The Hillels of Georgia Weekly Chai-Lights Reel

ISSUE NO. 26 | VOL. 2026

Emory Hillel Graduate Honored at AJC Global Forum

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Recent Emory University graduate Sophie Kalmin was recognized by the American Jewish Committee with the Sharon Greene Award for Campus Advocacy at the AJC Global Forum in Washington, D.C. The award honors student leaders who work to combat antisemitism, strengthen Jewish life, and advocate for Israel on campus. As president of Emory Hillel, Sophie championed policies supporting Jewish students and helped foster a thriving Jewish community at Emory. Reflecting on the recognition, she shared, “While it’s been incredibly heartening to see the Jewish community come together in so many ways, what’s been especially empowering is to see how energized students have remained. We are no longer focused solely on fighting detractors, but are thriving as Jewish students and leaders in class and beyond. Organizations like AJC and Hillel enable this.”

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Onward Israel Is Off to a Strong Start

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The first week of Onward Israel (our professional internship and immersive living program in Israel for college students and young adults) is off to a strong start! Students arrived in Tel Aviv, settled into their apartments, completed orientation, and quickly bonded with one another and their madricha, Noya. They spent their first Shabbat on a Northern Israel trip with students from Hillels across the country, exploring Haifa, learning from Arab women in tech, celebrating Shabbat together, and engaging in meaningful conversations about Israeli and Jewish identity. Now back in Tel Aviv, students are excited to begin their internships and make the most of their summer experience in Israel.

Meet the Newest Faces of The Hillels of Georgia Team: Michele Harvey and Dani Oren

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Please join us in welcoming two of the newest members of the Hillels of Georgia team, Michele Harvey and Dani Oren. We are thrilled to have them join our organization and look forward to the impact they will make in strengthening Jewish life across Georgia.

Michele Harvey, Controller

Michele Harvey serves as the Controller for Hillels of Georgia, where she oversees the organization's accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, and overall financial operations. She brings more than eight years of experience in nonprofit finance, accounting, and human resources.

Prior to joining Hillels of Georgia, Michele served as Director of Human Resources and Accounting for a nonprofit organization in the Atlanta area, where she managed financial operations, employee benefits, payroll administration, compliance, budgeting, and organizational support.

Michele earned her Master of Accountancy from Mercer University in 2024 and is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations build strong financial foundations that support long-term growth and impact.

Michele lives in Dunwoody with her husband, Matt, and their son, Max. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, relaxing at the beach, baking, and caring for her bees as an avid beekeeper.

Dani Oren, Development Officer

Dani Oren is a Georgia native who grew up in East Cobb. She joins Hillels of Georgia after realizing that her passion and calling is to support Jewish campus life at a more local level. Dani brings with her years of experience across various professional roles, ranging from medical services and event planning to the food industry, as well as work in the Jewish nonprofit sector focused on students, Israel, and community engagement. Dani is an out‑of‑the‑box thinker and is excited to bring a new perspective into this role. Her creative approach has helped her build strong relationships and develop programs that drive meaningful success.

Dani is most excited about enriching the lives of the next generation by supporting today’s students. Hillel is planting the seeds for the leaders of tomorrow, and the mission of Hillels of Georgia has always resonated with her. After seeing firsthand the impact the organization makes, she is thrilled to be part of the development team supporting this important work.

Dani lives in Marietta with her husband and their three children—Gideon, Tamar, and Ari—and their Goldendoodle, Macabee. In her spare time, Dani enjoys being with her family, cruising, and baking.