Aaron Fine
​Executive Director

413-549-1710 x207
aaronfine@umass.edu
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I am very excited to have returned to my hometown of Amherst to serve as UMass Hillel's Executive Director.  Previously, I served as Rabbi of Temple Sinai of Marblehead on the North Shore of Boston. I received rabbinic ordination at Hebrew College in Newton, MA as well as a Masters in Jewish Education. I met my wife Emily at Oberlin College. Some of the things I love to do are to explore the outdoors, garden, play music, study Jewish mysticism, and play with my children Emet and Sephira. My doors are open, come say hi!

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Rebekah Steinfeld
​Assistant Director

413-549-1710 x208
rebekahs@umass.edu
  
​I joined the staff of UMass Hillel in 2014 after two years teaching at a Jewish Day School in Northampton, MA. Some of my other work experiences have been in Jewish environmental education at Teva and directing the arts programs at Seeds of Peace International Camp. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, I hold an MA in Performance Studies from NYU and a BA in Theatre from Willamette University. I have a wide range of passions, some of which include inspiring young people to live embodied Jewish lives, using theater to build connections across difference, and the role of religion in peace-making. In my free time I like to hike, read, cook, travel, and develop my ukulele skills.

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Donna Baron
​Director of Advancement

413-549-1710 x206
dbaron@umass.edu

I am very excited to join the team at UMass Hillel as Director of Advancement. For the last 15 years, as a leader with Five Colleges, Incorporated and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative I worked with diverse groups in higher education and state and local government to deliver large-scale technology initiatives with a focus on bridging the digital divide and bringing broadband to unserved citizens in western Massachusetts. I am now eager to turn my attention, skills and experience to work that is more personally meaningful for me. I have a B.A. in Geography from Clark University and a M.S in Geography and Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I live in Amherst with my husband, Steven, and my son, Nathan. Outside of work I enjoy swimming, cooking, reading, listening to music, puttering in the garden and of course going to all the high school chorale and theater performances. I look forward to getting to know Hillel students and supporters soon.

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Raffi and Ariella Leicht 
OU-JLIC Educators

413-549-1710 x211                  413-549-1710 x204
raffi@umassjlic.org                ariella@umassjlic.org

Following our recent marriage and sojourn in Park Slope, Brooklyn, we are headed up to the Pioneer Valley to forage for souls and sparks of light as the new JLIC couple on the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Raffi, who studied neuropsychology at the City University of New York, has shared his love of Torah, Tefilla and Chevra in different educational and communal environments, both here in the US and abroad. He has built conscious communities and has studied under some of the most renowned leaders and thinkers in the Jewish world today. Ariella, born and raised in prime suburbia of Great Neck, NY, is a graduate of Bernard Revel Graduate School of Judaic Studies with a Master's degree in (and love for) Medieval Jewish History. Ariella worked as a Curatorial Assistant at the Herbert and Eileen Bernard Museum of Judaica in New York City. We are looking forward to continuing the wonderful work of Rabbi Yosi and Dr. Sheera Eisen and to working with students and staff in helping create a vibrant community as beautiful as its setting.

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Rachel Schy
IACT Birthright Coordinator

413-549-1710 x202
umass2israel@gmail.com
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I am originally from Newton, Massachusetts and graduated from Binghamton University in 2015 with a BS in Human Development and Gender Studies. During college, I was involved in Kaskeset, Binghamton’s Jewish A Cappella group as both a member and president. I was also involved in Team Sunrise, a club that raises money for the Jewish Community Center and Camp Sunrise, a camp for children with cancer and their siblings. Following graduation, I moved to Israel for a year to volunteer as an English teacher in Netanya on the MASA Israel Teaching Fellows program. While there, I developed a deep passion for and knowledge about Israel. I can’t wait to help UMass Amherst students build their own personal connection to Israel. In my free time, I like to cook, read, watch Netflix, spend time with friends, and travel. Rachel’s office door is always open, so feel free to stop by any time!  ​

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Valentina Khomenko 
​Israel Fellow  

413-549-1710 x210
​Valentinahom320@gmail.com 

Valentina works as a part of the Israel Fellows program, a collaboration between Hillel International and the Jewish Agency for Israel that places outstanding young Israelis on key North American campuses to serve as peer ambassadors to the campus community. Valentina was born in Russia and made Aliyah by herself in 2007. In Israel, Valentina served in the IDF as a social worker, then studied sociology, anthropology and human resources for a B.A. at Bar Ilan University. During her B.A. studies, Valentina worked as a tour guide at Bahai's gardens in Haifa and Acre. She also has an M.A. in organizational sociology from the University of Haifa. Immediately prior to her arrival at UMass Hillel, Valentina worked for the Jewish Agency as a coordinator of Aliyah programs at the Absorption center in Kiriat Iam. In Valentina's free time, she likes traveling, hiking, reading, watching movies, and listening to music. Valentina's door is always open to meet new people, exchange new ideas, and to talk about Israel.

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Annie Fortnow
Social Justice Fellow

afortnow@umass.edu

​I am delighted to be joining the UMass Hillel staff as the Social Justice Fellow. I recently graduated from Brandeis University where I minored in social justice and helped to run an annual festival of social justice on campus. I can't wait to connect students with social justice opportunities, ranging from community service to activism to discussions. I am excited to explore the connection between social justice and Judaism with everyone at UMass Hillel and cannot wait to infuse conversations about equality and Jewish teachings into Hillel life. I enjoy spending my free time traveling, gardening, and spending time in nature. Come find me with any and all social justice-related ideas or questions!

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Signe D. Staub
Administrator/
​Development Support

413-549-1710 x201
sdstaub@external.umass.edu


I became the Administrator at UMass Hillel in February 2014. Prior to that I was the administrative assistant at an excavation company in Orange, MA for 3½ years. I was also a finish carpenter for several years prior to coming to UMass Hillel. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Communication Design from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania and continue to enjoy using my graphic arts skills when given the opportunity. I moved to Belchertown, MA in the summer of 2015 after spending 27 years in Orange. I love western Massachusetts and being involved with the students at UMass. Come by and say hi anytime! On many Fridays, I have my Springer Spaniel, Amy, with me at the office and she loves the attention that staff and students lavish on her! In my free time, I enjoy doing needlework, drawing, reading, listening to podcasts, as well as traveling to visit family and friends.

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Rob Kaufman
​Director of Operations

413-549-1710 x205
Rkaufman@external.umass.edu

I am responsible for all things related to the building's operations and maintenance. plus some budget and financial planning tasks. My background has been in the areas of energy management and conservation and business operations. Having lived in the Valley for 15 years with my wife and three sons, I enjoy coaching soccer, playing tennis, golf and hanging at the ocean. Be sure to stop by my office and say hi!

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​Resident Assistant of JLLC