hanging out with my friends, and playing with my dog. This will be my fourth year volunteering at Friendship Circle and my second year on Leadership Circle. My favorite thing about Friendship Circle is the amazing community and opportunities to make an impact on those with different needs. I am looking forward to strengthening my bond with my buddy, as well as with other volunteers.

Talia Fine

 My name is Talia Fine, and I am a senior at The Nueva School. My favorite hobbies are soccer, baking, and ceramics. This is my fifth year volunteering at Friendship Circle. My favorite part of FC is seeing my buddy and building a connection with him. I am most excited to meet all of the new buddies this year and plan some fun activities!
Tamar Savransky My name is Tamar Savransky. I am a sophomore at Homestead High School. I enjoy drawing, painting, and baking. I have been volunteering at Friendship Circle for a year! I also volunteered during summer and winter camp. My favorite thing about FC is the environment created by its community! Over time, everyone starts to get to know everyone, and we all get excited about things together. I am most excited about making our volunteer activities this year fun for everyone, as well as meeting new buddies.

Afternoon Circle

Anjani Kurmala My name is Anjani Kurmala, and I’m a sophomore at Cupertino High School. I love swimming, creative writing, and arts and crafts. I have been volunteering at Friendship Circle for 2 years! My favorite thing about Friendship Circle is the fun created through its community. Every session begins with contagious excitement, so there is always plenty of laughter to go around. I am most excited to get to help new volunteers, get to know the new buddies, and help create fun volunteer/buddy experiences!
Ayana Reddy My name is Ayana Reddy. I am an eighth-grader at Pinewood School. I love reading, playing competitive soccer and tennis, and baking. This is my second year volunteering at Friendship Circle. My favorite thing about Friendship Circle is building real friendships and seeing how much joy a simple afternoon can bring. This year, I'm excited about being part of Leadership Circle because I want to help plan fun and engaging activities, welcome new volunteers, and make sure everybody feels included.
Gia Pendyala Gia Pendyala, 11th grade, Saint Francis High School
3. I enjoy drawing, reading, and writing! I also play golf for my school team and have been doing so since I started high school.
4. I have been volunteering at FC for 4 years now!
5. My favorite thing about FC is seeing my buddy grow in the time we spend together.
6. I'm most excited to welcome new volunteers and help them connect with their buddies :)
Ria Gupta Hi my name is Ria Gupta and I am 12th grade at Mission San Jose HS. I love going on hikes, playing with my dog and hanging out with friends. I have been volunteering for one year and this is my second time doing Sunday Circle. My favorite thing about FC is how close everyone is and how there is always some new activity going on. I am most excited to meet my buddy and do all the fun activities we have planned for this year.
Shreya Desai My name is Shreya Desai and I am a junior at Evergreen Valley High School. I enjoy baking, watching movies, and swimming! I have been volunteering at FC for the past 3 years. My favorite things about FC are the environment, fun activities, and all the friends I have made! I am most excited to be a part of Leadership Circle this year to plan fun activities for our volunteers!