UConn Hillel Staff

Edina comes to UConn Hillel with over 20 years of experience serving in a variety of student affairs capacities. Passionate about engaging the Jewish community, she serves as a contracted trainer for the Anti-Defamation League where she facilitates workshops on antisemitism, bias and discrimination to youth and adults throughout Connecticut. She also served on the board of Congregation Or Shalom in Orange for over 10 years in a variety of capacities including Sisterhood co-President and Chairs of the Jewish Life and Adult Education Committees.  Edina loves working with students to help them succeed and reach their potential. She enjoys working collaboratively with students, families, faculty, staff and the greater Storrs community to create a vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive Hillel.

 

Edina met her husband, David, at UConn. They now live in Orange, CT and have two daughters.  In her spare time, she loves to hike, kayak, bicycle, travel and play golf.

Laurie has joined UConn Hillel after several years in the non-profit and education spaces. Laurie grew up in Connecticut and attended UConn for her undergraduate work and received her Master’s in Literature at Central Connecticut State University. Prior to UConn Hillel, Laurie worked with a non-profit organization focused on mental health services for veterans, and she continues to be passionate about mental health causes.

 

In her spare time, Laurie enjoys hiking, all things Peloton, reading, watching sports, and spending time with her husband, two boys, and very lively rescue dog.

Shirly Afrimi joins UConn Hillel as the new Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow. Shirly was born and raised in a village north of Jerusalem. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, and communications from the Open University. Shirly then coordinated advertising and marketing at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem and interned as an assistant to the Ministry of Energy’s spokesperson. She was also a regular volunteer at Friday night dinners for Jerusalem’s unhoused population.

 

Shirly’s connection to the Jewish Agency goes back many years. Her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, made Aliyah with Aliyat HaNo’ar, a child rescue organization of the Jewish Agency during WWII, and he often told stories about how the Agency helped children build connections to their religion and identity after the Holocaust. She is excited to provide the UConn Hillel community with a broader view of Israel and Zionism and looks forward to building connections with students through Israel outreach, education, and travel to the Holy Land.

Gabby comes to UConn with a passion for supporting the Jewish community on and off campus. Gabby grew up in South Bend, Indiana and moved to Ellington, Connecticut just a year before her Bat Mitzvah in 2008. She grew up attending Hebrew School where her love for Judaism ignited and followed her through her years in high school and college. Having majored in Psychology, Gabby found her passion was being able to help create a healthy and positive environment where everyone felt safe to be themselves despite any obstacles they may have faced in life. Before joining the UConn Hillel family, Gabby worked in the retail industry where she flourished as Store Manager for Eddie Bauer. She currently resides in Ellington, CT with her fiancé whom she marries this year! With over 8 years of customer service experience and her knack for personable interactions, Gabby takes on this role with much eagerness and excitement!

 

In Gabby's free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, listening to music, and finding a good show/movie to watch! Her favorite place she has been fortunate enough to travel to is France, her favorite book is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, her favorite musical artist is Bon Iver, and her favorite movie of all time is Titanic. You can always find Gabby offering a hug or a friendly smile to everyone she meets! 

Arielle is a native New Orleanian and passionate member of the Jewish community. She graduated from Tulane in 2012 with a BS in Psychology with a French minor and has since worked in the non-profit world including the Creative Alliance of New Orleans, National WWII Museum, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and most recently, Tulane Hillel.

 

During her 5 years at Tulane Hillel, Arielle expanded her skills in fundraising, marketing, design, and brand management. Now, she is excited to bring her experience to and be a part of UConn Hillel’s community to help tell our Hillel story to incredible supporters, families, and alumni.

 

Outside of work, Arielle is passionate in the arts, and she enjoys reading, writing, and dabbling in cooking, baking, and crafting. She loves spending time with her family and friends, especially while taking in the sights, sounds, and tastes of New Orleans!