Making Judaism relevant, meaningful, and supportive for college students at CSUN, Pierce College, Valley College, and throughout the San Fernando Valley.
About | Staff | Board of Directors | Facility
Hillel 818 Professional Staff:
MATT BARAM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Born and raised in a small Connecticut town, Matt has spent the past decade+ building Jewish community in Los Angeles. Matt is so excited to be the Executive Director of Hillel 818, where he helps grow the Jewish community in the Valley, guiding students from CSUN, Pierce College, and Valley College on their Jewish journeys. He is a Jewish day school, youth group, summer camp, Hillel and Birthright veteran, and spent eight years at Sinai Temple as the Atid and Teen Director. Matt earned a Masters of Arts in Education from the American Jewish University, and a B.S. in Advertising from Boston University, where he was active at Hillel as President of the Conservative Minyan, a member of the Religious Life Council, and guitar player and songwriter for Jewish rock band "The Rif." Matt is a TV & movie fanatic, die-hard NBA buff, and Johnny Cash impersonator who is always on the lookout for the next great lunch spot. Matt spends most of his free time with his wife Alayna and his baby boy Jaden Max.
EVAN TAKSAR LEVENTAL
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR ADVANCEMENT
A San Fernando Valley native, Evan is thrilled to be joining the team at Hillel 818! Prior to starting with Hillel, she worked as an Assistant Director at Camp Alonim. Evan received a dual-Master’s Degree in Jewish Professional Leadership and Near Eastern & Judaic Studies from the Hornstein Program at Brandeis University. A graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder (Go Buffs!), Evan was heavily involved in Hillel at CU-Boulder, serving as Vice President of its student board. She knows firsthand how impactful being involved with Hillel can be, and is excited to help students find personal, relevant and meaningful connections to Judaism. Evan loves to spend time hanging out with friends, buying too many cookbooks, hiking with her dog Molly, and scouring Los Angeles top to bottom for the perfect taco.
MEG WELLS
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: PROGRAMMING & ENGAGEMENT
Meg joins the Hillel818 team after three years at Hillel at the University of Rochester(‘17-20) and two pandemic-filled years working for a synagogue in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Meg is excited to call Los Angeles home in partnership with her fiance and pup Mani (short for Manischewitz). Meg has been creating Jewish experiences and community in some way for over a decade and finds the work to not only be meaningful professionally but something that adds color to her life personally as well. When Meg is not at work or playing with Mani, you can usually find her at the rock climbing gym or on the hunt for the perfect iced chai tea! Feel free to ask Meg how she links Jewish texts to the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
BEN BRAUNSTEIN
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Raised in the 818 area code, Ben is super excited to be part of the Hillel 818 team! Ben has a BA in Modern Jewish studies from CSUN, but has also studied at Pierce College and AmericanJewish University. He is currently continuing his education in a Business Administration program at University of Minnesota (Online). Before joining Hillel, Ben was the Facilities and Operations Manager at Valley Beth Shalom, and before that the Assistant director at URJ 6 Points West summer camp. Benspends his free time sailing and building things in his workshop.
CAROLINE SCHNEIDER
COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT COORDIANTOR
Caroline Schneider is excited to be joining the team at Hillel 818! She is originally from the Washington D.C. area and recently graduated from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC with a B.A. in Communication. Caroline was very involved with College of Charleston Hillel during her time in Charleston and cannot wait to continue her Hillel experience here in the Valley. When not at Hillel, Caroline loves cooking, her cat, politics, and helping others find good books to read. If you’re ever looking for someone to discuss movies, TV, theater, Taylor Swift, or pretty much anything pop culture-related with, Caroline’s your person!
AUBREY GOLDING
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Aubrey is incredibly excited to be returning to Hillel, as a previously super-involved student. She has a B.A. in Sociology as well as minors in Human Sexuality and Africana Studies from CSUN. She is currently continuing her education, earning Masters in Jewish Nonprofit Management from HUC, and Public Administration from USC. Before her return to Hillel, she served as a Zelikow Fieldwork Placement Intern at American Jewish Committee Los Angeles. Off the clock, Aubrey loves to hike waterfalls, read, and cook for her loved ones.
ELLEN BORENSTEIN
MULTICULTURAL & INTERFAITH COORDINATOR
Born and raised in the 909 with familial ties to the Valley, Ellen has spent the past decade cultivating deep connections with the Global community. She studied Archaeology and International Relations at the American University of Rome in Rome, Italy and Human Rights at York University in Toronto, Canada. She is excited to build ties with the diverse student population in the 818 community and beyond! If you ever hear a loud honking noise while at Hillel, don’t worry as that is just her laugh! When not at work, Ellen can be found crocheting, updating her travel bucket list, cooking, or making friends with anyone and everyone.
If you ever want to talk about the hard subjects (but not math!), practice your Italian, or are in need of a cheesy dad joke, you should definitely say hi!
*no relation to Rabs and Sondra
MAX WINER
PIERCE AND VALLEY COLLEGE ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATE
Max is the Springboard Innovation Fellow for Hillel 818! He is from Fresno, California and has been involved in Jewish summer camps and Jewish life forever. He attended Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR (go Beavers!) where he majored in Music Production and Technologies and Religious Studies. When not working, Max loves to play, write and record music! You can also find him outdoors, hiking and disc golfing! Max is always happy to talk music and books, and whatever else you want to talk about!
He is super excited to join of the 818 community through fun programs, coffee chats, and deep conversations!
ELIANA LEISH
SPRINGBOARD INTRAPRENEURSHIP FELLOW
Originally from Orange County, Eliana is excited to return to California and work as Hillel 818’s Springboard Intrapreneurship Fellow. Eliana recently graduated from the University of Miami, where she studied Music Education. She was a member of Tau Beta Sigma, played in the marching band, and frequently volunteered with UM Hillel. In her free time, Eliana enjoys playing trombone and guitar or trying out new recipes on her friends. Her signature bakes are butterscotch-cinnamon pie and raisin challah rolls. Eliana is excited to meet the 818 community. She's always happy to chat about music, food, or anything on your mind. She would love to meet for coffee and get to know you better.
DIANA MORDEHAY
JEWISH AGENCY ISRAEL FELLOW
Diana was born an raised in Azerbaijan, then six years ago made Aliyah to Israel. She just moved her from Tel Aviv! From an early age, her parents taught her the importance of keeping connected to her Jewish education. This inspired her to earn her Bachelor degree in Special Education from Kibbutzim College of Education and has spent the past year working as the social instructor at Gvanim Association, helping students with disabilities to develop skills for independent life and full self-realization.
She speaks four languages! Other than English, she also speaks Russian, Hebrew, and Azeri, so feel free to start a conversation with her in any of these languages!
She loves to travel, meet new people, and learn about different culture. Set up a meeting and get to know Diana!
