Danielle BotvinIsrael Experience Architect
she/her/hers Email: danielle@sfhillel.org
Office: (415) 333-4922 ext. 101 BIO
Danielle joined the SF Hillel team in 2020 at the height of the pandemic as our resident Israel expert. A transplant from Los Angeles, she is still getting used to the cold weather here in the Bay and is still figuring out how to layer clothes for warmth. Danielle serves as our Israel Experience Architect, bringing insight and nuance to conversations surrounding Israel and how it may or may not fit in with Jewish identities. Her focus is to build connections and provide education on all things Israel, from culture to current events. Want to find out how you can travel to Israel? Danielle is also our go-to for Israel travel opportunities such as Birthright Israel and our SFSU Perspectives Tour of Israel and Palestine. Danielle has a passion for continuing education and just participated in the Masterclass: Israel professional learning cohort with Hillel International. Most days outside of the office, you can find Danielle and her pup, Roxxie, hanging out at the nearest park or beach playing fetch, or barbecuing at their home in NoPa. |
Sarah BirchSpringboard Fellow: Ezra Jewish Education Specialist
she/her/hers Email: sarah@sfhillel.org
Office: (415) 333-4922 ext. 101 BIO
Sarah joined the SF Hillel team in 2021 as a Student Engagement Architect and Springboard Ezra Jewish Education Specialist. Hailing from Sacramento and with family from the Bay, Sarah grew up visiting the city and is excited to get to know it as a resident. Her journey with Hillel began at University of Oregon where she was involved with Oregon Hillel and later served as an intern with Hillel International. Sarah is excited to support meaningful spaces to engage with Jewish learning and create community with the students at UC Hastings, UCSF, and USF. In her free time, Sarah enjoys listening to podcasts, attending concerts and musicals, finding dogs to pet, wandering in parks, and enthusing about tea, books, and space. |
Sophie CaseDirector of Operations & Finance
she/her/hers Email: sophie@sfhillel.org
Office: (415) 333-4922 ext. 106 BIO
Sophie is an enthusiastic development and operations professional who has broad experience with both the programmatic and administrative sides of non-profit organizations. Sophie's involvement with Hillel began as an undergraduate student at the University of Vermont where she was a participant and leader on the student board. Sophie is excited to continue and deepen her involvement with Hillel through her role as Director of Operations at San Francisco Hillel. As Director of Operations she plans to streamline organization processes which will allow staff to achieve their goals and broaden the impact of the organization. Sophie is an avid reader, life-long learner, and environmental advocate who can be found gardening, hiking, or cooking in her free time. |
Bailey GamelSpringboard Fellow: Innovation Specialist
she/they BIO
Bailey is a Student Experience Architect and part of the Springboard Fellowship Program on the Innovation Track. Bailey grew up in Denver but moved to Washington for college where she studied Communication Studies and Sociology/Anthropology. While her alma mater does not have a Hillel, she was able to work with the University of Washington Hillel. She is thrilled to be at SF Hillel and looks forward to working with students. In her free time, she can be found exploring local beaches or hanging out at coffee shops with friends. |
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Rachel Nilson RalstonExecutive Director
she/her/hers BIO
Rachel Nilson Ralston first became connected with San Francisco Hillel as a curious student at San Francisco State University, where she received her bachelor's degree in history and Jewish studies. She loved it so much that she never left, transitioning from undergraduate student to staff member in 2011. Since then, she has worn many hats in the organization and was named Executive Director in 2020. Rachel appreciates the professional lessons provided by her unique Hillel journey and is particularly proud of SF Hillel's recent growth and achievements. In the past four years, SF Hillel underwent an organizational redesign utilizing Design Thinking, expanded from SF Hillel's strong base at SF State to launch programs at University of San Francisco, University of California Hastings College of the Law and University of California San Francisco, and received recognition with Hillel International's Best Place to Work Award in 2017. When she's not at Hillel, Rachel also serves the broader community in alignment with her passion for inclusion and justice. She was as a Federation Fellow with the San Francisco Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, and currently sits on the board of Congregation Sha'ar Zahav. She resides just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge in Mill Valley, where she loves to hike and eat burritos with Ricky (her husband and adventure buddy.) |
Emily SimonsCommunity Engagement Manager
she/her/hers BIO
Emily joined the SF Hillel team in July of 2016, after graduating from Temple University with a bachelors in social work. Prior to her role in Development, Emily worked on the student life team for 4 years, connecting students to experiences, rituals, and community. In her role as the Community Engagement Manager, she continues to engage our alumni community, while working to advance SF Hillel's fundraising efforts. Emily just completed a year-long fellowship with the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund called Fed Fellows, where she was placed on the board of Jewish LearningWorks. Now Emily serves on the board as the Secretary of Jewish LearningWorks. Additionally, Emily is a part of the 2021-2022 Jeremiah Fellowship: Bay Area Cohort, which is a progressive, civic organizing group for Jewish young adults. When she's not working, she is taking her 3-legged pup, Pumpkin, to the local dog park or exploring the breath-taking views of the Northern California coast. |
Naomi ZipurskyDirector of Campuses
she/her/hers BIO
Naomi joined SF Hillel's team in July 2017, after graduating from Emory University, through Hillel International's Springboard Fellowship, bringing design thinking methodology and innovation to our multiple campus communities. Now, as Director of Campuses, Naomi helps direct engagement and educational strategies across all of our campuses, providing mentorship and support to students as they build the Jewish experiences and connections they want and need. When she's not working, you'll find Naomi petting all the dogs of San Francisco, blasting the latest Maluma hit, and in search of the best views and food this city has to offer. |
