KAHAL Team

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.

If you're travelling to Chile, contact alex@kahalabroad.org

Becca was first inspired by global Jewish peoplehood on a trip to Uruguay, volunteering alongside the Jewish community. She later led a college JDC Entwine trip to Ukraine, where the group visited homebound elderly Jews and met local Jewish students. These experiences, together with her time living in Israel, Cape Town, and London taught her of the transformative nature of studying, living, and traveling abroad. She currently works as the Chief Operations Officer of KAHAL, connecting study abroad students to Jewish experiences and communities worldwide. With KAHAL, Becca has visited Jewish communities around the world, developing relationships with community leaders, building a network of more than 700 partners in 40 countries. She previously worked in nonprofit fundraising specializing in donor relationship management and planned giving. When they’re not traveling, Becca and her husband reside in Washington, DC. They would travel even more often if they could bring their puppy, Frank along.

If you're travelling to Hong Kong, contact becca@kahalabroad.org

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.

If you're travelling to England, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Hungary, Austria, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Switzerland, The Netherlands, China (Beijing, Shanghai) or Russia, contact joey@kahalabroad.org

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.

If you're travelling to Italy, contact jessie@kahalabroad.org

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.

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!

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!

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.

If you're travelling to Spain (Barca, Madrid, Sevilla), Israel (TA, Jeru), Denmark, Sweden, Japan, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, North Africa, Canada, USA, Argentina, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Senegal or India, contact Talia@kahalabroad.org

Naomi was born and raised in Highland Park, IL. After completing Boston University's American Studies program in 2015, Naomi moved to New Zealand where she worked as the Marketing Manager at Auckland's Basement Theatre. At the Basement Naomi developed an interest in standup comedy, and in 2017 she decided to return to Chicago to devote her time to writing and performing standup. Now Naomi produces and hosts Just Us Gals, one of Chicago's largest independent alternative comedy showcases, and can be seen performing all over the city. Naomi also teaches yoga serves as the the Operations Coordinator for Kahal.

Joseph grew up in Birmingham and studied French and Spanish at University College London. For his year abroad he worked in Paris for six months and then studied in Santiago, Chile for another six months, after which he became a KAHAL intern during his final year at UCL. During his time at UCL, Joseph was education officer for the Jewish society, where he would put on weekly lunch and learn sessions for local and international students. His hobbies include travelling, learning about different cultures, meeting new people and the occasional trip to the theatre! “My year abroad was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life and I am so excited to help other students make the most of their time abroad.``

Major: Psychology

Studied Abroad: Madrid, Spain

Bucket List Destination: South Korea

Major: International Studies

Studied Abroad: Jerusalem, Israel

Bucket List Destination: All of Italy

Major: Public Policy & Economics

Studied Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Bucket List Destination: India

Major: Behavioral and Community Health

Studied Abroad: New Delhi, India

Bucket List Destination: South and Central America

Major: Architecture

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

Bucket List Destination: Seychelles

Major: Physical Therapy

Studied Abroad: London

Bucket List Destination: South Africa

Major: Politics and International & Global Studies

Studied Abroad: Amsterdam

Bucket List Destination: Iceland

Major: Public Health

Studied Abroad: Tel Aviv, Israel

Bucket List Destination: South Africa

Major: Religious Studies

Studied Abroad: Seville, Spain

Bucket List Destination: Japan

Major: Community Heal and minor in Jewish Studies

Studied Abroad: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Bucket List Destination: New Zealand and Greece

Major: Political Science and Women/Gender Studies

Studied Abroad: Salamanca, Spain

Bucket List Destination: Australia and Paris

Major: Political Science

Studied Abroad: Madrid, Spain

Bucket List Destination: Cape Town, South Africa

Major: Health Services

Studied Abroad: Florence, Italy

Bucket List Destination: Thailand

Major: Communication Arts and Digital Studies

Studied Abroad: Cape Town, South Africa

Bucket List Destination: Santorini, Greece

Major: Cognitive Science

Studied Abroad: Morocco

Bucket List Destination: Australia

Major: Communications & Human Development and Family Studies

Studied Abroad: Florence, Italy

Bucket List Destination: Tokyo

Major: Neuroscience and Behavior

Studied Abroad: London (UCL)

Bucket List Destination: South Africa

Major: Public health and Psychology

Studied Abroad: Cape Town, South America

Bucket List Destination:Thailand

Major: International Affairs & History

Bucket List Destination: Tokyo, Japan

Major:

Studied Abroad: London, England

Major: Russian and Business

Studied Abroad: St. Petersburg, Russia

Bucket List Destination: Venice

Major: Film/Video

Studied Abroad: Granada, Spain

Bucket List Destination: India!

Major: Diplomacy and History

Studied Abroad: Tel Aviv, Israel

Bucket List Destination: Thailand

Major: Human Capital and Society

Studied Abroad: Budapest, Hungary

Bucket List Destination: Southeast Asia

Major: Applied Economics and Management

Studied Abroad: Amsterdam

Bucket List Destination: New Zealand

Major: Business

Studied abroad: Sydney, Australia

Bucket List Destination: South Africa

Major: Sociology and Russian double major

Studied Abroad: Madrid, Spain

Bucket List Destination: Amsterdam

Major: Speech and Hearing Science

Studied Abroad: Florence, Italy

Bucket List Destination: Yosemite National Park

Major: Social Work

Studied Abroad: Dublin, Ireland

Bucket List Destination: Sydney, Australia

Major: Cognitive Science with a Specialization in Computing

Study Abroad Destination: London, UK

Bucket List Destination: Iceland, Singapore, Japan

Chapter: Xi Deuteron

Study Abroad: Copenhagen, Denmark

Major: Psychology

Major: Art History & Studio Art

Destination: Tel Aviv University

Bucket List Destination: Montenegro

Major: International Relations

Destination: Madrid

Bucket List Destination: Amsterdam

Major: Childhood Education and Judaic studies

Destination: Florence

Bucket List Destination: Russia

Major: Economics & Judaic Studies

Destination: Prague

Bucket List Destination: Sydney Australia

Major: Art History and Psychology

Destination: Rome

Bucket List Destination: Greece

Major: Education and Psychology

Destination: London

Bucket List Destination: Anywhere in Greece!

Major: PhD in Modern History

Destination: Jerusalem (Hebrew U)

Bucket List Destination: Galapagos

Major: Economics

Destination City: London

Bucket List destination: Australia