KAHAL Team

KAHAL: Your Jewish Home Abroad seeks dynamic and entrepreneurial individuals with a passion for partnership building, program design, and Jewish enrichment for two new positions on the KAHAL team. These roles provide a unique opportunity for an emerging organizational leaders to design and implement KAHAL’s core programmatic operations and grow as professionals.

Passionate about studying abroad and Jewish life? Apply to be a KAHAL Intern today! Email Misha@KahalAbroad.org to submit your resume and apply to join the KAHAL Intern team.

KAHAL TEAM

ALEX JAKUBOWSKI

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Alex is the founder and executive director of KAHAL: Your Jewish Home Abroad, which creates transformative Jewish experiences for students studying abroad. A native of Chicago, he graduated cum laude and with honors in Classical Languages and Civilizations from Northwestern University. Committed to human-centered design and innovation in the social sector, Alex was selected for the Core18 Leaders Lab fellowship and awarded the Covenant Foundation’s Pomegranate Prize for Jewish Education in 2016. Alex is a founding board member of SketchPad: Chicago's Jewish Innovation Space. He and his girlfriend, Samantha, are active members of AIPAC, Alpha Epsilon Pi, JCYS, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Illinois Firefighters’ Association, the JUF, and various other Chicagoland Jewish organizations and synagogues. His passions include golf, college football, and every dog he’s ever met.

ALEX JAKUBOWSKI

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Alex@KahalAbroad.org

BECCA FLYER

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Becca is the Chief Operating Officer at Director of International Operations at KAHAL: Your Jewish Home Abroad and previously served as the organization's Director of International Operations. She graduated magna cum laude with a double major in Government and Politics and Sociology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Becca holds a Certificate in Fundraising from New York University’s Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising and worked in development at Maryland Hillel and UJA-Federation of New York. In her role at KAHAL, Becca has visited Jewish communities around the world, developing relationships with Jewish leaders to build a network of more than 700 partners in 50 countries and 110 cities worldwide. Becca has lived in Israel, London and Cape Town, and currently lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband, Josh and puppy, Frank.

BECCA FLYER

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Becca@KahalAbroad.org

JOEY LESKIN

DIRECTOR: ABROAD EXPERIENCE

Joey is a Yemeni Jew from London, UK and has spent much of the last decade living and working abroad, visiting over 50 countries. He is passionate about exploring and educating on Jewish communities in Europe and minority communities in Israel. He has a Masters in International Relations and Global Development and cares far too much about his football team, Tottenham Hotspur.

JOEY LESKIN

DIRECTOR: ABROAD EXPERIENCE

Joey@KahalAbroad.org

JESSIE GINDEA

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR: ABROAD EXPERIENCE

Jessie is the Associate Director: Abroad Experiences at KAHAL: Your Jewish Home Abroad. Before working with KAHAL, she taught in a myriad of Jewish environments, including several Day Schools, Israel programs, camps, and experiential adventures. Jessie earned a Master's degree in Jewish education and a Certificate of Advanced Jewish Studies from the Pardes Educators Program in Jerusalem as well as a Certificate in Jewish Day School Education from Hebrew College of Boston. Prior to receiving her M.A., Jessie received a B.A. in Modern Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary, and a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies from Columbia University. Jessie is married to Adam and is the proud mama of three-year-old Charlie Ruby and Nadi the Puppy. Jessie and Adam currently run Base Miami, an initiative to engage young Jewish professionals in the Miami area.

JESSIE GINDEA

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR: ABROAD EXPERIENCE

Jessie@KahalAbroad.org

MISHA VILENCHUK

MANAGER: CAMPUS OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT

Misha comes from a Russian-Jewish background and came to KAHAL shortly after graduating Brandeis University, where he got his B.A. in Russian, Judaics, and History, and an M.A. in Global Studies. Misha was moved by his experiences Jews in around the world, founded a campus organization to address European anti-Semitism and the American branch of the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS). Misha is excited to help create transformative experiences for Jewish students studying abroad and introduce students to Jewish life around the world!

MISHA VILENCHUK

MANAGER:CAMPUS OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT

Misha@KahalAbroad.org

MIA YELLIN

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR: EXPANSION

Mia graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences and is a Master of Liberal Arts at the University of Pennsylvania. She had a life changing study abroad experience at the University of Haifa where she was immersed in Judaism and coexistence. Mia has interned with the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Community Relations Council, but most recently worked for UPenn's Hillel on the Jewish Renaissance Project team. She's passionate about enriching student's lives by connecting them with the global Jewish community. Since she is new to London she is always up for exploring a new spot and meeting a new friend!

MIA YELLIN

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR: EXPANSION

Mia@KahalAbroad.org

JOJO RUBNITZ

CAMPUS OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE

Jojo graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a Bachelors in Human Development and Family studies and a certificate in Studio art. She had the great opportunity to study abroad in Florence where she studied art, and connected with KAHAL. She’s passionate about helping students find a Jewish community abroad so that they can feel a sense of home and belonging. Jojo loves to travel anywhere and everywhere, take pictures, sculpt clay, and meet new people.

JOJO RUBNITZ

CAMPUS OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE

Jojo@KahalAbroad.org

LEWIS LENARD

PARTNERSHIP ASSOCIATE

Lewis will be receiving his M.A. in International Education Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) in December 2018. He was awarded “Best Advocate for Jewish Students Abroad” by his MIIS cohort. He also has a B.A. in Linguistics and Spanish from SUNY Oswego. His passion for international education stems from participating in study abroad programs in Puerto Rico, Ireland, Argentina, and Chile as an undergraduate student. Lewis also loves genealogy (97% Ashkenazi according to 23andMe) and aspires to connect students to their ancestral roots & cultural identity through education abroad.

LEWIS LENARD

PARTNERSHIP ASSOCIATE

Lewis@KahalAbroad.org

TALIA GOLDMAN

ABROAD EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE

Talia grew up in the UK based Masorti youth movement Noam, which has shaped so many of her Jewish and personal ideologies. She studied Philosophy at Birmingham University and after graduating, she worked in Noam’s head office and then with Marom, Noam’s sister movement for young adults. Since she was 18, Talia has have loved to travel the world and meet new people. She is so excited to be able to help Jewish students studying abroad have magical experiences! Talia is a passionate feminist, amateur photographer, keen writer, animal lover and nature enthusiast

TALIA GOLDMAN

ABROAD EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE

Talia@KahalAbroad.org

KAHAL Campus Interns

Abigail Browngoehl

Middlebury College

Major: Psychology

Studied Abroad: Madrid, Spain

Bucket List Destination: South Korea

Abigail Browngoehl

Middlebury College

Maddy Frischer

American University

Major: International Studies

Studied Abroad: Jerusalem, Israel

Bucket List Destination: All of Italy

Maddy Frischer

American University

Mia Carmel

University of Maryland - College Park

Major: Public Policy & Economics

Studied Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Bucket List Destination: India

Mia Carmel

University of Maryland – College Park

Benjamin Bryer

University of Maryland - College Park

Major: Behavioral and Community Health

Studied Abroad: New Delhi, India

Bucket List Destination: South and Central America

Benjamin Bryer

University of Maryland – College Park

Hannah Geller

Penn State University

Major: Film/Video

Studied Abroad: Granada, Spain

Bucket List Destination: India!

Hannah Geller

Penn State University

Jonny Maxwell

Miami University

Major: Diplomacy and History

Studied Abroad: Tel Aviv, Israel

Bucket List Destination: Thailand

Jonny Maxwell

Miami University

Rachel Morof

Michigan State University

Major: Human Capital and Society

Studied Abroad: Budapest, Hungary

Bucket List Destination: Southeast Asia

Rachel Morof

Michigan State University

Chantal Mazo

Baruch College

Major: Psychology

Studied Abroad: NYC

Bucket List Destination: Any country in Asia and Africa

Chantal Mazo

Baruch College

Robin Silver

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Major: Architecture

Studied Abroad: I want to study abroad in Barcelona if I can

Bucket List Destination: Seychelles

Robin Silver

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Reena Wolnek

Boston University

Major: Physical Therapy

Studied Abroad: London

Bucket List Destination: South Africa

Reena Wolnek

Boston University

Isaac Altman

Brandeis University

Major: Politics and International & Global Studies

Studied Abroad: Amsterdam

Bucket List Destination: Iceland

Isaac Altman

Brandeis University

Samantha Zive

Syracuse University

Major: Public Health

Studied Abroad: Tel Aviv, Israel

Bucket List Destination: South Africa

Samantha Zive

Syracuse University

Elana Burack

University of Pennsylvania

Major: Religious Studies

Studied Abroad: Seville, Spain

Bucket List Destination: Japan

Elana Burack

University of Pennsylvania

Zahava Vales

Indiana University

Major: Community Heal and minor in Jewish Studies

Studied Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Bucket List Destination: New Zealand and Greece

Zahava Vales

Indiana University

Jessi Vishny

University of Miami

Major: Media management

Studied Abroad: Semester at Sea

Bucket List Destination: Australia

Jessi Vishny

University of Miami

Meredith Leon

University of Southern California

Major: Political Science

Studied Abroad: Madrid, Spain

Bucket List Destination: Cape Town, South Africa

Meredith Leon

University of Southern California

Molly Pushner

Cornell University

Major: Applied Economics and Management

Studied Abroad: Amsterdam

Bucket List Destination: New Zealand

Molly Pushner

Cornell University

Olivia Hazlett

University of Michigan

Major: Political Science and Law, Justice and Social Change

Studied Abroad: Semester at Sea

Bucket List Destination: Sydney, Australia

Olivia Hazlett

University of Michigan

Rachel Ross

Emory University

Major: Political

Studied Abroad: Couldn’t because of my major.

Rachel Ross

Emory University

Ella Senglaub

New York University

Major: Social & Cultural Analysis

Studied Abroad: Florence, Italy

Bucket List Destination: Turkey

Ella Senglaub

New York University

Emily Schaerf

University of Connecticut

Major: Communications & Human Development and Family Studies

Studied Abroad: Florence, Italy

Bucket List Destination: Tokyo

Emily Schaerf

University of Connecticut

Tali Geifman

IDC of Herzliya

Major: Visual Communications

I’m always abroad!

Bucket List Destination: Thailand and India

Tali Geifman

KAHAL Social Media, IDC of Herzliya

Brandon Fishman

University of Wisconsin

Brandon Fishman

Graphic Design, University of Wisconsin

Alexis Stern

Penn State University

Major: Graphic Design

Bucket List Destination: All of Italy!

Alexis Stern

Graphic Design, Penn State University

KAHAL UK Interns

Joseph Clements

UCL

Joseph Clements
University: UCL
Major: Modern Languages
Studied Abroad: Chile

Joseph Clements

UCL

Isabelle Heinemann

UCL

Isabelle Heinemann
University: UCL
Major: International Relations and History

Isabelle Heinemann

UCL

Naomi Stein

University of Nottingham

Naomi Stein
University of Nottingham
Major: Spanish and International Media and Communication studies
Studied Abroad: 2017/2018 - Madrid and Estepona

Naomi Stein

University of Nottingham

Louise Aron

Leeds University

Louise Aron
Leeds University

Louise Aron

Leeds University

KAHAL Global Ambassadors

Elena Bensoussan

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Major: Dentistry

Studied Abroad: Barcelona, Spain

Bucket List Destination: Australia

Elena Bensoussan

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Talia Chasen

Binghamton University

Major: Psychology minors in Israel and Global Studies

Studied Abroad: Rome (this fall)

Bucket List Destination: Greece

Talia Chasen

Binghamton University

Hannah Yael Kressel

Brandeis University

Major: Art History; Studio Art; European Cultural Studies

Studied Abroad: Prague and Tel Aviv

Bucket List Destination: Cyprus

Hannah Yael Kressel

Brandeis University

Danielle Wolk

Northwestern University

Major:

Studied Abroad: London, England

Danielle Wolk

Northwestern University

Lilah Shrier

Binghamton Universtiy

Lilah Shrier

Binghamton Universtiy

“The best part of my abroad experience was interacting with the Jewish communities of all the places I visited and cultivating one between abroad students and locals within my own abroad city, Copenhagen, Denmark. Serving as a KAHAL Global Ambassador in Copenhagen and connecting with the KAHAL network as an abroad student gave me this unique opportunity. Thanks to KAHAL, I was able to connect with Jews from Florence, Frankfurt, Edinburgh, Paris, and more! This was an amazing way to hang out with locals, learn about their traditions, and have meaningful conversations about the differences between our communities! It was an unforgettable experience! I would highly recommend getting involved with KAHAL and especially serving as a KAHAL Global Ambassador to those going abroad!”
Lauren Grobois

KAHAL NYU Global Ambassadors

Jenny Levine, Prague

Mollie Yellin, Paris

Bethany Mitchell, Tel Aviv

Sarah Lifson, Berlin

Talia Cohen, London

Eliran Oz, London

Rose Lipner, Florence

KAHAL UK Interns

Joseph Clements
University: UCL
Studied Abroad: Chile

Isabelle Heinemann
University: UCL