Meet Our Team
The people behind Chabad at WashU — building community, supporting students, and bringing warmth to Jewish campus life.
Chabad Staff
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Chana R. Novack DirectorChana manages the day-to-day program at Chabad. She has staffed over a dozen Birthright Israel trips and teaches the Sinai Scholars course. She received an award for Chesed.
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Rabbi Hershey Novack DirectorRabbi Hershey co-directs the Chabad Center as senior campus rabbi. Named by The Forward as one of America's Most Inspiring Rabbis and recipient of the JProSTL Visionary Award.
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Chana Oster Director of JGrads & Local Campuses InitiativesOriginally from Monsey, NY, Chana earned her Honors BA from Touro University. She has served as an assistant principal and administrator of a Chabad House in the Bronx.
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Rabbi Yankel Oster Director of JGradsOriginally from Boston, raised in Pittsburgh, Yankel earned his rabbinical certification in 2021. He has worked as an editor and writer for Sichos in English and has an extensive background in Jewish outreach worldwide.
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Mushka Cohen Outreach & EngagementA St. Louis native proud to serve the community that shaped her. Mushka studied Business Administration at SPU and has worked in experiential education at Chabad of USC.
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Rabbi Tzemach Cohen Director of Jewish EducationOriginally from London, Tzemach brings warmth, energy, and a passion for teaching. He focuses on building meaningful relationships with students and helping them grow in Jewish knowledge and identity.
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Hodaya Butz Jewish Agency for Israel FellowFrom Ashdod, Israel, Hodaya holds a B.Sc. in Nutritional Sciences and completed her internship at Barzilai Medical Center. She founded a campus department focused on strengthening Jewish identity and community.
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Lindsay Eichhorn House ManagerLindsay keeps Chabad running smoothly, knowing when things are happening and making sure we're ready. She and her family share their home with a sweet, skittish dog named Kira.
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Polina Vorobeychik Office ManagerBorn in Kharkiv, Ukraine and raised in the U.S., Polina has lived in seven states. She holds a Bachelor's in Science and a Master's in Public Health.
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Ellie Kreft Office InternA WashU senior majoring in Anthropology and Environmental Analysis, Ellie supports the office team with program information and administrative tasks.
Alumni Staff
Those who came before
These remarkable individuals dedicated themselves to supporting students during their time on our team. Though no longer in active roles, their impact lives on in every life they touched — many cherish lifelong friendships within our community.
Ashira Stabzyb, DL Shernofsky, Dodi Smason, Eden Yair, Eitan Mermelstein, Esty Munk, Itta Khutoretsky, Kelly (Harris) Hymowitz, Malka Abelev, Melissa Zissman, Michal Hartman, Rabbi Yossy and Goldie Abenson, Reb Joey Rosenfeld, Reishit Ehrlich, Rivky Weiss, Shmuel Bergman, and Yael Sabah. Plus dozens of rabbinic interns who joined us for holidays.
Chabad Student Board
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Jonathan Lewin
PresidentJonathan is a Junior from Miami, he’s majoring in Biology with a concentration in Microbiology, He enjoys representing and advocating for Chabad and the rest of the WashU Undergrad community on SU Treasury.
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Aviva Kleinhaus Vice PresidentAviva is a sophomore from Scarsdale, New York majoring in finance in the Olin Business School. She loves spending time with her family and friends and brings warmth and creativity to everything she does. Her favorite chabad food is cinnamon sugar challah with extra cinnamon and sugar.
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Micah Kopelman TreasurerMicah is a sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia studying finance and accounting. He loves Shabbat at Chabad and is excited to go on Pegisha again this year
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VP ProgammingMaya is a sophomore from Manhattan majoring in Psychological and Brain Sciences, with a minor in Children’s Studies. She loves spending time with her friends and family, swimming, and working with children. As VP of programming, she is excited to run events that make everyone feel welcome and excited to come to chabad!
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Emma Lassman VP ProgammingEmma is a sophomore from Westchester, New York majoring in Public Health on the pre-med track. Emma loves the welcoming environment and strong sense of community at Chabad and is so excited to plan events as VP programming!
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Natalia Galicot First-Year Experience CoordinatorNatalia is a sophomore from San Diego, California majoring in Finance with a minor mathematics. She wants to bring a strong sense of community to Chabad and is looking forward to doing so through her position as a Freshman Year Experience Coordinator. Her email is [email protected].
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Brooke RabinowitzFirst-Year Experience CoordinatorBrooke is a sophomore from Manhattan majoring in Psychological & Brain Sciences and Public Health & Society, with a minor in Environmental Studies. Brooke loves the tight knit community at Chabad, and as a First Year Experience Coordinator, she’s passionate about creating a welcoming community and a positive introduction to Jewish life at WashU!
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Ellie Zurik Sophomore Social ChairEllie is a sophomore from New Orleans majoring in Art History and English with a specialization in Publishing and a minor in Business of the Arts. She is passionate about strengthening the Chabad community and creating programming that brings together the Class of 2029!
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Jared Buckman Greek Life ChairJared is a sophomore from Westport, Connecticut, majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Economics. He enjoys being involved in many communities at WashU and participates in club soccer, ultimate frisbee, TAMID Group, and WUSIF. As the Greek Life Coordinator at Chabad, Jared enjoys creating opportunities for students from different communities to connect through Jewish life. Outside of campus, he enjoys spending time with friends, skiing and traveling. His email is [email protected]
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Dan Mez Greek Life ChairDan Mez
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Rachel BeckerChabad21+Rachel is a senior from Ft. Lauderdale majoring in Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies and Marketing. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, baking, traveling, and and being involved on campus. Rachel is excited to help create the welcoming community that first drew her to Chabad as a board member this year!
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Ben ShonfeldChabad21+Ben is a senior studying Data Science with a minor in Psychology. On campus, he is involved with SNU and Uncle Joe’s. As a member of the Chabad21+ Committee, Ben is excited to help create social, educational, and community-building experiences for his peers.
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Owen RossChabad21+Owen is a senior majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Physics. He stays busy both in and out of the classroom as a member of the WashU soccer team, the jazz band, and AEPi.
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Julia DemenyChabad21+Julia is a senior studying History, Spanish, and Religion & Politics. She is actively involved in TAMID, AEPhi, and the Women’s Network, where she enjoys building connections and contributing to campus life. Julia is excited to rejoin Chabad Board after holding the Freshman Experience Coordinator position her sophomore year.
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Charlotte NewhouseSocial Media InternCharlotte is from Manhattan and is studying web design in the Sam Fox School of Visual Arts. During her free time, she loves hanging out with Rivka the Chababy and going on side quests around campus. Charlotte is passionate about creating digital content for Chabad, promoting and capturing every event!