Meet The Team

Program Coordinator -Paola Gavino

Paola is a dedicated animal advocate, rescuer, who has spent years working to improve the lives of vulnerable animals through hands-on rescue, rehabilitation, and placement efforts.

Education Coordinator -Rina Deych

For nearly three decades, Rina has encouraged the use of monetary donations in place of live animals, working to raise awareness within both Jewish and non-Jewish communities.

Raised in an Orthodox Jewish family with a lineage that includes 18 generations of Orthodox rabbis, she brings a unique perspective to her work promoting compassionate alternatives to the use of chickens in the Kaporos ritual.

Medical Coordinator - Viola Agostini

Since 2017, Viola has been an integral part of the Kaporos rescue effort. In 2023, she became the Kaporos Team's Medical and Triage Coordinator, a role that places her at the forefront of rescue operations during one of the busiest and most critical times of the year.