Staff

Cindy Hughey has come out of retirement to serve as the Interim Executive Director of the University of Michigan Hillel with over 34 years of Jewish communal service. She first served as the Director of the Michigan Jewish Conference as the lobbyist for the Detroit and Ann Arbor Federations as well 10 other Jewish communities throughout Michigan. She held this role for 10 years. In 2000, she was hired as the Executive Director for Michigan State University Hillel where she served for 24 years. In 2006, she created the Hillel Campus Alliance of Michigan (HCAM), expanding her portfolio of Hillel’s to include 10 additional campuses around the state: Eastern Michigan University, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Northern Michigan University, Michigan Technological University, Kalamazoo, Albion and Alma Colleges and Saginaw Valley State University. In 2023, Cindy retired leaving 11 thriving Hillel programs around the state with thousands of active students, robust student leadership opportunities and hundreds of programs for Jewish students to participate in. Contact Cindy Hughey

Diane is an Indiana native, though now she must be a Michigander because she’s been in Michigan many more years than Indiana. Diane is now our Hillel's longest employee - since 1993! - has is amazing at being our Chief Financial Officer. She spends her time outside of Hillel playing soccer; baking; and chasing her son, Adam, and granddaughter, Lena. Contact Diane Redman

Denae is a Metro Detroit native and proud Jew of Color. She completed her undergrad at Eastern Michigan University in Secondary Education Social Studies with a concentration in History, and served as a student racial justice programmer for EMU and an intern for Hillel Campus Alliance of Michigan. She later earned her MA in Social Science with a concentration in History and Criminology. Prior to joining Michigan Hillel, Denae taught in Washtenaw County for seven years and served as an equity worker in school-wide policy and curriculum development. In her current role as the Manager of Community Service and Learning, she is thrilled to support students in their authentic engagement with Jewish tradition, values, and identity.  When not at Hillel, you can find Denae crocheting, searching for the best bagel spot in Royal Oak with her partner, Blake, or enjoying a yoga class. Contact Denae or set up a time to meet.  

 

Becca was raised in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and currently resides in Birmingham. She has over a decade of experience leading a team and mentoring staff in the Jewish nonprofit sector. Even though she graduated from The Ohio State University, Becca has a very strong connection to UM as all three of her children are Wolverines. Becca is excited to contribute to our mission of inspiring and supporting student leaders and looks forward to helping us raise the funds necessary to help us make a lasting impact on the lives of Jewish students on campus.  Contact Becca Goodman

Elyssa Hurwitz  is our Chief Program Officer, bringing a relationship-centered and pluralistic approach to Jewish learning, student leadership, and immersive program design. She previously served as Associate Director of Jewish Education at Mem Global and has led Jewish learning in campus, communal, and experiential settings around the world. They hold an MA in Jewish Experiential Education from JTS and are completing a second MA in Human Development at George Washington University. Outside of work, Elyssa enjoys crafting, playing ice hockey, traveling, cooking, learning new languages, and building delightfully nerdy spreadsheets. Contact Elyssa Hurwitz

Ken Schneider is a Southern Californian born and raised but has loved being a Michigander since 2020. He even got his wife to move all the way from England to Michigan! He got his bachelor's degree in History from Chapman University and his master's degree in Conflict Studies from the London School of Economics. He most recently served as the Director of Development for Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity, where he led a wide array of alumni facing initiatives surrounding housing, engagement, and staff development. Ken loves to talk about all things sports (Football, Baseball, with some Hockey sprinkled in), History, Movies, TV, and Bar Trivia. Ken is incredibly excited to work within this stellar Hillel and University Community. One of Ken's chief responsibilities as the Chief of Staff is dedicated to helping students who are experiencing antisemitism in the classroom, dorms, Greek Houses or anywhere else on campus navigate university systems and reporting options. Contact Ken Schneider

Haley was born and raised in Ann Arbor and might never leave! She's a super alum (she has her undergrad and MSW from Michigan) and loves talking about Michigan, Judaism, football, soup, pop culture references, and musical theatre. Haley loves being able to share her excitement for Jewish life at Hillel and looks forward to helping students discover how Judaism can intersect with a multitude of other identities and passions. Outside of Hillel, Haley can be found obsessing over her cat Zuzy, dog Joey, and husband Jack. Contact Haley Schreier

Rav Lisa Stella is our Senior Rabbi. She is a passionate educator, deeply committed to helping college students connect with, and create, Jewish life, learning, and community. Rav Lisa received her rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinical School at Hebrew College in 2014, where she also earned a certificate in Jewish Sacred Music. Rav Lisa particularly enjoys teaching about Jewish Foodways, Feminism, and Jewish Ritual. Before Rabbinical School, Lisa spent three years in Israel, two of them studying at the Pardes Institute for Jewish Learning, and the third wandering a bit in the desert. Rav Lisa is originally from Wisconsin and received her BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She loves to talk about baseball, her favorite recipes, and her optimism about the Jewish future. Rav Lisa lives in Ann Arbor with her spouse, Zach Kaiser, an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Michigan State University, and their daughter, Lillian. Contact Rabbi Lisa Stella

Shay grew up in a small town in the Jezreel Valley area called Migdal HaEmek, where she was involved in the “HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed” youth movement and, when she was 14, went to Tamarack Summer Camp in Michigan! She studied Biology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In her free time, Shay enjoys cooking, hiking, and nature. Shay is excited to get to know you, so get a coffee with her or send her an email.

Dorcas is currently providing administrative and project support to Hillel staff.  Dorcas comes to Michigan Hillel with over 20 years experience working in non-profit organizations in both the United Kingdom and US, spanning roles in executive support, human resources and operations.  Dorcas is also a licensed clinical therapist, holding a Masters in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University.  Dorcas is committed to helping  individuals navigate life challenges, including mood disorders, domestic abuse/coercive control, chronic illness and life transitions.  In her spare time, she enjoys making mosaics, painting, writing blogs, cooking, gardening and spending time with her 2 adult daughters and Siamese cats. Contact Dorcas Patterson

Jonathan Shepard joined Michigan Hillel as the Head Chef of the Hillel Café. Jonathan has loved cooking since he was a child, spending time with his parents making holiday meals, and learning basic culinary skills. While attending culinary school at American River college, he further pursued his desire of becoming a chef, figuring out the culinary styles he enjoys the most and how to express himself through his creations. Through his work experience, Jonathan has further discovered who he is as a chef and is excited to share his food with our Hillel. He is looking forward to students stopping by, saying hello, and joining him for a meal! Contact Jonathan Shepard

Before joining the Michigan Hillel team, I served six years in the United States Army Military Police Corps, 20 years with the City of Wayne Police Department and six years with General Motors Global Security. My goal is to provide a safe and secure environment for all who work, visit, and attend service at Michigan Hillel. Contact John Buffa

Ron joined JCSI in January 2026 and serves as the afternoon security coordinator at Michigan Hillel. He brings over 30 years of law enforcement experience, including leadership roles as a Commander with the Dearborn Police Department and Police Chief for the City of Riverview. Ron has also worked as a cold case detective with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and as an investigative analyst with IRS Criminal Investigation. Contact Ron Beggs