Contact me with questions about supporting Jewish life on campus, leadership opportunities, University relations, reporting antisemitism, Jewish University, or if you have a question and don’t know who to ask!
Jessica Lemons
Executive Director
Jessica Lemons is originally from Long Island. She joined the Stony Brook Hillel team as Executive Director in 2021.
Prior to her time at Stony Brook, she worked at Syracuse Hillel for 6 years first as the Coordinator of Advancement, then Interim Executive Director, and finally as the Chief Operations Officer. Following her tenure as Interim Executive Director, Syracuse Hillel received the Philip H. and Susan Rudd Cohen Outstanding Campus Award at the Hillel International Global Assembly. While at Syracuse, Jessica completed the Weinberg ACCELERATE: Hillel’s Executive Training Program.
Jessica holds a B.A. in Communication from the University at Buffalo and an MBA with concentrations in Finance and Analytics from Syracuse University.
During her time in college, she experienced first-hand how transformational a powerful Hillel experience could be in the lives of young Jewish people. She is passionate about organizational excellence, Jewish identity formation, and creating innovative and inclusive communities. When not at Hillel, Jessica can be found searching for the best lattes with her fiancé David or hiking with their dog Skye.
Contact me with questions about Jewish Student Association, grad student opportunities, setting up a prospective student tour, or to grab a cup of coffee!
Shachar Pinsky
Assistant Director
Shachar, an Israeli native, is a passionate individual dedicated to building young Jewish communities and forging meaningful connections. With experience at organizations like Moishe House, The Jewish Agency for Israel, and Hillel, he has honed his skills in community building and fostering engagement.
Shachar holds an Ed.M. in Educational Leadership and an M.A. in Jewish Professional Leadership from the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University. He also earned a B.A. in Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy from Reichman University in Israel.
Combining his educational background and practical experience, Shachar possesses a deep understanding of leadership principles, educational strategies, and community development. He remains committed to personal growth and creating a positive impact within the Jewish community.
Contact me to get coffee, to learn about culture committee, our engagement interns, or about any crazy idea you might have to enrich Jewish life on campus!
Elisa Mezhirov
Springboard Innovation Fellow
Originally from Boston, Elisa got her B.S. in Computational Mathematics from Pennsylvania State University in 2024. Throughout her college career, she was heavily involved in PSU Hillel serving as a Data Analyst, a Wellness Intern, and a member of the alternative spring break to Curaçao cohort. Elisa spends her free time bouldering, reading, and giving her cat Hobbes a photoshoot.
She is invested in fostering Jewish diversity in all circles, especially the Russian Jewish community and creating safety for all "flavors of Jewish.” Elisa is excited to be joining the SBU Hillel team as a Springboard Innovation Fellow! Want to chat and learn Russian? Grab a coffee with me!
Contact me about Shabbat, holidays, Jewish learning, or to grab a cup of coffee!
Noé’s first day is July 14
Noé Granados
Springboard Ezra Jewish Education Fellow
Noé Granados is originally from Anaheim, California, and is thrilled to join Stony Brook Hillel as the Springboard Ezra Jewish Education Fellow.
He graduated from the University of California, Riverside in 2023 with a Political Science and International Affairs degree. Before coming to Stony Brook, Noé served as a Legislative Assistant at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, where he advocated for social justice on behalf of the Reform Jewish community and supported congregation-based organizing at the national and local levels. He is passionate about building inclusive, diverse Jewish spaces that empower people to explore and embrace their identities.
Outside of work, Noé enjoys playing and leading Dungeons & Dragons games, reading, and looking at far too many pictures of his cat, Juju.
Contact me about all things Israel, Seawolves for Israel, or to grab a cup of coffee!
Adi’s first day is August 5
Adi Tamarov
Jewish Agency Israel Fellow
Adi grew up in the city of Kfar Saba and moved to Tel Aviv in 2017. She recently finished her degree in physical education and in June completed her internship as a teacher at a local school. Adi has been coaching, educating, and working with youth for many years . For the past 5 years Adi was the head coach of one of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s competitive girl’s division basketball teams and also lead private fitness sessions for individuals with special needs.
When Adi wasn’t coaching and traveling around Israel for work, Adi would be at the gym working out, cooking and eating (!) delicious food, going to the beach, spending time with friends, and going to live music concerts. She’s passionate about connecting with people, sharing her love for Israel, and is very excited to be joining the Stony Brook community!
Julie Kaplan, LMSW
Social Worker
Julie is working with Hillel as a social worker from the Family Service League’s Jewish Support Services program. Julie holds a BA from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA and received her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Julie is working with Stony Brook Hillel through a UJA Federation grant as part of a collaboration between Hillel and the Family Service League. Julie works with students at Hillel to provide individual counseling and referrals to community providers, with the goal of helping students thrive, promote the continued development of interpersonal skills, and assist students in recognizing their own individual strengths and challenges. Julie has experience helping people recognize their own strengths and improve their self-esteem and day to day functioning.
Julie is available for both in-person and telehealth appointments and can be reached at 631-560-5049. There is no cost associated with appointments. If you are struggling to cope or feeling in crisis, Family Service League’s DASH Crisis Center Hotline is available 24-hours a day at 631-952-3333.
Prior to scheduling with Julie, please reach out to her to set up an intake conversation.
Contact us to learn more about Jewish learning, Shabbat minyan, Kosher food, or to have coffee and chat!
Rabbi Kaplan ‘s first day is August 18!
Rabbi Phil Kaplan
Campus Rabbi
Rabbi Phil Kaplan is a passionate Jewish educator and community builder. He grew up in Queens and Long Island. He earned his B.A. in Jewish Studies from Queens College and received rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in 2019.
After ordination, Rabbi Kaplan and his wife Abra moved to Sydney, Australia, where he served as Associate Rabbi and Hazzan of The Great Synagogue. In Sydney, Rabbi Kaplan enjoyed teaching, leading musical services with the synagogue choir, providing pastoral support, and working closely with families and young adults. He also helped lead the community’s conversion and b’nai mitzvah programs.
In 2022, the Kaplans returned to the U.S., and Rabbi Kaplan became the rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans. During his time there, Rabbi Kaplan found his niche in adult education, supporting people through conversion, ritual leadership and pastoral care.
Rabbi Kaplan is thrilled to come back to New York to serve as the rabbi of the Stony Brook Hebrew Congregation and the Campus Rabbi at Stony Brook Hillel. The Kaplans, along with their three young sons Roee, Shemaya, and Amiel, love hosting guests in their home for Shabbos meals and community events.
Rabbi Joseph S. Topek
Director Emeritus
Rabbi Joe, as he was known to generations of students, served as Director of Stony Brook Hillel from 1982 - 2019. He began his 40 year Hillel career at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1979 and holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, Brandeis University, and the Academy for Jewish Religion. While at Stony Brook he also served as Chairperson of the Interfaith Center from 1989 - 2019 and continues to serve as Adjunct Instructor in the Undergraduate Colleges and as the Jewish Chaplain for the Long Island State Veterans Home and Stony Brook University Hospital. Rabbi Joe is proud to have been honored with the Sister Margaret Ann Landry Award for Lifetime Achievement in Advising and the Shirley Strum Kenny Steel Magnolia Award. He continues work in his academic field of American Jewish military history with writing and lecturing and enjoys spending more time with his spouse, Susan Remick Topek, their three daughters and sons-in-law, and their six grandchildren.