Our Team

Executive Director - benjie@mnhillel.org

Benjie grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota and was actively involved with Temple of Aaron, Beth Jacob Congregation, Herzl Camp, JCC, and more. Upon graduating from Sibley High School he left Minnesota for 12 years, pursuing degrees in Journalism and Communal Leadership from the University of Kansas and Brandeis University, and working for Combined Jewish Philanthropies in Boston and the Jewish United Fund in Chicago. In 2010 Benjie returned to Minnesota to head up fundraising for the JCC before taking on the role as Minnesota Hillel’s Executive Director.

Benjie, his wife Libby, and twin daughters Maggie and Elly live in St. Louis Park, Minnesota and are members of Temple Israel.

Reach out to Benjie if you are passionate about being a community leader, are seeking a meaningful community connection, or just want support on your Jewish journey, Also, if you are a foodie, follow college hoops, or enjoy a good Lego build, Benjie is your guy!

assistant director - 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 Assistant Director!

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 our 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 working for various theatres around the Twin Cities, including stage managing with the UofMs BFA Guthrie program. 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 - BATEL@MNHILLEL.ORG

Batel grew up in Nahariya, Israel, and graduated this past Spring from Tel Aviv University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Sciences. She spent the summer at Herzl Camp in Webster, WI leading the teaching kitchen and introducing the camp community to new and exciting Israeli dishes. Batel is inspired by her grandparents who immigrated to Israel from Morocco and instilled in her a love for Israel. During her Shlichut, she hopes to engage Minnesota Hillel students in meaningful and exciting conversations and programs celebrating Israeli culture, history, and traditions – both old and new. Batel is looking forward to the pluralistic community at Minnesota Hillel and to building strong relationships with the students on campus.

Our Board of Directors

President - Phil Kibort

VP Governance - Derek Goodman

VP University Relations - Erin Baldinger

VP Development & Communications - Jenifer Robins

VP Talent Development - Neil Moses-Zirkes

Treasurer - Jake Levine

Sally Abrams

Jon Applebaum

Rabbi Jill Avrin

Talor Blustin

Alexis Bornstein

Jon Brod Farber

Elisia Cohen

Allen Kuperman

Noah Marell

Amy Newman

Stacy Pinck

Jeffery Prottas

Janice Schachtman

Sharon Shapiro

Robert Yost

Strategic Leadership Team

VP of Internal Relations - Ryan Alberts

VP of Programming - Gemma Gardner

VP of Leadership Development - Alex Stewart

VP of Communications - Drew Brinker

VP of External Relations - Isabel Lundquist

At Large Representative - Katrina Liberman