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.``

Ellen received a B.A. in Art History and Psychology from Northwestern University, and earned a certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications. She followed her passion for art history and travel, to Florence, Italy, where she studied Art History and Italian. While the experience was undeniably rewarding and educational, she wishes she had found a welcoming Jewish community during her time in Italy. Prior to joining the KAHAL team, Ellen worked in operations for a grant writing firm for nonprofit organizations. Ellen recently moved back to the Chicagoland area from Washington, DC, and looks forward to getting lost in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Major: French and Linguistics

Studied Abroad: Jerusalem, Israel

Bucket List Destination: Budapest

Major: Kinesiology

Studied Abroad: Stirling, Scotland

Bucket List Destination: Iceland

Major: International Affairs and International Development

Studied Abroad: Nepal

Bucket List Destination: The Great Barrier Reef

Major: Business Administration and Computer Science

Studied Abroad: Semester at Sea

Bucket List Destination: Bali and Cappadocia

Major: Speech-Language Pathology and Spanish

Studied Abroad: Madrid, Spain

Bucket List Destination: Tokyo, Japan

Major: Finance & Accounting

Studied Abroad: Tel Aviv, Israel

Bucket List Destination: Australia & New Zealand

Major: Global and International Studies

Studied Abroad: Sevilla, Spain

Bucket List Destination: Greece and Thailand

Major: Applied Linguistics, Minor in Dance

Studied Abroad: Auckland, New Zealand

Bucket List Destination: Spain & Portugal

Major: Materials Science & Engineering

Studied Abroad: Singapore

Bucket List Destination: South America and Greece

Major: Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Hebrew Language Track and Anthropology

Studied Abroad: Copenhagen, Denmark

Bucket List Destination: Greece and Thailand

Major: Legal Studies

Studied Abroad: Semester at Sea

Bucket List Destination: Brazil

Major: Jewish Studies

Studied Abroad: Jerusalem, Israel

Bucket List Destination: Australia

Major: Professional Communications

Studied Abroad: London, England

Bucket List Destination: Japan

Major: Psychology

Studied Abroad: Sevilla, Spain

Bucket List Destination: Buenos Aires

Major: Cognitive Science

Studied Abroad: Morocco

Bucket List Destination: Australia

Major: Communication and History

Studied Abroad: Rome, Italy

Bucket List Destination: Portugal

Major: Early Childhood Education

Studied Abroad: Rome, Italy

Bucket List Destination: Singapore

Major: Religion Studies and History

Studied Abroad: Vienna, Austria

Bucket List Central Asia

Major: Food Science and Business

Study Abroad Destination: Dublin, Ireland

Bucket list Destination: Banff National Park of Canada

Major:

Studied Abroad: London, England

Major: Miami University

Studied Abroad: Semester At Sea

Bucket List Destination: Bora Bora

Major: Psychology

Studied Abroad: Copenhagen, Denmark

Bucket List Destination: Thailand

Major: Music with business and leadership studies

Studied Abroad: Leeds, England

Bucket List Destination: Thailand

Major: Political Science and Sociology; minor in American Culture

Studied Abroad: Semester At Sea

Bucket List Destination: Australia

Major: Food Science and Business

Studied Abroad: Dublin

Bucket List Destination: Banff National Park of Canada

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: Environmental Studies and Journalism

Studied Abroad: Tel Aviv, Israel

Bucket List Destination: New Zealand

Major: Music and Spanish

Studied abroad: Málaga, Spain

Bucket List Destination: Japan

Major: Psychology

Studied Abroad: Tel Aviv

Bucket List Destination: Ireland

Major: Civil Engineering

Destination: Hong Kong

Bucket List Destination: East Timor

Major: Political Science, Communication, and Psychology

Destination: Copenhagen

Bucket List Destination: Singapore

Major: Theatre

Destination: London

Bucket List Destination: Israel and Germany

Major: International Studies

Destination: Paris

Bucket List Destination: Japan (for the sushi of course)

Major: Political Science and Environmental Studies

Destination: Seville

Bucket List Destination: London

Major: Business Technology, Management

Destination: Rome

Bucket List Destination: New Zealand

Major: Youth and Social Innovation

Destination: Semester At Sea

Bucket List Destination: New Zealand

Major: Economics

Destination City: London

Bucket List destination: Australia

Major: Psychology and Social Science

Destination: I haven't yet. I'm a born and raised parisienne.

Bucket List Destination: India and New Zealand