A native of Hertzliya, Israel, Noam is thrilled to join Hopkins Hillel as the Executive Director. He is most excited about building strong relationships with the staff, lay leaders, and most importantly, the Hopkins students. Noam comes to Hopkins from Towson University Hillel where he was most recently the executive director. Prior to Towson, Noam served in a number of roles in different Jewish organizati
Contact Noam at: nbentov1@jhu.edu
Contact Monica at: mdavis@jhu.edu
Brian grew up just outside of LA in the San Fernando Valley. Having attended Jewish Day School and Summer Camp for much of his life, Judaism has always been an important part of Brian’s identity. His time at Hillel at UCLA, however, is what really solidified his connection to Judaism, giving him a deeper understanding and a desire to learn more. Brian is excited to help students find personal connections to Judaism, and inspire them to explore their identities on their own terms. Brian loves to spend time hanging out with friends, trying new restaurants, hiking, and watching mediocre TV shows on Netflix.
Contact Brian at bhertz1@jhu.edu
Rabbi Eric L. Abbott is a newly ordained Reform rabbi from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR).
Rabbi Eric grew up at Temple Sinai in Cranston, RI and later graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.A. in Judaic Studies. In college, he led Reform services at UMass Hillel, marched in the band, worked as a Resident Assistant, joined Alpha Phi Omega, and traveled to Israel twice. Between college and HUC-JIR, Rabbi Eric worked at his home synagogue and at a rock climbing gym. During his studies at HUC-JIR, Rabbi Eric has participated in a variety of work and learning opportunities, including running the adventure course at URJ Eisner Camp; offering pastoral care as a chaplain intern at Memorial Sloan Kettering; fighting for social justice with T’ruah; co-leading the HUC-JIR Soup Kitchen; and serving as a rabbinic intern at Temple Isaiah in Lexington, MA and at Larchmont Temple in Larchmont, NY. Moreover, he earned his M.A. in Religious Education from HUC-JIR.
Rabbi Eric believes that Judaism can change lives and better the world. He hopes to lift up many voices to create a shared vision for Hopkins Hillel, the Baltimore community, and beyond. He’s excited to partner with students in discovering new ways to be and do Jewish.
In his spare time, Rabbi Eric enjoys playing board games, rock climbing, running, and spending time with his beautiful wife, Rabbi Eliana Fischel.
Rabbi Cantor is excited to join the Johns Hopkins Hillel community. He was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. He attended Yeshivat Har Etzion in Alon, Shevut, Israel for two years, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Philosophy and received rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Chaim Ozer Chait. Rabbi Cantor taught Talmud at the Yeshiva of Virginia boys’ high school and held rabbinic internships at the Riverdale Jewish Center and Keneseth Beth Israel. He was also the programs director and head counselor for Baron Hirsch Camp Darom.
Rabbi Cantor loves to explore the depth and richness of the Jewish tradition and is even more passionate about sharing with and learning from others. When he removes his head from his books, he hikes, plays tennis, basketball, or frisbee, and is always looking to develop his whittling prowess. Most of all, Rabbi Cantor loves spending time with his wife, Leora, and their son, Udi, who was born in May of 2017.
Leora was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. She attended Sha’alvim for Women in Jerusalem and graduated from Yeshiva University with a degree in Judaic Studies. During her time in YU Stern College, Leora was involved in the drama society, co-chaired Stern’s dance show, and was a Resident Advisor. Leora also earned a bachelor’s in the science of nursing from Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing and began her nursing career in cardiology. During her summers off, Leora also served as head of kitchen and camp nurse for Baron Hirsch Camp Darom. She and her husband, Don, had their baby boy, Udi, in May 2017. Leora enjoys spending free time outdoors, or indoors with a hot cup of coffee and browsing Pinterest.
Lior was born and raised in Gan Yavne, Israel. She spent most of her childhood traveling with her family, exploring, and learning about new cultures. In high school Lior studied Biology and Biotechnology and took part in several academic programs for excellent students at Tel Aviv University in the field of medicine. Lior started her army service as an operational manager in a combat squadron in the Israeli Air Force and was chosen to serve as a team leader at Taglit-Birthright. Going on Birthright was a shaping experience in which Lior was exposed to many different facets of the Jewish-Israeli identity, and she was happy and inspired to learn more. As a result, she went on Birthright again as a student and became an active member of the Birthright alumni organization. After finishing her service, Lior volunteered as the head of the Israeli delegation at CISV International which uses education in order to work toward world peace and create global friendships among children and youth. Lior completed her B.A. in the honors track of Government, Strategy and Decision Making at IDC Herzliya. During her time at IDC, Lior was a strategic consultant for the Israeli Cyber Headquarters, IDF Strategic Planning Department, and Israeli NGOs. In addition, Lior served as the head of an international program for exchange students where they learned about Israel’s culture and diversity while having an intimate social/cultural experience. Lior is very excited and honored to join the Johns Hopkins Hillel team, to get to know all the students, and be a part of the community. In her free time, she likes enjoying the company of her family and friends, traveling the world, diving, dancing, surfing, reading, and cooking.
Rachel is a Baltimore native who graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2009. She received her BA in Theater and to this day, she is still performing with theater companies all over Baltimore. Rachel has a love for acting, teaching, youth development, her dog Romeo and most importantly PIZZA! She loves being a staff member at Hopkins Hillel and enjoys learning about Jewish culture and tradition. She would like to thank her coworkers and students (past and present) for always being welcoming and making each day brighter! Hillel love forever <3