MEET OUR STAFF
Edina Oestreicher
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
203.414.5778 | edina@uconnhillel.org
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.
Laura Matthews
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
860-420-2206 | laura@uconnhillel.org
Laura comes to UConn Hillel after six years as a Hillel "solo pro" in the Rochester area, serving SUNY Geneseo, Nazareth College, and the Rochester Institute of Technology.
In her roles in Western New York, she excelled at attracting students of all backgrounds to exciting and topical programs, such as the Interfaith Service Project, Mitzvote, and launching the "Understanding Antisemitism on Campus" curriculum. She is especially proud of her cross-campus connections which include trainings for Resident Assistants, and integration of Jewish work into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion spaces. Laura also had the pleasure of serving on a variety of committees at Temple Sinai, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester. She is excited to work with the dedicated staff and passionate students at UConn Hillel.
Laura, her husband Kyle, and their two school-aged kids are excited to embark on this next adventure in their lives as they move to West Hartford. In her spare time Laura can be found rowing, gardening, and practicing calligraphy.
Danielle Bergman
Dani is a seasoned development professional with 10 years of Jewish communal fundraising experience. She has served in multiple key development roles serving the senior population in NY at both Selfhelp Community Services, Inc. and DOROT. Most recently, she served as a Development Executive at Yachad, a Jewish-focused disability inclusion agency. In these roles, Dani focused on all areas of development including individual giving, online fundraising, event planning, leadership development and grant management.
Invested in Jewish communal life, Dani sits on the Board of Trustees for GrowTorah, a non-profit that aims to cultivate a more passionate, compassionate and sustainable Jewish future driven by Torah values.
Dani graduated with a B.A. in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland in 2011, where Hillel played an important role in her college career. She is an avid runner and serves as a running coach in her spare time.
Sapir Frieman
Jewish Agency Israel Fellow
475-251-6863 | sapir@uconnhillel.org
Sapir Frieman is the Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow. Sapir was born and raised by the beaches of center-north in Israel. After being a part of the B'nai Hamoshavim youth movement for most of her life, she served for two years as a commander in the Israeli education force. With a B.A. in education in learning disabilities, combined with art, at Tel Hai College, Sapir worked for the student union as the head of culture department where she planned social events and lectures on all topics. In her free time, Sapir enjoys knitting, musicals, everything Disney, music, traveling and of course, loves sharing her passion and love for Israel with all of the students of UConn!
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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.
Laurie Nichols
Operations and Office Manager
860-490-4381 | laurie@uconnhillel.org
Ali Seltzer
Campus Marketing & Development Manager
aseltzer@hillel.org
Ali grew up on Long Island and moved to Columbus, OH to become a Buckeye! She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2017 with a B.S.B.A in Marketing and a minor in Nonprofit Management. She loved her experience as a Jewish Buckeye so much that she then joined the Ohio State Hillel team, first as an Engagement Associate and then as the Program and Marketing Director. After three years at OSU Hillel, she relocated to Washington D.C. with her fiancé and started a new chapter with Hillel International, and now serves as the Assistant Director of Campus Marketing and Development where she supports UConn, Arizona State, and Vermont Hillels with their grassroots fundraising efforts. Ali is excited to be a part of the UConn Hillel community and help share our Hillel story with our incredible supporters, families, and alumni. Outside of work, Ali has a Bernedoodle, Bernie, who keeps her busy! She enjoys taking time to explore the city through many walks and runs and can be found at Orangetheory most mornings.