IU HILLEL STAFF

Rabbi Sue grew up in Indianapolis. She attended Indiana University as an undergraduate, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work. Rabbi Sue attended the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and was ordained in 1988. During Rabbinical school, Sue served as the Hillel Director at the University of Delaware. In August of 1989, following a year in Israel, Rabbi Sue returned to the United States to become the Executive Director of the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center at Indiana University. She loves IU Hillel and the students here. 

Rabbi Sue is also committed to promoting diversity on campus. She helped to found Bloomington United, a grassroots community organization dedicated to building diversity and responding to incidents of hate in Bloomington, IN.

From 1963 to 1974 Rabbi Ron served the Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, as a counselor, specialist, unit head, and assistant director. Ron studied at the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem and Cincinnati from 1972 through ordination in 1977, during which time he became Director of the URJ's Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI). After more than 30 years as Director, Rabbi Ron and his wife Juca have retired to Bloomington, where Ron has continued his commitment to Jewish education, health and safety, and building community.

A native of Washington, Indiana, Eric holds a bachelors degree in music education from Western Kentucky University and a masters degree in musical theatre performance from Oklahoma City University, and has been teaching choral music for 14 years. Eric has toured the US with Missoula Children’s Theatre and Performed internationally though Gyeonggi English Village in Paju, South Korea. While in South Korea, Eric also wrote and composed for the various productions at English Village. Eric has been heard in audio productions of Ed Wood: the Musical! and Back Issues, and seen in productions of The Light in the Piazza, Batboy: the Musical, Gianni Schicci, Brigadoon, Crazy for You and Oklahoma! among others.

Matt is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Management from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Prior to joining the team at IU Hillel, Matt served as the Youth Engagement Director at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. While in this role, Matt also served as a Camp Leader and Synagogue Professional (CLASP) Fellow, where he supported recruiting and programming for Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI), a Reform Jewish summer camp located outside of Indianapolis. Prior to joining the Jewish professional world, Matt worked in the restaurant industry as well as restaurant marketing and management.

Matt enjoys reading, stamp collecting, hiking, playing with his dog Minerva, and traveling to national parks with his wife, Jillian.

Judith has lived in Bloomington since 1976. With her husband A John, she began Textillery Weavers, a business geared towards supplying throw blankets to the interior design and hospitality industries. After 40 years, in 2019 Judith and A John closed the business and retired. Always active in Jewish life, she has been president of Congregation Beth Shalom (Bloomington), on the board of the Jewish Theatre of Bloomington, and was eager to come out of retirement to work in development. Originally from Chicago, Judith graduated from Northwestern University and has teaching certification from John Carroll University.

When not strategizing about the next fundraiser, Judith enjoys being ‘Nana’ to her two grandchildren in Bloomington along with reading, walking, gardening, and baking.

Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Hanna is a recent graduate from Michigan State University, where she studied criminal justice. During her time at MSU, she was heavily involved in Michigan State Hillel, where she served on the Board and was a Birthright intern. She also was a member of Sigma Delta Tau sorority. Following graduation, she worked at The iCenter, a non-profit focusing on Israel Education. Hanna grew up at URJ Goldman Union Camp, where she was a counselor and unit head.

Hanna has a passion for Jewish education and Israel. When she is not at Hillel you can find her hiking, relaxing, or traveling with her husband and golden doodle, Maggie.

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Hannah started her education at the University of Texas at Austin studying music. She later transferred and then graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas where she received a BA in Psychology in 2021. While in college, Hannah served as treasurer and president of Hendrix’s small Hillel. She was also involved with disability advocacy on campus and was a peer mentor to new students. Active in various orchestras throughout her life, Hannah hopes to find a way to continue her musical involvement. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys playing the clarinet, crocheting, baking, and spending time with her dog, Pippa.

Julian is from St. Louis, Missouri, and a 2023 graduate of the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!). Julian graduated with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in education. During his time at KU, Julian was involved with research in the psychology department, employed by the university as a Student Ambassador, and was a member of Zeta Beta Tau. Julian has spent 13 summers of his life at URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute as a camper, counselor, and unit head, and hopes to return to camp in the future! Julian has a passion for working with young Jewish people and for engaging in the Jewish experience in America.

In his free time, Julian enjoys watching and keeping up with college basketball, spending time outside, and hanging out with friends.

Raya grew up in Columbia, Missouri, and received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory. Previously, she served as the Engagement Associate at University of Missouri Hillel. Raya grew up attending Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, Indiana, where she then worked for five summers as a counselor, songleader, and unit head.

Outside of work Raya is most likely to be found reading, playing guitar, sewing, or playing New York Times word games. She is passionate about helping young people find ways to access their Judaism, and is excited to bring her love of Jewish music and art to IU Hillel!

Joni retired from IU Optometry after 21 years of service and two weeks later started a new career at IU Hillel. Conveniently, IU Optometry is next door to Hillel, so Joni knew the way to work! While not working as the Office Administrator, Joni loves to foster kittens for the animal shelter - she has fostered over 300 kittens. She enjoys spending her free time with her two cats, one dog, and her family. What Joni especially enjoys about her job is interacting with students.

Neil arrived in Bloomington via California, London, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Dubai, and Nashville TN. He holds a BFA in photography from the California College of Arts and Crafts as well as a Masters and Doctorate in Education (Vanderbilt and IU Bloomington respectively). While attending IU, Neil enjoyed frequenting Shabbat dinners at IU Hillel. Having built his life in Bloomington while working on his Ed.D, he decided to stick around after graduating.

Neil loves to read, travel (42 countries and counting), and take photos. He also volunteers with Monroe County Public Library (Friends board of directors and the VITAL program) and with Lotus (merchandise committee as a manager of the festival store). Additionally, he likes watching TV and hanging out with his two cats.

Phillip Silberberg joined the Hillel staff in August, 2012. He hails from Johannesburg, South Africa. He graduated from the medical school at the University of the Witswatersrand in Johannesburg and later did his fellowship in Radiology and a Certificate of Added Qualification in Pediatric Radiology in Canada. Phil hasn't looked back after moving to Bloomington, and loves meeting students, parents, alumni and friends of IU Hillel.