Aaron Weil (Executive Director) arrived in Pittsburgh in June 2003 after spending the previous decade in Israel, where he was a media and marketing strategist. Aaron also acted as a Communications Advisor for former Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, Natan Sharansky’s Yisrael B’Aliyah Party, during the 2003 elections. Prior to this, Aaron was co-founder and CEO of Coast 2 Coast Communications, an Israeli public relations and marketing firm for high tech start-ups and political mobilization. Aaron was a Captain (Res.) in the Israel Defense Forces and served in the IDF Spokesperson unit dealing directly with the foreign press. Prior to Israel, Aaron worked on Capitol Hill for both AIPAC as well as the UJC’s Washington Action Office. Aaron is a graduate of the University of Georgia where he was Hillel President and a member of the national Hillel Student Board. Aaron is obsessed with The Steelers, Classic Rock, cult flicks like “The Big Lebowski” and... oh yeah... his incredible family. Aaron has the best job in the world working with the coolest students in the world, and because Aaron is a foodie, the best way to meet him and find out more is to ask him to treat you to coffee or a meal!

Aaron can be reached at aaronw@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x102

Linda Myers (Associate Director) is a native Floridian who has been living in Pittsburgh for the past 20 years. Linda joined The Hillel JUC in January 2003 to raise the money we spend on our students! Her entire career has been in fund-raising, working almost exclusively for Jewish organizations. Linda is a graduate of Emory University with a degree in Judaic Studies and Sociology and Brandeis University, where she earned a Master's Degree in Jewish Communal Service. Linda was President of Hillel and also active in her sorority, AEPhi, and currently serves as Chapter Advisor for AEPhi at the University of Pittsburgh. Linda, her husband, 2 of her 5 children (3 are in college), 1 dog and 1 parrot and live in Squirrel Hill. Linda enjoys music and theatre, biking and spinning, cooking and reading. She LOVES Pittsburgh and considers it home, although she still is cold all the time for almost 7 months of the year... and “kvetches” about it, too!

Linda can be reached at lmyers@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x101.

Olivia Payne (Office Manager) comes to Pittsburgh via her mother’s womb, circa 1975. Being a native Pittsburgher (no onions, please), she is full of insight for students who need to find their niche here in the Steel City. Olivia loves baseball, action movies, and pizza. But more than pizza, she loves 80s music. With dreams of being lead singer in a hair band, you can find Olivia at her desk doing her best Depeche Mode impression because she just can’t get enough (tee hee). She is also partial to warm smiles and good conversation.

Olivia can be contacted at oliviap@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x100.

David Katz (Director of J'Burgh) has spent the past three years living in Pittsburgh and working as the Youth Director at Congregation Beth Shalom.  Prior to this, David spent 5 years at The Ohio State University, and was lucky enough to witness the amazing exploits of The Ohio State Buckeye’s football team. Oh, he also received a B.A. in English.  A native of Dayton, Ohio, who has slowly but surely developed a surprising love for the City of Pittsburgh, David enjoys darts, foosball, pool, trivial pursuit, and going to Israel.  David also enjoys discussing programming ideas and professional networking ideas for young adults and grad students.  David will always be happy to meet with you and take you out for a cup of coffee!

David can be reached at davidk@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x111

Susie Sheldon (Director of Jewish Student Life for the University of Pittsburgh) paddled up the Ohio River to make it to Pittsburgh after 6 years in Cincinnati, and she is glad be in a city with a real football team, maybe she will actually become a Steelers fan.  Susie first arrived in Cincinnati in the fall of 2002 to be the Outreach Coordinator at the University of Cincinnati Hillel. She then moved on to be the Assistant Director at Camp Livingston.   After 5 years in camping, she is excited to be back at Hillel.  Susie grew up in Chicago, where she attended William Hatch Elementary School.   She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin where she earned a degree in Communicative Disorders and Judaic Studies (when she was not shivering).  Currently, Susie is experiencing a country music phase, but she is an equal opportunity music lover.  Susie also loves the Food Network, photography and contorting her self into strange shapes during yoga.

Susie can be reached at susies@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x111.

Carly Adelmann (Assistant Director of Jewish Student Life) traveled the PA Turnpike from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh in 2006 and has fallen in love with the Steel City. As a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied History and Political Science, Carly is thrilled to continue her work with the Hillel JUC. As a past Pitt Student Board President, Social Action Committee Chair, and VoKols co-founder, Carly is excited to inspire and support students at every Pittsburgh school. When she isn't working, she loves taking long walks with her dog, Henry, exploring Pittsburg's neighborhoods and farmer's markets, and eating frozen yogurt.

Carly can be reached at carlya@hilleljuc.org or at 412-621-8875

Sara Heal hails from Youngstown, Ohio and has recently relocated to the amazing city of Pittsburgh. In 2009, she earned her degree in Marketing and Retail Merchandising at Ohio University (Go Bobcats!). After graduation she went on a 5 month Israeli adventure where she lived on Kibbutz Yehiam up North and volunteered teaching high school students English. It was the experience of a life time. Sara also enjoys doing crafty things (scrapbooking is a fave), taking pictures, reading, music and meeting new people. She is beside herself with excitement to be joining the J'Burgh team!

Sara can be reached at sarah@hilleljuc.org or at 412-621-8875.

Caryn Goldenberg, originally from the Garden State, has spent the last few years living in Pittsburgh. Graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in May 2010, Caryn studied Cultural Anthropology and Religious Studies with a concentration on changing identities in the Middle East. Caryn has a strong love for Pitt athletics and classic rock, and enjoys karaoke night. Caryn is very excited to be working at Hillel, as she is combining her two passions: Pittsburgh and Judaism. Caryn hopes to meet many new faces and always has free time for coffee, karaoke and classic rock trivia. Hail to Pitt!

Caryn can be reached at caryng@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 ext. 112.

Leehee Kaane(Israel Fellow) was born and raised in Tel-Aviv, Israel, and has spent the past 12 years working as an educator. During her army service, she was a commander of underprivileged soldiers attempting to obtain a high-school diploma, and immediately after the end of her mandatory two year services started working at Jewish American summer camps as a counselor, educator and later unit head. Over the years she has also been a part of the screening process for other summer camp shlichim, and has trained Israelis for the position for over 9 years. She has worked with children and teens in various areas such as theater, art, teaching English as a Foreign Language, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons for special needs children. She spent two years in Pittsburgh as a Youth Shlicha, during which she taught at J-Site, and went back to Israel to complete her B.Ed. She is returning to Pittsburgh as the Community Shlicha.