Meet the 2026 Ritually Rooted Fellows

Hebrew Union College welcomes our 2026 Ritually Rooted fellows.

Meet the 2026 Ritually Rooted Fellows

Rosie Aronson

Rosie Aronson is a junior majoring in Psychology and Judaic Studies at George Washington University (GW). Raised in Atlanta, GA, she has long been a leader in the Jewish community at The Temple, through education and peer mentorship roles at her home synagogue and URJ Camp Coleman. She attended Camp Coleman for eight summers as a camper, one summer as staff-in-training, and one summer as a counselor. At GW, she has strengthened Jewish community life through religious and social programming at GW Hillel and interfaith work at the George Washington Center for Interfaith and Spiritual Life. She currently serves on the Interfaith Advisory Board, is a Fight HateFellow, and is excited to fulfill a junior leadership role as Programming Specialist at URJ 6-Points Sci-Tech.

Ember Berk

Ember Berk grew up in Tucson, AZ, and currently attends the University of Arizona, where they study elementary education with the hope of becoming a cantor. Ember is connected to their local Jewish community through synagogue life, including teaching in Religious School and attending services. The people they have met while living in various places have connected them to Jewish communities around the world. Outside of school, Ember enjoys spending time with their dog, Tikva, and engaging in creative art projects.

Andrew Cole

Andrew Cole lives in Las Vegas, NM, and works as a sixth-grade ELA teacher. In partnership with the Jewish community of this small, rural town outside Santa Fe, he helps lead Friday and Saturday services and provides Hebrew tutoring for children and adults. Andrew is deeply interested in both personal and communal Jewish ritual and is grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and growing through this work.

Alana Cowan

Alana Cowan is a fourth-year student at the University of Miami studying Architecture, with minors in Spanish and Religious Studies. She grew up at a Reconstructionist synagogue, was heavily involved in BBYO, and continues to build on those experiences through leadership in Hillel and Chabad on Campus. Her time in spaces of varying observance has shaped her interest in identity, belonging, and modern Jewish practice, and she believes there is something to learn from everyone. Academically, Alana serves as Vice President of Alpha Rho Chi, the professional architecture fraternity, interns at an architecture firm in downtown Miami, works at UM Hillel, and co-teaches third grade at Temple Beth Am. An Argentine American Jew bilingual in English and Spanish, she enjoys connecting across cultures and bringing people together through conversation and creativity.

Julia Fromson-Mayhew

Julia Fromson-Mayhew grew up at Temple Sinai, a Reform congregation in Oakland, CA. As she began making her own choices about Judaism, she gravitated toward Jewish education and leadership, discovering a passion for Jewish communal life and meaningful ritual moments. Julia moved to New York in August to attend Barnard College and plans to pursue rabbinic ordination after graduation, with the goal of becoming a Reform congregational rabbi. This semester, she is excited to join the board of Kesher, the inclusive Reform minyanat Columbia/Barnard Hillel. She looks forward to continuing to explore her Jewish identity and deepen her connection to new Jewish communities through her time at Barnard and this fellowship.

Hannah Ginsberg

Hannah Ginsberg lives in Canada, where she studies and works in music therapy and is currently completing an internship with older adults in retirement and long-term care. She loves using music to connectpeople, tell stories, and create moments of joy and meaning. Hannah grew up in a pluralistic Jewish environment, which fostered a deep appreciation for many ways of being Jewish and a strong connection to tradition. Her Jewish community has been shaped especially by Reform Judaism and years in Jewish camp spaces, where she worked as a song leader and educator. Camp taught her how powerful music can be in building community, supporting spiritual life, and helping people feel a sense of belonging. She is passionate about music, mental health, Jewish ritual, and leadership, and is excited to learn and grow alongside this cohort.

Lindsay Hamburger

Lindsay Hamburger is a second-year college student from Long Island, New York, double majoring in Social Studies Education and History with a minor in Rhetoric and Public Advocacy at Hofstra University. She earned her associate'sdegree from Nassau Community College in May 2025. Lindsay's love for Jewish life and education began through her involvement in USY and continues through her work as a religious schoolteacher, Bnei Mitzvah tutor, and family service coordinator at Midway Jewish Center. She is also active in Hofstra Hillel, where she previously served as a Service Engagement Intern. Outside of Jewish education, Lindsay enjoys dance classes, singing with friends, adding books to her ever-growing TBR list, and exploring New York City. After college, she hopes to pursue a career in education or law while continuing to teach Hebrew school.

Sierra Hyman

Sierra Hyman is a sophomore at Boston College from Northern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Jewish Studies. She is actively involved in campus life through BC Hillel, which she considers her primary Jewish community and where she helps foster meaningful Jewish engagement on a Catholic campus. Her academic interests include Jewish studies, law, politics, and justice. Outside the classroom, Sierra enjoys singing and musical theatre, Israeli culture, watching TV shows, and swimming.

Mikko Kohnke-Sunenshine

Mikko Kohnke-Sunenshine lives and works in New York City. She graduated from NYU's Music Business program this past December and will begin at Cardozo School of Law in Fall 2026. Mikko works at the 14th Street Y in the Adult Programs and Wellness department and with the Department of Jewish Life. They feel deeply connected to the NYU Hillel community and the friends they made there. Outside of work, Mikko is passionate about knitting, hiking, live music, and spending time with her cat.

Daniella Krasney

Daniella Krasney is a junior at the University of Miami studying Journalism, with minors in Religious Studies and Biology on the pre-medical track. At UM Hillel, she serves as a Rabbinic Fellow, exploring community-building and visionary leadership through Judaic learning. In summer 2025, Daniella participatedin Birthright and Onward Israel, where an emergency evacuation allowed her to experience the resilience of the global Jewish community firsthand. She documented the experience through her role as News Editor of The Miami Hurricane, UM's student newspaper. Upon returning home, she became a Madrichaat BBYO's Kallah program, mentoring teens in the community that first fostered her Jewish identity. She is also active in Greek life, campus tours as a President's 100 guide, and scientific learning as a biology workshop leader and tutor.

Zahara Lucas

Zahara Lucasis a junior at the University of Southern California and an active member of the Jewish community at USC Hillel. She serves as Ritual Vice President and helps lead weekly Shabbat services for the student community. Originally from Napa Valley, CA, Zahara grew up in a small synagogue and continues her passion for Jewish life through music and singing. She also teaches fifth-grade religious school at Temple Isaiah in West Los Angeles.

Ella Rosenblatt

Ella Rosenblattis a sophomore at The Ohio State University from Queens, NY, majoring in Jewish Studies and minoring in Music. She is deeply involved in Ohio State Hillel, where she serves as the First Year Students of Hillel Chair on the general board. BBYO played an integral role in shaping her high school experience, and she continues that connection as a Movement Experiences Intern. Outside of school, Ella enjoys singing, playing guitar, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She values giving back to the communities that have shaped her and hopes to continue strengthening Jewish life wherever she goes.

Sophia Sabag

Sophia Sabag lives in Orange County, CAand studies at Chapman University where she considersto be her Jewish community.

Sam Sheran

Sam Sheran is a junior at the University of Rochester double majoring in Music and Psychology. Sam recently completed a term as president of Chi Omega, performs in an on-campus a cappella group, and regularly leadsShabbat services through Hillel. They have spent ten summers at URJ Six Points Sci-Tech Academy and served as Head Songleaderin summer 2025, a role they are excited to resume in 2026. Sam also remainsconnected to their childhood synagogue, Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, where they help lead religious school t'filahand community Friday night services.

Aaliyah Smith

Aaliyah Smith is from Kalamazoo, MI, where she teaches Pre-K through first grade at her community Jewish school while studying to become a history major. Her Jewish community is small but broad, encompassing many different kinds ofJews and Jewish practice. Aaliyah loves creativity and uses itto express her love for Judaism. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, and watching agood movie.

Jordan Teitelbaum

Jordan Teitelbaum is a senior at the University of Central Florida studying elementary education. Originally from Jupiter, FL, she volunteered throughout high school as a Madrichaand song leader at her temple's religious school. During college, Jordan became a part-time Cantorial Soloist at Congregation Reform Judaism, where she works as a Hebrew tutor, B'nai Mitzvah tutor, and music specialist at Shalom Orlando's Camp J. After graduating, she hopes to transition into full-time cantorial work and eventually attend cantorial school. Outside the Bima, Jordan enjoys reading, attendingand leading services at UCF Hillel, exploring nature, playing guitar, singing, and spending time with loved ones.