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. 

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Meet with Sara

Dan (he/him/his) brings a love of storytelling to GW Hillel.  He graduated from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah this spring, where among his internships he spent time at Hoftstra Hillel.  Dan previously worked as a financial adviser at JP Morgan, but realized his true calling was in the world of Torah; he now helps people take stock and form bonds with God and with themselves.  Raised in Queens, New York (and a graduate of Queens College), Dan is enjoying his new home in Washington with his wife Odelia and his three children, Emmett, Emunah, and Ahava.

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dan@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

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

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! 

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Meet with Berny!

Sigal (she/her/hers) was born and raised in the city of Haifa, Israel. She recently received her B.A  in Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at IDC Herziliya. Sigal loves to experience new things- she is very energetic and loves to travel, listen to music, and read. Sigal brings to GW her experience as a young Israeli from an Ethiopian family and how their very Zionist story impacted their lives. Sigal is an educator who believes in social justice and in the power of people to bring about change. She is very excited about the opportunity to meet young American Jews and to be part of their journey. 

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Meet with Sigal!

Celina Alvarez (she/her/hers) is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at George Washington University. Her approach includes a curiosity about unconscious motivations, the impacts of childhood, and utilization of the therapeutic relationship as a catalyst for introspection. She is especially passionate about the intersection of social location and identity and is an LGBTQIAA+ affirming therapist. Celina’s other clinical interest include working with patients who experienced trauma and other stressor related disorders, anxiety disorders, sleep issues, gender and sexuality, identity exploration and formation, and life transitions. Starting in September, Celina will be providing individual therapy, group therapy, and assessments at GW Hillel under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist. In her spare

time, Celina loves to binge watch shows, read novels, and cuddle her two big dogs, Valentino and Algodón.

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Complete Intake Form to meet with Celina.

Mollie Katz 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.