President
Naomi Kaplan
|
If upon entering the big, open lobby of Steinhardt Hall you find yourself greeted by an incredibly friendly stranger who inexplicably takes a vested interest in helping you find your way, you probably just ran into Naomi Kaplan. A junior Urban Studies major in the College, Naomi has a sweet, caring nature that helps make her such a great returning member of Hillel Steering. Don't let her girl-next-door facade fool you. Naomi’s past experience on Steering and other various activities has more than prepared for her new and important role as Hillel’s President. Instead of “spamming” the list-serve as Communications chair, Naomi will now be ruling the Hillel community. Naomi is excited to make Hillel the best it has ever been. As reflected in the subject line of a recent email that she sent, which read, “I’m really on top of life,” Naomi will be “on top” of Hillel this next year.
|
|
Vice President
Rachel Cohen
|
All the way from Santa Barbara, California, Hillel’s new VP, Rachel Cohen bursts with excitement every time she steps into Hillel’s Steinhardt Hall. Her fun-loving attitude and friendly persona allow everyone around her to feel that same excitement when they enter Hillel. When Rachel is not attending Shabbat services, a meeting, or Hillel meal, you can find her leisurely walking into downtown Philly to enjoy an afternoon of people watching in the nearby cafes. As a junior and English major, Rachel’s hidden talents stem from her crossword puzzle and sudoku skills, to her knitting expertise, and passion for reading (not to mention her quirky ear-wiggling ability). Rachel’s involvement on Penn’s campus includes, but is not limited to the steering committee of Penn Consortium of Undergraduate Women, Moral Voices co-chair, and serving as a research intern at CHOP. Rachel’s loyalty and passionate nature will enable her to tackle her vice presidential duties with great success!
|
Communications Chair
Brittany Bell
|
In addition to considering a job in hula-hooping, Brittany Bell serves on Hillel Steeering as Communications Chair, controlling the sacrosanct Hillel listserv and making sure that everyone is in the loop with Hillel updates. If you ever need to find Brittany, look for her at Hillel on Mondays or Wednesdays, as Hillel meat lunches are one of her most favorite activities. When asked what she’s most excited about for 2010 Steering, Brittany answered: “I hope that everyone is as excited as I am when a reminder for that Hillel event pops up on your facebook news feed.” If she wasn’t such an effervescent social butterfly, also involved in Penn Alumni Student Society, Kite and Key Society, and Alpha Phi, that statement might make us worried about her social skills. But this choco-phile, giggly, and purely positive sweetheart is sure to make Penn Hillel the most fun place around!
|
|
Finance Chair
Evan Schoenbach
|
As the only male on steering, Evan Schoenbach has got what it takes to work with the ladies: his love for yoga and latin dancing makes him fit right in. An ambitious sophomore in Wharton, he can usually be found around Hillel holding interfaith discussions with PRISM and meeting new people over dinner. Don't let his love for all things international fool you- this super-friendly life of the party graduated from Ramaz in his hometown of New York. He wants to visit South America, though. Evan is always up for good time or a great idea, so be sure to stop and say "hi!"
|
|
Education Chair
Dina Bleckman
|
You may have seen Dina Bleckman all over campus, since she’s a tour guide, a peer advisor, and Hillel’s newest education chair! She’s majoring in Jewish Studies along with European History which makes her the perfect person to plan interesting, stimulating educational programs, although if you want to know the way to her heart, suggest cooking and watching Gossip Girl. Dina wants to be education chair so she can challenge herself and others and get to know new people, so next time you see her around campus, be sure to say hi!
|
|
Jewish Life Chair
Davida Shiff
|
History major, PoliSci minor from Toronto. Sounds boring, right? Davida Shiff is anything but. The only steering member to throw a 60-person NSO Shabbat dinner afterparty, Davida was taught by Fergie how to get the party started. Her true strength, however, lies in bridging gaps. When she thought there wasn’t enough African American – Jewish love going on in Penn, Davida arranged last year’s Hillel-NAACP mixer. The coolest person most of us will ever know, Davida will no doubt bring her spunky joie de vivre to Hillel’s Jewish Life sector this year. She has two weaknesses: cheese and little furry puppies. Our advice: exploit them.
|
|
Israel Chair
Rachel Baker
|
Rachel Baker is a sophomore in the college hailing from West Hartford, Connecticut. Don’t let her New England roots fool you, when it comes down to it, she’s Israeli at heart! When she’s not getting Hillel pumped about Israel, she can be found coordinating Sunday Night Learning, speaking Arabic, or hanging out on the JCrew website. Rachel can’t wait to tell Penn all about how great Israel is (did you know that Israel invented the cherry tomato?!) and show them her Israel poster collection! She pretty much lives in Hillel and can have discussions for hours about politics, history, pop culture; you name it, of the Middle East. If you don’t know her, introduce yourself; you will learn something new about Israel and make an awesome friend!
|
|
Social & Cultural Chair
Stephanie Felton
|
You may recognize her from Kosherland. You definitely saw her at the Hillel downtown. But if you’re looking for Stephanie Felton, look no further than Steinhardt Hall- it’s her favorite hangout on campus. If you see a social and fun-loving girl roaming Hillel you’ve probably just encountered the one-and-only Stephanie Felton. Perhaps you’ll find this sophomore nursing student by the cookies after dinner, proving the fact that Hillel cookies are good for your health. Make sure to keep your eyes open because you never know when the next super fun event she’s planning to bring together the whole community will pop up in your social calendar. She’s super sweet and friendly, so introduce yourself to her and, if you’re lucky, she might even challenge you to a game of bananagrams.
|
|
Tzedek Chair
Liz Rubin
|
Wondering who that cute brown-haired girl is running down Locust Walk? It's Liz Rubin- Hillel's Tzedek Chair and marathoner-extraordinaire! Hailing from Los Angeles, this junior lives for everything community service and also finds some time to play basketball. Asked what she finds most beautiful, Rubin admitted that she has a penchant for smiles. So next time you spot this volunteering champion hanging around Steinhardt Hall, flash her those pearly whites and you won't regret it!
|
|
|
