Board of Directors
The Board oversees the goals, vision, and development of Hillel at Ohio University.
President Renée Goldfarb
Renée Goldfarb is the Technology and Data Management Specialist for Maryland EXCELS at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Previously, Renée worked in adolescent education for several Jewish organizations, including the Union for Reform Judaism, Gratz College’s Jewish Community High School in Philadelphia and The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore. She credits her own Hillel experience for her motivation to work professionally in the Jewish community.
Renée lives in Solon, Ohio with her husband, Dan, and is the proud parent of two sons. Her oldest son, Micah, can be found most Friday nights celebrating Shabbat with his OU Hillel friends.
Renée lives in Solon, Ohio with her husband, Dan, and is the proud parent of two sons. Her oldest son, Micah, can be found most Friday nights celebrating Shabbat with his OU Hillel friends.
Secretary Marc A. Sherman
Marc is an attorney in New York City. Much of his practice has been focused on construction-related litigation, and he has represented contractors, engineers, and developers in contract disputes, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, employment law and other matters. Before entering the private sector, Marc served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx, where he investigated and prosecuted violent felonies, narcotics and racketeering cases, and argued numerous appeals. He currently serves as in-house litigation counsel for a major insurance company, representing commercial policy-holders in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
While a student at OU, Marc was a proud member of Hillel, and he was particularly active with on-campus Israel advocacy. He graduated in 1991 with a degree in economics.
Marc lives in the NYC-metro area with his wife and two daughters. He is an avid photographer, hiker and aviation enthusiast.
While a student at OU, Marc was a proud member of Hillel, and he was particularly active with on-campus Israel advocacy. He graduated in 1991 with a degree in economics.
Marc lives in the NYC-metro area with his wife and two daughters. He is an avid photographer, hiker and aviation enthusiast.
Treasurer David M. Scott
David is a retired business owner residing in Solon, Ohio. After graduating from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974, David successfully owned and operated a manufacturing representative sales agency for over 30 years. In 2015, David went back to Ohio University and received a master's degree in business administration.
David and his wife Robin have been married for 44 years, they have one daughter, Rachel Gross, a 2008 Ohio University graduate. David has one grandson Mason who he loves spending time with. David is an avid golfer and also very philanthropic. He is active in a college mentoring program and a member of SCORE, which helps small businesses. He is a highly respected individual within the business world, who has dedicated his life to helping others.
David and his wife Robin have been married for 44 years, they have one daughter, Rachel Gross, a 2008 Ohio University graduate. David has one grandson Mason who he loves spending time with. David is an avid golfer and also very philanthropic. He is active in a college mentoring program and a member of SCORE, which helps small businesses. He is a highly respected individual within the business world, who has dedicated his life to helping others.
Fred Weiner - Emeritus
I grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., where I later obtained my undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College. I then completed a Master's and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Massachusetts in 1966. I was employed as a licensed psychologist at the Ohio University Counseling and Psychological Services Center, and in 2018, I retired as the Director of the agency. My wife Carole and I have been living in Athens for the past fifty-six years. I now have a small private practice, providing psychotherapy in Athens. Additionally, I have been involved with Ohio University Hillel for over fifty-six years, and have served two separate stints as Board Chair, the most recent being my current one. Furthermore, I am a board member of the Athens Area Mediation Services, a non-profit that offers low-cost mediation services supported by Ohio University, Athens Municipal Courts, the local school system, and private donations. My wife is a retired speech therapist, and also served as the Jewish song leader at Ohio University Hillel. We are set to celebrate our sixtieth wedding anniversary in September 2023. Our son Adam is in the process of relocating to Athens, Ohio.
Marvin Fletcher
Marvin, a retired Ohio University History professor, came to Athens in 1968. One of the things that drew him and his wife, Hilary, to Athens was the presence of Hillel. He has participated in a variety of activities centering around Hillel, including his own bar mitzvah (at age 31) and those of his two sons. He also served on the Hillel board in the 1970’s. In recognition of his many years of involvement and support, Marvin and Hilary donated a Torah cover. The cover, partially designed by his late wife Hilary and created by Deborah Anderson, a quilt artist in Columbus, Ohio, is a beautiful and unique addition to the Hillel collection.
Matt Freedman
Matt Freedman is Chief Operating Officer at Ologie—a Columbus-based branding and marketing firm that focuses on the education industry.
Matt is a Chicago-area native and graduated from Ohio University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and in 1998 with a Master’s of Sports Administration and Facility Management. While on campus, Matt served as president of Alpha Epsilon Pi, anchored the news on ACTV-7 television and led tours to prospective students.
Matt makes frequent trips to Athens for client meetings and to support the Bobcat football and basketball teams. He also serves on the Dean's Advisory Council for the Scripps College of Communication. In Columbus, Matt keeps busy by serving on committees at Temple Beth Shalom, participating in adult sports leagues at the Jewish Community Center, and managing his family's annual Thanksgiving fundraiser: Fry Out Cancer. He lives in New Albany with his wife, Lisa Schmerler Freedman, and their three daughters.
Matt is a Chicago-area native and graduated from Ohio University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and in 1998 with a Master’s of Sports Administration and Facility Management. While on campus, Matt served as president of Alpha Epsilon Pi, anchored the news on ACTV-7 television and led tours to prospective students.
Matt makes frequent trips to Athens for client meetings and to support the Bobcat football and basketball teams. He also serves on the Dean's Advisory Council for the Scripps College of Communication. In Columbus, Matt keeps busy by serving on committees at Temple Beth Shalom, participating in adult sports leagues at the Jewish Community Center, and managing his family's annual Thanksgiving fundraiser: Fry Out Cancer. He lives in New Albany with his wife, Lisa Schmerler Freedman, and their three daughters.
Joseph Krause
Michael Levison
Michael Levison retired from full time employment in October, 2019 The Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus where he was the Marketing Director, a position he held beginning in March 2014. From June 2011 through November 2012, Mr. Levison was Vice President of Marketing for Boot Barn, America's largest western and workwear retailer. He was responsible for the development and implementation of marketing communications and advertising plans and alignment with e-commerce initiatives to meet growth and project projections at Boot Barn. Additionally, he was directly responsible for the execution of branding activities and the development of customer segmentation analysis. From 2006 to 2011, Mr. Levison was Partner at Pivotal Strategies, a business development and professional services consulting company for the retail space. Mr. Levison was Vice President of Marketing at The Picture Factory from 2006 to 2008. From 1991 to 2005 Mike was the Vice President of Marketing at Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) where he was a member of the executive team that conceived and launched the unique footwear concept and brand, from start-up to dominant market position, resulting in an initial public offering valued at $1.5 billion and the chain’s growth from a few Ohio stores to more than 200 stores from coast to coast. He also developed and led execution of the strategy for its “Reward Your Style” customer loyalty program (voted by Kiplinger.com as the “Best Retail Rewards Program in the U.S.”). Although now retired from full time employment, Mr. Levison remains active as an independent consultant with Dorsey & Company, a strategic marketing management firm. As a Dorsey & Company Senior Associate, Mike contributes expertise in customer relationship management, multi-channel marketing, market analysis and research, and sales and market share acceleration to client engagements. Additionally, during the academic school year, Mr. Levison works as a Guest Teacher in several central Ohio school districts. Mike received a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and Advertising from Ohio University where he also served as Student President of Hillel for two years and was a founding member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter.
Stuart Sharpe
Deb Leonard
Max Soroky
Jennah Craig Scher
Jennah (Craig) Scher, is originally from Northwest Ohio. She received her BA in Political Science from Ohio University and a Master's degree in Middle East Studies from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Be'er Sheva, Israel.
Professionally, Jennah is a Lead Project Manager at Lumen Technologies. Prior to that she served as the Executive Director of Temple Israel Columbus, Director of the Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus at the Ohio Democratic Party, and as the Assistant Director at AJC (American Jewish Committee) in San Francisco, an international human rights non-profit. She has also spent time working in Ohio state government, two competitive state-wide campaigns and the Knesset where she worked for a progressive MK seeking a two-state solution for Israel.
Jennah has been involved in the Jewish community in Columbus, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Athens. Having previously served as a past Chair of the East Bay Jews through the Jewish Federation of the East Bay.
Jennah and her partner Evan live in Central Ohio with their sons, and dog Akiva.
Professionally, Jennah is a Lead Project Manager at Lumen Technologies. Prior to that she served as the Executive Director of Temple Israel Columbus, Director of the Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus at the Ohio Democratic Party, and as the Assistant Director at AJC (American Jewish Committee) in San Francisco, an international human rights non-profit. She has also spent time working in Ohio state government, two competitive state-wide campaigns and the Knesset where she worked for a progressive MK seeking a two-state solution for Israel.
Jennah has been involved in the Jewish community in Columbus, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Athens. Having previously served as a past Chair of the East Bay Jews through the Jewish Federation of the East Bay.
Jennah and her partner Evan live in Central Ohio with their sons, and dog Akiva.
Sarah Shmoel
Sarah Shmoel grew up in Cincinnati, OH, and was drawn to Ohio University (OU) after taking a tour of the Hillel and meeting staff and students in 2006. During her four years of college, Sarah was a programming and engagement intern at OU Hillel and volunteered often. After graduating in 2010, Sarah moved to Tel Aviv and started working at Tel Aviv University’s Hillel for six months before returning home to Cincinnati and beginning a professional position at Cincinnati Hillel. Though she has since moved on from the professional field, Sarah’s dedication and passion for Hillel remains and she is proud to serve on the Board of Directors for OU Hillel. She, her husband, two children, and cavapoo happily reside in Cincinnati.
Rabbi Eddie Sukol
Rabbi Eddie Sukol founded The Shul, Cleveland's Open Synagogue, in 2007. His previous rabbinical appointments include service as the Hillel Director at Ohio University, the Director of Pastoral Care at the Montefiore Home and NCJW Hospice (now Maltz Hospice), and as a congregational rabbi.
Rabbi Eddie Sukol, received Rabbinical Ordination and a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters degree from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He received a B.A. degree in psychology from Temple University. In 2012 he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in recognition of twenty-five years in the rabbinate.
Rabbi Sukol serves as the Rabbi at The Cleveland Clinic (Main Campus) on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. He is a member of the Ethics Committee of University Hospitals and the Pediatric Ethics Committee of Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland.
Rabbi Sukol is a Senior Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. He has also completed specialized training in Clinical Pastoral Care and Counseling.
Rabbi Sukol is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of The Hillel Foundation at Ohio University. He is a past president of the Greater Cleveland Board of Rabbis and a former Board Member of the Agnon School, the Athens AIDS Taskforce, and the Southeastern Ohio Foodbank.
Rabbi Sukol is married to Roxanne B. Sukol, M.D. While not pursuing his professional interests, Rabbi Sukol enjoys baking, especially organic whole wheat challah, and playing the conga drums.
Rabbi Eddie Sukol, received Rabbinical Ordination and a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters degree from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He received a B.A. degree in psychology from Temple University. In 2012 he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in recognition of twenty-five years in the rabbinate.
Rabbi Sukol serves as the Rabbi at The Cleveland Clinic (Main Campus) on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. He is a member of the Ethics Committee of University Hospitals and the Pediatric Ethics Committee of Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland.
Rabbi Sukol is a Senior Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. He has also completed specialized training in Clinical Pastoral Care and Counseling.
Rabbi Sukol is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of The Hillel Foundation at Ohio University. He is a past president of the Greater Cleveland Board of Rabbis and a former Board Member of the Agnon School, the Athens AIDS Taskforce, and the Southeastern Ohio Foodbank.
Rabbi Sukol is married to Roxanne B. Sukol, M.D. While not pursuing his professional interests, Rabbi Sukol enjoys baking, especially organic whole wheat challah, and playing the conga drums.