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 18 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. Linda, her husband, FIVE children and 2 dogs 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.

Rebecca Tobe (University and Community Relations Associate) is a native Jersey Girl who ventured out to the 'Burgh for college. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a Finance degree, she worked for a Risk Management firm downtown. She is now excited to be a part of this great Jewish, non-profit organization. In her free time, Becca enjoys doing yoga, scrapbooking, playing piano, chasing her dog and cat around, and spending time with family.

Rebecca can be contacted at rebeccat@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x112.

Les Skolnik (Director of Jewish Student Life) arrived in Pittsburgh from Long Island, New York where he worked as an experiential educator and youth worker for Temple Sinai of Roslyn. Even though Les grew up on Long Island, he stopped off in Buffalo, New York for 7 years; first, to complete his B.A. in History and Psychology at the University at Buffalo and then to work as Director of Youth Programs at Temple Beth Zion. While at UB Les was active in student leadership and activism as Chairman of the Hillel of Buffalo Student Leadership Council, President and Founding Father of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Theta Gamma Chapter, Senior Associate Justice on the Student-Wide Judiciary, Student Affairs Director for the Student Association and Orientation Aide (among others). Les has also spent many summers at Jewish camps in various roles, teaching, playing, and just being ridiculous. In his free time Les enjoys all things Yankees baseball, the Grateful Dead, the “occasional” trip to the mall, eating out (he uses his oven as storage) and dancing like nobody's watching. Les is thrilled to be working with the students at Hillel and loves creating Jewish community on campus. If you have awesome program ideas or just want to say hi, Les would love to hear from you! 

Les can be reached at les@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x107.

Leslie Markel (Carnegie Mellon JCSC) was born and raised right here in Pittsburgh, officially acquiring the title of townie after deciding to stay another four years to attend Carnegie Mellon. While there she officially studied Professional Writing and Art History. However she actually spent most of her time participating in student theater, realizing that writing wasn’t practical (What DO you do with a BA in English?). Leslie had plans to move to New York City and become a big TV exec, but the Steelers were just too good to give up, so instead she is sticking around another year to share the secrets of Hillel with incoming freshman. In her spare time she enjoys hiding in cupboards, interpretive dancing in the rain, skiing, eating ethnic foods and watching the Steelers every week (even during the off-season). Leslie also loves taking students out for coffee and wants to meet each and every Jew at Carnegie Mellon! If you have ideas for activities or new student groups at Carnegie Mellon (or just want an awesome new friend), Leslie would love to hear from you! 

Leslie can be reached at lesliem@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x115.

Seth Preminger (Unversity of Pittsburgh JCSC) graduated from Trinity College in May 2007. He majored in Psychology and was a Jewish Studies Minor. While at Trinity Seth was a very active member at Hillel. He was on the board for a year and served soup almost every Friday night for two years. In fact, at his last Shabbat at Trinity, Seth received the inaugural “Master Soup Ladler” award. Seth was born in Dallas, Texas, but has called Chapel Hill, North Carolina (GO TAR HEELS!!!) home for the past fourteen years. Seth is a huge college basketball fan and a very big sports fan. He is extremely excited to be in Pittsburgh and looking forward to becoming a Pitt Panthers sports fan. If you want to talk sports, life, or just hang out, let Seth know, he is ready and waiting for your email or phone call.

Seth can be reached at sethp@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x108.

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

Ben Miller (Webmaster) is currently attending the University of Pittsburgh. He is majoring in Music, Economics, and the Study of Women, (not to be confused with Womens' Studies). His extracurricular interested include billiards, loitering on roofs, singing every now and then, and driving anything with a stickshift. Eventually, he'd like to go to medical school, but in the mean time law school doesn't require Organic Chemistry. When he is not in class, Ben can usually be found at Hillel, sitting around playing guitar, or emptying his wallet at the Waterfront. Ben loves to see people pleased with their online alter-ego, so don't be afraid to ask; no job is too big or small!

Ben can be found for further questioning at webmaster@hilleljuc.org.

Kate Litterer (Receptionist) will graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a dual degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, as well as a certificate in Women’s Studies, in April 2009. After Pitt, she hopes to move on to an MFA program for Creative Writing, with ultimate plans to teach poetry on the college level (her other dream career is wedding planning). Kate is famous at the JUC for her ever-changing hairstyles. She enjoys stuffing envelopes and watching the desk on Friday nights (yummy Kosher dinner!), although she sometimes forgets to water the plants in the Israel café. You can find her holding down the fort at the receptionist desk and answering calls with her “great phone voice.” Kate is always in a great mood (seriously, she is always happy!), so feel free to call or stop by Hillel any time!

Kate can be reached at receptionist@hilleljuc.org, or 412-621-8875.