National Board
National Presidents
Bailey Spitz
University of Maryland
Major: Government and Politics, Minor: Law
From: Hollywood, Florida
Bailey is a senior at the University of Maryland studying Government and Politics with a minor in Law. She is passionate about Jewish advocacy and community leadership and plans to attend law school after graduation. Bailey loves learning and teaching Torah, baking, and leading group workout classes, bringing energy and warmth to everything she does.
Eyal Lubin
University of Pennsylvania
Major: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; Cognitive Science
From: Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Eyal is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics along with Cognitive Science. He is from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and spent a year learning at Yeshivat Torat Shraga before starting college. Eyal loves exploring ideas that connect philosophy, psychology, and Jewish thought. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys exercising, reading classic novels, and sharing stories from his travels.
Communication Chairs
Samantha Klein
Queens College
Major: European History
From: Queens, New York
Samantha is a senior at Queens College majoring in European History. She became a Yavneh fellow to help build the kind of Jewish community she always wanted to experience on campus. Samantha also holds leadership roles with SSI and JLIC at Queens. After graduation, she plans to attend law school, where she hopes to continue her work in advocacy and community engagement. When she is not studying or commuting, she enjoys baking, running, and creating designs on Canva.
Jonah Gordon
University of Pennsylvania
Major: Neuroscience
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Jonah is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania studying neuroscience. He is from Atlanta, Georgia, and spent a year learning at Yeshivat Orayta. Jonah is passionate about Jewish leadership and hopes to inspire the next generation through his work with Yavneh. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, spending time with friends, and learning Torah.
Mentorship Chairs
Sophie Koffsky
Hofstra University
Major: Mechanical Engineering
From: Long Island, New York
Sophie is a senior at Hofstra University studying Mechanical Engineering. She is passionate about leadership, mentorship, and creating vibrant Jewish community on campus. As Yavneh’s Mentorship Co-Chair, Sophie helps connect students across the country and foster meaningful relationships among fellows. She was one of the first Yavneh fellows at Hofstra and also leads initiatives through Hillel, Olami, and the Society of Women Engineers. Sophie loves working with others to build spaces of learning, connection, and inspiration.
Maytal Chelst
Columbia University
Major: Political Science and History
From: Woodmere, New York
Maytal is a sophomore at Columbia University studying Political Science and History. She is from Woodmere, New York, and spent a year learning at MMY. Maytal is passionate about Jewish learning, women’s leadership, and creating spaces for connection and growth within the Jewish community. In her free time, she enjoys reading, bullet journaling, and eating sweet potato fries.
National Initiatives Chairs
Ephraim Weiss
Washington University in St. Louis
Major: Mechanical Engineering
From: Dallas, Texas
Ephraim is from Dallas, Texas, and studies Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Biomechanics at Washington University in St. Louis. He is passionate about innovation, teamwork, and building strong Jewish community on campus. As Yavneh’s National Initiatives Co-Chair, Ephraim loves turning creative ideas into reality and helping others get involved in Jewish life. Outside of class, he enjoys playing basketball and piano, spending time outdoors, and finding new adventures with friends.
Kayla Kupietzky
Barnard College, Columbia University
Major: English Literature and Biology
From: Chicago, Illinois
Kayla is a sophomore at Barnard College, Columbia University, studying English Literature and Biology. She is from Chicago and spent a year learning at Midreshet Torah V’Avodah. Kayla loves exploring the intersection of science and storytelling and is passionate about creating meaningful Jewish community on campus. When she is not studying, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to SoulCycle, and trying new cafes around the city.
Finance Chairs
Judah Berman
Yeshiva University
Major: Biochemistry
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Judah is from Boca Raton, Florida, and is a senior at Yeshiva University studying biochemistry. After spending a year learning at Yeshivat Orayta, he returned to campus eager to combine Torah learning with his passion for science. Judah hopes to attend medical school after graduation. When he is not in the lab or the beis, you can find him fishing, playing sports, or telling the story of the scar above his left eye, which came from a fishing trip gone wrong.
Andrew Berger
Baruch College, Macaulay Honors College
Major: Finance
From: Long Island, New York
Andrew is a student at Macaulay Honors College at Baruch College studying finance. He is originally from Long Island and now lives in Manhattan, where he enjoys being part of the downtown Jewish community. Andrew is passionate about connecting students through meaningful Jewish programming and is always excited to help plan new initiatives. In his free time, he enjoys playing piano and violin, spending time with friends, and watching movies.
Jonah Hochstadt
Washington University in St. Louis
Major: Finance
From: Englewood, New Jersey
Jonah is a sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis studying finance. He is originally from Englewood, New Jersey, and spent a year learning at Yeshivat Orayta before college. Jonah is passionate about Jewish learning and community building and enjoys bringing people together through Yavneh events. In his free time, he loves playing frisbee, spending time with friends, and joining a good tisch filled with singing and laughter.
Josh Jacobs
New York University
Major: Business
From: New Rochelle, New York
Josh is from New Rochelle, New York, and is studying business at New York University. He is passionate about building Jewish community and creating spaces where people feel connected and inspired. Josh loves meeting new people, spending time with friends, and finding ways to bring joy and energy to everything he does. A fun fact about him is that he has a fascination with planes and airports and never minds a long layover.
Shabbaton Chairs
Noah Meltzer
University of Maryland
Major: Psychology
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Noah grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and is studying psychology at the University of Maryland. After spending a year learning at Yeshiva Orayta, he continued his studies at Yeshiva Otniel and volunteered with JLIC in Jerusalem. This past summer, he also joined a service trip to Puerto Rico. Noah loves combining Jewish learning with leadership and is known for organizing Yavneh Shabbatons. Outside of class, he enjoys running long distances, cooking for Shabbat, and spending time with friends.
Hannah Helfgott
Binghamton University
Major: Political Science and Judaic Studies
From: Bergenfield, New Jersey
Hannah is a sophomore at Binghamton University studying Political Science and Judaic Studies. She is from Bergenfield, New Jersey, and spent a year learning at Midreshet Torah V’Avodah. Hannah is passionate about Jewish learning and creating spaces for connection on campus. In her free time, she enjoys playing music, driving with friends, and starting her day with a good fruit smoothie.
Zacharya Abraham
Washington University in St. Louis
Major: Mechanical Engineering
From: Riverdale, New York
Zacharya is from Riverdale, New York, and studies Mechanical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. He is passionate about building community and creating opportunities for people to connect through Jewish life. Whether he is leading a lively tisch, planning the next big campus event, or simply spreading good energy, Zacharya loves bringing people together. When he is not studying or helping a friend fix something, he enjoys biking around St. Louis and playing baseball.
Zachary Magerman
Yeshiva University
Major: Psychology
From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Zachary is a senior at Yeshiva University studying psychology. Originally from Philadelphia, he has served as Yavneh’s Shabbaton Chair for the past two years. Zachary is passionate about creating meaningful Jewish experiences and helping students connect through community and Torah. When he is not planning Yavneh events or studying, he enjoys playing baseball, following sports, and practicing meditation.