The 5 C’s of Our Chair: A Jewish Journey of Uplift
Just like a sturdy chair, Jewish life is held up by strong supports. At Up In The Chair, we say: we have your back — we don’t let you fall. Our 5 C’s — Context, Community, Culture, Celebration, and Continuity — guide every Jewish lifecycle moment, lifting each person through joy, responsibility, memory, and transformation.
We Have Your Back and We Don’t Let You Fall.
Context
Every lifecycle event begins with context — the meaning, history, and intention behind it. Jewish rituals don’t just “happen,” they emerge from thousands of years of practice and from your family’s own story.
Lifecycle Events: Baby Naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Conversion, Wedding, Divorce, End-of-Life
Uplift: Helps individuals and families understand where they fit in the Jewish story, giving depth and intention to each moment.
Community
Held in the Circle of Loved Ones
In Judaism, no one celebrates or mourns alone. From dancing in a circle to gathering for shiva, community surrounds us, ensuring we are supported in every stage of life.
Moments We Uplift: Weddings, Shabbat honors, Mourning rituals.
How We Help: Tools for engaging loved ones, resources for building inclusive events, and guidance for making sure every voice is heard.
Culture
Expressions of Joy and Meaning
Jewish culture brings rituals alive — through music, dance, food, blessings, and symbols. Culture adds beauty, flavor, and memory-making power to every lifecycle event.
Moments We Uplift: Weddings, Anniversaries, Festivals, Baby Namings.
How We Help: Creative ideas for weaving Jewish traditions into your events, inspiration for ceremony design, and ways to showcase the richness of Jewish life.
Celebration
L’Chaim! To Life, To Joy, To Each Other
Celebration is at the heart of Jewish ritual. From the breaking of the glass to the Hora, celebration uplifts us — turning milestones into sacred moments filled with laughter, song, and blessing.
Moments We Uplift: Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Simchas of all kinds.
How We Help: Templates for toasts and blessings, collections of “chair moments,” and resources for filling your events with joy.
Continuity
Carrying the Story Forward
At the center of the chair is you — lifted by tradition, community, and love. Continuity means linking past, present, and future, ensuring that the stories and values of our people are passed from one generation to the next.
Moments We Uplift: Naming after ancestors, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Funerals, Memorials, Yahrzeit.
How We Help: Guides for writing eulogies and remembrance reflections, rituals to honor ancestors, and resources to keep memory alive in joyous gatherings.
At Up In The Chair, the 5 C’s keep you lifted through every stage of the Jewish journey — birth, growth, love, loss, and renewal. Like the Hora itself, Jewish life is about holding each other steady, making sure no one falls, and celebrating the beauty of being carried by something greater than ourselves.
Our mission was inspired by the celebratory centuries-old tradition of lifting someone up (in a chair) at milestone events. The joy expressed in the face of someone being lifted is reflected back in the whole community who are a part of this moment in time. The person being lifted is being seen, heard, and known for their unique contribution to the community and to humanity. This acknowledgment is paramount in creating an authentically welcoming and inclusive community.
We are also a global movement committed to uplifting each and every person for their unique contribution to humanity. No one and nothing left out.
Our Programs: The 4 Legs of the Chair
each leg contributes to the quality and integrity of our programs
early career development and mentorship
Guided support for those seeking a new job in the social impact, non-profit, and benefit-corporation sectors.
Partners in uplifting
Coaching, education, and resources to create an internship program for your social impact/non-profit/benefit-corp that supports business growth and has a positive impact on young professionals.
Jewish and Lifecyle Journies
Uplift your most meaningful moments, celebrations, and gatherings with our expert team of consultants, educators, and planners.
Global Movement
Join a movement that's dedicated to creating an inclusive environment in workplaces, schools, and communities through our unique philosophy of the communal dance, the Hora.
Hear From Our Participants
Selfless Inspiration
Devora is a selfless inspiration for the community of impactors in the world. She has proven to be very resourceful and has been very supportive in sharing my talent to the world. I highly recommend her for any endeavor.
Optimistic and Dedicated
If you are looking for someone that is optimistic and dedicated to bringing your vision to life, then Devora and the EMA team are for you! EMA provides the important elements that are necessary for a scaling company with creativity, attention to detail strong communication and organization.
Spend my time doing what I love to do
I was able to spend my time doing what I love to do and in my area of expertise and turn over all the other "stuff" to an intern who loved what they got to work on.
Energetic and eager
Devora is one of the most creative, passionate and caring people I know. She is a great listener and is smart and thoughtful in her response. I’ve never worked with someone more energetic and eager to help you be successful in what you do!
Creative & Fun
When planning a Jewish lifecycle event, I can think of no one more creative and fun to work with. I have been to multiple events that Devora has designed. She is especially attuned to the unique make-up of a family and the person being honored, and she organically builds the milestone around that. You might know that you want your occasion to have a particular feel, but she will bring it to fruition from beginning to end. As soon as you share your desires, her creativity kicks into gear, and together you generate a vision that everyone will remember.
Creating the world many of us dream about…
The EMA program offers visionary leaders a platform for connecting with these emerging professionals and sharing their wisdom; it is a place to unite the generations. EMA is creating the world many of us dream about where the whole person is centered in the work experience; where what matters is known in the heart, called forth and listened to welcomed as a contribution to the whole.
Creative people
Devora is one of the most creative people I've gotten to meet. She's taken an idea others may have floating around and made it a concrete business.
Most Meaningful Moment
Think about the most meaningful moment at any event you have ever attended… Up In The Chair will guide you in bringing those moments to life.
Well-organized, Open-Minded
As a CEO, Devora is so well-organized, open-minded, and truly strives to create a community and environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and included.
Perfect Place To Go
Up In The Chair is a perfect place to go when you want to make any celebration or any milestone or any program more meaningful. Devora is able to hear what you want and bring it to the next level using her quick wit, creativity, thoughtfulness, and extensive experience. She listens to who you are and what your want to create and then helps you attain these goals and even beyond. She turns the ordinary into something extraordinary for you and for your family members and friends.
Now that I have 8 interns, we’re accomplishing things like crazy.
I felt like nobody could do a better job than me and I needed to do it all myself. But that's crazy. You can't do everything. Once I learned how to attract the right help from those who loved my vision and had the skill set to implement my vision, I was taught how to delegate-- which I didn't know how to do either. Once I got that down, it didn't take long. I saw the talent and enthusiasm these college students had and that I could nurture... I mean, they're so excited to help. It's like the most wonderful feeling in the world.
Endless Opportunities
I entered a whole new world of endless opportunities compared to any traditional internships
Get more done in 3 days…
With the "Grow Your Business-Leave A Legacy" program, I was able to get more done in 3 days than I had in 3 months with EMA
Inspired By A Team
It’s not just about the work. It’s about being inspired by a team and having a creative outlet to showcase what I can offer