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, Hannah supervises our Springboard Fellow, teaches our Shabbat workshops, advises our Student Board, implements our strategic plan, bakes challah every Friday, and infuses Jewish learning and values into everything we do.

In her free time, Hannah is most likely walking her dog (follow his adventures @BoazthePhillyDog), showing off pictures of her daughter Sivan, and cooking with her chef husband, Bryce. Coffee is her main food group, so she’s happy to get to know you better over a large cold brew!

Corey was raised in Philadelphia and earned a bachelor’s degree in Jewish Studies and Hebrew from Temple University. Following graduation, Corey began working for United Synagogue Youth (USY), first as an intern and eventually as a branch director. During the past ten years, Corey’s work has focused on empowering Jewish youth to develop friendships, leadership skills, a sense of belonging to the Jewish people, a deep engagement with and love for Israel, and a commitment to inspired Jewish living.

Growing up, Corey spent his summers at Camp Ramah in the Poconos and the other 10 months of the year immersed in USY, which is where he developed his strong love for Judaism and Jewish education. Prior to beginning his studies at Temple University, Corey lived and studied in Israel for a year through USY’s Nativ program. In addition to his work on the regional USY level, Corey has held several local chapter advisor positions and worked in the summers as a counselor and unit head at Camp Ramah in the Poconos. In the past several years, Corey has enjoyed teaching pre-teens and teens at Congregation Beth El in Bucks County where he has served as the Hebrew high school coordinator, as well as a Hebrew school educator.

When he is not working, Corey loves hanging out with his niece Elayne who is the coolest kid. They enjoy hikes, Disney movie nights, and fostering puppies. Corey also enjoys fishing and biking, and he is an avid Dungeons and Dragons player.

Leora Wasserman is Hillel at Drexel's first ever Springboard Fellow! Originally from East Brunswick, New Jersey, Leora attended SUNY Binghamton and graduated with a BA in English Literature and a Bachelors in Social Work. Throughout her time in Binghamton, Leora was closely involved in the vibrant Jewish life that can be found within Hillel at Binghamton University and is proud to have served both as the president of Keshet, the Hillel-affiliate subgroup catering to LGBTQ+ Jewish Students (2021-22), as well as the Vice President of Community Engagement (2022-23). Prior to college, Leora was involved in the New Jersey regional chapter of NCSY, and spent many years attending various Jewish day schools.

When she has free time, Leora greatly enjoys sewing, creative writing, adventuring, and reading everything from YA novels to qualitative research articles. Her interests span many different areas and she loves having conversations that lead to learning new things! She also loves a good board game and is always interested in learning about people's current passion projects.

Whether you're free for fifteen minutes for coffee or an hour of existential conversation about the meaning of life, Leora can't wait to get to know you!

Mat Wilson is Drexel Hillel’s Rabbinic Intern for the 2022-2023 school year. They are in their first year of study at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and are so excited to be on their journey to becoming a rabbi. This is Mat’s first year living on the East Coast, having moved from Eugene, Oregon over the summer. Mat graduated from the University of Oregon in 2019 with a BS in Anthropology concentrating in biological anthropology and archaeology. They did extensive undergrad research in primate behavior. Previously, Mat worked as a career coach at UO, where they enjoyed connecting with students and providing support however they could. They also teach religious school and tutor b’nai mitzvah students, which they absolutely love doing.

While their personal Jewish journey began in childhood, it grew and deepened as a college student through their connection with Hillel at UO. One of their favorite things was to help out in the kitchen, preparing shabbat dinners and making large batches of soup for the Matzo Ball Soup Hotline.

Mat enjoys playing games (Magic: the Gathering, Carcassonne, Catan, etc.), exploring local history, and visiting ghost towns. They all around enjoy finding ways to bring adventure into their day.

Mat can’t wait to connect with you! Whether that’s through grabbing a coffee, taking a walk, or finding a spare minute between classes to get in a game, they look forward to getting to know you. Don’t be afraid to reach out!

Mike has over fifteen years of experience in non-profit fundraising and management. Most recently he worked as a consultant at The Lapin Group where he oversaw fundraising and marketing strategies for Jewish and other non-profit organizations. Previously, he spent eight years as a Community Organizer and eventually Executive Director of Building One New Jersey, leading public policy advocacy on issues including education funding and affordable housing. He has a B.A. in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, an M.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and spent two years studying at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Hillel and Jewish mentorship were important to Mike when he was in college, as was his year-long trip to Israel on the Sherut La’am program. He is excited to provide Jewish Drexel students with some of these same opportunities.

Mike enjoys practicing Hebrew and Spanish, playing tennis and basketball, reading history, and spending time with his wife and daughters. He resides in Philadelphia, serves on the Board of the Germantown Jewish Centre, and co-chairs his synagogue’s annual family retreat.