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Meet the Team

We are dedicated to pluralism, team-work, and mutual respect across difference.

From across the country and around the world, our staff represents a broad diversity of backgrounds and interests.

We look forward to the opportunity to be partners with you in building vibrant Jewish life on campus.

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Anna Levin Rosen

Rabbi and Executive Director

Anna Levin Rosen serves as the Rabbi and Executive Director at UChicago Hillel. Having served UChicago Hillel for 14 years, Anna’s work is part of the fabric of the University. With a passion for Jewish life and social justice, Anna has served as a guest educator for a spectrum of organizations in Chicago including Mishkan, Anshe Emet, Spertus and Interfaith Family. Committed to social justice, Anna served as a community organizer with JCRC in Boston and Fairmount Temple in Cleveland. Anna has a Rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, where she earned Masters degrees in Hebrew Letters and Educational Administration.  She was the recipient of a Dean’s research grant for her thesis project entitled: Thinking Outside the Tzedakah Box. She received her BA from University of Virginia in Religious Studies, Anthropology, and Jewish Studies. Anna enjoys travel and spent two years living in Israel. Currently Anna loves exploring Chicago with her husband Tal and her children Joshua, Eliezra, Amiel, and Ezekiel. 

Contact Anna about the vision and mission of Hillel, Jewish learning and supporting Hillel.

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Kevin Priest

Director of Graduate Life & Associate Director of Development

Kevin joined the Hillel team in July, 2024 after nearly a decade as a French, English, and Art History teacher. Originally from sunny southern California, he completed his BA and MA degrees at the University of Utah where he enjoyed skiing, hiking, and camping along with serving as the Chair of the Graduate Student Association and on the board of the LGBT+ Resource Center. In undergrad, Kevin studied abroad in Grenoble, France and loved being immersed in the French language. After graduate school, he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship and had the privilege of teaching in Athens, Greece for a year. He is excited to build community among graduate students and faculty from across campus and in the broader Jewish community in Chicago. Kevin and his partner, Nick, live in West Town with their two dogs, Toby and Nora.

Contact Kevin about opportunities to connect with graduate students and the faculty community

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Eva Rosenthal

Director of Student and Community Engagement

Eva Rosenthal earned her bachelor's degree in Religious Studies from Denison University, where she was actively involved in the Hillel chapter, serving as both interfaith liaison and president. After graduation, Eva spent a year teaching high school English in the Republic of Georgia, followed by a year working as a legal assistant in Cincinnati. She then pursued a master's degree in Religious Studies from Utrecht University while working as a college counselor. Eva is passionate about pedagogy and mentorship, particularly in building meaningful relationships with students. In her free time, she enjoys fostering cats, training for half marathons, cooking, and traveling to visit friends.

Contact Eva to discuss engagement opportunities and Jewish life on campus

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Hannah Auerbach

OU/JLIC Educator

Hannah grew up in Teaneck, NJ by way of Rochester NY and attended the Ma’ayanot Yeshiva HS for girls. She considers herself an intown girl with an out of town heart. Hannah then spent a year learning at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim in Jerusalem, proceeded by volunteering for a year of national service at Chorev Elementary School in Jerusalem. After Hannah made Aliyah, she got married and then finished a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Informational Systems from Jerusalem College of Technology, Tal Campus. Hannah has been working as a Tax Associate at Masamerica in Tel Aviv.

Hannah and Yehudah have two adorable sons who are excited to come to campus! Hannah’s hobbies include reading non-fiction books of the Culinary Arts (cookbooks), spinning- the thing on the bike that goes nowhere, binge watching Friends and learning פניני הלכה. Hannah is extremely passionate about being a mother, personal growth, and expressing love through food.

Contact Hannah to hear about Jewish learning opportunities, social events, and Shabbat meals

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Jenn George

Assistant Director

Jenn came to Chicago from New York. She grew up in Westchester, before attending SUNY Albany to study theatre.  With a BFA in Theatre Technology and then an MFA from Rutgers University, Jenn worked professionally as a stage manager across the country and on Broadway.  She spent a year living in London as the study abroad director for Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare Globe before moving with her husband to Chicago, where she was the Associate Production Manager at the Goodman Theatre.  After starting her family, Jenn pivoted to serve the Jewish community, also receiving a Masters in Jewish Educational Leadership. Jenn lives in Oak Park along with her three children (Abbie, Ben, and Noah) and her husband Dan and looks forward to connecting with students.

Contact Jenn about getting connected and involved with Jewish life on campus. 

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Shahar Cohen

Jewish Agency Israel Fellow

Shahar is thrilled to join the University of Chicago Hillel team as a first-year Jewish Agency Israel Fellow. She grew up in a small settlement called Binyamina in northern Israel. After her military service in the Navy as a tugboat crew member, Shahar graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems Engineering while working as a Project Management Officer at Elbit Systems. During her time there, she enhanced her project management skills and collaborated with diverse teams to achieve shared goals.

As a student, Shahar volunteered with the "Bustan Thom" association, which promotes sustainability and ecological values. She also participated in the ConnecTech program, on behalf of Hillel Israel and the Technion. This program connects Jewish students from MIT with Technion students based on shared academic fields. Her experience there inspired her to become involved in the international Jewish community. Shahar can't wait to connect with the students and engage with the community.

Contact Shahar about opportunities to learn more about Israel and Jewish life on campus and abroad

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Rabbi Yehudah Auerbach

OU/JLIC Educator

Rabbi Yehudah hails from Cedarhurst, NY where he graduated as valedictorian of his class at the Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, High School for Boys. Yehudah went on to Yeshivat Shaalvim in Israel, where he learned for a year and a half before enlisting in the IDF and serving in the Golani Brigade. After his service, Yehudah went back to Sha’alvim to continue his Torah-learning pursuits and is currently working to complete Semicha from the Mizrachi Musmachim program. Yehudah has been working on the staff of Yeshivat Shaalvim as a Teacher’s Assistant, where he gave shiurim on topics ranging from Talmud, to Jewish Philosophy & History. Yehudah is also completing a bachelor’s degree from the Jerusalem College of Technology in Business Management & Entrepreneurship. Yehudah’s hobbies include playing Chess or other intense sports, drinking French press, reading biographies, and discussing current events. He enjoys a spirited debate and loves to schmooze. Yehudah is passionate about Torah, Judaism, and his family.  Hannah and Yehudah have also gained invaluable experience as members of the Mizrachi Shalhevet Leadership Seminar, where they became certified Chattan and Kallah teachers, and as fellows of the OU- JLIC Shalhevet Campus Fellowship.

Contact Rav Yehudah to hear about Jewish learning opportunities, social events, and Shabbat meals

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Ayala Schwartz

Hillel Springboard Fellow

Ayala was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and later moved to Elon, North Carolina, to attend Elon University. She graduated in 2022 with a B.A. in Human Service Studies and minors in Psychology and Jewish Studies. When she arrived at Elon, Ayala found her place at Hillel, quickly becoming an integral part of the Hillel community. During her four years at Elon, Ayala served on the board, initially as Shabbat Chair and later as Vice President of Community Development. Her journey in Jewish education started early, attending Jewish Day School and deepening her roots at Ramah Darom and at Alexander Muss High School in Israel. These experiences instilled in her a profound connection to her Jewish heritage and a passion for creating lasting impacts within the Jewish community. Ayala enjoys fashion, music, exercise, and exploring new cultures through travel. Now excited to embark on her role as the Springboard Fellow at UChicago, Ayala is thrilled to bring her boundless enthusiasm, dedication, and love for connecting with others to her new endeavor!

Contact Ayala to discuss engagement opportunities and Jewish life on campus

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