Staff

Rabbi Davey is our Chief Executive Officer, leading our staff and furthering the vision of every Jewish student making an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel.  Davey served as Associate Director of U-M Hillel from 2011-2018, working with both Michael Brooks and Tilly.  He received Rabbinic Ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion and holds a Masters in Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary.  He has served as Assistant Director of Camp Ramah New England, Regional Supervisor with Young Judaea, Family Educator at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in New York, and provided spiritual care as a hospice chaplain. Davey is married to Jillian, he loves to play guitar, and enjoys dance parties with their 3 kids Elah, Jonah, and Avi. Contact Rabbi Davey: daveyr@umich.edu

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

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

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: kenschn@umich.edu

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.  Connect with Becca: rebeccg@umich.edu

Emma is a California native but is learning to love the Midwest. She studied Sociology and Jewish studies at UC Davis (go ags!) and loves to talk about the bus she drove in college. Emma is always excited to cultivate meaningful relationships with all the different Jewish communities and students at Michigan. When Emma is not at Hillel, you can find her cooking or baking something delicious, petting other people’s dogs, or exploring all that Ann Arbor has to offer. Contact Emma or set up a time to get coffee with her!

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.  

Rayla is our Events and Operations Manager. She comes from a background as a producer in local news, which gives her all the right skills to make sure everything going on at Hillel runs smoothly. Rayla came to Hillel while she was studying at West Virginia University and couldn’t be more excited to be back at Hillel, this time at Michigan. She grew up in Pittsburgh, but she came to love Michigan after spending summers up north exploring the state with her husband Nick and German Shepard/Husky mix Orion. In her spare time, Rayla loves to hike and camp with Nick and Orion, play Dungeons and Dragons, and make crafts of various kinds. Contact Rayla: rayla@umich.edu.

Danielle grew up in northern New Jersey, where she was involved in BBYO and HaZamir. She studied Psychology with minors in Jewish Studies and Hispanic Studies at McGill University in Montreal, Canada (talk to her about Canada!). She just finished her master’s degree in Forensic Psychology at George Washington University! Danielle has also worked as a barista for the past four years, so she is very excited to try all of the cafes in Ann Arbor! In her free time, Danielle enjoys cooking, baking, hiking, and reading. Her top artists on Spotify are Cavetown, Hippo Campus, the Oh Hellos, and Noah Kahan. Get coffee with her! Contact Danielle.

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!

Raised in Columbus, Ohio, Max watched many games at the Shoe for his time as an undergrad at The Ohio State University, where he majored in History. He spent most summers growing up at a Jewish overnight sleepaway camp, especially in his home state at Camp Wise. There, he transitioned from working as a staff member at another summer camp (6 Points in Massachusetts) to a general counselor at Wise for two years. After this, he worked multiple summers as both a village supervisor (Unit Head), before eventually finishing in 2024 as supervisor of the entire outdoors and nature (Teva) program. He was very involved in his Jewish fraternity (Tau Epsilon Phi) on campus, and worked on both recruitment and social boards to further expand TEP’s reach at Ohio State. Max visited Israel most recently in 2022 and 2024 on Birthright and Birthright Volunteer programs. He enjoys collecting vintage clothing, hiking, house music, and driving around the Midwest on road trips. Get coffee with him! https://calendly.com/maxshaf or send him an email: shafran@umich.edu

Uri and Abby Lorkis along with their daughter Naama are arriving for their first year as JLIC Directors at the University of Michigan after a year as the Assistant Directors of JLIC at Bar Ilan University in Givat Shmuel where they have lived for the past few years. Abby grew up in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from Central High School, Abby spent a year learning in Midreshet Harova. Inspired to move to Israel, Abby made Aliyah, and completed her Bachelors degree in Social Work at Bar Ilan University.Abby loves watercoloring, exploring new cuisines, and being out in nature. Contact Abby: alorkis@umich.edu

Uri and Abby Lorkis along with their daughter Naama are arriving for their first year as JLIC Directors at the University of Michigan after a year as the Assistant Directors of JLIC at Bar Ilan University in Givat Shmuel where they have lived for the past few years. Uri grew up 45 minutes from the University in Oak Park, Michigan, is a graduate of Farber Hebrew Day School/Yeshivat Akiva, and is excited to be returning home. Upon graduating high school, Uri studied at Yeshivot Orayta and Hakotel before drafting into the IDF where he served as a paratrooper. After the army, Uri spent two years in Yeshiva, and a third year learning in the Mizrachi Musmachim Semicha Program while studying Social Sciences at Bar Ilan University. Uri likes to play hockey, jam out on guitar and piano, and loves to pick up new skills and hobbies. Contact Uri: ulorkis@umich.edu

 

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.

Thaddeus was born in Ann Arbor and raised in the nearby town of Saline. He’s a Michigan alum who has fond memories of his time on campus and is excited to support a great organization that supports Jewish student life on campus. Outside of work Thaddeus can be found doting over his cat, Lady, camping, writing, and painting. Contact Thaddeus Lenk