Hillel Professionals

Rabbi Isabel de Koninck serves as the Executive Director and Campus Rabbi for Hillel at Drexel University. Rabbi de Koninck began her career with Hillel as the Advisor to Jewish students at Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges in 2008. Prior to beginning her work with college students, Rabbi de Koninck served as the editor of Ritualwell.org and as rabbinic intern at Temple Shir Hadash of Westford, Massachusetts. A native of Montclair, New Jersey, Rabbi Isabel de Koninck is a 2004 graduate of Brandeis University, and received her rabbinic ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2010 where she additionally completed a graduate certificate in Jewish Gender and Women’s Studies. Rabbi de Koninck is also a proud alumna of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship and currently serves on the board of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.

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.

Hannah Rosenberg came to Drexel Hillel after seven good years at Franklin and Marshall College, where she was first a student, then worked at F&M Hillel as the Ezra Fellow and Engagement/Jewish Life Coordinator, and finally Assistant Director. Hannah graduated from F&M in 2015 with a degree in Classical Archaeology and Judaic Studies, and was heavily involved in Hillel, Greek Life, and Resident Hall Advising.

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!

Liz is the Development & Communications Associate at Drexel Hillel. She is a proud 2014 graduate of Drexel University, where she majored in Screenwriting & Playwriting. She was heavily involved in Jewish life as a student, even serving on the Hillel board (though Hillel lacked the ruach and amazing building that exists today!).

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 serves as the Director of Israel, Wellness & Civic Engagement at Drexel Hillel. Her role is student facing and multi-faceted - which she loves!

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

Michelle serves as the Office Administrator at Drexel Hillel and is a very proud Drexel alumnus, class of 1984. She earned her BSBA with a major in Accounting and a minor in Finance and went on to have a long and happy career in Pharmaceutical Sales and Training. Michelle went into semi-retirement when she and her husband Marc started their family. They have two sons, Jason 22 whom will be graduating from the University of Pittsburgh this spring and Adam 20 who is in his sophomore year at Temple University studying Sports Management.

Michelle grew up in Cheltenham and is a proud Panther. She played competitive junior tennis and 15 years ago became a PTR certified tennis professional and coached High School tennis and USTA elite tennis for over 10 years. Recently Michelle attended Gratz college and studied intensive Hebrew for 4 semesters and is now a Hebrew School teacher at Temple Beth Hillel- Beth El. She is thrilled to be back on Drexel’s campus and appreciates the opportunity to give back to Drexel and support their young Jewish population in any way possible.

Miriam Geronimus is Drexel Hillel’s rabbinic intern for the 2020-2021 year, and the lead
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. She especially
loved Friday night dinners. 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