From Career Connections to Community Leadership

May 29, 2026

When Josh Comiter moved to Atlanta five years ago, he knew exactly two things: he wanted to grow his career in commercial real estate, and he wanted to find his Jewish community. 

Today, thanks in large part to the Jewish Commercial Real Estate Network (JCREN), Josh jokes that he has “more friends than I have time for.”  

Created by Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, JCREN brings together Jewish professionals across Atlanta’s commercial real estate industry for networking, learning and community-building. But according to Federation leaders and participants alike, the impact goes far beyond business cards and deal-making. 

“From the beginning, the vision for JCREN was to connect professionals not just to each other, but also to Jewish community and leadership opportunities,” says Melanie Yonks, Federation’s Affinity Groups Manager. “The goal was never just networking. By engaging expert speakers from within the Jewish community, JCREN is creating a space where people can build community, grow professionally and become more connected to Jewish Atlanta.” 

And it’s working. After attending JCREN events, Josh and several peers launched “Deal Club,” an informal offshoot that hosts happy hours, Braves outings and networking gatherings for Jewish professionals in commercial real estate. While the group has a strong presence of professionals in their 20s and 30s, it welcomes attendees across all career stages and age groups, fostering connections that can lead to mentorship, networking, and professional opportunities. Depending on the event, attendance ranges from 30 to more than 100 participants. 

But for Josh, the real value wasn’t just professional networking. 

“It created ties to the community here,” he says. “Atlanta’s become home.”  

Through JCREN, Josh became involved in Federation’s Young Leadership Division (YLD), participated in the Jacobson Leadership Institute (JLI), and recently committed to joining National Young Leadership Cabinet next year.  

“I’ve gotten a lot out of Federation,” he says. “It feels like a good thing to give back with my time and hopefully make things better for other people that come after.”  

For longtime JCREN leader Greg Eisenman, stories like Josh’s are exactly the point. 

“We have to foster that leadership,” Greg says. “We have to give them a good platform for it.”  

Greg sees JCREN as more than an affinity group. It’s a bridge between generations of Jewish leaders in Atlanta’s real estate community. 

“When I first got into coming to Federation events, it gave me the ability to go and talk to some of these heavy hitters that I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise,” he says.  

Now, Greg and other experienced professionals are intentionally creating those same opportunities for the next generation. 

“The more experienced people are important because they mentor and empower younger professionals,” Greg says, recalling how established leaders once opened doors for him early in his career.  

That multigenerational connection has become one of JCREN’s defining strengths. Young professionals gain access to seasoned mentors and industry leaders, while longtime community members help cultivate the future of Federation leadership. 

Since relaunching after COVID, JCREN has grown rapidly, with more than 900 professionals now connected through its network and recent events drawing over 150 registrants.  

For Federation, that growth represents more than attendance numbers. It reflects a long-term investment in Atlanta’s Jewish future. 

“Through JCREN, we’re not only helping the next generation grow their careers, but also their feeling of being connected to the Jewish community. This translates into real belonging and a desire to give back to something bigger,” Melanie says. “It’s not just about raising money, but about raising a successful, involved, and generous community for future generations.” 

And for Josh, what started as a networking event has become something much more personal. 

“If you move here, just get involved,” he says. “You’re trying to make Atlanta your home, not just somewhere you’re living.”