Executive Director & CEO
jackie@washuhillel.org
314-935-9042
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Originally from Buffalo, NY (go Bills!), Jackie moved to St. Louis to attend Washington University. During college, she interned at Hillel, co-founded a group called “Black Women/Jewish Women” and was President of Student Union, WashU’s student government. Jackie loved St. Louis and WashU, and after a fellowship and political campaign work in Washington, DC, she returned to WashU for law school. After 8 years practicing law in St. Louis, it was time to return to the campus that she loves and help foster one of the most vibrant campus Jewish communities in the country. She still can’t believe she’s been given this opportunity to work with such amazing students each day, helping to cultivate the next generation of Jewish leaders during one of the most important times in our history. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, photography, and spending time with her husband Jim, son Asher, her daughter Maddie, and their rescue dog Bo.

Silk Foundation Campus Rabbi
Chief Experience Officer
rabbijordan@washuhillel.org
314-935-9037
Pronouns: He/Him/His

Rabbi Jordan Gerson, known by his students as RJ, is currently working in his dream job as WashU Hillel's Campus Rabbi. After growing up here in St. Louis, RJ earned his BA from Binghamton University in Jewish Studies with a focus in Jewish History. In 2005 he moved to Los Angeles where he attended The Ziegler School of Rabbinic studies. Ordained in 2011, Rabbi Jordan simultaneously earned his MA in Rabbinic Literature from the American Jewish University. Today, RJ loves being back in St. Louis with his wife, Becky, and their three daughters, Daliya, Ashira, and Nessa, and their new son, Ishai. RJ loves introducing students to the rich compendium of knowledge that Judaism has to offer in new and innovative ways and through a modern lens. He believes torah can be found wherever we look, it is simply a matter of uncovering it. When he’s not in the office, Rabbi Jordan loves spending time with his family, cooking healthful and creative dishes, reading, and watching movies.

Assistant Director
hannah@washuhillel.org
314-935-9044
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Hannah is ecstatic to return to her hometown of St. Louis as Hillel's Assistant Director. Before moving back to St. Louis, Hannah and her family lived in Dallas, Texas for six years where she was the Associate Director of Learning and Innovation at Temple Emanu-El. Hannah received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and her masters' degrees of Jewish Education and Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College, where she met her husband, Rabbi Andrew Terkel. Hannah is thrilled to be part of the Hillel team and hopes to serve as a resource, guide and support system as students enter this part of their Jewish journeys. Hannah and Andrew have two sons, Avi and Micah, and two goldendoodles, Mollie and Murphy. In her free time, Hannah loves going to Cardinals games, building legos with her family, and spending time at the beach.

Administrator
hillel@washuhillel.org
314-935-9038
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Missy was born and raised in St. Louis. She graduated in 2001 from the University of Missouri St. Louis with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in English. Completely unrelated to the degree, she spent many years in the Printing Industry as a Quality, Safety and Environmental Manager before leaving her full-time career behind in favor of more time with her family. Married to Lee since 2007, they have two gorgeous, smart, sassy daughters, Ellie and Grace. They also have 2 rescue cats, 1 rescue dog, fish, mice and chickens (yes, chickens!) At Hillel, Missy handles all things building related, accounts receivable and payable, creates the newsletter, handles logistics for programs and events. In her free time she loves reading, puzzles, and adventuring with her family.

Programming & Engagement Associate
marisa@washuhillel.org
314-935-9043
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Originally from Minnesota, Marisa is super excited to be a part of the WashU Hillel team. She graduated from Bradley University in 2021 where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. During her four years, she was extremely involved with the Hillel on campus. She served as both the engagement and FYSH (First Year Students of Hillel) intern, and met some of her closest friends at Hillel. After graduation, Marisa wanted a change of pace and decided to move to St. Louis. She is so excited to be a member of the WashU Hillel team and work with the incredible Jewish community on campus. In her free time, Marisa loves spending time with her friends, reading, and traveling back home to see her family and dog.

IACT Coordinator for Israel Engagement
rina@washuhillel.org
314-935-9043
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Born and raised in St. Louis, Rina is ready to share her passion for Israel at WashU Hillel! Rina graduated from Bradley University in 2022 with a Bachelors of Science in Social Work and Psychology and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. During her time at Bradley, Rina served as the Israel Engagement Intern at Bradley Hillel for 2.5 years and taught Hebrew at Peoria Hebrew Day School for 3 years. When Rina is not at Hillel, she spends her time baking vegan treats, rock climbing and bouldering, watching thriller movies, and discovering new indie music.

Springboard Fellow
melanie@washuhillel.org
314-935-9043
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Originally from the Chicago area, Melanie is so excited to be part of the WashU Hillel community. She graduated from University of Pittsburgh in 2023 with a B.S. in Digital Narrative and Interactive Design, a minor in Computer Science, and certificate in Jewish Studies. While at Pitt, she was involved with Hillel through various roles including FYSH (First Year Students of Hillel) advisor, Birthright Intern, and Student Board President. Melanie is ready to share her love of Judaism and Hillel through her role as a Springboard Fellow. Outside of work, Melanie enjoys reading, baking, and watching musical theater.

OU-JLIC Directors
AshkanazyS@ou.org
AshkanazyK@ou.org

Shlomo grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and after graduating from the Fasman Yeshiva high school, he began Hesder at Yeshivat Hakotel. Raised in a deeply Zionistic home inspired his journey of making Aliyah and serving in the Givati brigade of the Israeli army. After his army service, while completing Hesder in Yeshiva, Shlomo held many leadership positions there including Rosh Madrichim for the American gap-year program. Shlomo received his Semicha from World Mizrachi’s Musmachim program, as well as his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the Jerusalem College of Technology. Shlomo previously worked for Aish as a Campaign Executive, and he has spent the last year and a half working for OurCrowd, a Jerusalem based Venture Capital fund. In his free time, Shlomo enjoys learning, reading, exercising, and watching any sports game. He loves to build meaningful relationships with everyone he meets and never gets tired from a long shmooze.

Kyra, originally from Woodmere, NY, went to SKA High School for Girls, and then spent a year studying at Shaalvim for Women in Jerusalem. Kyra continued on to Stern College for Women where she studied Psychology and Public Health, and stepped into many leadership roles on Stern’s Student Council. Soon after she graduated, Kyra made Aliyah. She received her MA in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Hebrew University, and was a Rakezet (mentor) for the students at MMY, a seminary in Jerusalem. For the last year, Kyra has worked as a Donor Missions Manager at the Jewish Agency for Israel. Kyra enjoys doing yoga, anything crafty, trying out new recipes, spending time outdoors with her family, and connecting over a hot cup of coffee or warm bowl of chulent.

Campus Marketing & Development Manager
mrubenstein@hillel.org

Born and raised in St. Louis, Megan is thrilled to join the WashU Hillel team as the Campus Marketing and Development Manager through Hillel International. This role combines her strong marketing background and her love for Jewish community work. Megan graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 2022, where she interned for NBCUniversal, worked as a writing tutor, and served on the executive board of MUTV student television. She was also a Marketing Intern for Mizzou Hillel. Involvement in the Jewish community has always been a significant part of Megan’s life. Years of attending and working at Jewish summer camp, participating in youth group events, working as a religious school teacher, and even writing for the St. Louis Jewish Light newspaper have all cultivated a passion for the Jewish community, and she is excited to take her passion to the next level by working for Hillel!