Meet the Staff
Miriam Berkowitz Blue, Executive Director
Miriam Berkowitz Blue (she/her) has been Executive Director since 2021. She comes to this role after serving as Assistant Director since 2016 and having been with the organization since 2012. Before joining Hillel Council, Miriam worked at various Jewish educational non-profits in Florida and Massachusetts, and has 25 years of professional experience in the Jewish non-profit arena. She received her BA from Wellesley College in Political Science, a Master’s of Jewish Education (MJEd) as a Legacy Heritage Fellow at Hebrew College, and has a graduate certificate from Cornell University in Financial Success for Nonprofits.
Miriam is an active volunteer in her local community, where she serves on the Board of Directors at both Mayyim Hayyim and Epstein Hillel School. An avid reader and fan of any and all Hallmark movies, Miriam lives in Lynnfield, Massachusetts with her spouse, Phil, and two children, Talia and Shalev.
Julia Cottrell (Barron), Assistant Director
Julia (she/her) joined our Hillel Council team as our first Springboard Fellow in July 2021 and spent two years as the Director of Engagement and Leadership, supervising our student engagement strategy across our campuses, mentoring our student leaders, and working to organize regional programming opportunities. In addition, she spent 2.5 years advising Bentley University Hillel. Now, Julia steps into the role of Assistant Director which includes frequent campus visits and supervision of all student-facing staff members.
Julia holds a BA from Tulane University (Roll Wave!), in Spanish with minors in Latin American Studies and Teaching, Learning and Training as well as a Masters in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute. When she’s not working, Julia loves living in East Boston with her husband and can most often be seen taking long walks around the city, checking out new restaurants, and planning her next trip.
MATT HOFFMAN, Director of Immersive Experiences
Matt is an educator with 17 years of experience working in primary and higher education, including a visual arts Modern Israel & Jewish Peoplehood class with 6th graders at Temple Sinai in Brookline, Massachusetts. He holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Matt has organized the Boston Birthright Israel Onward professional internship program since 2012, providing students the opportunity to gain career experience at an Israeli company or non-profit in their field of study. He also coordinates the Haifa Alternative Spring Break Mission where students volunteer at meaningful sites in Israel's largest port city. Matt is passionate about helping students discover the beautiful traditions that come with being a part of the Jewish people.
Amichai Levy, SpringBoard Fellow
Amichai (he/him), born and raised in Chesapeake, Virginia, received a BA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in French and minors in Judaic Studies and Korean Studies from George Mason University in 2024 (go Patriots!). Active in student leadership during his time at Mason Hillel, he served as Vice President, Engagement Intern, and Program Coordinator.
Amichai is excited to be going into his second year as the Springboard Ezra Jewish Education Fellow at HCNE, where he serves as the Jewish Life Coordinator at Suffolk University Hillel and manages HCNE’s Regional Programming portfolio, including facilitating cohort learning and managing HCNE’s brand new Shabbat Home Hosting Program. He is passionate about helping every Jew unlock Torah and discover the role it can play in their life.
In his free time, Amichai can often be found at Lehrhaus learning Torah, at the library finding his next read, spending time with friends, or seeing a movie.
Jared Waters, Director of Israel Engagement & IACT Coordinator
Originally from New York, Jared is passionate about fostering a deeper connection to Israel and Jewish identity among college students. He joins the Hillel Council of New England team as the Director of Israel Engagement and IACT Coordinator after two impactful years as the IACT at Clark University Hillel. Jared is a graduate from Purchase College, State University of New York, where he was actively involved in Hillel, serving as Vice President and Treasurer. Following his time at Purchase College, he participated in the Masa Israel Teaching Fellows program, teaching English to elementary school children in Bat Yam. After completing the Masa program, Jared made Aliyah to Israel, further deepening his connection to the country. Outside of his professional life, Jared enjoys playing and listening to music, traveling, and training for Ironman Triathlons. His diverse interests and experiences contribute to his dynamic approach to engaging students and fostering a strong connection to Israel and Jewish identity.
Tamar Levy, Manager of Jewish Life & Learning at Bentley University Hillel
Tamar (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Long Island, New York. She earned a BA in History Education from the University of Delaware and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Education Management at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Before joining Hillel Council, Tamar lived in Syracuse, NY, where she served as the Springboard Social Justice Fellow for Syracuse Hillel. During her time there, she was heavily involved in promoting student wellness and leading various community service and interfaith initiatives. Tamar is excited to be joining the HCNE team and to work with the students at Bentley University.
Rabbi Elisheva Pripas, Manager of Jewish Life & Learning / JEwish Chaplain at Emerson College Hillel
Rabbi Elisheva (or Elli) (she/they) is deeply excited to join the Hillel Council of New England to serve the students of Emerson College. She completed rabbinical school at Hebrew College in May 2025 and received a Master's of Jewish Education and a Certificate in Jewish Sacred Music. She also completed a Religion and Conflict Transformation Certificate through the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium. Elli grew up in the Reform movement in Seattle, where she was a teen b'nai mitzvah tutor and very involved in BBYO.
Elli completed their first graduate degree in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University-Mankato in 2019. Before heading to rabbinical school, Elli worked for six years in the education and non-profit sectors in the Twin Cities, where they served students from kindergarten to adulthood and as an advocate for anti-violence organizations. Elli adores musical theater, comedy, and learning. She lives with her wife and two cats and will happily share cat photos, if asked.
epripas@hillelcouncil.org | Schedule a meeting with Rabbi Elli!