Leadership
Staff
Jeff Clark, Executive Director
Jeff is a native Buffalonian, hailing from Williamsville and residing in Eggertsville with his wife and son.
With a background in nonprofit management, and educated in business and communications, Jeff plans to carry on the tremendous success Hillel of Buffalo has seen under the leadership of Rabbi Sara Rich.
“Sara has been an outstanding leader for Hillel. She’s worked hard to build strong relationships within Jewish Buffalo and elevated the status of her organization. She’s built an extremely solid foundation for me to be starting from.”
Jeff most recently served as the Executive Director of Temple Beth Zion of Buffalo, New York, where he helped to streamline business processes, upgrade technological systems, grow community partnerships, and secure over $850,000 in federal funding and grants.
About the transition to Hillel of Buffalo, Jeff said, “It’s extremely exciting to be joining an organization that shares my Jewish values. My experience as the Executive Director at TBZ reinforced and cultivated my faith, and it’s been a joy bringing Judaism more central to my life and my family. I’m eager to share my love of Judaism with Hillel, help students connect to our traditions, and ensure our culture is preserved for generations to come.”
Contact: jeff@hillelofbuffalo.org
Macie Clawson, Director of Engagement
Hailing from the great plain of Nebraska, Macie earned a BA from The University of Kansas in 2020, with a double major in Political Science and Jewish Studies through KU's Honors Program. Deeply involved in campus life, Macie served as a KU Hillel intern for three years and was a member of the Dole Institute of Politics Student Advisory Board and the KU Arabic Club. During her junior year Macie spent a semester at Tel Aviv University. Like more and more students engaged with Hillel, Macie did not have a traditional Jewish upbringing and only connected to Judaism in an authentic way when she arrived to college. Through her Hillel experience, Macie embarked upon an unexpected journey of learning and finding her place in the Jewish community. She strives to create the welcoming space for others that was so instrumental for her.
She moved to Buffalo in 2020 to be Hillel of Buffalo’s second Springboard Fellow. After completing the fellowship the summer of 2022, Macie spent a year working part time at Jewish Family Services of WNY, attending grad school, and interning at BestSelf Behavioral Health.
Currently Macie is pursuing a Master of Social Work degree from Daemen University, with an anticipated graduation in 2024. With an ardent commitment to weaving together the threads of engagement, Jewish learning, and holistic wellness, Macie wants Hillel of Buffalo to feel like a space where all students will feel welcome, supported, and celebrated for their Judaism.
Beyond work and school, Macie loves to cook for friends and family, look at pictures of dogs, pet dogs, talk about dogs, and is an avid long distance runner.
Contact: macie@hillelofbuffalo.org
Zoe Felber, Springboard Intrapreneurship Specialist
Zoe Felber is the Springboard Intrapreneurship Specialist. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio with her twin sister, parents, and dog. In high school, Zoe became more active in the Jewish community, and in college, she discovered her passion for working in the Jewish community as a student leader. Zoe graduated early from Ohio University’s OHIO Honors Program in December 2021 with a BA in English–Creative Writing and certificates in Diversity & Inclusion and Entrepreneurship. As her college career continued, she held three summer internships in the Jewish nonprofit world: the first with the Hebrew Free Loan Association, Cleveland, the second with the National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland (NCJW/CLE) through the Cleveland Hillel Summer Internship Program, and the third with NCJW/CLE as a marketing intern. Through these experiences, she developed skills in event planning, project management, adaptability, copywriting, social media, fundraising, and marketing. Post-graduation, she worked for an organization called InMotion, a Cleveland nonprofit dedicated to helping people with Parkinson’s disease feel better every day. Here, she developed communications and administrative skills. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, spending time with family and friends, and trying new foods. Now, she’s excited to meet the students and help guide their innovative, Jewish ideas!
Contact: zoe@hillelofbuffalo.org
Board of Directors
Officers
Iris Danziger - President
Laura Hemlock - Vice President
Max Medwin - Treasurer
Richard Ridenour - Secretary
Marc Adler - Immediate Past President
Members
Dr. Philip Glick
Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg
Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein
Dr. Jeffrey Lackner
Chloe Komorowski
Mac Neuwirth
David Oestreicher
Noah Rifkin
Stephen Yonaty