staff

Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser serves as Nestling's Rabbinical Supervisor, bringing decades of experience in providing Torah guidance and spiritual counsel to those facing life's most challenging circumstances. He considers each individual's situation a priority, making himself available at any time for questions, halachic guidance, or encouragement.

His guidance spans a wide range of areas—answering halachic questions specific to young people not living at home, helping navigate different minhagim and practices, and providing hashkafic perspective on challenging life circumstances. Rabbi Goldwasser views supporting these young people as the highest form of chesed, emphasizing that their circumstances result from situations beyond their control, not from any shortcomings of their own. [read more]

Rabbi Goldwasser finds deep meaning in knowing that his guidance has helped individuals navigate challenging situations and achieve greater inner peace and simcha, making an important impact at pivotal moments in young people's lives. [read less]

Malky Schwartz founded Nestling in 2022 after experiencing firsthand the challenges of navigating the foster care system with minimal support, creating the organization she wished had existed during her own foster care journey.

Under her leadership, Nestling has quickly grown to serve approximately 250 Orthodox Jewish youth annually across Monsey, Brooklyn, and Lakewood. Malky's deeply personal approach stems from her own experience of isolation, driving Nestling's mission to ensure that no young person faces these challenges alone.

Her commitment to putting youth first has established Nestling as a vital lifeline for Orthodox Jewish teens and young adults not living with their biological families, guided by her fundamental belief that everyone deserves to feel they belong somewhere, especially during life's most vulnerable moments.

Raizel Reit brings both professional expertise and personal experience to Nestling. As a respected parenting specialist who currently offers classes, teacher training, and individualized mentoring, she has also welcomed several teens into her own home and witnessed their transformation into outstanding adults. Her approach emphasizes patience, humility, and empathy—qualities she learned from her parents who modeled chesed through their open home.

Raizel helps foster parents understand the complex emotional needs of teens in their care. She offers career coaching and relationship-building advice to Nestling members, always encouraging persistence with her philosophy that "Hashem will send you the right shaliach at the right time."

Esther brings both professional expertise and deep personal passion to her role as a life coach at Nestling. A certified life coach with a special focus on helping children and young adults, Esther's coaching philosophy centers on helping young women move forward rather than remain stuck in past difficulties. She believes deeply that those who've faced early challenges often develop extraordinary strength and potential.

Drawing on her training and natural warmth, Esther serves as a mentor during difficult times, offering the consistent support and encouragement that every young person deserves. Her goal is simple but profound: to help each young woman recognize her own resilience and build the loving future she deserves—because as Esther knows, when you help one young person heal and grow, you transform not just one life, but generations to come.

Chanie Levine is a mental health counselor and trauma therapist who graduated from Touro University. After 30 years as a high school teacher and principal, she transitioned into counseling and now operates a private practice in Monsey. She incorporates somatic therapy into her work, specializing in trauma recovery, family relationships, and support groups for parents, abuse survivors, and teens.

As a former foster mom, Chanie brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to her practice. Her deep understanding of resilience, family dynamics, and the healing power of safe, nurturing relationships allows her to support individuals and families with compassion and insight.