Adena (she/her/hers) loves her work thinking creatively with staff, students, and stakeholders about providing GW students the tools they need to create vibrant Jewish lives in college and beyond.  Prior to her career in the Hillel world, which began at NYU, she earned her Masters in Social Work as a Wexner Graduate Fellow and spent time at a non-profit organization focused on poverty in New York City. Adena loves cruising the streets of DC with her husband Josh, daughter Layla, & sons Oliver and Jack.  Check out her blog, Adena the Coffee Queen, to hear more about her adventures on campus.

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adena@gwhillel.org

Sara (she/her/hers) comes to GW Hillel with a passion for developing the next generation of strong Jewish leaders and a love for the work that Hillel does in helping students develop their unique Jewish identity. Originally from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Sara grew up in an interfaith family and has thought critically about identity, pluralism, and Jewish values in various Jewish communal spaces.  She completed her undergraduate education at The George Washington University with a major in Sociology and a double minor in Jewish Studies and Communications. Sara holds a Masters degree in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary, and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Harvard. In her free time, Sara loves attempting to recreate her favorite foods at home in her kitchen, watching reality TV shows, playing Jewish geography, spending time with her dog Orli, and reminiscing about her years at camp. Want to grab coffee? Schedule time with Sara!

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sara@gwhillel.org

Rabbi Dan (he/him/his) has been the Rabbi at GW Hillel since 2016 and has loved every minute of it. Rabbi Dan received his Masters degree in Israel Education from The George Washington University. Previously, Rabbi Dan worked as a financial adviser at JP Morgan in Manhattan, but realized his true calling was in the world of Torah; he now helps students take stock and form bonds with God and with themselves. Raised in Queens, New York, and a graduate of Queens College, Rabbi Dan now lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with his amazing wife Odelia and their three children, Emmett, Emunah, and Ahava.

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dan@gwhillel.org

Bernadette (Berny) (she/her/hers) is a recent American University graduate. Passionate about intersectionality, Bernadette’s multicultural and interfaith upbringing forms the basis for her previous work in immigrants rights advocacy and anti-racist curriculum building at American University. She looks forward to empowering students through Jewish orientated social justice programming, building substantial and genuine relationships through Hillel, and celebrating all the components that make us full-filled, authentic humans! Want to grab coffee? Schedule time with Berny!

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bernadette@gwhillel.org

Noam (she/her/hers) is born and raised in Israel. She recently graduated with a bachelors degree in psychology and management from Ben Gurion University. She loves to travel, spend time in nature, and have exciting experiences. Noam comes to the program out of a true mission and love for Israel and Jewish culture. She brings a desire to help Jewish a students strengthen their own Jewish identity. She is very excited to meet everyone and walk together on this journey.

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noam@gwhillel.org

Noah (he/him/his) is a recent graduate of American University, and comes to GW Hillel with a passion for exploration and community building. Leaving his Ohio hometown for school in Washington, DC, his new kehilla became his extended family, emphasizing how vital community is to our wellbeing and happiness. He looks forward to fostering a fun and inviting home-away-from-home where students can create meaningful experiences, explore the world around them, and become leaders. Noah loves spending his free time finding new restaurants, playing pick-up soccer, and going to Wizards games. Want to grab coffee? Schedule time with Noah!

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noah@gwhillel.org

Shaw (she/her/hers) is excited to join the GW Hillel family, bringing over 15 years of non-profit finance & accounting experience to Hillel.  As a mother of two college students, she strongly supports Hillel’s mission – enriching lives, so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world.  Both of her boys are actively involved with Hillel.  “Hillel is my boys’ home away from home” said Shaw.  Prior to joining GW Hillel, Shaw worked for The Arc of the US as the Finance Manager and later as the HR Director, Finance Manager for the Eno Center for Transportation and Accounting Associate for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.   Shaw received her BS in Accounting and Business Management from the University of Massachusetts.

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fodor@gwhillel.org

Margot (she/her/hers) grew up in the Detroit metro area before attending GW as an undergraduate student. In that time she began her development career at GW Hillel as a development intern many years ago! Margot has worked in advancement at the Kennedy Center, National Cathedral School, and GW and is passionate about supporting Jewish life at GW through her work as a development officer.

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mealpert@email.gwu.edu

Born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Ilana (she/her/hers) attended the University of Mary Washington and graduated with a degree in Historic Preservation and Urban Studies. She served as the Springboard Innovation Fellow at Northwestern University from 2019-2021, where she helped support students during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has worked in marketing and development for several organizations, including her university Department of Campus Recreation, Jewish camps, and most recently as the Digital Content Strategist at the Chicago Architecture Center. She currently lives in Washington, DC.

Emma Mumford (she/her/hers) is a GW Hillel Mental Health Extern, and a doctoral student in clinical psychology. She is passionate about mental health and connecting with people at an individual level. Not far removed from the undergraduate experience herself, she recognizes the specific challenges that arise from the college environment. By providing empathy and compassion, she strives to create a therapeutic environment that is a safe, non-judgmental environment to explore difficult thoughts and feelings and work towards your greater wellbeing. 

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wellness@gwhillel.org

Linda Nisanova (she/her/hers) is a second year doctoral candidate in the GW PsyD program. Her experience is quite varied and she believes that enables her to tackle situations from different angles. Previously, she was a pharmacy technician, behavioral specialist, and an intern at a university clinic. Aside from Hillel, she is also a therapist at the GW Center Clinic. Her therapeutic interests are adolescents and emerging adults, specifically looking into family dynamics and upbringing. She likes to listen to others and provide empathic support, as well as utilize humor to break the ice. She is super excited to meet all of you and work together to reach your goals!

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wellness@gwhillel.org

Mollie Katz (she/her/hers) manages event space rental in our beautiful new building. She books events and markets our dining rooms, auditorium, and rooftop. Her experience in marketing, communications, and management includes work for Jewish and interfaith organizations. To unwind, Mollie often opts for swims, long walks, and puzzles, and 

she’s always reading at least one book. 

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Email Mollie or visit our rental page

Irma (she/her/hers) was born and raised in El Salvador and is the proud mother of two sons. She loves spending her free time traveling and cooking on the weekends. She works each day to keep our Hillel home in great shape. Please thank her for her hard work- and she's always happy to help you practice your Spanish skills.