Daniel W. Bennett
Executive Director
(303) 818-8207 | Daniel@HillelColorado.org
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 Director of Jewish Studies 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 & Emanuel, where he spearheaded the development of youth, family, and adult education programs while publishing, lecturing, and leading students and families on their Jewish journeys. In June 2009, Daniel completed a 12‐year position as President and CEO of the Colorado Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE). Over the decades, Daniel has led numerous trips to Israel for students and adults; is honored to have served the Oak Tree Foundation in Denver for nearly a decade as the foundation’s philanthropic advisor.
In 2009 Daniel founded Sea Change Consulting, Inc. to advise local and national nonprofits. It was in that capacity that Daniel convened Hillel of Colorado stakeholders in 2015 and wrote Hillel’s strategic and business plans; soon thereafter, Hillel engaged Daniel to lead its turnaround – now complete as Daniel begins his 8th year as the nonprofit’s statewide executive director. Daniel and his wife, Devorah are proud to have two thirty‐something sons, two amazing daughters‐in‐law, and a three-year-old grandson who lives in Denver and has completely and totally captivated them!
Shira Teed
Assistant Director
(303) 888-3360 | Shira@Hillelcolorado.org
Shira arrived at Hillel last summer after nearly a dozen years at the Hebrew Educational Alliance, Denver’s largest Conservative synagogue, where she held multiple roles, most recently as the Director of Engagement. Growing up Shira was a leader in youth groups, and a camper in the Young Judaea movement. Following high school, she spent a gap year in Israel on Young Judaea Year Course, leading her on a path to becoming student board president of Appalachian State University’s Hillel.
After a Hillel fellowship following college, Shira began her career in hospitality working in operations and sales for Hyatt Hotels. In all aspects of her Hillel work. Shira brings a matchless customer-centered outlook toward service and a deep dedication to assuring our students cross the bridge to their adult lives living their Jewish values. As a longtime Colorado resident, Shira enjoys live music and spending time outside with her husband, teenage son & and daughter, and of course their lovable dog Leo.
Lily Gross
DU Hillel Campus Director
(713) 471-5171 | Lily@HillelColorado.org
Lily has been cultivating our community as the University of Denver’s Hillel Campus Director for the past three years. As an alumnus of the University of Denver Hillel herself, Lily’s connection to this community runs deep. Lily’s passion deep for empowering students along their Jewish journeys began when she was a song leader and teacher for her synagogue growing up in Houston, Texas, and only grew stronger during her undergraduate studies at DU where her role as our DU Hillel’s chef empowered her to find discover what Judaism meant for her. After graduating from DU in 2019, Lily went to work as a behavioral therapist for elementary school children. She also worked at EKAR Farms, teaching about our Jewish connection to the land.
Lily joined Hillel’s staff during the pandemic, supporting students’ transition from isolation back to the robust Jewish community she and her student leaders built. Working with the DU students to create an inclusive and joyous space for Judaism Lily has helped create a Hillel that is flourishing with active engagement. Catch Lily leading exploratory classes about how Judaism fits into students’ lives, joyfully singing niggunim – wordless Jewish melodies – throughout the office and giving one-on-one time to students exploring their Jewish Identity.
Lauren Behm
Auraria Campus Director of Jewish Student Life
(303) 339-4261 | Lauren@HillelColorado.org
Lauren is delighted to join the Hillel of Colorado team, where she will spearhead efforts to enhance Jewish community engagement at the Auraria Campus. Her commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening connections within the Jewish community is deeply personal. She grew up in a small town in Massachusetts with only a handful of Jewish families and attended college in Western Massachusetts as one of the few Jewish students on campus. It wasn’t until her young adult years, when she experienced Birthright, that she realized the richness, inclusiveness, and meaningful impact of Judaism in her life.
In 2019, Lauren, along with her family – her husband and two daughters, made the move from Massachusetts to Colorado. They found a warm and welcoming Jewish community in Denver, actively participating in community events, engaging in challah baking, and celebrating Kabbalat Shabbat with friends and family.
Lauren brings to the team a wealth of experience, boasting 18 years of professional expertise in operations, project management, and customer service. She will leverage her operational acumen to develop a strategic plan for cultivating Jewish community engagement at the Auraria Campus. In her leisure time, Lauren enjoys quality moments with her family, travel, and indulging in tennis.
Kitty Knaulls
Bookkeeper and Home Manager
(720) 364-9586 | Accounting@HillelColorado.org
Kitty moved to Denver in 1976 and immediately made her mark on the local music scene, celebrating America’s Bicentennial by performing in the Aurora Theatre Group’s musical “1776,” and singing with the Denver Opera Company. She utilized her accounting degree (with an emphasis on tax) during a stint at Price Waterhouse in the 1990’s, and still utilizes it in her side tax preparation business. When Kitty’s parents passed away, she felt called to be of greater service – which led to her nursing degree and career in the health care system.
Accepting a bookkeeping part-time temp job with Hillel of Colorado in 2012 brought Kitty back to the world of finance and permitted her to be of service in yet another way. She has been with us ever since, the longest-tenured member of Team Hillel. Our DU Hillel/HQ Building is Kitty’s second home (she’s often here seven-days/week), as she finds being in the building and with our tenants, students, and staff spiritual and peaceful. Kitty not only takes care of any bookkeeping, administrative, and facility need that arises, but is always available behind the scenes to the students & staff, making sure everything goes smoothly.