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

Beverly Brinn (Director of Development) was born and raised in Jamestown, Pennsylvania; just a hop, skip and a jump from Pittsburgh. Beverly came to the University of Pittsburgh at the age of 17 and flourished on Pittsburgh soil while earning both a bachelors degree and an MBA at Pitt. She is a proud alumna, and is thrilled to be back on campus, bringing her years of experience in marketing, community development and strategic planning. Prior to becoming the Director of Development for the Hillel JUC, Beverly worked as the Director of Development for the Jewish Association on Aging, where she helped to build the infrastructure for a new development initiative. Beverly was the President and Founder, with her husband David, of 3 Sisters' Chocolate Company in Jacksonville, Florida, where she lived for several years before her proud and triumphant return home to the Steel City. Beverly is passionate about chocolate, music, and most especially working with young adults to raise funds to help build an enduring Pittsburgh Jewish Future. Currently raising 3 daughters of her own, Beverly has a passion for ensuring that there is support for Jewish continuity on campus. Beverly loves working and interacting with young adults, and her door is always open to welcome Pittsburgh university students.

Caryn Goldenberg (Assistant Director of Development), 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.

Olivia Payne (Operations 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.

Carly Adelmann (Janet L. Swanson Director of Jewish Life at the University of Pittsburgh) 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

Benji Berlow (Director of Jewish Student Life at Carnegie Mellon) is overjoyed to be moving to Pittsburgh with his fiancé, Lisa, and dog, London. After graduating from Lafayette College in Easton, PA with a double major in Psychology and Jewish Studies, Benji took 'the long path' to get to the steel city by way of Wisconsin and California where he worked with Jewish students as a Senior JCSC fellow for Milwaukee Hillel and a Program Director for Hillel of Silicon Valley. When Benji is not at work, you will probably find him strumming his guitar, hiking with his family, or playing board games through the night.

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

Sara Heal (Assistant Director of J'Burgh) 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.

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.