Daniel has been statewide director of Hillel of Colorado since 2016. He arrived in Colorado in 1979 after completing graduate studies at The Ohio State University, and has lived in Colorado ever since – leading, convening, and guiding Jewish communal organizations to achieve their highest goals. Daniel’s first 18 years as a Jewish communal professional in Denver were spent as an educational leader, first as Jewish Studies Director at the Denver Jewish Day School (then called Herzl Day School), and then as director of education at Denver’s two largest synagogues – Temples Sinai and Emanuel – where he spearheaded the development of youth, family, and adult education programs while publishing, lecturing, and leading students and families with passion. In June 2009, Daniel completed a 12‐year position as President and CEO of the Colorado Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE).  Daniel has led numerous Israel group trips for students and adults and was honored to serve Oak Tree Foundation in Denver for nearly a decade as the foundation’s philanthropic advisor. Then, in Daniel’s final engagement as founder of Sea Change Consulting, Inc., a firm he formed in 2009 to work with local and national nonprofits, he convened Hillel of Colorado stakeholders and wrote Hillel’s strategic and business plans in 2015; soon thereafter, Hillel engaged Daniel to lead its turnaround – now complete as Daniel begins his 5th year as Hillel of Colorado’s executive director. Daniel and his wife, Devorah are proud to have two thirty‐something sons, a daughter‐in‐law, a brand-new grandson and a spirited Golden‐Sheltie named Sawyer.

Mariah’s Hillel experience – first as a student at Emerson College Hillel in Boston, MA, and later when she was growing up in Boulder and her family attended events at CU Boulder Hillel – was one of keys to her spiritual journey. Later, as a young adult, Mariah lived on Kibbutz Beit Hashita in Israel, and has returned many times to travel and visit friends and family.

Mariah brings her extensive business, marketing and entrepreneurial experience to Hillel, having worked in management and leadership in businesses and nonprofits in Boulder, Fort Collins, and Ouray, CO. She most recently owned a boutique near the CSU campus that offered health and healing services, handcrafted jewelry, Judaica, and holistic health education; her shop was open to all, but geared especially to college-age young adults seeking a welcoming and empowered spiritual life. Mariah’s business background and her strong belief that happiness is a huge part of health – and that “we all need a place to be uplifted…to inspire our spirit” – will serve Hillel students well.

Mariah’s family has deep roots in both the Denver and Boulder Jewish Communites. She, her husband and two daughters love being part of the Fort Collins community where Mariah looks forward to connecting CSU Hillel students with community mentors and nonprofit networks in Northern Colorado.

Noam’s background and interests have prepared him perfectly to join our team. He served as Israel’s shaliach (emissary) to our Denver JCC from 2011-13 after finishing his Israeli army service, and then returned to Israel where he earned a BA in Jewish studies at Kinneret College. Before joining our staff, he founded and ran an Outdoor Adventure company that specializes in Israel and Colorado hikes, tours and experiences – all with deeply Jewish themes. Noam joins Hillel as an experienced Jewish educator in his own right.

Noam describes himself as a people’s person, first and foremost. Like our organization’s namesake – Rabbi Hillel the Elder, two thousand years ago – Noam believes that a guide must focus first on the learner’s style and interests in order to teach subject matter. While born and raised in Israel, Noam’s unique views of the Jewish religion, pluralism, spirituality, Jewish peoplehood, and Israel prepare him to tackle his challenges leading the DU Hillel. “As someone who is both Israeli and American, traditional and progressive, I bring a diverse approach to Hillel to enrich students’ Jewish lives, creativity, and perspectives,” he states.

Settled now in Denver and married to cantorial soloist Kolby Morris, Noam brings a decade of experience and leadership to Hillel of Colorado – including having led over a dozen Birthright Israel trips which has earned him the reputation as one of the leading tour educators for American groups in Israel.

As a third generation Denverite, Sami Hazan continues a family tradition of involvement with the Jewish community. She is thrilled to be part of the Hillel of Colorado team and enjoys working with committed and talented professionals who strive to ensure a strong and enriching Jewish environment for students. When she is not at Hillel, Sami can be found working part time in the BMH‐BJ Gift Shop, spending time with family and friends. Cooking Shabbat and holiday dinner for dozens (on a slow week), mentoring students and sharing anecdotes and modern midrashim – or taking on another home project or two.

Sami’s own passion for Jewish life began when she was a child in the Denver Jewish community, where her mother – through the example she set at her synagogue and at home – instilled in Sami a lifelong love of Jewish values and commitment to Jewish Peoplehood. Sami later staffed the Denver Israel Study Tour, and with her husband, Professor Robert Hazan, has proudly raised two children – one of whom went on to be a student leader and intern at the CSU Hillel in Ft. Collins.