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PROFESSional
leadership
IRA GLASSER (He/Him)
Chief Executive Officer
Ira Glasser is the Chief Executive Officer of Hillel at Binghamton. Ira comes to Hillel at Binghamton after an extensive career in Jewish educational leadership, most recently serving as the Director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Rodeph Sholom School in New York. He brings his experience in program and staff management, an eye toward mission alignment, as well as his ability to develop relationships across organizations. In addition to his administrative roles, he taught middle school history and Jewish Studies. Prior to his career in formal education, Ira worked at Jewish National Fund supporting the work of Hillels around the country through Israel programming. Throughout his career, Ira has planned and led more than 25 transformative Israel experiences, including the capstone 8th grade Israel trip at Rodeph Sholom School, JNF’s Alternative Spring Break, and Taglit-Birthright Israel.
Ira’s connection to Hillel at Binghamton goes back to his time as a student, when he served as student president. In addition to Hillel, Ira’s connection to the University is deep, as he was active in a number of other student groups, served as the school mascot (Baxter the Bearcat), and delivered the 2005 student commencement address.
Ira holds a Master’s Degree in Adolescent Education in Social Studies from Hunter
College and is a graduate of The iCenter Graduate Program in Israel Education at George Washington University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Judaic Studies from Binghamton University. Ira is the proud father of two and enjoys planning adventures for his kids. He also enjoys running, hiking, cooking, listening to music, and is a licensed New York City sightseeing guide.
Email: ira@hillelatbinghamton.org
MACKENZIE LIPMAN (She/Her)
Campus Director
Mackenzie Lipman is the Campus Director of Hillel at Binghamton. Mackenzie comes from a long career in Higher Education, most recently as the Assistant Director of Student Activities at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). She brings her experience in dynamic programming and student support to HAB. Mackenzie was the Hillel Advisor at WPI and was involved in programming within Hillel at her undergraduate institution!
Mackenzie holds a Master's Degree in Higher Education and Student Development from George Mason University. She earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education at American University. Mackenzie is the proud dog mom of Yogi (labradoodle) and Theo (bernedoodle). She is also obsessed with elephants, Formula 1 racing, and antique shopping.
Email: mackenzie@hillelatbinghamton.org
JASMINE BUZZELLA (She/They)
Springboard Ezra Jewish Education Specialist
Jasmine Buzzella was born and raised in Gainesville, FL before moving two and a half hours northwest to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University. She earned her bachelor's degree summa cum laude with a double major in psychology and theatre. Jasmine grew up attending Hebrew school and participating in Junior Congregation during Shabbos services. She has always been proud of her Judaism and dove deeper into various aspects of the religion and culture after moving away from home. She is passionate about learning different ways to observe ancient traditions and is eager to expand her knowledge on new methods of engaging with Judaism. She is especially excited about supporting those who are finding their way on their own Jewish journey.
After having the honor of traveling to Israel on a Birthright trip that combined universities from all over Florida, she was inspired to become more involved with Hillel at FSU. She worked diligently to plan programs involving social justice issues such as race and gender inequality. In addition to her passion for Judaism, Jasmine is fascinated with being in nature, listening to music, and making films. She has two pets, a leopard gecko named Olive and a stubby-tailed cat named Carrot, whom she loves deeply and could not picture her life without! She dreams of attending school in Israel in the future to earn a Master’s Degree and PhD in the field of research psychology, focusing on developmental and abnormal psychology. She is ecstatic about the opportunity to provide guidance and support for the students at Hillel at Binghamton University and to finally experience real snow!
Email: jasmine@hillelatbinghamton.org
Rabbi Ben Menora (He/Him)
OU-JLIC Director
Rav Ben made Aliya from Chicago, IL. He served 3 years in IDF’s Golani brigade, learned in Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh (KBY) both before and after his army service, then earned an LL.B. at Bar-Ilan University, while splitting his time between the law library and the BIU Kollel. After 2 years at a corporate law firm, Ben joined the Kollel at Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush) and received a teacher’s certificate from Herzog College. Ben enjoys trail running, jamming (guitar), researching genealogy, solving puzzles and playing team sports.
Email: RabbiBen@hillelatbinghamton.org
For more information on JLIC follow this link
Ellie Menora (She/Her)
OU-JLIC Director
Ellie was born in London and lived there until making Aliya with her parents and five siblings. She started training in gymnastics and swimming at the age of 5 and is a certified instructor in both. Ellie studied at Midreshet Tehilla, earned her BSN at Machon Tal in Jerusalem, and trained with Rabanit Shani Taragin to become a Kallah teacher. She is an ER nurse in Shaarei Tsedek hospital, volunteers as a medic for Magen David Adom, and loves being able to help people day and night. Ellie thoroughly enjoys hiking, running, swimming, a good cup of coffee, spending quality time with her family and friends, and hosting meals on Shabbat and Chag.
Email: Ellie@hillelatbinghamton.org
For more information on JLIC follow this link
CANTOR ABBE LYONS (She/Her)
Business Manager
Cantor Abbe Lyons is thrilled to continue with Hillel at Binghamton as Business Manager. She also serves as Jewish Chaplain and Business Manager for Hillel at Ithaca College. She grew up on Long Island but fell in love with upstate NY in her teens, and graduated from Ithaca College with a major in voice performance in 1987. She is adjunct faculty at ALEPH Ordination Programs where she received cantorial smicha in 2010. She lives in Ithaca with her wife, son, mother-in-law and 2 cats. Fun fact: Abbe was certified as an auto mechanic in brakes and front end for 2 years in the early '80s.
Email: abbe@hillelatbinghamton.org
RACHEL MILLER (She/Her)
Campus Marketing and Development Manager
Rachel is a new Campus Marketing and Development Manager. Prior to her work at Hillel, Rachel served as the marketing and communications coordinator at Hazon, the Jewish Lab for Sustainability, where she oversaw social media, designed advertising campaigns, and crafted email promotions. In addition to her work in marketing, Rachel has experience as a clothing designer emphasizing the role of technology and innovation in performance wear.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies with a concentration in Apparel Product Design from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In her downtime she enjoys crafting of all sorts, live musical theater and playing video and tabletop games. Rachel has recently relocated to her hometown in Greensboro, NC with her husband, daughter and their two dogs.
Email: rmiller@hillel.org
SAVANNAH LIPNER (She/Her)
JTS Rabbinical Intern
Savannah Lipner is a rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), where she is cultivating her passion for Jewish education, environmentalism, and community organizing. She is one of the Slifka Nadich fellows serving at Hillel at Binghamton for the 2023-2024 school year. In addition to her work at Hillel, she is currently serving as an Organizing and Leadership Development Fellow at Dayenu, a Jewish climate action organization. Prior to attending JTS, Savannah graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology & Geophysics and Jewish Studies with Certificates in Physics and Environmental Studies.
Savannah is a veteran of the United States Army, having served as a medic for ten years, and her professional journey includes work at Camp Ramah in the Rockies, GrowTorah, Camp Shalom, Mayyim Hayyim, and Hillel at the University of Wisconsin. Savannah's journey is characterized by her commitment to weaving together the tapestry of Jewish traditions, environmental stewardship, and community building, and she looks forward to bringing these passions to her work at Binghamton.
Email: lipnersav@gmail.com
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