Meet the Staff
Julia Barron, Director of Engagement and Leadership
Julia (she/her), a Massachusetts native, joined our Hillel Council team as their first Springboard Innovation Fellow in July 2021. Now, as our Director of Engagement and Leadership, she supervises our student engagement strategy across our campuses, mentors our student leaders, and works to organize regional programming opportunities, including collaborations with other Jewish organizations and Hillels in the area. In addition, she also advises Bentley University Hillel and loves working closely with the students there.
Julia spent four amazing years in New Orleans at Tulane University, majoring in Spanish with minors in Latin American Studies and Teaching, Learning and Training. She loves living in Boston and can most often be seen taking long walks around the city or runs around the city, checking out new restaurants, and pointing out every dog she sees.
Miriam Berkowitz Blue, Executive Director
Miriam Berkowitz Blue (she/her) became Hillel Council’s first female Executive Director in 2021. She comes to this role after serving as Assistant Director since 2016 and having been with the organization since 2012. In her various portfolios within Hillel Council, Miriam has previously served as Hillel Director at Simmons University (2012-2021), Emerson College (2014-2016), and Suffolk University (2012-2016), in addition to managing campus partnerships and supervising program staff.
Before joining Hillel Council, Miriam worked at various Jewish educational non-profits in Florida and Massachusetts, and has 20+ years of professional experience in the Jewish non-profit arena. She received her B.A. 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.
MATT HOFFMAN, DIRECTOR OF ISRAEL ENGAGEMENT
Matt is an educator with 14 years of experience working in primary and higher educational spaces, including a visual arts Modern Israel & Jewish Peoplehood class to Temple Sinai 6th graders in Brookline, Massachusetts. He holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
He has been organizing the Boston Onward Israel professional internship program since 2012, which gives students the opportunity to gain career experience at an Israeli company or non-profit in the field of their choice. Interns are hosted in all of Israel's three major cities: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. He also coordinates the Haifa Alternative Spring Break Mission where students from Boston-area college campuses volunteer at meaningful sites in Israel's largest port city.
Elana Pogal, Development Manager
Elana (she/her) became a member of the Hillel Council of New England team in the spring of 2022, joining as the Development & Communications Associate. In May 2023, she transitioned into the role of Development Manager. Her passion for Hillel dates back to her college days when she served in Hillel student leadership, and she is thrilled to once again be part of the vibrant Hillel community.
Elana holds an MA in Jewish Professional Leadership and an MBA in Social Impact, both from Brandeis University. She also earned a BS in Human Development from Binghamton University. During her junior year of college, Elana was selected as a Nachshon Project Fellow and was invited to study at Hebrew University in Jerusalem where she attend seminars focused on shaping the future of the Jewish community and making the world a better place.
Prior to her time in graduate school, Elana worked at the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester. There, she managed the Israel and camp scholarship programs, working to enhance the accessibility of Jewish educational experiences for all. Her career in development is a true reflection of her deep-rooted Jewish values and unwavering commitment to social justice.
Celine Sanborn, Jewish Life Coordinator
Originally from the North Shore of Massachusetts, Celine received her Bachelor’s of Art in Communications from Simmons College (now University) in 2016. As an undergraduate student, she spent most of her free time at Simmons’s Hillel, where she served as the Communications Chair, and on air at Simmons College Radio: The Shark, where she served as the Communications Director. After many years of working in development and fundraising in the healthcare sector, Celine is thrilled to return to Hillel, this time as the Jewish Life Coordinator at Lesley University and her alma mater, Simmons University. While not in the Hillel offices, you can find her baking a new dessert or bread recipe, petting neighborhood dogs, or reading a good book.
Neill Silverman, Chief Operating Officer
Neill’s portfolio includes a wide range of fiscal services to some of the largest Hillel Foundations in New England, such as Boston University, Brandeis, MIT, and Tufts University. Additionally, Neill manages both Hillel Council’s internal finances as well as the financial relationships with the small campuses we staff. Neill also provides budget oversight and management for the IACT Birthright program at Clark University. He practiced law for many years, having started his career in a corporate law firm and then managed his own practice. Neill has also worked as a political consultant, including political campaign management. Neill is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Cornell Law School. Neill served as treasurer of Congregation Or Atid in Wayland, MA for a number of years.
Hannah Taylor, Director of Jewish Life
Hannah (she/her) is a Jewish Educator and problem solver looking to develop leaders and create meaningful, accessible, and relevant experiences for members of the Jewish community. A Boston-area native, Hannah studied at Brandeis University, where she majored in Judaic Studies and Education Studies. Following her undergraduate degree, Hannah moved to South Africa to work as the youth and music fellow at Temple Israel of Cape Town, and with Netzer, their youth movement. Hannah graduated in 2023 with a dual masters degree from Hebrew Union College in Jewish Nonprofit Management, and from the University of Southern California with a masters in public administration. Hannah is also a fellow with the Nachshon Project. Hannah is excited to help students create Jewish programming on campus, celebrate Shabbat, and holidays throughout the year. Hannah enjoys playing guitar, singing, playing chess, and taking walks around her neighborhood.