Professional Staff
Professional staff members join Hillel to serve as Jewish resources for both the students and members of
Hillel at Ohio University.
Hillel at Ohio University.
Sarah Livingston |
Director |
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Sarah Livingston joined Hillel at Ohio University as the new Executive Director in the spring of 2019. She has a Masters in Canadian Jewish Food History from University of Toronto and Bachelor’s degrees in Russian Jewish History and Jewish Studies from The Ohio State University. She has many years of experience in Jewish education, and Jewish community building & development. Her passion centers around connecting Jewish students to each other, to their Judaism, and to other religions, races, and cultures. As a long-time advocate for marginalized members of the Jewish community, Sarah works diligently to create diverse and inclusive spaces for Jewish students from all walks of life.
Sarah originally grew up in Las Vegas, and spent 10 years in Columbus before moving to Toronto for 6 years. She is thrilled to be furthering the Ohio University Jewish student community and has been creating more opportunities to develop Jewish life in Athens since she arrived on campus. Sarah has been married to her partner Rob since 2015 and they have 2 energetic and incredible little boys, Gabriel (Gavi) who is 5 & Rafael (Rafa) who is 3. |
Matt Derrenbacher |
Rabbinic Fellow |
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Matt Derrenbacher is a fourth-year rabbinical student at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. He is super excited to be spending his fourth and fifth years of rabbinical school serving as the Student Rabbi for Ohio University Hillel. As a rabbi in formation, Matt loves to help foster excitement for Jewish life – whatever that may look like for each of us (there’s no one right way to do Jewish!).
Along with being a rabbinical student at HUC, Matt also serves as a Chaplain Candidate for the United States Air Force, as well as student rabbi for a small congregation. At home, he and his wife, Brittany, run a dog rescue for dogs with particularly challenging medical conditions called Luna Bell’s Moonbows. Matt loves to read, sing, play piano, garden, run outside, talk about Jewish texts/religion in general, and play video games. |
Jared Stern
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Jewish Student Life CoordinatorJared Stern is excited to come to Ohio University’s Hillel as the Jewish Student Life Coordinator. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Florida Atlantic University in South Florida with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science. At FAU, Jared served as the Speaker pro tempore in his campus House of Representatives, Liaison of his campus’ AIPAC group and a leadership role in his Hillel and Israel group, Owls for Israel.
After going on Birthright in the winter of 2016, Jared came back wanting to be involved in anything he could get his hands on. Going to two AIPAC policy conferences, a Hillel alternative spring break trip rebuilding houses in Puerto Rico, and a JNF alternative winter break trip in Israel. He has also led numerous events as a student with Hillel. He also interned for his local congressman, Ted Deutch, learning valuable research and engagement skills along the way. When he has free time, Jared may be watching America’s Got Talent or 911, enjoying Philadelphia Eagles football and Phillies baseball, or following what is going on in the world. |
Erin Graves |
Operations Manager |
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Erin is a lifelong resident of Athens, Ohio and a former Ohio University employee. Erin comes with experience in bookkeeping, operations management, purchasing and project management. She attended business classes at Ohio University and completed an Associates degree in applied science in 2007 from Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.
Erin resides in Albany, Ohio on her family dairy farm with her husband and infant daughter. Madelyn keeps her pretty busy but she loves to hike and spend time with her family in her free time. |
