Welcome to Cleveland Hillel!
Cleveland Hillel Staff
Oberlin Hillel Springboard Fellow
Kayla Eydel grew up in sunny Southern California. Her passions were split between classical ballet and visual arts from early childhood. Kayla attended LA’s renowned High School for the Arts and continued her education at CalState Northridge, where she graduated with honors in May 2025 with Bachelor of Arts in Art History. While attending CSUN, Kayla found her community at Hillel 818 and became an LGBTQ+ intern, followed by a role as a Grapevine fellowship over several years. In these roles, she led a variety of art-themed events, and helped lead Shabbat services alongside fellow students and staff. Outside of Hillel, Kayla was an active member of CSUN’s art community, leading the Art History Club, participating in the Printmaking Club, and working at the school’s Art Galleries. In her personal time, she loves hanging out with friends, bonding with her siblings, and going out for sweet treats.
Kayla is so excited to start the next chapter of her journey as a Springboard Fellow for the students of Oberlin College and Conservatory in Ohio. She can’t wait to take students for cozy coffee conversations, create innovative programs, and check out the local art scene.
Yaffa Muhlbaum is the Associate Director of Oberlin Hillel. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Yaffa returned to Ohio after living in New York City for 7 years when she began working at Oberlin Hillel in 2023. She is a graduate of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary where she earned BA's in Archaeology and the Hebrew Bible, respectively. She is a second year student in Hebrew Union College's MA in Jewish Nonprofit Management. Yaffa has been a Kraft Global Fellow, a Jewish Changemakers Fellow, a Jewish Ideas Fellow, and a Masterclass: Israel Fellow, and she also completed the iCenter's Conflicts of Interest certificate program.
Her primary connection points to Judaism include music, tikkun olam, and Adam Sandler. Yaffa has a passion for fiber arts, Sesame (her dog), and relational work and is always looking for her next great read!
Associate Director of Oberlin Hillel
*Description of Position*
**Profile**
Roxanne Popovsky is a Cleveland native, born and raised. She graduated from Drexel University with a degree in Entertainment Arts Management and a minor in Business Administration. Roxanne is Passionate about arts and culture, community engagement, and jewish life. Her experience includes administrative and artistic work in arts nonprofits, event production and coordination, social media management, customer service/reception, specialized retail sales, student engagement, and campus programming. Most recently, she has worked for Philadelphia Theatre Company, Theatre Exile, Pig Iron Theatre Company, and Center City District.
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At Cleveland Hillel, Roxanne is dedicated to student engagement, Jewish learning, leadership development, and fostering meaningful opportunities for students to explore their identities and strengthen community connections.
Outside of work, Roxanne loves to explore the various arts and culture opportunities Cleveland has to offer. She also loves to spend time with her close friends and family as well as her cats and dogs.
Metro Hillel Ezra Springboard Fellow
Manager of Special Projects & Graduate Engagement
Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Michael is the SPGE Manager at Cleveland Hillel, having joined the team in fall 2024. An alumnus of Kent State University, Michael earned a Bachelor's degree in French Language and Culture as well as Jewish Studies. Passionate about fostering vibrant Jewish life on campus, he is dedicated to growing the Summer Internship Program and enhancing the graduate student experience across our campuses.
Outside of work, Michael enjoys fiber & textile arts, hiking in the national park, and immersing in fantasy media.
Ilana Mandel completed her undergraduate degree at Columbia University, received an MSSA in social work from the Mandel School at CWRU, and has been working in non-profit for over 28 years. She has experience helping young adults with academic or career pressure; life transitions and identity exploration; and anxiety and stress management. Ilana is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and receives supervision from Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland.
Ilana lives in Beachwood with her three children and loves growing vegetables in the summer, working out, and watching Netflix (even though she knows she should be reading more.)
Hillel's JFSA Wellness Coordinator
Assistant Director
Jill Ross was born and raised just down the road in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Upon graduation from The Ohio State University, with a degree in Jewish Studies, she returned to Cleveland, where she worked as a Child Care Worker at Bellefaire/JCB, a residential treatment center for emotionally challenged adolescents. After a brief stint as the Assistant Regional Director for BBYO, Jill began her career at Cleveland Hillel, August 1, 1988. Her official title is Assistant Director, but she likes to think of herself as the “point guard” of the CHF staff team. She works closely with all the staff to ensure that all those affiliated with Hillel have rich and meaningful Jewish experiences while on campus.
Whether through social, cultural, educational, wellness, or Israel-related activities, Jill's goal is to ensure that everyone feels a part of this amazing community.In her free time, Jill loves to spend time with her husband and adult children. She loves to Cruise anywhere and everywhere, just ask her.
Nina Bilz is a marketing professional from Cincinnati, OH and currently based in Washington, DC. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance/Opera from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. Prior to joining Hillel, Nina worked for several arts organizations, including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, IN Series Opera, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. She is also a freelance marketing and design professional, working with clients from across the United States and Israel. Nina is passionate about grassroots initiatives, community-based programs, and inclusivity and equity in the arts and public sector.
In her free time, Nina enjoys going to art museums, taking care of her many plants, and collecting various tchotchkes from her travels!
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Nina Bilz
Campus Marketing & Development Manager
Executive Director
Jared Isaacson is the Executive Director of the Cleveland Hillel Foundation, working with 11 campuses in the Cleveland and Oberlin communities. Jared has focused his career to supporting the growth and effectiveness of social-profit organizations in the Jewish community. He graduated McGill University with a BSW degree, followed by an MSW from University of Toronto, where his studies focused on Jewish communal work as a recipient of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) FEREP scholarship. Most recently, he completed an Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute in Chicago.
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Jared grew up in Montreal, as part of a family that was filled with the belief that volunteerism was an integral component of our daily lives as part of a larger community. Jared has worked at the Jewish Federation in Phoenix, Toronto and Ottawa, focusing on fundraising and donor development, community building, volunteer management, marketing and communications. In between his time with Federation, he also spent 5 years as a Hillel Director at the University of Western Ontario, followed by 3 years as the Hillel Canada National Director.
A proud Canadian, he thoroughly enjoys living in Cleveland, his new “hometown”, with his wife, daughter, and awesome "puppy", Merlin. The fact that his favorite superhero (Superman) was created in Cleveland also helped establish the love for all things Cleveland.
Nate Jones (he/him) completed his undergraduate education at Tulane University and received an M.Ed. in clinical mental health counseling from Cleveland State University. A full-time counselor/therapist at Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland (JFSA), Nate has experience working with adolescents and adults with severe and persistent mental health concerns, as well as adjustment-related issues, grief, depression, anxiety, stress management, and social skill development. Nate uses a trauma-informed approach and draws from a range of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, client-centered therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. He is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and is receiving supervision from Stacy Perretti, LPCC-S.
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Nate lives in Cleveland, OH with his wife, Jessica, and three-year-old golden retriever, Archie. He enjoys family time, playing music, and watching old movies. Nate is excited to join the Hillel community!
Nate Jones
Hillel's JFSA Counselor
Business Director
Kimberly A. Littman, CPA, Business Director joined the Cleveland Hillel Foundation in January 2010. Kim’s portfolio includes the financial and tax reporting, IT, human resources, benefits and insurance.
Prior to her work at Cleveland Hillel, Kim was the Controller at the Center for Families & Children, the Director of Endowment and Foundation Financial Reporting at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and an Audit Manager at KPMG in Cleveland.
Kim is a graduate of Miami University, a member of the Ohio So
ciety of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of CPAs.
Kim enjoys spending time with her family (especially her grandchildren), being outdoors, traveling, her labrador retrievers and golfing!
Tia Wilson brings a strong passion for community engagement, customer service, and organizational efficiency. Her professional experience spans multiple industries, including recreation services, retail management, and front desk operations.Tia has worked with reputable organizations such as West Charlotte Recreation Center, Victoria’s Secret, Target, and more—developing expertise in team leadership, customer relations, and inventory management. She is highly skilled in streamlining front desk operations, maintaining organized systems, and delivering top-tier customer experiences. With a dedication to service and a detail-oriented approach, Tia continues to create welcoming, efficient environments that enhance both customer and team satisfaction.
Tia lives in Cleveland, OH where she spends her free time with family and friends, reading and writing books and chasing after the family dog when Lola decides to kidnap her socks!
Office & Operations Manager