The Tanger Hillel Team

 

Nadya Drukker

Executive Director
Email: Nadya@bchillel.org

Bio

Nadya has a passion for Jewish life, community, Jewish identity, Jewish culture, Israel, and social justice through a Jewish lens. Nadya enjoys engaging with students, faculty, and alumni. While having fun is certainly at the top of her list, so is tackling important and pressing issues that affect not only Hillel and Brooklyn College but the entire Jewish community and Israel. For her work and accomplishments, Nadya was recognized by the Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award from Hillel International, its highest professional honor. When she is not building a framework for vibrant Jewish campus life, Nadya enjoys travel and theater. She resides in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons.

Yelena Azriyel

Assistant Director and Senior Social Worker
Email: Yelena@bchillel.org

Bio

Yelena Azriyel always had a passion for community service and social action. Yelena obtained her MSW at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Since August of 2011 Yelena has been working at Tanger Hillel, first as the Program Director and now as the Assistant Director. She is originally from the Ukraine and grew up in Brooklyn, NY. After her college graduation Yelena spent a year volunteering in Kiev, Ukraine as a Jewish Service Corps (JSC) Volunteer with JDC. Yelena is dedicated to helping students find their Jewish journeys as they go through college and beyond.

Lada Mikhlin

Operations Manager 
Email:  Accounting@bchillel.org

Bio

Lada Mikhlin is the Operations Manager of the Tanger Hillel at Brooklyn College, where she oversees the Finances, HR, and Facilities. She has over 20-years’ experience in business management and bookkeeping with a versatile array of work ranging from startups to small and medium-sized enterprises. Lada is originally from Podolsk, Ukraine, where she was a teacher until immigrating to the United States in 1993. In her free time, she loves hosting parties, trying out new recipes, going for long walks, watching films, and spending time with her family. Stop by Lada’s office to experience her magnetic personality and great sense of humor!

Sarali Cohen

Director of Student Experience
Email: sarali@bchillel.org

Bio

Sarali is a first generation American jew of Israeli and Mizrahi descent. She started as a student at Brooklyn College studying political science and served as the Student President of the Hillel Club for three years. In 2021, Sarali joined the Hillel staff as the Engagement Associate and as of 2024 now works as the Director of Student Experience at Tanger Hillel, working to build a thriving Jewish community on campus.

 

Rabbi Daniel Albert

JLIC Rabbi and Director
Email: Daniel@bchillel.org

Bio

Rabbi Daniel Albert grew up in Plainview, NY. After a year of learning in Yeshivat Lev HaTorah in Ramat Beit Shemesh, he studied at Queens College where he graduated with a BS in Design. He was very involved in both Hillel and JLIC at Queens College holding multiple leadership roles. He was also part of the Nachshon Project as both an undergraduate and graduate fellow, studying non-denominational Jewish education and leadership. He then went on to receive a Master's degree in Digital Marketing and Media as well as semicha from RIETS at Yeshiva University. In his free time, Rabbi Daniel enjoys entertaining guests, playing board games, and trying out new restaurants.

Marjorie Albert

JLIC Director
Email: Marjorie@bchillel.org

Bio

Marjorie Albert is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil. When she was 16 years old, she lived in Hot Springs, Arkansas as an exchange student. She later returned to the US to attend Yeshiva University, where she studied Business Management and Marketing and also received a Master's degree in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education.

Olya Turchinsky

Israel Fellow
Email: Israelfellow@bchillel.org

Bio

Olya was born in Ukraine and made Aliyah at the age of 5 to Ashdod, Israel. Olya studied politics and government and worked as a high school teacher for the past two years. Olya's affinity for creating a connection between Israel and Jewish communities in the world began at the age of 16, and since then she has been engaged in connecting and creating connections. Olya believes that belonging creates meaning and that social action is of great importance.

Jaclyn Katz

Engagement Associate
Email: jaclyn@bchillel.org

Bio

Jaclyn grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and is a graduate of Stony Brook University, where she earned a double degree in Psychology and Sociology. During her time at Stony Brook, Jaclyn served on her school’s Hillel Student Club board for all four years, and served as president in her senior year. Jaclyn is joining the Tanger Hillel staff as the Engagement Associate. She is passionate about helping others connect to their Judaism and is thrilled to be a part of the Tanger Hillel community.

 

Sasha Kinsler

Special Projects Coordinator
Email:  voice@bchillel.org

Bio

Sasha is originally from Rochester, NY and graduated from Binghamton University with her MBA. Sasha has always had a passion for Jewish life, and for helping students succeed. Her background in career services and working with Hillel translates to her current role at Commonpoint Queens as a Career Counselor and at Tanger Hillel as the Special Projects Coordinator. Sasha loves to read and is looking forward to trying all the different food NYC has to offer (and is open to recommendations!)

Yoni Neff

Social Work Intern
Email: wellness@bchillel.org

Bio

Yoni joins the Tanger Hillel team as a Social Work Intern for the 2024-2025 school year. He lived in Israel for nearly a decade where he received his BA from Reichman University. For the past 10 years, Yoni has worked in tech coaching startup founders, and is now pursuing his Masters in Clinical Social Work from NYU. He’s also a RYT235 Yoga and Meditation Instructor, and loves helping people infuse mindfulness into their everyday lives.

Aaron Blinderman

Social Work Intern
Email: care@bchillel.org

Bio

Aaron is originally from West Hartford, CT and graduated with a degree in Political Science and History from Colorado College. Prior to joining the Tanger Hillel team for the 2024-2025 school year, Aaron spent four years working in higher education, including in admissions and as a resident advisor. He spent an additional six years as a project manager and events specialist, working on events across the US and the world, including in Vietnam and Costa Rica. Aaron thrives on building meaningful relationships and is passionate about creating spaces where people can be their authentic selves. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Clinical Social Work from NYU. In his free time, you can find Aaron excitedly talking about a new book or TV show.

Natalie Esses

Student Support Specialist
Email: natalie@bchillel.org

Bio

Natalie was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating with a BA from Macaulay Honors College at Hunter CUNY, she obtained her Masters Degree in Social Work at Silberman School of Social Work. Natalie has a passion working with young adults and helping them navigate social, emotional, and academic challenges. When she's not chasing after her two rambunctious children you can find Natalie dancing or watching a documentary.

Natalie can't wait to get to know the students - let's grab a coffee !

Board Of Directors

President Nelson Braff*
Chairman of the Board Howard Wohl*

Vice Presidents

*Marilyn Butler
*Edith Everett
*Barbara Gerber

*Peter Marron
*Marc Mellon
*Israel Wiesel

Treasurer Anna Geller*
Financial Secretary Alex Rudshteyn*
Corresponding Secretary Marc Segelnick*

Honorary Directors

Alan Dershowitz
Alvin Kass
Murray Koppelman

Marty Markowitz
Gladys Maryles

Board of Directors

Robert Cherry
Steven Ebbin
David Everett
Avi Greenberger
Richard Grossberg
Leslie Jacobson
Jeffrey Miller

Milton Pincus
Alex Rodionov
Jannet Schneider
Edward Shoenthal
Michelle Terebelo
Roberta Wallach
Michael Ziegler

 

* Member of Executive Committee