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.

Rachel is so excited to be returning home to Rutgers University as the Managing Director of Rutgers Hillel! Rutgers has always held a special place in her heart, not only because she's a proud Rutgers graduate, but because her own Hillel journey began here. As a student, she was a Peer Network Engagement Intern at Rutgers Hillel, and it was through that experience that she witnessed how powerful Jewish community can be. Hillel gave her friendships, mentors, and a place to feel at home on campus, and it ultimately helped inspire her career in Jewish communal life. She previously served as the Chief Experience Officer at Schilit Hillel at the University of Florida, and before that, as the Director of Hillels of Northern NJ, working with Hillel communities across the region. A lifelong camp person, she started her Jewish professional journey as the Associate Director of URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) where she learned about hard work and the importance of infusing fun in everything. She is thrilled to bring those experiences home to Rutgers and have the opportunity to help create the same sense of belonging, connection, and joy for today’s students that Hillel gave her.

When she is not at Hillel, you’ll probably find her either at a Zumba class or hanging out with her mini goldendoodle, Orly, who is already very excited about meeting Rutgers students! She loves getting to know people, hearing their stories, and finding the things that bring people together. So, if you ever want to talk about Jewish life, Hillel, or just life in general, come find her. She also loves to talk about the best beach to visit, where you should travel next, sports, or which Broadway show you need to see.

Rachel is so excited to reconnect with Rutgers, get to know a new generation of students, and work alongside an incredible team to make Rutgers Hillel a place where students can build friendships, explore their Jewish identities, try new things, and feel at home. Coming back to the place where her Hillel story began feels pretty special, and she can’t wait for this next chapter!

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.

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

Noam Blauer is the Hadar Campus 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

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.

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!

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