Samuel Krentzman, Executive Director - sam@santacruzhillel.org
Samuel was raised in Natick, MA.  He has two wonderful parents, three beautiful sisters, two good brothers in law, an adorable niece and a handsome nephew.

He studied Chinese language and literature, international relations and history at the University of Massachusetts.  After school Sam spent eight months in Israel's Negev desert writing and performing music.

Sam spent the subsequent three years as the Special Projects Coordinator at New York University's Bronfman Center for Jewish Life. While at NYU, Sam was responsible for Israel and social justice programming with an emphasis on building innovative initiatives engaging the wider NYU and New York City communities.

Two years ago Sam returned to his alma mater and served as the Assistant Director of Umass Hillel.  Sam was blessed to have the support and mentorship of Rabbi Saul Perlmutter and was encouraged in exploration of Jewish Value and Judaism and Creativity.  Sam taught credited courses through the Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies in Jewish music and Judaism and Creativity and used the research to make practical experiments with the Hillel students through programming.

This summer Sam moved to Santa Cruz, California to serve as the Executive Director of the Santa Cruz Hillel Foundation.  At SC Hillel Sam will be focusing on an investigation of Jewish Value and Jewish Creativity Training and Leadership Development through art.

Sam feels fortunate to have been part of so many good Hiilels and to have worked with and learned from so many wise colleagues.

In his personal time Sam enjoys music and art, reading, cooking, swimming and listening to records.
 
Lauren Kimmel, Program Director - Lauren@santacruzhillel.org
Lauren Kimmel, another east-coast transplant, comes to SC Hillel all the way from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born in the City of Brotherly Love but has most recently been residing in its suburbs of Bucks County. Lauren attended the University of Virginia, where she studied Political and Social Thought and Art History. She is very excited to be working as Program Director for the UC Santa Cruz community.
In her spare time, you might find Lauren reading, writing, thrift-storing, or looking for the best coffee in town. She encourages you to stop by and say hi sometime!
 
Aya Caspi, Israel Fellow - aya@santacruzhillel.org
 
Arlyne Semiloff, Administrator - info@santacruzhillel.org
Originally from Chicago, Arlyne has made it a point to live in beautiful places, such as Paris, Napa Valley, and now Santa Cruz where she and her husband have raised two sons. Working at Hillel in an administrative capacity has been part of her life since 2006. She works mornings, and welcomes students to come by to say hi!
 
Student Interns 2011/12
Antaeus Edelsohn
Karin Gold
Jocelyn Robinson
Lauren Kasner
Josh Saleh
David Silver
Sierra Sterler