UM Hillel

Briana joined the UM Hillel team in July 2022 bringing over 15 years of experience in community outreach and development. A graduate of the University of Florida, Briana previously held positions at Sharsheret: The Jewish Breast and Ovarian Cancer Community, Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach, and Alpha Epsilon Phi. As a Miami native, Briana knows the University of Miami is a major part of local culture and Hillel is an important portal for Jewish experiences both on campus and within the greater community. Briana lives in Hollywood with her husband and three daughters and enjoys baking challah, SoulCycle, and spending time at the beach.

Rabbi Cook jokes that he is a wandering Jew, having grown up in western New York, northern California, and Lake Oswego, Oregon (just south of Portland). He attended American University in Washington, D.C, where he studied International Relations. After graduating, he moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he worked in the Jewish non-profit world doing teen engagement. In South Florida, Rabbi Cook also met his wife, Phylicia. After five years of rabbinical school (including a year studying in Jerusalem), Rabbi Cook received his rabbinic ordination at the Cincinnati campus of Hebrew Union College in May 2021. Rabbi Cook and Phylicia are excited to be coming home to South Florida and to start a new adventure at the University of Miami Hillel with their son Micah. Rabbi Cook always has time to talk Jewish text and history, Torah, science fiction, and his beloved Portland Trail Blazers.

Terri joined the UM Hillel team in September 2024, bringing with her over 25 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and leadership. Prior to joining UM, Terri spent almost a decade with Hillel at the University of Washington, where she served as Director of Advancement, building close community relationships, mentoring undergraduate interns, and consistently surpassing fundraising goals.

Terri is committed to increasing the funds raised by UM Hillel in order to meet the current needs of Jewish students at the University of Miami, as well as to ensure long term stability and growth of UM Hillel. Outside of work, you’ll find her swimming, running, reading, paddle boarding, and exploring all South Florida has to offer with her husband and four daughters. Terri is always available for a good, strong cup of coffee or a walk with Manny, her golden retriever.

Gabi is a Washington, D.C. native and graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in Cognitive Science and minors in Entrepreneurial Studies and Jewish Studies. Formerly an Admissions Officer at a Jewish Montessori school in the D.C. Metro area, Gabi enjoys working out, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends. She founded and lived in the first shomer Shabbat/shomer kashrut Moishe House in DC, and now she’s thrilled to be part of UM Hillel, aiming to make a significant impact on Miami’s young Jewish professional community.

Jordan is beginning his first year as the Engagement Manager at the University of Miami, and he could not be more excited! Jordan first got his feet wet in the Hillel movement as the IACT Coordinator at Central Florida Hillel before taking his talents to South Beach. However, South Florida is nothing new to Jordan as he was born and raised in Broward County, Florida, and attended high school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Jordan is a lifelong Hurricanes fan, with one of his earliest memories being attending UM Basketball games in the late 90s at the old Miami Arena. When Jordan isn’t grabbing coffee with students on campus, he loves spending time with friends and family, traveling, talking about Israel, and hearing about all the best spots in town to grab a bite.

Shayna joins UM Hillel as the Social Justice Springboard Fellow, bringing her passion and energy to the U. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, she pursued a degree in Psychology with minors in Business and Spanish at The Ohio State University. Beyond her role, Shayna enjoys stargazing, singing, crafting for her Etsy shop, running, engaging as a camp counselor at Camp Wise, exploring new places, conversing in Spanish with locals, and spending time with her family’s two golden doodles.

Zander is beginning his first year as the IACT Israel Coordinator at UM Hillel. After living in Israel for the past year and participating in the MASA MITF program, where he taught English in Rishon Lezion, he is excited to bring his experiences and love of Israel to the University of Miami. Zander graduated from the University of Connecticut in his home state, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a certificate in Public Relations. He enjoys spending time with friends, watching sports, discovering new local spots, traveling, meeting new people, and discussing all things Israel.

Rotem Asner is a first year Jewish Agency Israel Fellow at Hillel at the University of Miami. She grew up in the village of Yad Natan in Southern Israel and was a youth leader in the young movement for many years, working with children of all ages. She earned a degree in Physical Education from Wingate Institute and also obtained coaching certificates in various sports, including volleyball and personal fitness training. Sports have been an integral part of her life since she was a child. During her studies, she worked as a physical education teacher in both elementary and high schools. Upon finishing her degree, she volunteered in Uganda for two weeks, leading educational programs at a local school. She is so excited to share her passions and knowledge with University of Miami students!

Lauren is originally from Atlanta, GA, and spent her last two years of high school in Boston before graduating from The Ohio State University with a degree in Strategic Communications. During college, she found her passion for Jewish leadership through her involvement with Hillel, where she served as Executive Vice President and a Jewish Learning Fellowship Intern. She was also President of her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, leading a team of 13 and planning events for over 200 members. Lauren has held internships in event marketing and digital communications at Needham Bank, Evermile in Tel Aviv, and Hillel International. She’s excited to bring her creativity and leadership to UM Hillel as a Springboard Fellow, where she hopes to help students build meaningful Jewish connections. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys group fitness classes, Broadway shows, and spending time with friends. She can’t wait to get to know you this school year!

This is Alex’s first year on staff at the University of Miami Hillel as the therapist. She was raised in Miami, Florida, and attended Hillel Community Day School, along with other Jewish day schools growing up. After graduating high school, she attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, but eventually made her way back to sunny Miami, where she earned her master’s degree from Barry University. Alex then moved with her family to windy Chicago and has spent the last five years there—but Miami keeps calling her back. Now that she’s returned, she’s excited for this next chapter. Alex brings five years of experience as a mental health therapist and has been involved in the Jewish community for more than a decade. She believes therapy should be a space where people feel safe, comfortable, and never judged. She’s looking forward to working with the University of Miami community and helping to foster a strong sense of identity and connection.

Coming Soon…

Since 2016, Rachel has expanded the digital marketing space within Hillel International. Joining the Springboard Fellowship (Aleph/1st Cohort) as a Social Media Specialist at the University of Delaware Hillel, her accomplishments included launching a successful rebrand for the Birthright Israel program and the creation of tracking digital student engagement. Since then, Rachel has been involved with strategizing fun and innovative daily content for Hillel: Birthright Israel program and Hillel International. Rachel currently resides near the Jersey shore with her cockapoo, Drake. In her free time, Rachel enjoys taking pictures, eating ice cream, and staying up to date on all social media trends.