Lisa serves as Chief Executive Officer of Rutgers Hillel; having joined the team in July 2023. Previously, she served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey overseeing Financial Resource Development and Community Planning and Allocations endeavors. She joined the Federation team in 2010, previously serving as its Chief Planning Officer. A 30-year veteran of the Jewish non-for-profit world; her professional experience includes fourteen years as a synagogue executive director, ten years as an agent of change for synagogues, and many years of private consulting and executive coaching.

She has traveled across North America teaching at conferences, workshops and providing coaching to organizations and individuals. She holds a certificate in Leadership and Executive Coaching from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Lisa’s insights and expertise have been sought after by such varied endeavors as think tanks and start-ups and her Op Eds have appeared in the Jewish Standard/Times of Israel.

Jennifer Reid grew up in Essex County, New Jersey. She earned her MBA from Centenary College and brings more than 30 years of experience in administrative leadership, building operations and facilities management. Jennifer lives in Hunterdon County, New Jersey with her two daughters.

Jeremy Davis was born and raised in the Long Island suburb of Merrick, NY. A lifelong Ramahnik, he attended Camp Ramah in the Berkshires for 15 summers as a camper, special needs counselor, and division head. Graduating from the University of Delaware, he studied Psychology and Neuroscience with minors in Cognitive Science, Jewish Studies, and Philosophy. While at UD Jeremy found his tribe at Hillel, where he served as an intern, student leader, and board President. He loves all things nerdy as well as classic rock, a fresh bialy, the Mets, and the Islanders.

Grab coffee with Jeremy to learn more about:

• Engagement data
• Freshmen Fest
• Shabbat dinner
• Shalom Hartman programs
• Student Board

Laur Plawker is an education & nonprofit leader focused on equity, mental health, and next-generation empowerment. Laur uses storytelling, social media, and food to build pluralistic connections and foster dialogue across cultures–she’s been told that her hummus is even better than Abu Hassan’s in Jaffa, so be sure to ask for her secret!

A proud alumna of Tel Aviv Institute’s Jews Talk Justice lab and a founding member of the first next-generation slate to the World Zionist Congress, Laur was named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Jews” alongside powerhouses like Gal Gadot and Jake Tapper. Laur holds dual master’s degrees in education from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in psychology from The College of New Jersey. She is dedicated to strengthening the Jewish diaspora through bridge-building and collaboration, and is thrilled to join Rutgers Hillel to do exactly that at RU.

Set time with Laur to learn more about:

• Bias reporting processes & support
• Navigating university support systems
• Relational advocacy & campus climate work
• Educational approaches to activism
• Intra and intergroup community building

Rabbi Josh is thrilled to join the Rutgers Hillel community. Whatever your interests, he is eager to discuss them with you. An avowed foodie, Rabbi Josh loves a great cup of coffee, so you’ll often find him at a local coffee shop. He is also a deli maven – corned beef on rye with spicy mustard. He can’t wait to grab a bite with you and hear your story!

Born and raised in NYC, Rabbi Josh is thrilled to be back in the Tri-State area after wandering in the wilderness of California, Texas, and Florida (all awesome places, but there is no place like home!). He enjoys cheering on his beloved Yankees, Knicks, and Giants and can’t wait to root for the Scarlet Knights. Rabbi Josh is married to Dr. Elizabeth Lobel and they are the parents of three wonderful boys.

RU ready for some Jewish wit and wisdom, learning and lunches, spirituality and social action? Rabbi Josh is excited to create meaningful Jewish moments with you!

Wherever you are on your Jewish journey, Rabbi Josh is ready to meet you there.

Grab coffee with Rabbi Josh to learn more about:

• The Reform community at Rutgers Hillel
• Educational opportunities and fellowship programs
• Social Action programs and internships
• Interfaith programs
• Questions on anything Jewish!

Rav Matthew Nitzanim has been sharing Torah at Hillel since Fall 2025, and previously taught at Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi, Midreshet Amudim, and Pardes. Rav Matthew holds a BA in Philosophy from Princeton, and MA in Bioethics from Bar-Ilan, and rabbinical ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel. He’s fond of Haikus, sewing them into the text, for you to find them.

• Orthodox Life at Rutgers
• Jewish Learning
• Shabbat/Kosher
• Creative Projects

Yael received her BA in Linguistics from Princeton University and is an alumna of Migdal Oz, Yeshivat Drisha, and Ohr Torah Stone’s Advanced Halakha Kollel. She has served as an educator teaching Talmud and Halakha at Midreshet Lindenbaum, Drisha’s Dr. Beth Samuels High School Program, Camp Stone, and Hadran. Yael is a word game nerd, avid thrifter, dance enthusiast, and aspiring post-retirement chef.

• Orthodox Life at Rutgers
• Jewish Learning
• Shabbat/Kosher
• Creative Projects

Sam was born and raised in Scarsdale NY. Sam recently graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Television and Digital Media Production. At Ithaca College, Sam was the Vice President of the film society and worked in various roles at Ithaca College Hillel. Sam was involved in the Ithaca College television station where she directed their only entertainment news show. Sam loves movies, television, and music. Sam is so excited to join the Rutgers Hillel Team!

• Social Programming
• Holiday Programming
• Film, TV and Music
• Cultural Clubs
• Shabbat Dinners
• Social Media

Adi Shifrin is a first-year Israel Fellow at Rutgers Hillel. She was born and raised in Kiryat Ono Israel and lived in Jerusalem for three years. She joins the team after working as a Jewish peoplehood educator in Israeli schools, where she helped foster connections between students and Jewish communities in the United States. Adi studied Theater and Sociology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where she combined her love for the arts with a deep interest in society and culture. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships and creating spaces for dialogue and shared identity. In her free time, Adi enjoys attending theater performances, and loves flamenco dancing, which she studied for nearly a decade.

Dennis grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and has always felt at home in Jewish life. He recently graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology with Bachelors in Quantitative Finance and Masters of Financial Analytics. At Stevens, Dennis led the Hillel and staffed Birthright Israel trips, experiences that strengthened his passion for building vibrant Jewish communities. When he’s not on campus, you can usually find him outdoors skiing, climbing, or exploring new trails. He’s thrilled to begin his career with Rutgers Hillel and looks forward to creating meaningful connections with students and the community.

Noam Blauer is the Hadar Student Rabbi at Rutgers Hillel. He earned a BA in Philosophy and English Literature at McGill University, as well as an MA in Jewish Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with a focus on Jewish thought. Noam has served as a rabbinic intern at Brandeis Hillel and Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston, New Jersey. Currently working towards rabbinic ordination at both the Jewish Theological Seminary and through Yashrut, Noam is an alumnus of Yeshivat Hadar, the Pardes Kollel, and the Conservative Yeshiva. Noam is proud to have been born and raised in Montreal, Canada.

• Get more involved with the Conservative/Traditional-Egalitarian community at Rutgers Hillel.
• Grab a coffee and chat about your experiences or questions related to Traditional-Egalitarian Judaism
• Learn how to lead prayer services or read Torah and Haftarah
• Learn about the Hadar Institute

Nina Bilz is a marketing professional from Cincinnati, OH and currently based in Washington, DC. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance/Opera from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. Prior to joining Hillel, Nina worked for several arts organizations, including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, IN Series Opera, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. She is also a freelance marketing and design professional, working with clients from across the United States and Israel. Nina is passionate about grassroots initiatives, community-based programs, and inclusivity and equity in the arts and public sector. She is excited to join Hillel and to invest in an equitable and thriving Jewish community for years to come!