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 with questions about our wellness resources, your ideas about Jewish life, or to grab a cup of coffee!
JessAnn Smith
Wellness Director
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, JessAnn (she/any) is a dedicated educator, social worker, and storyteller committed to building inclusive and accessible Jewish communities. With experience at organizations such as Foundation for Jewish Camp, Keshet, and the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, she has cultivated expertise in experiential education, community engagement, and trauma-informed, identity-affirming mental health programming.
JessAnn holds an MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work and a postgraduate certificate in Adventure Therapy, as well as CASAC-T certification. They are also a trained Mikveh Guide, Intimacy Coordinator, and Wilderness First Responder.
Blending her background in education, performance, and experiential modalities, JessAnn brings energy, curiosity, and intention to everything they do. Outside of work, you can often find her singing and playing trombone, cold water swimming with the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, or joyfully embracing their favorite roles as “auntie” to twelve niblings and “pet parent” to Oscar, Bowie, and Scarlett.
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 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 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!
Contact me to learn more about Jewish learning, Shabbat minyan, Kosher food, or to have coffee and chat!
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.
Hannah Taylor
Campus Marketing and Development Manager
Hannah (she/her) is so excited to be joining Hillel International as a new Campus Marketing and Development Manager, working with Stony Brook Hillel, The Ohio State University Hillel, and North Carolina Hillel. Hannah joins Hillel International after two incredible years at Hillel Council of New England as the Director of Jewish Life, overseeing Hillel at Boston College and Curry College. Before her work at Hillel, Hannah spent a year working in South Africa at a progressive synagogue where she also met her fiancé, and earned a double masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and Jewish Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College. Hannah attended undergrad at Brandeis University where she majored in Jewish studies and Education studies. As a Massachusetts native, Hannah loves attending pilates at her local studio in Greater Boston, watching live theater and taking improv classes, and playing guitar.
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.
Skye Lemons-Maurer
Executive Associate
Skye Lemons-Maurer is a fan favorite at Stony Brook Hillel! She is a pit-husky rescue from North Shore Animal League in Nassau County after being rescued from the streets of Texas and escaping an abusive home environment. Despite her tough beginnings, she is filled to the brim with love and can never have enough attention. In her capacity as Executive Associate, you can most often find her glued to the Executive Director’s side or searching for belly rubs and snacks from students.