Meet Our Staff
Gilad Skolnick, Executive Director
gilad@northeasternhillel.org
Gilad received an M.A. from the University of Delaware in Urban Affairs and Public Policy and B.A. degrees from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in History, Communication, and Judaic Studies. His junior year was spent studying at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
In college he was active at Hillel, serving for several years in elected positions, and was a columnist for the campus paper. Before joining the Northeastern Hillel team, he worked as the Director of Campus Programming at CAMERA. Prior to that, he served in the IDF as a Corporal in the Spokesperson's Unit and hiked all 680 miles of the Israel National Trail.
Gilad was born on a Kibbutz in Israel's Negev desert, and grew up in a suburb of Boston. On his free time he enjoys hiking, exploring a new part of the country (he's been to 49 states), and discovering new ice cream parlors.
Gilad received an M.A. from the University of Delaware in Urban Affairs and Public Policy and B.A. degrees from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in History, Communication, and Judaic Studies. His junior year was spent studying at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
In college he was active at Hillel, serving for several years in elected positions, and was a columnist for the campus paper. Before joining the Northeastern Hillel team, he worked as the Director of Campus Programming at CAMERA. Prior to that, he served in the IDF as a Corporal in the Spokesperson's Unit and hiked all 680 miles of the Israel National Trail.
Gilad was born on a Kibbutz in Israel's Negev desert, and grew up in a suburb of Boston. On his free time he enjoys hiking, exploring a new part of the country (he's been to 49 states), and discovering new ice cream parlors.
Shira Hartman, IACT Director of Immersive Israel Experience
IACT@NortheasternHillel.org
Shira was born in Israel and moved to a suburb of Boston when she was five. Her love for Israel and Judaism started within her family where both her parents are Israeli and served in the Israel Defense Force (IDF).
Shira was also a counselor in the Tzofim-Israeli scouts movement throughout her high school years. That is where her strength to support and take action for Israel came to be. Throughout her college years, she worked promoting Birthright and Onward with Israel Campus Roundtable, and took the opportunity to be the social media and event coordinator at Simmons Hillel for her last semester.
After graduating from Simmons University in 2016 with a Communication and Marketing B.A., she joined the International Relations Division of the IDF. On her free time Shira, loves doing yoga, traveling to new places, snorkeling, and taking an adventure to go to the most exotic beaches.
Reach out to Shira and get to know her here!
Shira was born in Israel and moved to a suburb of Boston when she was five. Her love for Israel and Judaism started within her family where both her parents are Israeli and served in the Israel Defense Force (IDF).
Shira was also a counselor in the Tzofim-Israeli scouts movement throughout her high school years. That is where her strength to support and take action for Israel came to be. Throughout her college years, she worked promoting Birthright and Onward with Israel Campus Roundtable, and took the opportunity to be the social media and event coordinator at Simmons Hillel for her last semester.
After graduating from Simmons University in 2016 with a Communication and Marketing B.A., she joined the International Relations Division of the IDF. On her free time Shira, loves doing yoga, traveling to new places, snorkeling, and taking an adventure to go to the most exotic beaches.
Reach out to Shira and get to know her here!
Yeshi Mengistu, Director of Israel Engagement & Education
yeshi@northeasternhillel.org
Yeshi graduated from Ben-Gurion University with a B.A in Politics and Government, and African Studies, and was active in the feminist campus organization.
Outside campus, as a graduate student from The Israeli School of Humanitarian Aid, she volunteered at the Center for International Migration and Integration (CIMI), assisting migrants and asylum seekers with their rights. After graduating from the “Nachshon” Pre-Military Academy Program at Kibbutz Shoval, she served in the IDF Education Corps as an instructional and training commander at boot camp for non-Hebrew speaking new immigrant soldiers.
Yeshi was born in Siman, Ethiopia and moved to Israel with her family at the age of five. She loves hiking, photography, reading, music and her favorite food in the world is Anjara.
Yeshi graduated from Ben-Gurion University with a B.A in Politics and Government, and African Studies, and was active in the feminist campus organization.
Outside campus, as a graduate student from The Israeli School of Humanitarian Aid, she volunteered at the Center for International Migration and Integration (CIMI), assisting migrants and asylum seekers with their rights. After graduating from the “Nachshon” Pre-Military Academy Program at Kibbutz Shoval, she served in the IDF Education Corps as an instructional and training commander at boot camp for non-Hebrew speaking new immigrant soldiers.
Yeshi was born in Siman, Ethiopia and moved to Israel with her family at the age of five. She loves hiking, photography, reading, music and her favorite food in the world is Anjara.
Ariel Walovitch, Director of Jewish Student Life
Ariel@northeasternhillel.org
Ariel was born and raised in Framingham, Massachusetts. She calls Boston her home and is excited to join the team at Northeastern Hillel! Ariel graduated from the University of Vermont. During her time at UVM, she was a cheerleader and a founding member of Kappa Delta sorority.
Ariel spent the past three years working at Hillel JUC Pittsburgh where she was the Springboard Innovation Fellow, and then the Director of Engagement. During her time at Pitt, Ariel worked closely with Jewish students in Greek life. She helped foster a community for them on campus known as the Jewish Greek Life Association. Ariel also created an internship called MazelRazzi for Jewish students who are social media influencers. She taught students how to start Jewish conversations through social media and be ambassadors of Hillel’s brand. She looks forward to teaching Jewish students at Northeastern these skills!
In her free time Ariel loves to stay active and spend time with family and friends! She hopes to pursue coaching and work with a cheer team in the Boston area.
Ariel was born and raised in Framingham, Massachusetts. She calls Boston her home and is excited to join the team at Northeastern Hillel! Ariel graduated from the University of Vermont. During her time at UVM, she was a cheerleader and a founding member of Kappa Delta sorority.
Ariel spent the past three years working at Hillel JUC Pittsburgh where she was the Springboard Innovation Fellow, and then the Director of Engagement. During her time at Pitt, Ariel worked closely with Jewish students in Greek life. She helped foster a community for them on campus known as the Jewish Greek Life Association. Ariel also created an internship called MazelRazzi for Jewish students who are social media influencers. She taught students how to start Jewish conversations through social media and be ambassadors of Hillel’s brand. She looks forward to teaching Jewish students at Northeastern these skills!
In her free time Ariel loves to stay active and spend time with family and friends! She hopes to pursue coaching and work with a cheer team in the Boston area.
Rabbinic Intern: Updates Coming Soon
William Kuang, Operations Manager
office@northeasternhillel.org
Hailing from Utah where he obtained his MS in Finance, William got lured to Boston in 2012 where he has since survived the worst winter in Boston’s history. With background in accounting, finance, and economics he’s excited support and learn about all the programming that Northeastern Hillel community has to offer. Not to mention all the delicious food either, William loves to consume culture. In his free time he loves to explore the ICA, MFA, volunteer at MGH, and bake.
Hailing from Utah where he obtained his MS in Finance, William got lured to Boston in 2012 where he has since survived the worst winter in Boston’s history. With background in accounting, finance, and economics he’s excited support and learn about all the programming that Northeastern Hillel community has to offer. Not to mention all the delicious food either, William loves to consume culture. In his free time he loves to explore the ICA, MFA, volunteer at MGH, and bake.
