
Rabbi de Koninck's passion for Jewish life starts with the belief that Judaism is a relevant and inspiring framework for engaging the daily opportunities and challenges of today's world. While her personal roots are in progressive Jewish community, her experiences with Jewish pluralism as an undergraduate and as a part of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship have affirmed for her that there is a mode of Jewish practice and identity for each person who seeks one, and that the diversity of Jewish expression is an asset to Jewish community and the Jewish future.
At Drexel, Rabbi de Koninck is most excited by the start-up energy embodied by the University's commitment to entrepreneurship, and by Drexel's passion for using the talents and skills of all of our University community members to solve today's biggest civic challenges. She is eager to meet each Jewish student, learn their story, and help them to discover their own pathway into Jewish living, learning and leadership.

Now after 2 great years with Drexel Hillel, Hannah supervises our Community and Shabbat/Holiday Engagement Interns and our Tikkun Olam Interns, manages our Student Board, oversees the First-Year Experience program (including Jewniversity and Welcome Week), co-staffs Birthright Israel trips with Leah, bakes challah every Friday (follow @challahatDrexel!), and infuses Jewish learning and values into everything we do.
In her free time, Hannah is a proud donut connoisseur (her favorites are Peace Love and Little Donuts in Pittsburgh, Daily Provisions in NYC, and obviously Federal Donuts in Philly!) and enjoys listening to podcasts while walking, cooking, or exploring new places. Coffee is her main food group, so she’s happy to get to know you better over a large iced latte!

Before returning to Philly to work at Drexel Hillel, Liz spent a great few years in New York City. In addition to working on her playwriting projects, she was the Communications Associate at Congregation Beth Elohim, the largest reform synagogue in Brooklyn.
Originally from St. Louis, Liz often visits her family there, in Memphis, and in New York with her husband, Jonathan. Before starting her freshman year at Drexel, Liz took a gap year to live in Israel and study at Machon Maayan. She feels so fortunate to be back in Philly and to be a part of the fantastic Drexel Hillel team.

Leah oversees all educational programming related to Israel at Drexel Hillel, such as:
- Running the Jewish Learning Fellowship 2.0 - Big Questions about Israel
- Drexel Hillel's Israel Engagement Internship
- Drexel Hillel's Beyond Birthright Internship
- Creating and facilitating engagement trainings and lesson plans for Drexel Hillel's Bi-Annual Engagement Retreats
Additionally, Leah runs Drexel Hillel's #Birthright recruitment, orientations, staffing and post-trip outreach and programming. As well as overseeing Drexel Hillel's Israel Week Planning Committee and helping to execute Israel Week itself.
Beginning this year, Leah has the pleasure of supervising 11 fantastic Wellness Ambassadors! All of whom completed a 9 hour training using the Student Support Network Curriculum facilitated by Dr. Michael Gotlib. Leah supports Drexel Hillel's Wellness Ambassadors in planning Wellness Initiatives both digitally and in person (socially distanced).
Need help registering to vote? Want to discuss the current political landscape in Israel, the US or Philly? Interested in doing anti-racism work with other Jewish students at Drexel? Leah has got you covered and would LOVE to chat with you over Facetime, Zoom or in a green space (masked and 6ft apart)!
Please do not hesitate to write Leah an email at lthomas@drexelhillel.org or book a virtual or socially distanced ``coffee date`` using her calendly link: https://bit.ly/3iztb9U

Anna received a BA at Harvard College, where she studied comparative literature and was active in the performing arts and Hillel. Upon graduating, she joined the Harvard Hillel staff and spent two years mentoring students and staffing Birthright trips. Since then, she has worked in various roles at the intersection of nonprofit management and Jewish education. In 2018, she founded Honeycake Magazine, a nonprofit Jewish magazine for young children.
Originally from Maryland, Anna lives in Wynnewood with her partner and two children. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, singing, and playing the piano.

educator for the Jewish Learning Fellowship. She is also a senior at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.
During her own college experience at Princeton, Hillel was where she made most of her
closest friends, and where she began exploring her own Jewish identity, as well as the intersection of her Jewish and queer identities. Miriam is excited to help Drexel students find community and explore their own Jewishness.
Previously, Miriam has worked with children of all ages, in synagogues, as a hospital
chaplain, and in a nursing home.
Originally from Michigan, Miriam has come to love Philly and call it home. She lives with
her husband, cat, and turtle in Mt Airy. A foodie, she loves exploring Philly’s neighborhoods by trying new restaurants. She also loves walking in the Wissahickon and going down the shore. Recently, she has been experimenting with gardening -- she loves watching new tomatoes appear! She also loves to play with clay and embroidery – and is always happy to talk crafting.
Miriam would love to connect with you! Whether you have questions about the Jewish Learning Fellowship or just want to chat, feel free to reach out mgeronimus@drexelhillel.org
