Goucher Hillel | About Us | Staff
Hi, I’m Josh (he/him), and I’ve served as executive director of Goucher Hillel since 2008. I grew up in suburban Philadelphia and graduated from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2001 with degrees in biology and Talmud. After a brief foray into veterinary medicine, I went to the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where I interned for two years at University of Delaware Hillel before I was ordained as a Rabbi in 2008 and started up at Goucher!
I am continually energized by the students and community at Goucher College and all the possibilities in helping students, staff, and board members find meaning through interaction with Hillel each and every day. Outside of work, I love spending time with my wife, Nikki, and our blended family of five children (and two dogs!), playing guitar, nerding out on history and trivia podcasts, and playing either word games or Marvel anything!
Hi! My name is Barak Stockler (he/him), and I am excited to join Goucher Hillel as the Assistant Director! I have over 5 years of experience working with Jewish young adults. I worked at a Synagogue in New York for 3 years, followed by a Summer at Sababa Beachaway, a Jewish surfing camp. More recently, I moved to Baltimore and have worked at 4Front as the Diller Coordinator, creating programming for Jewish teens to support and grow their leadership skills and connection to Jews around the world and in Israel. I currently live in Baltimore city and have grown to appreciate the intimacy and energy of the city. In my free time, you can find me exploring new coffee shops, going Disc Golfing at Druid Hill Park, and wandering around the city.
Working at Goucher Hillel will be my first time working on a college campus! I am eager for the opportunity to create a pluralistic place of Jewish practice. I am passionate about engaging in learning centered around Jewish Identity and practice, creating meaningful opportunities for Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world, and facilitating connections and dialogue around Israel. As a Jewish Educator who was once on a college campus myself, I know how much impact and community Hillel can provide, and I am excited to help create that space for others.
Rebecca (she/her) is in her fourth year of (a hopeful) five towards ordination at the Academy of Jewish Religion, and is returning for a second year as our Rabbinic Intern. She has spent time during the summer blacksmithing in the mountains of North Carolina; and training as a chaplain at a hospital in New Jersey. Rebecca grew up in Bucks County, PA, attended college in Pittsburgh where she was active in the Hillel JUC, and lived in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Durham, North Carolina before starting rabbinical school. Rebecca has taught religious school to 4th & 5th graders, and served as rabbinic intern at an assisted living home. Rebecca is always excited to explore the Hillel world and to get to know students at Goucher. Outside of school, Rebecca likes to read novels, make sauerkraut, and wander in area parks.