The Hillel Student Board is a dedicated group of students who meet regularly to plan and organize Hillel programs.  As a recognized student group at the University of Rhode Island, Hillel students elect student officers each year in the spring, but all students are invited to attend student planning meetings, to suggest programming ideas and to organize and run activities.  If you would like get more involved or attend an upcoming meeting, please contact Student Board President,  Sydney Root. 

Sydney Root, President

Hi everybody!  My name is Sydney Root and I am serving as the 2019-2020 student board president. I am a senior studying Human Development/Education. I am a member of Greek life on campus as a sister of Chi Omega. I went to Israel on Birthright and had an amazing time! I love hanging out with my friends and family! Can’t wait to meet everybody!

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Elysha Ravitch, VP of Shabbat & Holidays

​Hi! I am a nursing student with a double minor in thanatology and law & medicine. I am excited to be the Shabbat and holidays chair of Hillel this upcoming semester! The nursing program here keeps me pretty busy but when I do have free time I love to sing, do special effects makeup, and swim.

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Jana Spiegel, Co-VP of Social Programming  

Hi! My name is Jana and I am the Vice President of Social Programming at Hillel. I’m a Sophomore from Connecticut and my major is Elementary Education with English Second Language Certification. I love the beach, being involved at URI, and hanging out with family and friends. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and having fun at Hillel. I am very excited to help plan awesome events this year!

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Kayla Shamayev, Co-VP of Social Programming

Hi! My name is Kayla and I am the co-Vice President of Social Programming at     Hillel! I am a Junior from Providence, RI. I love spending time with my family,     re-  visiting the Harry Potter series (I've got to say that the 3rd book is probably   my favorite), and coaching gymnastics. I love to travel and I have been to Israel   and have studied abroad in China. I am excited to be a member of the Hillel   board and engage with the Jewish student community at URI.  

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Sarah Margolin, VP of Social Action

Hi everyone! I’m Sarah Margolin and I’m the current Vice President of Social Action Programming. I’m a sophomore Classics major from Hillsdale, New Jersey. Classics isn’t really a big major here at URI, but it basically means that I study ancient civilizations. I’m also considering constructing a minor in Archaeology. I’m so excited to be sharing this experience with my fellow board-members and all of you! I look forward to meeting you all this year and, hopefully, going on Birthright with some of you!

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Michelle Kanevsky, FYSH Chair (First Year Students of Hillel)

My name is Michelle Kanevsky and starting in the fall of 2019 I will be a Junior studying Communication Disorders. I am from Suffern, New York and in my free time I like to bake, go shopping, and travel around! I am a sister of Chi Omega sorority and love being a part of Greek Life at URI. I am excited to get to know the incoming class and organize fun programs for you all to do together!

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