Professional Staff

The professional team at Hillel is dedicated to engaging and empowering Jewish students to discover their own Jewish journeys while at Emory. They are here to inspire students to become exceptional community leaders and to enrich the overall campus experience for all Emory students. Working in partnership with the Hillel student board to ensure that Jewish life at Emory is spectacular and vibrant, the professionals at Hillel are accessible to all students. You can find them at the Marcus Hillel Center and frequently on campus.

Russ Shulkes, Director

Russ just started in Emory this year and is very excited to be collaborating with Emory's students. Originally from South Forida, he comes with over a decade of experience working with Jewish University students and has organized and run hundreds of Hillel programs. Following his rabbinic ordination, he earned an MA in Western Religions. He taught Comparative Religion at FIU before he plunged into full-time Hillel work. For the last three years, he worked in the UK facilitating all aspects of Jewish life on campus.

Lauren Brooks, Program Director

Lauren is originally from North Carolina and graduated from Syracuse University in '08 with a major in advertising. She has since worked for both the NBA Sacramento Kings and the WNBA Atlanta Dream, and has been in Atlanta for a year. Lauren loves sports and is a die-hard Syracuse fan. While she enjoys all things athletic, she also has a passion for music as she has been playing guitar since childhood. She was super involved in BBYO in high school and has since participated in a Birthright trip to Israel and various activities at Syracuse's Hillel including a trip to rebuild New Orleans. She is really excited to be a part of Emory's Hillel!

Abby Sosin, Program Associate

Abby Sosin graduated from the University of Maryland in the spring of 2011 with a double degree in Jewish Studies and Anthropology. Abby is responsible for coordinating the Tritt & Oppenheimer JHealth Leadership Institute and is also responsible for curating the art gallery at the Marcus Hillel Center. Abby grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and is interested in pursuing a graduate degree in museum studies.