OC Hillel Professional Team
Tamy Cohen Jacobs
Executive Director
Tamy recently moved to Orange County from Chicago. She had been living and studying at Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem for the past two and a half years. She is a strategic, creative Jewish communal professional with over 25 years of experience, including a strong background in development and community outreach. She has a Master’s degree in Social Service and looks forward to building new relationships with students, staff and community members. When Tamy geeks out, she loves to study Judaic text and liturgy as well as listen to all types of music. Tamy is excited to share her passion about Judaism and Israel with the Orange County community.
Rabbi Daniel Levine is a local southern California native. He grew up in San Diego before attending school at UCLA. Graduating with a dual Bachelor’s degree in Jewish Studies and Cognitive Science – Daniel then went on to YPS rabbinical school, living in Israel for two years along the way. During the last year of rabbinical school Daniel also completed his Master’s in Jewish history (from UCLA).
Rabbi Daniel has been with OC Hillel for five years and is deeply embedded within the wider OC Jewish community. Daniel’s mission is to help show people the relevance, beauty, and value within Jewish history, tradition, and Israel. When not excitedly talking about Talmud, Jewish history, or Israel you can find Daniel somewhere outside rock climbing.
Maya is the Jewish Agency Israel Fellow to Hillel Foundation of Orange County. Prior to her arrival to California she was a personal & group trainer. Maya was born in Israel and grew up in 5 different cities. She was raised by her grandparents who made “Aliyah” from Russia 30 years ago. Maya has a B.A in Communications and political marketing and a Master degree in Government and Diplomacy. During her military service in the Education and Youth Corps she was a producer and choreographer of the IDF bands.
Lauren is a collector of experiences, people, and lessons and has been connecting and collecting around the world over the past decade, only to return to her roots right here in Orange County, CA. Born and raised in the OC, with a passion for the Arts, Lauren left sunny California to attend Columbia College Chicago studying the Business of Live Arts. During her time in college, she connected with Metro Chicago Hillel and a variety of other Jewish organizations, including Birthright.