Executive Director
laurel@hillelattemple.org

Laurel began her journey with Hillel while studying social work at the University of Texas, Austin. From her first Birthright Israel trip to her work today she has known the importance of vibrant Jewish life on campus.  

In addition to her MSW (2009) & BSW (2005) from UT, Laurel also received a MA in Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. She comes to Temple Hillel with diverse professional experience within the Jewish community including: Federation, summer camps, early childhood education, and young adult engagement.  

Laurel, her husband Rabbi Eli Freedman of Congregation Rodeph Shalom, their two daughters, and two dogs, live near campus in Olde Kensington. When not at the Rosen Center, Laurel can be found playing music, going to shows, or making challah. She looks forward to connecting with you!

Operations Manager
zach@hillelattemple.org

Senior Jewish Educator
rabbi@hillelattemple.org
Rabbi Leah Berkowitz is thrilled to join the Hillel at Temple University team as the Senior Jewish Educator. Rabbi B. is a Philadelphia native, an alumna of URJ Camp Harlam, and a graduate of Brandeis University. She was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, where she also earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education. She has served congregations in Durham, NC, Poughkeepsie, NY and Elkins Park, PA, and also taught high school at Gann Academy in Waltham, MA. (She loves a college town!)

Rabbi B. is passionate about the intersection between Jewish learning and creativity, particularly around writing and storytelling. Each summer, she serves on the faculty at the URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy, and she is currently training to be a Jewish Studio Project Facilitator. She is the author of three children's books and the co-author of the middle-grade midrash collection Maybe It Happened This Way: Bible Stories Reimagined (which she got to write with her former college roommate!). 

In addition to her work at Temple, Rabbi B. teaches for Gratz College, the Union for Reform Judaism, the Jewish Learning Collaborative, and Laasok.org. Her favorite and most important role is “Tante” (Auntie) to her adorable niece and nephew. 

You can find her on social media @rabbilrb or online at leahrachelberkowitz.com

Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow

Community Engagement Associate
brooke@hillelattemple.org

Brooke grew up in the North Hills of Pittsburgh and graduated from Penn State University in 2023. There she majored in Human Development and Family Studies, with a double minor in Rehabilitation and Human Services and Jewish Studies. During her time in college, she was involved with THON, the Penn State Alumni Associate, and Penn State Hillel. 

Following her graduation, she was Penn State Hillel’s Springboard Innovation Fellow for two years where she focused on supporting students to be the best versions of themselves while growing their Jewish identities. In her free time, Brooke loves to travel, rarely turns down a concert, and is on the hunt for the best burger (recommendations encouraged)!

Brooke is excited to step into her new role at Hillel at Temple as their Community Engagement Associate! She looks forward to meeting new students and learning all the best places in Philly! 

Therapist/Wellness Coordinator

Rachel is the Therapist/Wellness Coordinator at Temple Hillel in partnership with Jewish Children and Family Services and couldn’t be more excited to join the Temple community! Rachel graduated from Clark University with a B.A. in Studio Art and a Master of Arts in Teaching, followed by a Master’s in Social Work from Widener University with a specialization in trauma focused treatment.

Rachel is passionate about providing her clients with a space that is warm, supportive, collaborative, and judgment free. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in both school and outpatient mental health settings. Rachel takes a holistic approach to meeting the needs of her clients, always placing the utmost importance in creating a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship. She understands that going to college is a time of transition that may bring many challenges and too often students are expected to figure it out on their own. Rachel is here to hold a safe space to talk with students about the ups and downs of adjusting to college life. She looks forward to supporting students who are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationships challenges, issues of self-esteem, identity, and/or life stressors.

Development & Marketing Director
lscalera@hillelattemple.org

Lissa brings well-rounded professional experience to the role of Development Director of Hillel at Temple University. Her experiences as a part of annual fund, major giving, and school-specific development teams at Penn and Temple have given her a deep understanding of development work. Lissa is drawn to causes that help young people to become their best selves. She also loves a good pun.

Lissa holds a master’s degree in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in English from Emory University. In her spare time, Lissa enjoys discovering new music, new restaurants, and new travel destinations. Lissa, her husband Mike, their baby boy, dogs Ziggy and Chazzy, and cat Charley (aka “Meow Meow”) live in Harrisburg.