Hillel’s staff is here to help you! Don’t be a stranger; if you’d like to talk with a staff person call 612.379.4026.
Professional Staff
Sarah Routman, the Executive Director at Hillel, has spent years exploring what she calls the ‘blue thread’ that connects Jewish people to one another. She recognizes that as Jews we often feel linked to one another despite each person’s unique relationship to the culture and religion. Asked what Judaism means to us, most will have a hard time coming up with a clear answer. Sarah believes that through dialogue, shared experiences, and learning, we can understand the blue thread, and the many shades of blue that bind together to unite us all.
Sarah has a BFA in Photography and a BA in English/Creative Writing from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She taught high school English and drama for 10 years in Florida and Georgia and then received her Masters in Adult Education from the University of Georgia in Athens,Georgia. Her inexplicable attraction to places named Athens is even more serious than it appears above as she also announced her engagement to Brent, (her husband of 30 years) while in Athens,Greece.
While working with teens for 10 years as the BBYO Director, Sarah developed quite a penguin collection. She has traveled extensively throughout Bulgaria and visited over 15 countries. She loves travel, reading, knitting, plants and anything in the arts. Chocolate chip cookies are a definite favorite, and she is happy for anyone to join her for a cooking adventure in the Hillel kitchen at any time! E-mail Sarah at sroutman@ujews.com
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Mike Kann is the Engagement Associate at Hillel. Mike is a graduate of Northern Michigan University (yes, the town of Marquette, MI gets more snow than the Twin Cities, crazy!) He is in his second year working at Hillel U of M. He is excited about the opportunity to help continue the growth of the University of Minnesota Hillel, along with providing a welcoming environment for all students who enter Hillel’s doors. Mike will be responsible for a range of activities and events throughout the academic year, including the Alternative Spring Break and an array of community service opportunities. He is an avid Chicago sports fan (But confesses he will cheer for the Twins), eats way too much pasta and is currently having fun exploring his new home – Minneapolis. Please stop by, say hi and introduce yourself!
If you want to chat or have hot apple cider/hot chocolate (Free to you of course) send an email to mike@ujews.com
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Andrea Golden, Hillel’s Director of Student Life, has been working in the Jewish community for many years . She and her husband recently returned to the Twin Cities and she is excited to be here. Andrea spent the past eight years working with USY in the Twin Cities and as the Hagesher Regional Director in Philadelphia.
A graduate of the University of Kansas where she received a B.A. in Religious Studies, Andrea was an active member of her sorority (Sigma Delta Tau) and enjoyed being a member of the Greek System. She spent summers working at Herzl Camp in Webster, WI, and loved working with many ages of campers and staff. Her Junior year, Andrea spent an amazing and memorable semester at the University of Tel Aviv and had the opportunity to travel through Europe.
Andrea’s puppy is named Rocky after Rocky Balboa a famous fictional Philadelphia figure. Her favorite time of the year is March Madness (she’s a huge college basketball fan), and she recommends that everyone see her favorite Broadway musical, Wicked. Andrea is very excited about working at the University of Minnesota Hillel and is eager to meet you! Email andrea@ujews.com
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Johnathan Hunter, the Office and Facilities Manager at Hillel has been involved in the Minneapolis Jewish community for the past three years. Johnathan continues to embrace lifelong learning, and to use life itself as a class. One of the most important life lessons that he’s learned was during a trip to Israel with Kesher Birthright. Where he met young Jews from all over the US and Canada and of course Israel, some who grew up in a Jewish home and some who didn’t. “Although we all had different styles of observance we were all part of a larger community.” Growing up in Brooklyn Center, Johnathan was exposed to a multicultural environment that helped shape his commitment to civic involvement. Johnathan studied clinical psychology at Walden University. He has also worked for the Department of Defense (U.S. Army) in human resources and is currently pursuing a degree in Jewish studies and education.
