University of Miami Hillel enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. With over 2,000 Jewish students at UM, Hillel offers educational opportunities and meaningful ways for students to explore their Jewish identity on campus, in Miami, in Israel, and beyond. In a welcoming, pluralistic environment, students celebrate Shabbat and holidays, take on leadership roles, connect with Israel, and shape their unique Jewish journeys.
Our Vision
UM Hillel envisions a world where every student is inspired to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel. Our work is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors and a growing team of talented professionals.
Our Story
Founded in 1941, UM Hillel has grown from a small storefront on Ponce de Leon Boulevard in downtown Coral Gables to its first dedicated Hillel building on the current site in 1953. Our home, the vibrant Braman Miller Center for Jewish Student Life, opened in 2015, doubling the size of the original facility.
With more than 85 years of impact, UM Hillel remains deeply committed to fostering Jewish growth, leadership development, and a strong sense of community, providing meaningful education and engagement for students as well as the broader Jewish community.
Our Mission
University of Miami Hillel enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may
enrich the Jewish people and the world.
2025-2026 Board of Directors
Alan Serure, MD
Board Chair
Michelle Silberglied
Vice Chair
Charlotte Cassel
Secretary
Linda Witham Finkin
Treasurer
Mycki Ratzan*
Immediate Past Chair
Ava Perloff
Student Representative
Joshua Brandfon
Nancy Luria Cohen
Melissa Applebaum-Dall’au
James Deutsch
Simon Kaminetsky
Richard Kuper
Elizabeth Leight
Sidney Pertnoy*
Joshua Samek
Hunter Smith
Nancy Tuchman
Debi Braman Wechsler*
*Past Board Chair
Our Staff
We are proud to have assembled an exceptional team of professionals at UM Hillel. Our diverse, highly educated, and experienced staff brings passion, expertise, and vision to advance the mission of University of Miami Hillel, supporting our students in meaningful and lasting ways.
BRIANA SCHWARZ
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Briana joined the UM Hillel team in July 2022 bringing over 15 years of experience in community outreach and development. A graduate of the University of Florida, Briana previously held positions at Sharsheret: The Jewish Breast and Ovarian Cancer Community, Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach, and Alpha Epsilon Phi.
As a Miami native, Briana knows the University of Miami is a major part of local culture and Hillel is an important portal for Jewish experiences both on campus and within the greater community. Briana lives in Hollywood with her husband and three daughters and enjoys baking challah, SoulCycle, and spending time at the beach.
RABBI JASON COOK
CAMPUS RABBI and DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Rabbi Cook is the Campus Rabbi and Director of Strategic Initiatives at UM Hillel. He first started at UM in the Fall of 2023, following two years as the Senior Jewish Educator at Rutgers Hillel. He attended American University in Washington, D.C, where he studied International Relations and received his rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio in the Spring of 2021.
Rabbi Cook has extensive background working in Jewish communal organizations having worked at two Jewish Federations, the Cincinnati JCRC and JCC, as well as advising BBYO chapters as an educational consultant. Rabbi Cook is married to Phylicia, a South Florida native and Jewish professional in her own right and they love that their son is growing up in a supportive community (with great access to babysitters at Hillel). Rabbi Cook always has time to talk Jewish text and history, Torah, science fiction, and his beloved Portland Trail Blazers.
TERRI GREEN
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Terri joined the UM Hillel team in September 2024, bringing over 25 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and leadership. In her first year, she helped drive growth and connection, including launching UM Hillel’s new signature fundraising event, Big Night Out.
Before joining UM, Terri spent nearly a decade with Hillel at the University of Washington, building strong community relationships and mentoring student interns. She’s now focused on expanding UM Hillel’s resources to ensure every Jewish student at the University of Miami feels supported and inspired. Outside of work, Terri enjoys swimming, paddleboarding, and exploring South Florida with her family and golden retriever, Manny.
GABI COHEN
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Gabi Cohen is the Director of Operations at the University of Miami Hillel, where she has served for the past two years. In this role, she oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations, including financial management, event and building rental coordination, facilities management, and administrative strategy.
Gabi is dedicated to creating efficient systems that support Hillel’s mission of fostering a vibrant, inclusive Jewish community on campus. She ensures that staff, students, and community members have the resources and support they need to thrive, while also managing external partnerships and rentals to maximize the use of Hillel’s facilities.
JORDAN FEINBERG
DIRECTOR OF JEWISH STUDENT LIFE
A South Florida native and lifelong ‘Canes fan, Jordan Feinberg serves as the Director of Jewish Student Life at UM Hillel. A Marjory Stoneman Douglas alum, Jordan returned home after beginning his Hillel career at Central Florida Hillel, where he served as the IACT Coordinator. He holds a degree in Communications from Florida Gulf Coast University and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Jewish Nonprofit Management through HUC-JIR.
Jordan’s connection to Israel has been shaped through staffing six Birthright Israel trips and living in Netanya while teaching English through Masa Israel Teaching Fellows. At UM, he serves as the advisor to the Hillel Student Board and teaches Jewish Learning Fellowships, the Hillel Leadership Institute, and supports students as they step into leadership.
SHAYNA KLING
DIGITAL MARKETING AND
ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATE
Shayna Kling is in her third year at UM Hillel, following two years as the Social Justice Springboard Fellow. Over the past three years, Shayna has loved getting to know the University of Miami’s Jewish students, teaching Jewish Learning Fellowships, overseeing UM Hillel’s social media, planning programs, and connecting with students over countless coffee chats.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Shayna earned her degree in Psychology with minors in Business and Spanish from The Ohio State University. Beyond her role, Shayna enjoys stargazing, singing, running, reminiscing about Jewish sleepaway camp, and crafting for her Etsy shop, Shay K Designs. A lover of travel and connection, Shayna is always eager to explore new places, practice her Spanish with locals, and spend time with her family’s golden doodle. Shayna loves creating spaces that bring people together and her goal is to help every student feel seen, supported, and celebrated in their Jewish journey.
ZANDER RAPPAPORT
IACT ISRAEL COORDINATOR
Zander Rappaport joined the UM Hillel team in July 2024 as the IACT Israel Coordinator! In his first year, he recruited, organized, and staffed one of the largest Hillel Birthright trips in the country and has since rapidly expanded UM Hillel’s Israel engagement on campus. Zander also serves as the 2025–2026 Chair of FAB (Fellowship Ambassadors for Birthright) — a new Hillel International initiative that empowers students to use peer-to-peer engagement to recruit for Birthright Israel and strengthen Jewish community on campus.
After spending a year in Israel teaching English in Rishon Lezion through the MASA MITF program, Zander is passionate about helping students experience Israel for themselves through Birthright, Onward, and other immersive programs. Originally from Connecticut, he graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Communications and a certificate in Public Relations. He loves spending time with friends, watching sports, exploring new spots around Miami, traveling, and chatting about all things Israel.
ROTEM ASNER
ISRAEL FELLOW
Rotem Asner is a second year Jewish Agency Israel Fellow at Hillel at the University of Miami. She grew up in the village of Yad Natan in Southern Israel and was a youth leader in the young movement for many years, working with children of all ages.
She earned a degree in Physical Education from Wingate Institute and also obtained coaching certificates in various sports, including volleyball and personal fitness training. Sports have been an integral part of her life since she was a child. During her studies, she worked as a physical education teacher in both elementary and high schools. Upon finishing her degree, she volunteered in Uganda for two weeks, leading educational programs at a local school. She is so excited to share her passions and knowledge with University of Miami students!
LAUREN GREENWALD
EZRA SPRINGBOARD FELLOW
Lauren is originally from Atlanta, GA, and spent her last two years of high school in Boston before graduating from The Ohio State University with a degree in Strategic Communications. During college, she found her passion for Jewish leadership through her involvement with Hillel, where she served as Executive Vice President and a Jewish Learning Fellowship Intern.
She was also President of her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, leading a team of 13 and planning events for over 200 members. Lauren has held internships in event marketing and digital communications at Needham Bank, Evermile in Tel Aviv, and Hillel International. She’s excited to bring her creativity and leadership to UM Hillel as a Springboard Fellow, where she hopes to help students build meaningful Jewish connections. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys group fitness classes, Broadway shows, and spending time with friends. She can’t wait to get to know you this school year!
ALEX SHUMAN
THERAPIST AND WELLNESS COORDINATOR
This is Alex’s first year on staff at the University of Miami Hillel as the therapist. She was raised in Miami, Florida, and attended Hillel Community Day School, along with other Jewish day schools growing up. After graduating high school, she attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, but eventually made her way back to sunny Miami, where she earned her master’s degree from Barry University.
Alex then moved with her family to windy Chicago and has spent the last five years there—but Miami keeps calling her back. Now that she’s returned, she’s excited for this next chapter. Alex brings five years of experience as a mental health therapist and has been involved in the Jewish community for more than a decade. She believes therapy should be a space where people feel safe, comfortable, and never judged. She’s looking forward to working with the University of Miami community and helping to foster a strong sense of identity and connection.
CARLOS GONZALEZ
BUILDING MANAGER
Carlos González, 23, is originally from Bogotá, Colombia. He enjoys learning new things and helping others whenever he can. A lover of sports, good food, and quality time with family, Carlos also adores animals – especially his dachshund, Loki. Always seeking new experiences that help him grow and stay active, Carlos brings that same energy to his role as Hillel’s Building Manager, where he makes everything happen behind the scenes.
RACHEL GORDON
DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING MANAGER
Since 2021, Rachel has been part of the University of Miami Hillel team (based in New Jersey), supporting digital fundraising and marketing efforts to engage and grow the community. Before joining UM Hillel, she served as a Springboard Fellow at the University of Delaware Hillel and later worked on Hillel International’s Birthright marketing team. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys taking photos and spending time outdoors with her family.
Impact Reports
Learn more about how UM Hillel enriches Jewish life
on campus and in the community by exploring our annual impact reports.
Current Report:
2024-2025 Impact Report
Past Impact Reports: