Welcome to Chabad at WashU!
We provide a variety of programs, classes, and social events all designed to build community and support young people. Our team members take great pride in being a part of the Chabad family, advancing Jewish campus life at Washington University and throughout St. Louis.
Chabad Staff:
Chana R. Novack - Director
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Chana manages the day-to-day program at Chabad. She has staffed over a dozen Birthright Israel trips and is the instructor for the Sinai Scholars course. She also won an award for Chesed. Chana is on Instagram at @chanamamawashu. Her email is [email protected].
Rabbi Hershey Novack - Director
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Rabbi Hershey co-directs the Chabad center, where he also serves as senior campus rabbi. He was named by The Forward as “one of America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis” and received the JProSTL Visionary Award. He has served as a trustee of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. His email is [email protected].
Chana Oster - Director of JGrads, Local Campuses Initiatives
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Chana and Yankel Oster direct programs for graduate students around St. Louis as well as students who attend SLU, Webster, STLCC, UMSL and online university programs. Chana grew up in Monsey, NY, hailing from a family of business professionals and doctors. After studying in Israel, Chana earned her Honors BA from Touro University. More recently, Chana has been an assistant principal in a Jewish girls school and the administrator of a Chabad House in the Bronx.
Rabbi Yankel Oster - Director of JGrads
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Chana and Yankel Oster direct programs for graduate students around St. Louis as well as students who attend SLU, Webster, STLCC, UMSL and online university programs. Originally from Boston, Yankel grew up in the chabad community located in Pittsburgh, Pa. A graduate of the chabad yeshiva in Toronto, Yankel earned his rabbinical certification in 2021 while studying in New York. Since then, Yankel has worked as an editor and writer for Sichos in English Yankel has an extensive background with Jewish outreach across the globe.
Lindsay Eichhord, House Manager
Lindsay is the house manager at Chabad. She knows when things are happening and makes sure we are ready. Married almost 20 years, and mother of an 18-year-old son, the family shares their home with a sweet, skittish dog named Kira. Together they love weekends at their lake house enjoying the sunshine and the view.
Eden Yair - Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow
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Eden comes from the north of Israel from a small town called Tiberius. At Chabad, her role is to be the connection person between Israel and the students. Previously, Eden completed her undergraduate studies at Bar Ilan University in political science and human resource management. She has worked in both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defense for the Israel government. She has worked with members of the Knesset and military officials.
Ashira Sztabzyb - Director of Engagement and Programming
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Ashira has a fun and creative character, she loves the arts and is always down for a fun time. She is originally from New York City. She always looks for the good in everything and keeps a positive attitude towards life. Ashira loves to make new friends and makes deep connections with everyone she encounters. She is so excited to be here at Chabad to help manage fun and engaging events!
Itta Khutoretsky - Director of Engagement and Programming
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Itta, from Brooklyn, NY, is all about creating connections and making things happen. She brings a mix of fun, spontaneity, and intellect to everything she does. With a few months studying in Australia, and a deep love for Judaism and philosophy, Itta is on a constant mission to find the positive within her life. Always down for a good time and a deep chat, she’s the perfect blend of chill and driven. She's so excited to be here at Chabad!
Mushka Cohen - Special Events Coordinator
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Mushka was born and raised in St. Louis. Mushka ensures that Jews can celebrate holidays and share Jewish experiences with "their people." She completed her undergraduate studies in Business Administration at SPU. She has worked as the director of experiential education at BCMLA and at Chabad of USC. Find her on Instagram @mushkafromchabad!
Polina Vorobeychik - Office Manager
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Polina was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine and moved to the U.S. when she was 11. Through college she has lived in Chicago and then jobs and school has taken her across the U.S. She has lived in 7 different states. Polina has a Bachelor's in Science and Master's in Public Health. She started working at Chabad in September 2023.
Ellie Kreft - Office Intern
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Ellie is the office intern at Chabad. She is currently a junior at WashU. At Chabad, she mostly works with Chana and Polina in the office organizing program information and administrative tasks. She is majoring in Anthropology and Environmental Analysis.
Chabad Student Board:
Lauren Eckstein - CSA Co-President
Lauren is a junior from Phoenix majoring in political science and minoring in JIMES. She loves her two golden retrievers and watching sports (especially the Yankees). As Chabad Co-President she loves brainstorming events and helping the Jewish community thrive at WashU.
Matthew Isaacs - CSA Co-President
Matthew is an active member of the Jewish community at WashU and a strong advocate for Israel on campus. As Co-President of the Chabad board, he really enjoys working on innovative programming to enhance community involvement. Matthew is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences studying political science. He is from Tenafly, NJ.
Stephanie Bergman - CSA Board Member
Stephanie is a Junior in Olin business school with a minor in music. She loves spending time with the Jewish community, managing logistics for events, and meeting new people. In addition to attending as many Chabad events as possible, Stephanie is involved with the Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life on campus.
Julia Demeny - CSA Board Member
Julia is a sophomore from New York City, majoring in history and minoring in JIMES and Spanish. She has loved getting involved with the Jewish community at WashU and describes spending Shabbats at Chabad as one of the most special parts of her WashU experience. She also loved volunteering in Israel through WashU Chabad in May of 2024. As a StandWithUs BICEP fellow, Julia works closely with Eden to plan Israel engagement events on campus.
Rachel Becker - CSA Board Member
Rachel is from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She’s a sophomore double majoring in Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies and Finance. She loves working with the Chabad board and planning events for first years. When she’s not at Chabad, Rachel loves being involved with TAMID consulting group, Interfaith Fellows, The WashU CDI Advisory Board & Alpha Phi and spending her time cooking, reading, and traveling.
Drew Rosenberg - CSA Board Member
Drew is the Co-Treasurer of the Chabad Student Association. He is a Sophomore from Chicago, IL, majoring in Economics & Computer Science. Drew loves spending Shabbat and Holidays at Chabad, and he also enjoys biking in his free time.
Avery Meer - CSA Board Member
Avery is a devoted member of the WashU Jewish community. When he isn’t working on the Chabad board, Avery is the Chabad Gabbai. He regularly attends Shabbat dinner as well. He also works as the sports director at KWUR, WashU’s radio station, broadcasting WashU sports. Avery is from New York City and is a sophomore at WashU.