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Originally from New Jersey, Jenna has lived all over the United States from south to north Florida, Texas, Georgia and New York. Jenna earned a master's degree in Public Administration and Policy from the Askew School at Florida State University in 2012 and a BS in Political Science from Florida State University in 2008. Jenna began her Hillel career in 2010 as the Jewish Student Life Coordinator at Florida State Hillel, and in 2012 became the first Director of Jewish Student Life at Queens Hillel. After quadrupling student engagement and being awarded Hillel International's Outstanding Campus Award, Jenna became Queens Hillel's Assistant Director in 2016 and the Executive Director in 2019. Jenna was in the 2nd cohort of the Ruskay Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership, chaired Limmud NY 2018, and received Hillel International's Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence award in 2018. For her commitment to the Queens Jewish community, Jenna was awarded a Citation of Honor by the Queensborough President in 2023, and honored by the District Attorney of Queens for Jewish American Heritage Month in 2024. Jenna serves on Hillel International's Director's Cabinet, is on the Advisory Board of the Kupferberg Holocaust Center, volunteers for Malkhut Queens, and is a member of Queens Community Board 8. Jenna is also an avid cook, a passionate Florida State football fan, a frequent Walt Disney World guest, a fierce Formula 1 Racing fan, and loves spending time with her husband and friends in their beloved Astoria neighborhood. She can be reached at jenna@qchillel.org

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Natalia is originally from Russia where she had experience organizing large-scope programs for young professionals and community leaders. In 2015 she participated in Taglit and Masa programs in Israel and fell in love its weather and sea views. Then Natalia immigrated to Israel in 2016 with her parents and lived both in Haifa and Tel Aviv. Being highly motivated to integrate into Israeli society she learned Hebrew, traveled around the country, and discovered a lot about Israeli music and media. She considers herself a global citizen that is always curious to meet new people with the diversity of their backgrounds and views. At the same time, she cares about the place she lives, volunteers and helps others locally. In Israel Natalia worked with young immigrants and international students. Natalia holds an MBA degree in Organizational Behavior from Tel Aviv University that included students exchange in York University (Canada), MA and BA in Informational Technologies from SSAU (Russia). You should know that she loves rabbits, likes to spend some quality time in the gym, and mixes it with yoga once in a while. Natalia joined us as an Israeli Fellow in August 2022. You can meet her in person or\and reach her by email:Israelfellow@qchillel.org

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Originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, IL, Adam left his midwestern roots and has called New York home since 2017. Adam had his first taste of Hillel on campus at the University of Minnesota, where he received his BS in Finance. He became an Israel intern at Hillel after being on campus just a few days, and the rest is history. Adam began his professional journey at Temple of Aaron in St. Paul, MN, serving as their Engagement Director and since moving to New York has worked at a number of synagogues in varied educational and programmatic capacities. Israel has held a special place in Adam’s heart as he participated in the gap year program Nativ before college, and then had the opportunity to serve as a madrich before graduate school. While receiving his Masters in Jewish Education from the William Davidson School at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Adam also received a Masters concentration in Israel Education through the iCenter. At the heart of everything Adam does is food. You’ll often find him bopping around the city looking for the next great donut or ice cream shop. Adam currently lives in White Plains, NY with his fiancee, Tamra. He is ecstatic to have the opportunity to jump on board at Queens Hillel and meet you for coffee or a sweet treat! Adam can be reached at adam@qchillel.org

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Ruchie Brukirer grew up in Monsey, NY, and is a proud mommy of two rambunctious boys. She worked with special needs adults while studying for her bachelor's degree. After marrying Shlomo and moving to Israel, she balanced being a part of the Jersualem Kollel, earning her master's degree in Speech Therapy and making Shabbos meals for the many guests they had. While in the Jerusalem Kollel, she studied topics from Rabbi Berkovits shlita such as Jewish theology, Cycle of Life, and Halacha as well as a course in training to give Kallah classes. Ruchie enjoys reading a good book, drawing, and taking a nature hike. She enjoys getting to know people over a traditional home cooked meal. She can be reached at ruchie@qchillel.org.

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Shlomo Brukirer grew up in Suffern, NY, and descends from over 30 generations of Jewish educators. While learning in the Mir Yeshiva in Israel, he helped cofound ZAY, a program for young adults struggling with substance abuse. He spent two years learning Halacha in Yeshivas Torah Voda’as, before marrying his wife, Ruchie. After moving to Israel, they joined the Jerusalem Kollel Rabbinical Training Program where he received smicha from Rabbi Berkovits shlita. Shlomo is always ready and willing to have a conversation or debate on classical political philosophy, ethics, and morals. He appreciates good music, experimenting in the kitchen, and getting to know people. He can be reached at rbrukirer@qchillel.org.

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Lynn was born and raised in New York. She and her husband live 10 minutes away from our campus and are proud parents and grandparents of 3 children and grandchildren. Lynn attended yeshivot on Long Island and received her B.A. in Economics from Stern College and continued her education at Baruch College in Computer Programming. Upon completion, she was hired as a business analyst in the Wall Street financial district until her department relocated to Florida and Lynn politely declined the job relocation offer. For the past several years, Lynn has enjoyed working at QC Hillel so much that her 3 children attended Queens College. Lynn enjoys swimming, Zumba and cooking for her family and Shabbat guests (& eating!). You can meet Lynn anytime (almost) at QC Hillel. She can be reached at lynng@qchillel.org

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Casey Kelly is the Springboard Fellow for Queens Hillel where she has worked since Fall of 2023. In this role, Casey provides support to students with an orientation toward innovation, wellbeing promotion, and deepened involvement in Jewish life. Casey is specifically focused on guiding and empowering underrepresented individuals, cultures, and communities. Prior to joining Queens Hillel, Casey worked under Michael Stevens as a CUNY Campus Marketing and Development Digital Fundraising Intern. Casey recently received her B.A. in Theatre from Hunter College and is currently pursuing her artistic career as a theater maker in the off-off broadway scene. Casey can be reached at casey@qchillel.org, and would love to get to know you!

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Benjy Kopolovitz is originally from the Five Towns and now lives in Queens. As a Social Work Intern at Queens Hillel, Benjy am dedicated to supporting the diverse student body on campus. He is passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for students of all backgrounds, helping them navigate personal and academic challenges. Benjy's role involves providing guidance, helping students to organize events, and offering counseling services to foster a sense of belonging. He is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of the students he works with, ensuring they feel supported and connected to their community.

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A native New Yorker, Darone has lived within a twenty block area for all but the four years he spent in college at the University of Michigan, where he earned a BA in Holocaust Studies in Education. This was followed by a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management from The New School. His professional career has spanned the Jewish communal service sector, in a variety of institutions including The Museum of Jewish Heritage, The Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), The Skirball Center for Adult Jewish Learning, The Jewish Theological Seminary and Tablet Magazine. Darone is passionate about finding ways for technology to enhance Jewish life and learning. His entrepreneurial spirit helped him use these twin interests to create and lead the first Jewish podcast network, JCast Network, which he launched in 2010.

Darone is married to Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay, the Associate Dean at The Jewish Theological Seminary’s Rabbinical School and has twin sons who he loves to watch on the baseball field. Darone was an original “Ruskay Fellow” before it was a thing. Darone can be reached at darone@qchillel.org

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Em is a native New Yorker calls the beautiful, diverse borough of Queens her home. She attended Queens College for undergrad and graduated with her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Hunter College in 2017. Em has worked in a variety of settings, from community centers to medical facilities and has worked with populations including LGBTQ+ young adults (ages 13-24) and individuals with chronic mental health/medical conditions. Today, Em is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and spends her days working with the amazing students at Queens Hillel to develop Jewish community where wellness is woven into all that we do. She is passionate about supporting students as they explore their Jewish identity, including questions related to sexuality and/or gender identity, family and friendship dynamics, religious observance, and stress management. Em also oversees the career readiness initiatives at Queens Hillel in collaboration with CommonPoint Queens and loves to help students as they navigate their post-college professional journeys. In her free time, Em loves to play video games, spend time outdoors, eat yummy food, spend time with loved ones, and tend to her many plants. She can be reached at wellnessem@qchillel.org.

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Abby's commitment to fostering an environment of belonging and celebration of diverse backgrounds is evident in every facet of her work. Prior to joining the staff at Queens Hillel, Abby was a Jewish Educator & Communications Manager at Makom Community, a Jewish nonprofit afterschool program utilizing an innovative pedagogy called, Jewish Placemaking, a new approach to Jewish learning, where inclusivity is paramount and offers a new understanding of Jewish wisdom as it relates to everyone. Abby holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Temple University and her love of Opera and Classical Music has led her to a four-plus year commitment as a Contributor and Researcher with A Modern Reveal, an online resource dedicated to showcasing classical women composers who have been overlooked or forgotten throughout history.

Abby likes to snuggle with her cat, Stella and can be found exploring local spots and going to shows. Abby is currently apart of Cohort 14 of the Matan Institute.

Abby is enjoying developing robust student-led programming, providing invaluable mentorship, and curating culturally competent and inclusive content for social media. You can reach Abby at abby@qchillel.org.

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Regina is a New Yorker, born in Russia and raised in Israel and is a multitasker mother, and activist. She is a trilingual in Hebrew, English and Russian. She recently gradated her master’s in Yeshiva University Wurzweiler School of Social Work and is a proud mother of three wonderful children. She attended Molloy College for undergrad and completed her Bachelor’s degree in the interdisciplinary studies of Biology and Psychology. Regina is very excited to be part of one of the most rewarding professions of social work mostly due to the support and assistance she can provide to the community and others.

She decided to pursue social work especially because of her passion to empower women and families’ relations. Regina is also appreciating the diverse population in New York and being able to meet diverse cultures, and communities. She is also passionate about being a part of the Jewish community and the significant traditions that are cultivating the community for years. Regina loves traveling, listening to great music, going to Broadway and other live concerts, meeting new people, spending time in nature, cooking delicious food and most importantly spending time with the family. She can be reached at wellnessregina@qchillel.org.

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Elana Lennon Weinberg grew up in a Modern Orthodox Jewish community in Chicago, Illinois. She went to Jewish Day School where a love and respect for Israel was deeply embedded. After highschool, she spent a year abroad in Israel and moved to NY for college where she received a Bachelors in Judaic Studies and Education. Elana taught early childhood for many years, focusing specifically on helping kids with learning disabilities. She is now finishing her graduate degree in Social Work to feed her love for serving the community. For many years Elana has volunteered for a local non profit delivering food to the less fortunate and elderly. She lives in Queens, New York with her husband and two sons. She loves going to concerts and the outdoors.

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Karen Klein is an experienced career counselor and the director of the CUNY Career Connect program which serves students at five CUNY Hillels. Karen has been providing services to CUNY Hillel students since 2014, offering individual career guidance, workshops, and helping students expand their networks. Karen has also worked with college students from the former Soviet Union, offering internship placement, career support and educational workshops. At the start of her career Karen worked in publishing for several years, and she spent 3 years in Israel, living on Kibbutz and doing community service work. She also teaches 1st grade Religious School at Temple Tefila in Manhattan. Karen has an MA in Clinical and Health Psychology from MCP Hahnemann University and a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Karen grew up in New Jersey and now lives in Manhattan with her partner Gary. She loves the energy, connection and creativity of the Hillel community. She is passionate about helping students find successful and fulfilling careers and would love to hear from you! Contact Karen at kklein@commonpointqueens.org.

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Michael Gaudio is a career counselor in the CUNY Career Connect program. He brings a unique perspective to his work with a background in career counseling, higher education, theatre, and social services. He developed an interest in working with college students while serving in academic and career advising roles at Gordon College and Berklee College of Music. At both institutions, he helped initiate successful peer programs. He’s also worked in service roles with various populations and has performed in professional live theatre in multiple states. He is passionate about college and workforce access, career exploration, experiential learning, and incorporating arts practices for personal and professional growth. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and a Bachelor of Arts from Gordon College. He is a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches. He is thrilled to be working with CUNY Hillel students to help guide them to identify and set goals, explore careers, get connected, and find opportunities. Please contact Michael at mgaudio@commonpointqueens.org.