Professional Staff

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) 339-4259 | 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 relationship-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.

Nofar Abutbul

DU Hillel Campus Director

(303) 339-4257 | Nofar@HillelColorado.org

Nofar moved to Denver after three years as a Shlicha (Israel emissary) at the University of Florida Hillel. Nofar was born and raised in a small town at the north of Israel. As a youth in Israel, Nofar was very involved in the Israeli Scouts and participated in an Israeli delegation to the UK. Following her gap year and army service she attained a degree in Special Needs Education and Hebrew linguistics At Oranim College in Israel. Her interest in exploring other cultures and travelling brought her to the US, where she found her love of working with Jewish students.

Nofar is excited to work with DU students to create an inclusive and joyous space for everyone.  She is especially looking forward to empowering DU Hillel students to find their Jewish journey and getting every interested student on a Birthright trip! In her free time, you can find Nofar Hiking, reading a book on her hammock, or baking her favorite desserts and Pizza, lots of Pizza. 

Lauren Behm

Auraria Campus Director of Jewish Student Life

(720) 773-0222 | 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.

Scott Gerstel

Colorado State University Director of Jewish Student Life

(303) 339-4262 | Scott@HillelColorado.org

Scott is excited to join the Hillel of Colorado team to support CSU Hillel students as they grow into their adult lives with a solid foundation of Jewish principles, practices, and experiences. Scott grew up in sunny South Florida, and was an active leader in NFTY during his time in high school.

Throughout his time at the University of Central Florida, Scott was a strong leader both internally and externally for the Jewish community. Scott served as an engagement intern for UCF Hillel, was President of the Interfraternity Council, and held a handful of Student Government positions.

Scott’s first professional role after graduating was traveling the country for AEPi, the Jewish fraternity, and TAMID Group, a professional organization connecting students to Israel through different business opportunities. During this time, he got to see over 100+ college campuses and visit many of their Hillels. Scott spent a few years stint in the private sector and most recently traveled the world before returning to his passion of working in the Jewish communal space.

While not working or volunteering to organize Jewish groups, you can find Scott climbing a mountain, attempting to teach himself musical instruments, cooking one of the many recipes he’s picked up during his time traveling, or killing houseplants despite his best efforts to keep them alive.

Shoshanna Shachtman

Director of Wellness

 | Shoshanna@HillelColorado.org

Shoshanna is excited to join the Hillel team as she moves towards a change in her career. Continuing to run her 12 year old private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor, she focuses her time working with individuals and couples. Concentrating on her deep values and beliefs around personal growth and healing, Shoshanna has been influenced by her deep connection to Judaism and its instrumental part in her professional practices. The past two years, Shoshanna has also been fortunate enough to work directly with the CSU men’s basketball team assisting in team building and individual growth and mindsets regarding collegiate athletics, as well as educating the coaching staff on team building and cohesion.

With two young active boys, Shoshanna and her husband Steve spend much of their time with family and friends, the Fort Collins Jewish community, and engaging in all things outdoors.

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.