Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Erez (he/his/him) has a BA in Political Science and an MA in Diplomacy from Tel Aviv University. His professional experience includes working in a community center in Tel Aviv, volunteering as a Project Manager in East Africa, serving as the Israel Fellow at UIUC Hillel and fundraising for the Jaffa Institute. Erez is happily married and enjoys traveling (with around 20 countries and 20 US states under his wing), reading and writing Wikipedia articles in Hebrew. 

Lauren (she/her) was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She graduated from Indiana University- Bloomington where she majored in Jewish Studies and minored in Nonprofit Management and Youth Development. During her time at Indiana, Lauren studied abroad at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on the Nachshon Project. This experience along with her involvement in USY and the summers she spent at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin both as a camper and then as a staff member have inspired Lauren to pursue a career in experiential Jewish education.

Before joining the Illini Hillel team, Lauren spent 3 years working as the Regional Intern for CHUSY, Chicagoland's USY Region, and 5 summers working at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, most recently as a Division Head. Both of these organizations showed Lauren the importance of developing a personal Jewish identity, and she strives to help others develop their own identity as she continues to work in the Jewish world.

Eli (he/him/his) has always lived in the Midwest, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and raised in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. He returned to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, graduating with a double BA in Journalism and Jewish Studies, and a minor in modern Hebrew. Eli's undergraduate experience pointed him toward a career as a Jewish professional: in classes, at Hillel events, and even socializing among peers who had never had an extended conversation with a Jewish person, he learned to be unapologetic and enthusiastic about his own Jewish journey and identity.

Eli is thrilled to meet you and collaborate on new and exciting ways to center the value of Tzedakah in our community. He is always happy to chat about fundraising,  communications, Jewish text and biblical history, cats, and collecting Star Wars memorabilia!

Although Liz didn't grow up in a predominantly Jewish area, her connection to Jewish community and identity grew stronger during her time at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Tel Aviv University. While studying abroad in Rome, she explored diverse expressions of Jewish life across cultures.Liz earned her degree in Communication Science and Rhetorical Studies, with additional majors in Jewish Studies and Digital Studies. At UW, she was actively involved with both Hillel and Chabad but felt there was room for a new kind of space—one that fostered even greater Jewish unity and pride on campus. This vision helped inspire the creation of the Illini Jewish Project.When she’s not working, Liz enjoys hiking, traveling, thrifting, swimming, and listening to music. She also loves spending time with her German Shepherd, Ze’ev, whether they’re training together or just relaxing.

Jessica Kopolow is a native of the Chambana-Savono area whose family has lived in central Illinois for at least six generations. Jessica is a proud graduate of the Champaign Unit 4 schools, and she studied Liberal Arts at UIUC before joining the workforce full time. Jessica brings to Illini Hillel years of experience in a variety of fields, including retail, labor & delivery, nonprofit, childcare, education, and music. In addition to keeping things running smoothly at the Cohen Center, Jessica also works as a songleader at Sinai Temple in Champaign and has served as High Holidays Cantorial Soloist in the Reform minyan at Illini Hillel since 2021. Jessica volunteers her time serving as Chairperson of Sinai Temple’s Gift Shop, as well as co-Chair of the Chevra Kadisha.

When she’s not working or volunteering, Jessica can be found reading, listening to music, watching movies, cooking, shopping, napping, or engaging in any other activity to avoid housework! Jessica also loves traveling, trying new foods, and going to live concerts (music and comedy). She has seen many “legends” in concert, including Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Lady Gaga, Jerry Seinfeld, and Larry David.

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Stop by the front desk anytime to say hi- Jessica looks forward to hearing what you you have to say! 

Rabbi Gabe Miner (he/him/his) has worked with learners of all ages in synagogues, camps, day schools, universities, youth organizations, and travel programs in the US, Europe, and Israel. Rabbi Gabe loves traveling, American folk and bluegrass music, theatre, Jewish camp, sketch comedy, and Yiddish. He is an award-winning playwright and a former axe-throwing coach. In rabbinical school, his capstone project explored puns and wordplay in rabbinic literature as a paradigm for a pluralistic approach to Jewish living.Rabbi Gabe lived in Warsaw from 2019-2021, and he loves talking about his work there with the Taube Center for Jewish Life and Learning, his experience in Warsaw’s Jewish community, and his many travels throughout Poland. He holds a Masters in Jewish Education and a BA in Modern Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a BA in Dramatic Literature and Playwriting from Columbia University. Rabbi Gabe is excited to connect with you and learn more about how Hillel can support Illini students, whether it’s enriching their Jewish experience at UIUC or helping them find a safe space and a place to relax.

Golan is a second-year Jewish Agency Israel Fellow at Hillel, University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. Growing up in Jerusalem, Golan completed high school and then spent a gap year in Israel's Arava desert studying, volunteering and working the land in an agricultural community, followed by a BA in Education and History from Tel Aviv University, including spending a semester in Venice. During his studies he worked with students experiencing psychological challenges. Afterwards he worked as an advisor in the Ono Academic College. Golan's extensive experience with global Jewry stems from having worked at Alexander Muss high school in Israel and with Ramah programs in several different capacities in America and Israel.

Michelle grew up in the Chicago suburbs and is a recent graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. She earned her degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in English as a Second Language, making central Illinois a place she already knows well.

During her time at Bradley, Michelle was deeply involved in campus life, particularly through Hillel, where she served as a student intern in various leadership roles focused on Jewish Life, Engagement, and First-Year Students. She also held several leadership positions within her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, further developing her passion for building community and fostering meaningful connections.
 

Michelle has spent the past six summers working at Jewish summer camps, including Camp Chi, BB Camp, and Greene Family Camp. Throughout those summers, she served in a variety of roles, including counselor, unit head, and program coordinator, these experiences strengthened her leadership skills and deepened her commitment to Jewish education and community engagement.

Michelle is thrilled to begin her journey as a Springboard Fellow at the University of Illinois. She is excited to connect with students, help them build meaningful Jewish experiences, and create a welcoming community where everyone feels they belong.