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Our Team
We believe in a pluralism that begins with the diversity of our staff
Meet the Team
Emily Block
Assistant Executive Director
Emily comes to Cornell Hillel after previously working as the Assistant Director of Jewish Student Life at Rollins College Hillel where she served as the inaugural solo director for almost 4 years. Emily is a Connecticut native- having attended the University of Connecticut for her undergraduate degree, which she received in Political Science and Human Rights, as well as her Masters in Public Administration with a focus in nonprofit management. She was also active in her Hillel in college, serving as president of the student board, as a member of the Board of Directors and finally as the Assistant Director. It was through her experience with Hillel that her passion for enhancing and empowering Jewish life on college campuses grew.
Rabbi Ari Weiss
Executive Director
Rabbi Ari Weiss is a Jewish educator, thought leader and social entrepreneur. He has led multiple initiatives in the Jewish educational, social justice, and innovation ecosystems that engage young adults and connect them to Jewish values, ideas, and community.
Ari is married to Dr. Sara Kranzler. They are the proud parents of Adir and Batya.
Susanna Cohen
Deputy Executive Director,Alumni Affairs and
Development
Susanna (Susu) is a proud Mid-Westerner and Cornell graduate ’12. As a student, she was a passionate Hillel leader, best remembered for co-founding the Big Red Bar Mitzvah. With a decade of experience in development, she is thrilled to work for an organization that is so close to her heart. She loves connecting with parents and alumni and working with stakeholders to enrich Hillel’s programs and ensure the continuity of Jewish life at Cornell.
Susu enjoys visiting Ithaca while working remotely in New York City where she lives with her husband David and their son Remy.
(607)-269-5393
skc79@cornell.edu
Andy Anderson
Director of Student Leadership
Jonah “Andy” Anderson is an educator and conversation starter from Columbus, OH. They studied Anthropology at the Ohio State University and have previously worked in rare disease education, Jewish learning at a distance, and at the intersections of spirituality and farming. Most recently, Andy served as the Senior Associate for Global Student Leadership with Hillel International. Outside of work, you can find him connecting Torah to yoga practice, practicing American Sign Language, thinking about the future of spiritual health, and hiking around Upstate New York. Email Andy to set up a coffee chat- they are eager to hear what’s on your mind!
Michelle Pasternak
Director of Operations
Michelle grew up in Brooklyn, New York having always been immersed in Jewish life and culture. She began her journey as an entrepreneur with a focus on operational management while simultaneously raising a family. Following a career in the private sector honing her expertise in administration, finance and personnel, she was inspired to join Hillel. Michelle with her partner, Chaim, moved from Miami and settled in as empty nesters here in Ithaca. Together, they have three children, all emerging adults who are finding their own way in the world. Michelle enjoys running, gardening, baking and most of all checking items off her to-do lists in her extremely, organized planner. As a member of the team at Cornell Hillel, Michelle looks forward to an enriching experience. She hopes to meet and get to know each and every individual that passes through the Hillel office.
(607) 255-9712
mp839@cornell.edu
Yehoshua Hooper
IACT Coordinator
Yehoshua (Yosh) Hooper grew up being a third-culture kid, constantly exploring new places and creating art along the way. He received his MA in Jewish Education, Nonprofit Development and Art Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in New York City. During his time at JTS, he did a joint MA program with the iCenter in Israel education and is also a Birthright Fellow. Yosh is part of the artist residency program at JTS and worked at the Jewish Art Museum which fueled his passions for uniting Torah studies with the fine arts. Yosh loves to travel and there is no place like Israel. He has lead various Birthright trips, studied abroad for a year at Tel Aviv University, and after his MA he spent two years studying at Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Here in Ithaca, you’ll find Yosh either hiking on trails, slacklining, or in his art studio. He can’t wait to be leading our Cornell Hillel Birthright trips. Join him for some Yerba mate or a fresh cup of coffee.
Stay tuned to meet Itay Saring,
our incoming Israel Fellow!
Itay Saring
Morris J. Escoll '16 Israel Fellow
Joanna Sherman
Springboard Innovation Fellow
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Joanna graduated from Northwestern University in 2021 and majored in Learning and Organizational Change with a minor in Spanish. While at Northwestern, she was a senator for Student Government, served as Vice President for the Northwestern Hillel Exec Board, and studied abroad in Barcelona her junior year.
Joanna loves coffee chats (but actually only drinks tea), Peloton, and baking desserts and challah. Her life goal is to travel to all of Buzzfeed’s top 27 ice cream shops in the world - she is currently at 13!
Jacob Kaplan-Lipkin
Slifka Rabbinic Fellow
Jacob is a rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, where he also plans to earn a Masters in Bible. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Jacob graduated from Stanford University in 2019. At Stanford, he served as the President of the Jewish Student Association and was involved in Hillel. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, watching and playing basketball, reading short stories, and trying to podcast through Central Park. Jacob would be happy to take you out for coffee at your favorite spot to help him make up his mind about the best coffee on campus!