Our Team

Executive Director - Emily@mnhillel.org

Emily is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, where she was deeply engaged in Jewish life from an early age, shaped by synagogue experiences and family traditions. She attended Miami University in Ohio, earning her degree in Music Education and Performance, and later completed her Master’s in Vocal Performance at Rice University. Throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies, Emily maintained her connection to her Jewish roots through Hillel. She served as the cantorial soloist for Houston Hillel from 2014 to 2018, and actively participated in the greater Houston Jewish community at Congregation Emanu El.

Emily began her Hillel career in 2017 as the Director of Jewston at Houston Hillel before stepping into the role of Assistant Director. After her time in Houston, she joined Hillel International as the Israel Education Regional Director, Midwest. She then continued her work in the Jewish community in Denver, where she served as the Regional Director and later the Community Director at BBYO.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Emily is a trained opera singer and bassist. When she’s not at Hillel, she enjoys exploring local coffee shops, going on runs with her husband, Ben, hanging out with their dog, Ari, and baking family recipes.

director of outreach & Engagement - Abby@mnhillel.org

Abby grew up in Minneapolis where she attended the Heilicher Jewish Day School, Herzl Camp, and Temple Israel. During her time at Brandeis University, she majored in Psychology and was involved in theater and at Hillel. After graduating and spending some time in Boston, she moved back home where she began her work at Temple Israel as the Director of Youth & Camping. Her most recent role was at Groves Academy as the Admissions Coordinator. Abby joined the Hillel team as the first Multi-Campus Assistant Director and is thrilled to have her role expanded to Director of Outreach & Engagement!

Abby currently lives in St. Louis Park with her dog, Harry Styles. In her free time, Abby serves on the Girls on the Run Board of Directors and recently completed her first marathon. Additionally, she loves walking Harry, dancing, biking, and watching reality TV.

Reach out to Abby if you know a Jewish student at a campus across the state, have an idea for a multi-campus program, want a dog picture, or want to go to an escape room.

Director of Jewish Student Life - polly@mnhillel.org

Polly grew up in New Hope, Minnesota and was deeply immersed in Jewish Life, spending years engaged in EMTZA Region USY, Herzl Camp, and HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir. In 2020, she graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Individualized Studies in Leadership, Psychology, and Communication. As a student at the U of M, Polly was involved in many aspects of Jewish life at Hillel, serving as the Jewish Life & Leadership Intern, singing with the Minnesota Chai Notes, and leading Shabbat services. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park and is entering her 7th year teaching 3rd grade Judaics & Hebrew at the Talmud Torah of Minneapolis. She loves helping first-year students build community on campus and is excited to welcome you to Minnesota Hillel!

Reach out to Polly to learn more about what it’s like to be a student at the U of M, get a tour of our brand-new building, connect with a student leader, or get tips on finding the best sushi in town! Schedule a chat with Polly here!

Development Associate - carli@mnhillel.org

Carli, originally from Milwaukee, WI, graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2020, where she also served as student president of Minnesota Hillel. Since graduation, Carli has been an active member of the Twin Cities Jewish community, including her most recent professional role with Jewfolk, Inc., and volunteerism with Minnesota Hillel's Young Alumni and Grad Student Council and YALA. Carli has been deeply involved in many Jewish organizations throughout her life and has a passion for helping others find their own unique and personal connections to Jewish Life. A born-and-raised camp person, Carli enjoys spending time outside on the lakes or around a campfire, and loves all things Taylor Swift and theater!

Reach out to Carli if you are interested in supporting Hillel’s mission, getting involved with Hillel’s fundraising and philanthropic work, or are an Alumni looking to reconnect with Hillel. Schedule a time to chat!

Major Gifts Officer - haylee@mnhillel.org

Haylee grew up in Plymouth, Minnesota where she was deeply involved in Jewish life. From her involvement in BBYO, Talmud Torah, Beth El, and Herzl Camp- Haylee always knew she wanted to give back and have a professional career in Jewish communal work. Haylee attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated with a degree in Human Development & Family Studies with a minor in Gender & Women's Studies. Before working at Hillel, Haylee worked at Temple Israel in Minneapolis as the Director of Camp TEKO. She is passionate about informal Jewish education and building community. Haylee lives in St. Paul with her husband Ben and their toddler!

Reach out to Haylee regarding anything fundraising and how you can help support the work Hillel does for students every day.

ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATE - ADAM@MNHILLEL.ORG

Adam is originally from Dayton, Ohio. He graduated with a degree in American Studies from Trinity College and received my Master’s in Education Policy at Loyola University Chicago. Adam grew up going to a Jewish Overnight camp, Camp Wise, for 16 straight years. In college, Adam was a founding father of the AEPi chapter on campus. In his free time, you can find Adam listening to music, playing with his two cats, and watching sports. He is excited to come to the University of Minnesota and join the Hillel Team and serve the Jewish community on campus!

Administrative & logistics coordinator - admin@mnhillel.org

Elie is originally from Overland Park, Kansas, and was heavily involved with her synagogue, USY, and Herzl Camp. She attended Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois where she studied Stage Management. Elie was one of the only Jewish students at Millikin and was eager to stay involved with her community. She continued to work for Herzl Camp as well as completed an internship with the Foundation for Jewish Camp and was a 2020 JFNA Changemaker Fellow. Elie loves the Twin Cities Jewish community and wants to help create incredible Jewish memories for college students in the area!

When she is not working at Hillel, Elie can be found stage managing with the UofM’s BFA program, hiking, or spending time with her friends. Reach out to Elie about Hillel event scheduling, general questions, or to see pictures of the latest thing she baked!

JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL FELLOW

Lior is from Ness Ziona, Israel and recently graduated from Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a degree in nutrition. In fall of 2022, she got the amazing opportunity to be an exchange student at The University of Texas at Austin. This was the first time she ever came across Hillel and being an Israel Fellow.

Lior fell in love with Hillel, the mission, the cause, and the amazing community it provided her with. Even though she was halfway across the world, she never felt more at home.

Lior is so excited about being a part of Minnesota Hillel, and hopes that I will get to pay this feeling forward!

Other than being enthusiastic about Israel, she is the biggest Disney nerd out there, a huge Taylor Swift fan, and will never say no to a hot bowl of matzo ball soup (extra matzo balls, please)

Our Board of Directors

President- Jenifer Robins

Past President - Phil Kibort

VP Governance - Derek Goodman

VP University Relations - Elisia Cohen

VP Development- Max Hendrix

VP HR & Talent- Alexis Bornstein

Treasurer - Jake Levine

Sally Abrams

Jon Applebaum

Rabbi Jill Avrin

Erin Baldinger

Mike Barry

Talor Blustin

Jon Brod Farber

Barry Divine

Jim Jacobson

Allen Kuperman

Noah Marell

Neil Moses-Zirkes

Amy Newman

Jeffrey Prottas

Janice Schachtman

Sharon Shapiro

Robert Yost

Student Board

President- Charlie Maloney

Vice President of Campus Relations- Henry Karpovas Lisak

Vice President of Development & Comm- Emily Alexander

Vice President of Programming- Adin Goldberg

Vice President of Programming- Yael Handelman