named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Birthright Trips
Free travel opportunities to Israel during winter and summer breaks for students to explore Jewish history and culture.
Grad Network
Program connecting graduate students at Columbia and Teachers College to Jewish life on and off campus.
Jewish Learning Fellowship
Weekly meetings over meals where students explore Jewish approaches to topics like God, wellness, comedy, and art.
Kraft Shabbat
Weekly free Shabbat dinner open to all undergraduate students, held at the Kraft Center.
Student-Led Groups
Support for over 15 student groups including JQ (Jewish LGBTQ+), Challah for Hunger, Pizmon (a cappella), and Israel advocacy organizations.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
-
Organizational Sustainability Management 1 activity
- Ensure organizational sustainability through financial and strategic oversightProvides strategic leadership in financial and organizational management to ensure long-term sustainability and growth of Columbia/Barnard Hillel.
-
-
Jewish Holiday and Shabbat Community Events 1 activity
- Host and facilitate weekly Shabbat and holiday celebrationsOrganizes weekly Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and religious services—including Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform traditions—for Jewish students. These events include prayer services, meals, and communal gatherings to foster rest, connection, and spiritual engagement.
-
-
Campus Facility Operations and Management 1 activity
- Operate and manage the Kraft Center as a Jewish student life hubManages the Robert K. Kraft Family Center for Jewish Student Life as a central space for study, celebration, programming, and socializing. The center is accessible to students, faculty, and staff from Columbia, Barnard, JTS, and the Manhattan School of Music with valid ID or guest registration.
-
-
Alumni Community Building 1 activity
- Organize special events and community-wide programsHosts annual and one-time events such as the Seixas Dinner, Commencement Lunch, Purim celebration, film screenings, and leadership appreciation dinners to strengthen community ties among students, alumni, parents, and friends.
-
-
Jewish Leadership Development 1 activity
- Provide Jewish learning and community-building fellowshipsOffers structured Jewish learning fellowships that combine education, community building, and engagement with Jewish tradition, supporting students in their Jewish journey through curated programming and dialogue.
-
-
Jewish Religious Education and Outreach 1 activity
- Provide individualized student support and guidanceOffers one-on-one conversations and personalized support to undergraduate and graduate Jewish students at Columbia, Barnard, and JTS, helping them navigate their Jewish journey through tailored guidance and campus-wide programming.
-
-
Israel and Jewish Heritage Educational Travel 1 activity
- Support student access to off-campus Jewish experiencesProvides scholarships and organizes travel opportunities for students to participate in Jewish experiences beyond campus, expanding their engagement with broader Jewish life and communities.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Manage organizational governance and student constitutionLeads bi-annual revisions and maintains the Columbia/Barnard Hillel Student Constitution, ensuring student governance structures are up to date and formally approved.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$5.29M
Contributions & grants$3.19M60%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1.51M28%
Other revenue$598K
expenses
Total expenses$4.44M
Program expenses73%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising14%
Salaries & benefits$2.34M
Grants paid out$63K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$32.02M
Cash$2.51M
Investments$28.32M
Liabilities$269K
Net assets$31.75M
Liquid reserves83.2 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +78.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN COHEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $303K |
| JAMES LEVIN | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 35 | $218K |
| JONAS HAIN | SPIRITUAL LEADER | 35 | $179K |
| SHANA ZIONTS | ASST. EXEC. DIRECTOR | 35 | $163K |
| LEAH FEIN | SPIRITUAL LEADER | 35 | $162K |
board members · 1
- SEE ATTACHED SCHEDULE — OF BOARD MEMBERS
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Barnard College Government — University and community relations are a core responsibility of the Board of Directors.
- Barnard College Partner — Partner institution whose Jewish student community is served.
- Columbia University Government — University and community relations are a core responsibility of the Board of Directors.
- Columbia University Partner — Partner in creating and operating the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life.
- Columbia University Partner — Partner institution whose Jewish student community is served.
- Columbia/Barnard undergraduate Jewish students Partner — Primary community served and engaged by the Student Executive Board.
- Hillel International Network — Affiliate of Hillel International.
- Hillel International Network — Columbia/Barnard Hillel formally affiliated with Hillel International in 1999.
- Manhattan School of Music Partner — Includes students from the Manhattan School of Music in Hillel programming and access to the Kraft Center.
- The Grad Network Partner — Collaborates with The Grad Network to support Jewish graduate students at Columbia University and Teachers College.
- The Jewish Theological Seminary Partner — Partner institution whose Jewish student community is served.
- UJA-Federation of New York Funder — Beneficiary of UJA-Federation of New York.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Integrated Learning and Experiential Engagementmethodology: integrated_learningBy combining informal Jewish learning with social and cultural experiences, we make tradition personally meaningful and accessible, because integrating education into community life supports organic, lasting identity development.
- Lifelong Engagement Through College-Based Foundationmethodology: lifelong_jewish_engagementBy embedding Jewish community, learning, and leadership in the college experience, we cultivate enduring Jewish identity beyond graduation, because formative college-year connections and practices become the foundation for lifelong belonging.
- Pluralistic, Inclusive Approach to Jewish Lifemethodology: pluralistic_communityBy honoring diverse Jewish backgrounds and observance levels within a single community, we strengthen belonging and participation, because inclusivity and respect for individual journeys reduce barriers to engagement and foster collective identity.
- Student-Led Identity Exploration and Community Buildingmethodology: student_led_communityBy empowering students to lead and shape their own Jewish communities and engage in open dialogue, we foster deeper personal connection and long-term Jewish identity, because ownership and peer-driven experiences increase relevance, belonging, and sustained engagement.