Aaron Weil (Executive Director) arrived in Pittsburgh in June 2003 after spending the previous decade in Israel, where he was a media and marketing strategist. Aaron also acted as a Communications Advisor for former Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, Natan Sharansky’s Yisrael B’Aliyah Party, during the 2003 elections. Prior to this, Aaron was co-founder and CEO of Coast 2 Coast Communications, an Israeli public relations and marketing firm for high tech start-ups and political mobilization. Aaron was a Captain (Res.) in the Israel Defense Forces and served in the IDF Spokesperson unit dealing directly with the foreign press. Prior to Israel, Aaron worked on Capitol Hill for both AIPAC as well as the UJC’s Washington Action Office. Aaron is a graduate of the University of Georgia where he was Hillel President and a member of the national Hillel Student Board. Aaron is obsessed with The Steelers, Classic Rock, cult flicks like “The Big Lebowski” and... oh yeah... his incredible family. Aaron has the best job in the world working with the coolest students in the world, and because Aaron is a foodie, the best way to meet him and find out more is to ask him to treat you to coffee or a meal!

Aaron can be reached at aaronw@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x102

Linda Myers (Associate Director) is a native Floridian who has been living in Pittsburgh for the past 18 years. Linda joined The Hillel JUC in January 2003 to raise the money we spend on our students! Her entire career has been in fund-raising, working almost exclusively for Jewish organizations. Linda is a graduate of Emory University with a degree in Judaic Studies and Sociology and Brandeis University, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Jewish Communal Service. Linda was President of Hillel and also active in her sorority, AEPhi. Linda, her husband, FIVE children and 2 dogs live in Squirrel Hill. Linda enjoys music and theatre, biking and spinning, cooking and reading. She LOVES Pittsburgh and considers it home, although she still is cold all the time for almost 7 months of the year... and “kvetches” about it, too!

Linda can be reached at lmyers@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x101.

Olivia Payne (Office Manager) comes to Pittsburgh via her mother’s womb, circa 1975. Being a native Pittsburgher (no onions, please), she is full of insight for students who need to find their niche here in the Steel City. Olivia loves baseball, action movies, and pizza. But more than pizza, she loves 80s music. With dreams of being lead singer in a hair band, you can find Olivia at her desk doing her best Depeche Mode impression because she just can’t get enough (tee hee). She is also partial to warm smiles and good conversation.

Olivia can be contacted at oliviap@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x100.

Rebecca Tobe (University and Community Relations Associate) is a native Jersey Girl who ventured out to the 'Burgh for college. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a Finance degree, she worked for a Risk Management firm downtown. She is now excited to be a part of this great Jewish, non-profit organization. In her free time, Becca enjoys doing yoga, scrapbooking, playing piano, chasing her dog and cat around, and spending time with family.

Rebecca can be contacted at rebeccat@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x112.

Brad Chotiner (Assistant Director) was born in Pittsburgh, and after a long hiatus, has returned home. Along his journey, he has lived in all four time zones. Brad graduated from the University of Texas with a B.A. in History. After teaching middle school in Austin, Texas, he became the Director of Eastern Region BBYO. Next Brad fulfilled a life long dream by becoming a professional camp counselor. Brad has spent the past decade working at several camps, most recently as the Director of the Camp Dogwood Summer Academy. Brad has some extraordinary abilities including being able to relate every situation in life into a movie quote or song lyrics, he has an uncanny ability to tell stories and a strong passion for history. In addition to the Steelers, Chotiner loves live music, scuba diving, and being back in Pittsburgh.

Brad can be reached at bradc@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x110.

David Katz (Director of J'Burgh) has spent the past three years living in Pittsburgh and working as the Youth Director at Congregation Beth Shalom.  Prior to this, David spent 5 years at The Ohio State University, and was lucky enough to witness the amazing exploits of The Ohio State Buckeye’s football team. Oh, he also received a B.A. in English.  A native of Dayton, Ohio, who has slowly but surely developed a surprising love for the City of Pittsburgh, David enjoys darts, foosball, pool, trivial pursuit, and going to Israel.  David also enjoys discussing programming ideas and professional networking ideas for young adults and grad students.  David will always be happy to meet with you and take you out for a cup of coffee!

David can be reached at davidk@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x111

Yoni Steinberg (Community Development Coordinator for CMU) was born and raised in Squirrel Hill and is also an alum of the University of Wisconsin.  Yoni loves Israel and spent a year after graduation in the Holy land where he participated in the UJF sponsored volunteer program Otzma. When he finds some spare time he travels, backpacker style, and has been to such places as Central America, India, and Egypt.   His pursuit of unique Jewish Experiences has lead him to Yeshiva studies in Jerusalem and Holocaust education in Poland.  Yoni is excited to be back in Pittsburgh and you will no doubt see him around campus and at the Hillel building. Yoni also loves taking students out for coffee and plans to meet each and every Jew at Carnegie Mellon!  Don't be shy to meet with him; he is itching to see some quality Chutzpah out of our bright students!

Yoni can be reached at yonis@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x108.

Susie Sheldon (Director of Jewish Student Life for the University of Pittsburgh) paddled up the Ohio River to make it to Pittsburgh after 6 years in Cincinnati, and she is glad be in a city with a real football team, maybe she will actually become a Steelers fan.  Susie first arrived in Cincinnati in the fall of 2002 to be the Outreach Coordinator at the University of Cincinnati Hillel. She then moved on to be the Assistant Director at Camp Livingston.   After 5 years in camping, she is excited to be back at Hillel.  Susie grew up in Chicago, where she attended William Hatch Elementary School.   She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin where she earned a degree in Communicative Disorders and Judaic Studies (when she was not shivering).  Currently, Susie is experiencing a country music phase, but she is an equal opportunity music lover.  Susie also loves the Food Network, photography and contorting her self into strange shapes during yoga.

Susie can be reached at susies@hilleljuc.org or 412-621-8875 x111.

Ben Miller (Webmaster) is currently attending the University of Pittsburgh. He is majoring in Music, Economics, and the Study of Women, (not to be confused with Womens' Studies). His extracurricular interested include billiards, loitering on roofs, singing every now and then, and driving anything with a stickshift. Eventually, he'd like to go to medical school, but in the mean time law school doesn't require Organic Chemistry. When he is not in class, Ben can usually be found at Hillel, sitting around playing guitar, or emptying his wallet at the Waterfront. Ben loves to see people pleased with their online alter-ego, so don't be afraid to ask; no job is too big or small!

Ben can be found for further questioning at webmaster@hilleljuc.org.

Kate Litterer (Receptionist) will graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a dual degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, as well as a certificate in Women’s Studies, in April 2009. After Pitt, she hopes to move on to an MFA program for Creative Writing, with ultimate plans to teach poetry on the college level (her other dream career is wedding planning). Kate is famous at the JUC for her ever-changing hairstyles. She enjoys stuffing envelopes and watching the desk on Friday nights (yummy Kosher dinner!), although she sometimes forgets to water the plants in the Israel café. You can find her holding down the fort at the receptionist desk and answering calls with her “great phone voice.” Kate is always in a great mood (seriously, she is always happy!), so feel free to call or stop by Hillel any time!

Kate can be reached at receptionist@hilleljuc.org, or 412-621-8875.