Our Staff

Jeremy Winaker

Executive Director, Greater Philly Hillel Network
Jwinaker@phillyhillel.org

Jeremy came to GPHN in July of 2021 excited to lead an organization of which he was a beneficiary as a Swarthmore College student. He looks to activate student and organizational networks to improve Jewish life on (and off) campuses throughout the Philly region.

He brings Jewish wisdom and people together wherever they may be, recognizing that each of us is created with unique value and that Jewish pluralism makes meaningful space for belonging. It helps that he is a rabbi.

Prior to GPHN, Jeremy was the Head of School at Albert Einstein Academy Jewish Day School in Wilmington, DE; the Senior Jewish Educator at the University of Delaware Hillel; a pulpit rabbi in Mt. Kisco, NY, and before that in Washington, DC. He is a Rabbis Without Borders Fellow and a Gender Equity in Hiring Project Advocate. His love of Jewish education stems from his years as a founding staff member at Camp Ramah Darom.

Jeremy is always game for a cup of coffee, conversation, and connection. He enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with his three children.

Jenn Reiss

Assistant Director, Greater Philly Hillel Network
Campus Director, West Chester University Hillel
jreiss@phillyhillel.org

Growing up in Bucks County, PA, Jenn has long been an active part of the Philadelphia Jewish community. Known for her ability to connect with just about anyone, she brings warmth, energy, and a genuine passion for creating meaningful Jewish experiences wherever she goes.

Jenn currently serves as the Assistant Director of Philly Hillel, where she oversees student engagement and supervises the engagement staff across West Chester University, Villanova University, and Thomas Jefferson University – East Falls. Before stepping into this network-wide leadership role, Jenn was the Director of Jewish Student Life at West Chester University Hillel. She has also previously served as the Youth Engagement Coordinator at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia and the Assistant Director at Camp Galil.

Jenn believes every Jewish student and community member can find their “right place” within Jewish life — and she’s here to help them get there. She’s known for her ability to network, her joy in building community, and her love for creating inclusive, vibrant spaces.

When she’s not working with students or supporting engagement staff, you can find Jenn at home in Yardley with her husband Matt, their two daughters, Hannah and Jocelyn, and their very good boy, Frankie (their dog).

Marisa Gorovitz

Director of Community Relations, Greater Philly Hillel Network
mgorovitz@phillyhillel.org

Marisa was active in Hillel at Columbia/Barnard as an undergraduate and is excited to be a Hillel professional at GPHN! She holds an MSW from New York University and began her career as a licensed psychotherapist in Denver, Colorado, leading to roles with a biotechnology start-up working to help people with mood disorders.

She has also served as the Vice President of the Barnard Club of Philadelphia, which gave her a taste of community relations and higher education. As Director of Community Relations at GPHN, she is committed to fostering a safer and more inclusive campus environment where Jewish students and faculty can thrive!

Outside of Hillel, Marisa enjoys spending time with her family, reading, climbing mountains, and taking dark chocolate everywhere she goes.

Rachel Eisenman

Program & Engagement Associate, Villanova University
reisenman@phillyhillel.org

Rachel has been a part of the Philadelphia Jewish community her whole life growing up in Montgomery County, PA. She has always felt incredibly connected to the community and is thrilled to be participating as a Hillel Jewish professional! As a Program and Engagement Associate, she is looking forward to connecting with Jewish students and making a positive impact on their college experiences.

Emily Kawalek

Program and Engagement Associate, West Chester University
ekawale@phillyhillel.org

Emily graduated from the University of Delaware, where she found community and connection through her involvement with Hillel. She recently earned her master's degree from Drexel University and, before joining the West Chester University Hillel team, spent three years as a Communications Associate at a Jewish day school in Philadelphia. She also spent many summers on staff at Perlman Camp, including staffing a teen trip to Israel, which deepened her passion for Jewish community-building.

Joining Hillel feels especially meaningful for Emily, as it allows her to help students find their own sense of belonging and connection that shaped her own college journey. She is passionate about creating welcoming spaces where every student can explore their Jewish identity, build meaningful relationships, and feel at home.

Originally from West Chester, Emily now lives in Delaware with her fiancé, Dave. She is excited to get to know students over coffee, celebrate Shabbat together, and foster Jewish life on campus!

Omer Hassman

Israel Fellow
ohassman@phillyhillel.org

Meet Omer, your Israel Fellow at Greater Philly Hillel!

At 33 years old, Omer brings a rich background of adventure and connection to the campus community. Before joining Hillel, he traveled extensively as a ski instructor and ran his own yoga studio . He is deeply passionate about music and lifelong learning—whether through books, podcasts, or engaging conversations.

Above all, Omer is thrilled to get to know the students! His primary goal is to be a welcoming, reliable resource for everyone—someone you can easily reach out to for advice, a chat, or a coffee.

And who knows? He might even convince you to join him on a wild adventure to the Holy Land on Birthright Israel! If travel isn't in your immediate plans, Omer is also happy to guide you through the many different on-campus and Zoom programs available throughout the year.

Want to connect? Feel free to reach out to Omer on his Israel Fellow IG page (@omer.the.israel.fellow) or send an email anytime!

Erika Steinhart

Springboard Fellow, Bryn Mawr College & Haverford College
esteinhart@phillyhillel.org

Erika just graduated from Syracuse University and could not be more excited to be stepping into her role as a Springboard Fellow! Hillel was a huge part of her undergraduate journey, from being on the Challah for Hunger Board, to Student Cabinet, to Passover Co-Chair. Community and Jewish learning are some of her biggest passions, so this job is a picture perfect fit for her. In her new role, she will be focusing on student engagement and equipping students with the resources they need to thrive on campus!

Our Staff

Our Staff

Jeremy Winaker

Jenn Reiss

Marisa Gorovitz

Rachel Eisenman

Emily Kawalek

Omer Hassman

Erika Steinhart

Our Campuses

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