Amy Olson, Executive Director

Amy Olson has been the Executive Director of URI Hillel since 2005.  She is the chair of the URI Chaplains Association and serves on the URI Equity Council..  Amy was the recipient of the 2011 Diversity Award for Staff/Administrator Excellence presented by the URI Multicultural Student Services Center to honor those who advance institutional equity and inclusiveness.

Amy was a member of the third cohort of Campus Fellows at the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, a prestigious program focusing on the complexity and challenges of the North American relationship with Israel and on other major issues facing the Jewish people.  She previously studied at the Pardes Summer Institute for Hillel Professionals. 

She was the Executive Director of Hillel at the University of Minnesota from 1998-2005 and worked at the University of Minnesota Hillel from 1986-1995 in a variety of capacities.  While at Minnesota, Amy was a recipient of the “Breaking the Silence” award from the University of Minnesota GLBT Programs Office for her work on behalf of GLBT students.  She served as the Executive Director of the Central States and Provinces Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism from 1995-1998.
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A native of Rhode Island, Amy is a graduate of the New England Academy of Torah.  She earned a BA in Theater from Washington University in St. Louis and an MFA in Theater Directing from the University of Minnesota.  Amy is a professional vocalist specializing in Broadway show tunes, Yiddish theater music and Israeli songs.

Michael Schreiber, Director of Jewish Student Life

Michael Schreiber was born in New Jersey and raised in Northern Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Tech where he studied Psychology and Religion and Culture with a minor in Judaic Studies. During this time Michael gained experience working with children with autism and marine mammals. He was active at the Virginia Tech Hillel, was a member of the Virginia Tech Chamber Singers, and sang with an a cappella group.

​After college Michael worked at Virginia Tech Hillel and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Hillel where his passion for building and engaging with Jewish communities flourished. Michael was a member of Hillel International's Ezra Fellowship where he gained experience and resources to connect students to Jewish learning. In his free time Michael enjoys exploring the outdoors, making and listening to music, improv, cooking, reading, TV/movies/&shows, and karaoke. There isn't much Michael isn't up to try! Michael is excited to return to the East Coast and is thrilled to be working with the students at the University of Rhode Island.  ​

Emily Yehezkel, Springboard Innovation Fellow

Emily Yehezkel  is a recent graduate from Kent State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in American Sign Language/English Interpreting.  Emily was a Campus Engagement Intern and the first President of Kent Hillel's first Student Board. She was also a sister of Chi Omega Fraternity and held a multitude of positions there. 

Emily loves traveling and exploring new places, theater, photography, sign language, and all things Jewish/Israeli! As a native New Yorker, she is beyond excited to explore everything Rhode Island and the New England area have to offer!