2026

1/23/2026

Zach Blankstein ’13 is a professional musician and manager in the international touring band Couch, whose work is grounded in a deep commitment to community and connection—values nurtured during his time at The Rashi School. These principles continued to guide him through Needham High School and later at George Washington University, where he earned degrees in Communications and Jazz Performance.

After graduating from GWU, Zach served as a Marketing and Community Engagement Specialist at Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest. In this role, he amplified the voices of individuals and families in need by organizing and promoting programs that strengthen and uplift the community. His work addressed issues including poverty, isolation among older adults, and challenges faced by immigrant and refugee families. Zach played a key role in initiatives such as PAGES (Pathways to Academic Growth, Empowerment, and Success), which supports children of immigrant families, and helped grow the annual Build-a-Backpack program to ensure local students had the tools they needed to succeed. This collaboration ultimately led to the creation of what is now the JFS/Rashi Community Leadership Training Program.

Even before joining JFS, Zach demonstrated a strong commitment to community-building in his hometown of Needham. He led music education programs and served as Head of the Youth Leadership Board at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, where he organized service initiatives for his peers. In recognition of his leadership and service, Zach was awarded the Town of Needham’s RAY of Hope Award during high school.

Today, Zach continues to carry forward the values encouraged at Rashi—compassion, responsibility, and community—through his work as a musician and manager with Couch. Using music and live events as a vehicle for connection, the band launched Couch Family Photos, a program embedded in their 40+ city international headline tour that raises funds for Rosie’s Place, a Boston-based women’s shelter and multi-service organization providing housing, food assistance, ESOL classes, and legal support to women in need.

Couch’s community continues to grow, with more than 40 million streams in 2025, performances on national television (CBS), features in NPR and The Boston Globe, and honors including both Pop Band of the Year and Live Band of the Year at the 2025 Boston Music Awards.

Receiving the 2025 Stephanie Rotsky Tikkun Alum Award is both an honor and a reflection of the lasting impact The Rashi School has had on Zach’s life. The lessons he learned—empathy, accountability, and the importance of giving back—continue to guide his work and his art. Zach remains deeply grateful for this recognition and for the foundation Rashi provided, which continues to shape his life and career.