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 Smith Jewish Academy, 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. In 2023, Abby joined the Minnesota Hillel team in a new role expanding Jewish life across the state by creating opportunities for students on different campuses. Throughout her time at Hillel, her role has grown to also include supporting graduate students, interfaith programming and high school outreach.

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

Reach out to Abby if you know an incoming Jewish undergraduate or graduate student in the state of Minnesota, 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 taught 3rd grade Judaics & Hebrew at the Talmud Torah of Minneapolis for 8 years, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park.

At Hillel, Polly empowers students to engage in Jewish Life, Learning, and Leadership Development. 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 Manager- carli@mnhillel.org

Carli, originally from Milwaukee, WI, is a proud University of Minnesota alum, where she also served as student president of Minnesota Hillel. Since graduation, she has remained deeply engaged in the Twin Cities Jewish community through her work at Jewfolk, Inc., and her volunteer leadership with various Jewish organizations. A lifelong camp person and passionate community builder, Carli loves helping others discover their own meaningful connection to Jewish life.

Outside of work, you can find her enjoying time by the lakes, around a campfire, belting out show tunes, or obsessing over all things Taylor Swift.

Reach out to Carli if you’re interested in supporting Hillel’s mission, getting involved in fundraising or alumni engagement, or reconnecting with the Hillel community. She’d love to hear from you!

Operations Manager - admin@mnhillel.org

Elie is originally from Overland Park, Kansas, where she was deeply involved in her synagogue, USY, and Herzl Camp. She attended Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, earning a degree in Stage Management. As one of the few Jewish students on campus, Elie sought out ways to stay connected to Jewish life by continuing her work with Herzl Camp, completing an internship with the Foundation for Jewish Camp, and becoming a 2020 JFNA Changemaker Fellow.

Elie loves being part of the Twin Cities Jewish community. She’s passionate about creating meaningful and memorable Jewish experiences for college students and is excited to support their journeys.

When she’s not at Hillel, you can find Elie stage managing with the University of Minnesota’s BFA program, hiking local trails, or spending time with friends. Have questions about the building, want to get involved, or just want to see pictures of her latest baked creation? Don’t hesitate to reach out!

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 to start her second year as an Israel fellow, continue growing in Minnesota Hillel, and hopes that she 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)

Springboard Ezra Fellow

Sam (he/they) grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated from Colorado College (CC) with a BA in music. As the president of CC Hillel, they fostered a meaningful Jewish community through song-leading and hosting dance parties. Sam also loves to craft, trail run, play pickleball, study Torah, watch Jewish comedy, and eat chocolate!

Our Board of Directors

President- Jenifer Robins

President Elect- Jacob Levine

VP Governance - Derek Goodman

VP University Relations - Elisia Cohen

VP Development- Max Hendrix

VP HR & Talent- Alexis Bornstein

VP Talent Development- Neil Moses-Zirkes

Treasurer - Barry Divine

Erin Baldinger

Mike Barry

Talor Blustin

Jon Brod Farber

Elyse Cohen

Rabbi Matt Goldberg

Jim Jacobson

Maggie Johnson

Allen Kuperman

Howie Lavine

Tony Moldo

Mackenzie Peters

Stacy Pinck

Jeffery Prottas

Sharon Shapiro

Ben Varhula

Student Board

President- Lyla Prass

Vice President of Campus Relations- Romi Berger

Vice President of Development & Comm- Johnna Parks

Vice President of Engagement- Adin Goldberg

Vice President of Programming- Tali Ben Ari