Director & Founder
Billy Planer is the Founder and Director of Etgar 36. He developed Etgar 36 after 20 years of leading synagogue youth programs and educating young people. He has led numerous trips around America and abroad. Billy graduated with a degree in Psychology and Advertising from Syracuse University and received a Master’s in Counseling from the school of Education at Georgia State University. He is from Atlanta and enjoys live music, travel, trying new restaurants, and sports.
Asst. Director
Josh grew up in Asheville, NC, and is an alum of the 2004 Etgar 36 Summer Journey. Inspired by his time on the bus, Josh was preparing to become a certified classroom history teacher when he and Billy reconnected in 2017. Two weeks later, Josh helped lead a Civil Rights journey and then joined the Etgar 36 staff full-time. Josh graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in History focused on American History.
Josh enjoys running, hiking, and camping when he is not on the bus.
Civil Rights Journey Educator
Scott Fried is a youth educator, international award-winning speaker, and writer. He graduated from New York University. Before joining Etgar 36 to lead Civil Rights journeys, Scott was an HIV/AIDS educator who spotlights the adolescent years, shining a powerful message of love, responsibility, and self-respect for parents and teens. Scott also works on honing the presentation skills of the Etgar 36 educators.
Civil Rights Journey Educator
Eli has been connected with Etgar 36 as a participant on our journeys when he was in high school, a guest speaker/guide on our New Orleans journeys, and now as a Civil Rights journey educator. Eli grew up in Atlanta and graduated from Tulane University. As an entrepreneur, he has opened up an indoor rock climbing gym in New Orleans and Men’s groups in California. Inspired by Dr. King’s idea of a beloved community that he learned about on his Etgar 36 journey as a student, Eli is excited to bring his passion of building an equitable world.