Howard “Shaya” Avner (He, Him, His)
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Shaya, who pitched in college at Yeshiva University, started the Rochelle Zell High School baseball team several years ago. This year, when the brand-new team at Skokie Yeshiva lost their coach before their first game, Shaya volunteered to coach the team and offer the students an opportunity he didn't have in high school.
He is extremely involved at his synagogue, Darchei Noam of Glenbrook. He has served on the board for many years, runs frequent programs, and helps to maintain the building. He also serves as
gabbai, helping prayer services run smoothly, and during the pandemic, he ran a program to provide free produce to congregants.
Beyond the Jewish community, when Shaya's startup company,
Phaxio, was acquired by Inteliquent, he helped every one of his employees find a beneficial place in the acquisition. He treats his employees as family and never refuses the call to lend a helping hand.
AGE:
32
PRIMARY GIG:
Founder of Phaxio, Sr. Director of Product at Inteliquent
ON THE SIDE:
Startup advisor and investor
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 10 WORDS OR LESS:
Girl dad, meat smoker, serial entrepreneur.
A JEW WHO INSPIRES YOU:
Rodney Dangerfield. He never got any respect, but he stuck with it.
WHAT IS YOUR NEWFOUND PANDEMIC TALENT OR HOBBY:
Collecting vinyl albums
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW ABOUT YOU:
I know all the words to BOTH Frozen soundtracks.
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