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.
Follow the adventures of his labradoodle on insta (or swing by Hillel to see him): @meeshmeesh_labradoodle
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.
Follow the adventures of his labradoodle on insta (or swing by Hillel to see him): @meeshmeesh_labradoodle
Ariel Walovitch, Assistant Director
Ariel@NortheasternHillel.org
Insta: @arielmazelvitch
Ariel was born and raised in Framingham, Massachusetts. She calls Boston her home and is excited to be Northeastern Hillel’s first Assistant Director! Ariel graduated with a degree in Education from the University of Vermont. During her time at UVM, she was a cheerleader and a founding member of Kappa Delta sorority.
Ariel was our Director of Jewish Student Life this past school year. She worked closely with students to build eight new committees. Ariel helped establish the Greek Life committee, 21+ committee, Shabbat committee, LGBTQ committee, First Year Students at Hillel, Second Year Students at Hillel, Networking committee, and the We Remember committee. She is passionate about innovating Jewish life through community building.
Ariel loves reaching students on social media! You can find her on campus just as often as you will on your Instagram newsfeed, posting TikTok videos about Northeastern Hillel!
She spent 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 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 run, spend time with friends and family, and watch her niece and nephews!
Insta: @arielmazelvitch
Ariel was born and raised in Framingham, Massachusetts. She calls Boston her home and is excited to be Northeastern Hillel’s first Assistant Director! Ariel graduated with a degree in Education from the University of Vermont. During her time at UVM, she was a cheerleader and a founding member of Kappa Delta sorority.
Ariel was our Director of Jewish Student Life this past school year. She worked closely with students to build eight new committees. Ariel helped establish the Greek Life committee, 21+ committee, Shabbat committee, LGBTQ committee, First Year Students at Hillel, Second Year Students at Hillel, Networking committee, and the We Remember committee. She is passionate about innovating Jewish life through community building.
Ariel loves reaching students on social media! You can find her on campus just as often as you will on your Instagram newsfeed, posting TikTok videos about Northeastern Hillel!
She spent 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 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 run, spend time with friends and family, and watch her niece and nephews!
Maria Skorobogat, Jewish Agency Israel Fellow
maria@NortheasternHillel.org
Born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Maria studied Spanish and linguistics in high school. While growing up, she took part in Jewish summer camps. At the age of 18, Maria moved to Israel by herself.
In Israel, Maria served in the IDF Air Force division for two years. She managed and coordinated soldiers and officers from different military bases. Her time there contributed a lot to her sense of belonging in Israel.
Maria graduated from Kibbutzim College of Education and Arts with B.Ed. in Special Education and History.
During her studies, she was actively involved in community service, including volunteering at a soup kitchen and several kindergartens and nurseries for refugees.
In her free time, she enjoys yoga, reading and listening to podcasts.
Born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Maria studied Spanish and linguistics in high school. While growing up, she took part in Jewish summer camps. At the age of 18, Maria moved to Israel by herself.
In Israel, Maria served in the IDF Air Force division for two years. She managed and coordinated soldiers and officers from different military bases. Her time there contributed a lot to her sense of belonging in Israel.
Maria graduated from Kibbutzim College of Education and Arts with B.Ed. in Special Education and History.
During her studies, she was actively involved in community service, including volunteering at a soup kitchen and several kindergartens and nurseries for refugees.
In her free time, she enjoys yoga, reading and listening to podcasts.
Sophie Usow, IACT Israel Engagement Coordinator
Sophie@NortheasternHillel.org
Follow her on insta @HuskiesintheHolyLand
Sophie is from Lenox, Massachusetts and recently graduated from Brandeis University where she majored in Psychology and minored in Environmental Studies and Legal Studies. Sophie is deeply passionate about environmental issues and was involved with the Brandeis Office of Sustainability to implement environmentally conscious initiatives.
In college, she traveled to Israel with Birthright and Boston Onward Israel after her freshman year and found her love of falafel and Bamba. Afterward, she worked as a Campus Representative for Boston Onward Israel to recruit students to intern and live in Israel for the summer. She is extremely excited to be Northeastern Hillel’s IACT Coordinator! In her free time, Sophie loves to spend time outside, learn fun dances, and try new Trader Joe’s products.
Follow her on insta @HuskiesintheHolyLand
Sophie is from Lenox, Massachusetts and recently graduated from Brandeis University where she majored in Psychology and minored in Environmental Studies and Legal Studies. Sophie is deeply passionate about environmental issues and was involved with the Brandeis Office of Sustainability to implement environmentally conscious initiatives.
In college, she traveled to Israel with Birthright and Boston Onward Israel after her freshman year and found her love of falafel and Bamba. Afterward, she worked as a Campus Representative for Boston Onward Israel to recruit students to intern and live in Israel for the summer. She is extremely excited to be Northeastern Hillel’s IACT Coordinator! In her free time, Sophie loves to spend time outside, learn fun dances, and try new Trader Joe’s products.
Ethan Lerman, Springboard Innovation Fellow
Ethan@NortheasternHillel.org
Follow him on insta @ethanneuhillel
Raised in Plainview, New York on Long Island, Ethan moved to Columbus, Ohio for college and attended The Ohio State University. He majored in Psychology with a minor in Entomology and graduated in May of 2021.
Ethan was involved in OSU Hillel, ZBT, and a sport and wellness scholars program. He was on the student board of Hillel, the risk manager of ZBT and was a scholar's mentor for his scholars program. Additionally Ethan studied abroad in Tel-Aviv for two and a half months before Covid sent him home.
Ethan worked at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires for three summers as a Counselor for teenage boys. He also volunteers for the Crisis Text Line where he has been commended for his skills at crisis intervention. Ethan’s interest in animals and insects of all kinds brought him to a pitbull shelter where he assists with the recovering dogs. He has also been a licensed EMT for several years.
Follow him on insta @ethanneuhillel
Raised in Plainview, New York on Long Island, Ethan moved to Columbus, Ohio for college and attended The Ohio State University. He majored in Psychology with a minor in Entomology and graduated in May of 2021.
Ethan was involved in OSU Hillel, ZBT, and a sport and wellness scholars program. He was on the student board of Hillel, the risk manager of ZBT and was a scholar's mentor for his scholars program. Additionally Ethan studied abroad in Tel-Aviv for two and a half months before Covid sent him home.
Ethan worked at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires for three summers as a Counselor for teenage boys. He also volunteers for the Crisis Text Line where he has been commended for his skills at crisis intervention. Ethan’s interest in animals and insects of all kinds brought him to a pitbull shelter where he assists with the recovering dogs. He has also been a licensed EMT for several years.
Jesse Epstein, Rabbinic Intern
Jesse@NortheasternHillel.org
Follow him on TikTok and Instagram! (handle:@studentrabbijesse)
Jesse is a 2nd year Rabbinical Student at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York City. He grew up in Port Washington, NY, where he served as president of his NFTY-NAR youth group, before attending Skidmore College where he was elected to various positions in Hillel throughout his college career, including President, Education Director, and Interfaith Coordinator.
Jesse deeply values pluralistic and interfaith spaces, which is demonstrated in his regular hosting of OneTable Shabbat Dinners, past participation in Project Understanding, and having been an active member in various Moishe House communities. Throughout his time at HUC-JIR, Jesse has been a volunteer at the HUC Soup Kitchen, and recently completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (chaplaincy training) at Lenox Hill Hospital. Shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jesse became a founding volunteer of the COVID Grief Network's administrative team, and spent over a year developing and maintaining the Network in various capacities.
Jesse enjoys applying Jewish values and perspectives to each of his hobbies, including gardening, beer-brewing, and his professional and volunteer work as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (A-EMT). As an avid environmentalist, Jesse commits wholly to the obligation of Tikkun Olam -- Repairing the World. He is very excited to encourage and inspire Northeastern University students to explore new ways of interacting with Judaism in a post-pandemic world, while honoring the familiar and timeless customs of our tradition.
To book an in-person meeting, phone call, or zoom chat with Jesse click here!
Follow him on TikTok and Instagram! (handle:@studentrabbijesse)
Jesse is a 2nd year Rabbinical Student at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York City. He grew up in Port Washington, NY, where he served as president of his NFTY-NAR youth group, before attending Skidmore College where he was elected to various positions in Hillel throughout his college career, including President, Education Director, and Interfaith Coordinator.
Jesse deeply values pluralistic and interfaith spaces, which is demonstrated in his regular hosting of OneTable Shabbat Dinners, past participation in Project Understanding, and having been an active member in various Moishe House communities. Throughout his time at HUC-JIR, Jesse has been a volunteer at the HUC Soup Kitchen, and recently completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (chaplaincy training) at Lenox Hill Hospital. Shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jesse became a founding volunteer of the COVID Grief Network's administrative team, and spent over a year developing and maintaining the Network in various capacities.
Jesse enjoys applying Jewish values and perspectives to each of his hobbies, including gardening, beer-brewing, and his professional and volunteer work as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (A-EMT). As an avid environmentalist, Jesse commits wholly to the obligation of Tikkun Olam -- Repairing the World. He is very excited to encourage and inspire Northeastern University students to explore new ways of interacting with Judaism in a post-pandemic world, while honoring the familiar and timeless customs of our tradition.
To book an in-person meeting, phone call, or zoom chat with Jesse click here!
Shira Hartman, Director of Operations
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. From 2019-2021 she worked as the IACT coordinator and director of Israel immersive experiences at Northeastern Hillel.
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 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. From 2019-2021 she worked as the IACT coordinator and director of Israel immersive experiences at Northeastern Hillel.
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!
Yoni Michanie, Operations Associate
Yoni@NortheasternHillel.org
Follow him on twitter!
Yoni was born in Argentina and moved to Miami, Florida at the age of 12. After receiving his BA in Political Science from Florida International University, Yoni made Aliyah and drafted into the IDF's Paratroopers division. Following his service, Yoni completed his MA in Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at IDC Herzliya and went on to work as a campus advisor and strategic planner for the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (CAMERA).
Currently, Yoni is a Ph.D. student at Northeastern University in the Political Science department. Yoni's hobbies include hiking, reading, soccer, and running outdoors.
Follow him on twitter!
Yoni was born in Argentina and moved to Miami, Florida at the age of 12. After receiving his BA in Political Science from Florida International University, Yoni made Aliyah and drafted into the IDF's Paratroopers division. Following his service, Yoni completed his MA in Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at IDC Herzliya and went on to work as a campus advisor and strategic planner for the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (CAMERA).
Currently, Yoni is a Ph.D. student at Northeastern University in the Political Science department. Yoni's hobbies include hiking, reading, soccer, and running outdoors.
