Welcoming the Hillel International 2022 Summer Interns
Hillel International is so excited to welcome our Summer 2022 interns! While these students cannot physically be at Hillel International’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., this talented and diverse group of interns is rolling up their sleeves and working virtually with several different teams across the organization. These interns come from diverse Jewish backgrounds and are active in their local Hillels, where they have developed their passion for the Jewish community, Tikkun Olam, and the Hillel movement.
Read about them below:
Aviva Weinstein (She/Her/Hers) – Brandeis University, ’23
Hillel U Intern
Hi! My name is Aviva Weinstein (she/her) and I’m from Bala Cynwyd, PA, about 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia. I am a rising senior at Brandeis University studying Anthropology and Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, and minoring in Business. I grew up going to Jewish Day Schools as well as Camp Ramah in the Poconos and I was very active in my local BBYO chapter. At Brandeis, in addition to being a member of the Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team, I have held various leadership roles through Hillel including Engagement Intern (2019), Israel Intern (2020), and Social and Cultural Events Coordinator on the student board (2020-21)! I’m so excited to be joining the Hillel International team this summer in order to further the larger goals of this organization that has given me so much throughout my time in college!
Lindsey Hammar (She/Her/Hers) – James Madison University, ’23
Digital Media Intern
Hi! My name is Lindsey and I’m a rising senior at James Madison University studying Media Arts & Design with a focus in Digital Video & Cinema. I’m originally from Denver, Colorado but moved to the East Coast for school to pursue my goal of being a Division 1 athlete, which I am now achieving as a diver on JMU’s Womens Swim and Dive team. Outside of sports and video production, I enjoy being with family and friends, reading, and spending time with my dog. I am so excited for this internship and to grow my experience and knowledge in the video production field!
Yana Tartakovskiy (She/Her/Hers) – University of Connecticut, ’25
Social Media Intern
My name is Yana Tartakovskiy, pronouns she/her/hers, and I am a rising sophomore studying Healthcare Management at the University of Connecticut, with a minor in Political Science. I am part of UConn Hillel’s executive board as the Vice President of Marketing. Some things you can find me doing on campus in my free time are hanging out with friends in the Hillel building, taking part in clubs like Law Society, Empowering Women in Law, and UConn’s Ballet Company, as well as studying in the library and going on long walks enjoying the greenery of UConn’s campus. Fun fact about me, I have been dancing since I was 3 years old and it brings out my love for music and the arts. This summer, alongside working for Hillel International, I will be taking part in research regarding the pandemic and the effects it has had on Jewish communities around the world with the co-founding professors of the Pandemic Journaling Project. I will also be spending time with my friends and family in my hometown of Brooklyn, New York.
Hailey Smilowitz (She/Her/Hers) – University of South Carolina, ’26
Digital Marketing Intern
Hi everyone! I’m Hailey Smilowitz (she/her) and I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I am a rising junior at University of South Carolina where I am the Vice President of Communications and Media at the UofSC Hillel! I am majoring in Mass Communications with a minor in Jewish Studies and I am so excited to be joining the Hillel International team this summer as the Digital Marketing intern!
Ryan Gibbons (He/Him/His), Elon University, ’25
Measurement Intern
My name is Ryan Gibbons, and I am a rising sophomore at Elon University pursuing degrees in Environmental Science and Cinema & Television Arts. I grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee where I was raised in a Reform Jewish household. I am a percussionist in several music ensembles, and I enjoy rock climbing and baking. This summer, alongside this internship, I am volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. I use He/Him/His pronouns.
Gabrielle Peck (She/Her/Hers), Boston University, ’23
Communications Intern
My name is Gabrielle Peck and I am a rising senior at Boston University. I’m majoring in English with a minor in Jewish Studies. I’m very active at BU’s Hillel and I’m grateful for the positive impact it’s had on my college experience. I also write articles for BU’s chapter of Her Campus, a by-college-women, for-college-women online publication. I’m looking forward to joining the Communications team this summer!
Geneve Halfman (She/Her/Hers), Hamilton College, ’25
Campaign Services Intern
I’m Geneve, a sophomore at Hamilton College in upstate NY, and I’m studying World Politics and Philosophy! This summer, I’m working from my hometown just outside Chicago. I love going for walks in the woods, hammocking, and writing poetry, but one of my favorite parts of campus is the Hillel; it’s such a welcoming community that encourages students’ Jewish identities to be ever-evolving, social-oriented, and self-directed. I’m excited to intern for Hillel International this summer to learn how the business processes translate into the vibrant community I’ve grown to love and to interact with the people that make it possible!
Sydney Klapman (She/Her/Hers), University of Maryland, ’24
Conferences and Events Intern
Hi! I’m Sydney Klapman and I’m a rising junior at the University of Maryland. I’m a journalism major with a minor in leadership studies and another minor in nonprofit management. I’m from Northbrook, which is a suburb of Chicago. Outside of that, I’m involved in a few campus news publications, the Maryland Hillel of course, and my sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon. I also work at a country club as a server on the weekends.
Danielle London (She/Her/Hers), University of Maryland, ’25
Digital Fundraising Intern
I am a rising sophomore at the University of Maryland where I am pursuing dual degrees in Community Health and Psychology. I have found a welcoming “second home” at the UMD Hillel over the past year. I am a singer in Mezumenet, an a capella group on campus, and serve as their PR Manager. I am a Sigma Delta Tau sorority sister and a fundraising leader in Terp Thon. I enjoy playing tennis, painting, exercising, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. I am excited to serve as Hillel International’s Digital Fundraising Intern, and am looking forward to a summer filled with personal growth and professional development.
Frannie Cohen-Dumani (She/Her/Hers), College of Charleston, ’23
Strategic HR/Talent Acquisition Intern
Frannie is from Bethesda, Maryland, and is a rising senior at the College of Charleston where she is studying Psychology with a minor in Management. On campus, she served as the Hillel Vice President, works as a research assistant for the Psychology department, and looks forward to her role as a Peer Career Advisor in the fall. In her free time, Frannie enjoys cooking, trying different coffee shops in Charleston, going to the beach, and traveling. She has loved working at Hillel and is so excited to continue as the Strategic HR and Talent Acquisition intern this summer.
Sasha Giniger (She/Her/Hers), Northeastern University, ’25
Israel Action Program Intern
My name is Sasha Giniger (she/her) and I am a rising sophomore at Northeastern University. I am pursuing a double major in History, Culture, and Law and International Affairs. Additionally, I am doing our Plus One program to receive a Masters in Political Science and am a Jewish Studies minor. I have been active in my University’s Hillel, entering into my second semester on our executive board, first as our Interfaith Chair and now as the Holiday Chair. I am also affiliated with Northeastern University’s International Relations Council, originally as a competitor, representing the University in Model United Nations, Model Arab League, and Model NATO debate conferences, as well as a member of the executive board for the fall of 2022. I aim to work in the law or politics and I look forward to the work that I will be doing with Hillel International this summer as a member of this team.
Zoe Winger (She/Her/Hers), Kent State University, ’23
Graphic Design Intern
Hello, my name is Zoe Winger I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio but am currently a senior at Kent State University where I am studying Visual Communication Design. My passion for design started my senior year of high school where I took a graphic design elective. After graduating high school in 2018, I lived in Israel for a year where I took classes and volunteered in the community. This experience made me eager to stay connected with the Jewish community while in college. On my first day at Kent, I found myself at Hillel on my campus where I fell in love with the students, staff, and overall environment. I am extremely excited to combine my two passions by being a graphic design intern here at Hillel International.
Lily Tabenken (She/Her/Hers), Muhlenberg College, ’24
Campaign Services Intern
Hi everyone! My name is Lily Tabenken (she/her/hers) and I am from Falmouth, Maine and go to Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania where I am a rising junior. I am a media and communications major with minors in Jewish studies and business as well as on the pre-law track. At Muhlenberg I am very active in Hillel and instantly was drawn to the beautiful Hillel Building as well as the active Jewish community on campus. for the past year I have served on my Hillel board as the social action co-chair and for the next year I will be serving as the outreach co-chair where I will show prospective students what Hillel is like and helping first year students get involved with Hillel. Other than Hillel I am in the sorority Phi Sigma Sigma and apart of the Muhlenberg chapter of Best Buddies where I serve as the event co-chair where I plan our monthly events. In my free time, I love to hang out with friends, travel, and swim. I am so excited to be interning with Hillel International this summer as the campaign service intern!
Samantha Brody (She/Her/Hers), Brandeis University, ’24
Israel Education Intern
Samantha Brody is an incoming junior at Brandeis University studying Education Studies, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, and Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. She is the 2022 President of the Brandeis Hillel student board, and is active in Masorti @ Brandeis. Samantha is also beginning her second year as a member of the Hillel International Student Cabinet. She is deeply passionate about Israel education and organized an ongoing conservation series about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on her campus. Samantha spent her gap year on the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel, where she studied at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and volunteered as an English tutor in Teveria.