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THE HOW TEAM
RACHEL E. KLEIN, MSW
Executive Director
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Alma mater(s): University of Pennsylvania, '03 (MSW), University of Delaware, '01 (BA Sociology, Concentration in Social Welfare)
Favorite Shabbat Activity: the moments of silence after lighting the candles.
Superpower: creating space for others.
Contact Rachel about: travel guidance for your Jewish journey, social justice, volunteerism, universal inclusion, Israel, and leadership development.
Reach out to Rachel by emailing her at rachel@hillelsofwestchester.org
Rachel joined the HOW team in 2014. Prior to her time in the Hillel family, Rachel served as a Reform synagogue director in New Jersey, youth group advisor, and teacher. She began her social work career in 2003 as a direct-practice social worker in mental health and substance abuse. Her journey from clinical social work to Hillel professional brought her to serve as an Assistant Child Advocate with the State of New Jersey for nearly a decade, where she focused on anti-bullying efforts, childhood lead poisoning, legislative oversight and individual advocacy. She is an award winning hobby winemaker and currently lives in Stamford, Connecticut with her husband, Brian, rescue dogs, Betty White and Bear, and (master of the house and Manhattanville alumni) cat, Ollie.
Jonathan Horowitz
Director of Community Engagement
Pronouns: he/him/his
Alma mater(s): Binghamton University ('16) - Double Major in Jewish Studies and English (focus in Creative Writing)
Favorite Shabbat Activity: Singing zemirot (Shabbat songs)
Superpower: Making puns for every occasion
Contact Jonathan about: connecting with other Jewish orgs in Westchester, how HOW can best serve you on your Jewish journey
Reach out to Jonathan by emailing him at jonathan@hillelsofwestchester.org
Jonathan Horowitz (who you can also call Jon or Joho) is thrilled to be joining the Hillels of Westchester family. Since a young age, Jon has found creative and meaningful ways to share his love of being Jewish with others. Jon grew up in Sharon, MA and participated in and held leadership roles in USY, attended the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel and most recently worked as a Jewish Studies and Tefilah (prayer) teacher at Schechter School of Long Island. Before that, Jon was a counselor and Rosh Edah (unit head) at Ramah Day Camp in Nyack and taught at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Chicago, IL. When he's not helping others find their personal Jewish spark, Jon loves to cook, listen to and talk about music, cheering on his New England Patriots and his fantasy football teams, and spending time with his lovely wife Sarah and toddler Aviva.
Hannah Klein
Innovation Springboard Fellow
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Alma mater: Purchase College, SUNY, Class of 2024
Favorite Shabbat Activity: Napping
Superpower: Weaving
Contact Hannah about: Sustainability, art, environmental studies, advocacy + finding the power of your voice, crochet/fiber arts, recycling.
Reach out to Hannah by emailing her at hannahk@hillelsofwestchester.org
Born and raised in Westchester, New York, Hannah Klein (חנה קליין) graduated from SUNY Purchase in May 2024 with a Bachelor's degree in the Science of Visual Art. At SUNY Purchase, she was able to explore her passion for environmental sustainability, nature, and sculpture.
She was able to further explore over her summer break, during which she completed a foundry artist residency at Salem Art Works (SAW) in upstate New York, where she was able to live off the grid in a cabin and recycle post-consumer aluminum and radiators for cast metal sculptures. Additionally, before finishing her studies at her home campus, she spent most of her senior year abroad studying at HFBK in Hamburg, Germany, on an art school association (ASA) fellowship scholarship. There, she found a sustainable material design class through which she had research published.
Furthermore, she was accepted into the second cohort of beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship with plastic waste management research she conducted in Hamburg.
Hannah is very excited to meet and connect with students and serve the campus community from which she graduated. She also hopes to set sustainability goals for Hillels of Westchester to tackle as a community.
You can follow her work with HOW on Instagram @hillelsofhannah
Thank you to 2023-24 Rabbinic Intern Spencer Szwalbenest!
Announcement coming soon! Stay tuned!
Pronouns: TBD
LINDA EISENKRAFT
Bookeeper
Celebrating her 15 year anniversary with HOW in 2024, Linda is the longest serving staff member. She is the proud Jewish mom of Ben and Sam, alumni of SUNY Binghamton University.