Staff

Ilya Bratman

llya Bratman holds the position of the Executive Director at the Hillel at Baruch College since November 2013.

In 1992, Ilya immigrated from Moscow, Russia to the US.  He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1999. Upon his graduation, Mr. Bratman enlisted in the United States Armed Forces.  He served honorably for over four active years and four reserve, including deployments to Korea, Germany and Iraq. After returning from his tour in Iraq in 2004, Ilya Bratman received a Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics and Education from the University of Pittsburgh in 2006.  

In 2006 Ilya ‘immigrated’ to New York.  He worked as a Real Estate agent and in 2008, he began to work in the Jewish community including as an instructor at the Sinai Academy in Brooklyn, Director of Jewish Programs at the Kings Bay Y in Brooklyn, and as the Project Manager of Limmud FSU USA, before becoming the Executive Director at the Hillel at Baruch College.

In his spare time, Ilya enjoys long-distance running, playing soccer and other sports, writing, playing guitar and watching the Steelers. Ilya speaks Russian fluently and is proficient in Hebrew and German. Ilya lives with his wife, Sonya, son, Gabriel and daughters, Miriam and Sima, in New Jersey.

Yael Brenner

Yael Brenner has been a part of the Hillel at Baruch, City, John Jay, Pace, SVA, Fordham, FIT, and New School team since 2016. Originally from Livingston, New Jersey, Yael began her involvement with Jewish leadership in the Zionist youth movement Young Judaea, serving as National President and spending a gap-year in Israel after high school. While studying for her undergraduate degree in Judaic Studies from Binghamton University, among other leadership roles, Yael served as Hillel student president. Upon graduation, Yael began her Master’s degree in Public Administration at Baruch College while starting her career as the Engagement Associate at Hillel. Now in the role of Assistant Director, Yael looks forward to continuing to serve students across our eight campuses. In her free time, Yael loves picnicking in Central Park, eating Italian food, and watching Israeli TV shows. Yael lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter.

Ryan Siegel

Originally a Staten Island native, Ryan is excited and committed to promoting Jewish life at Baruch, John Jay, City College, Forham, Pace, FIT, SVA and The New School campuses as the Director of Engagement. Having started staffing Birthright trips to Israel in college, and working previously as an engagement professional at Rutgers University Hillel, he cannot wait to help more students share in these amazing trips and develop those same connections. Ryan attended CUNY Brooklyn College for his undergraduate degree and studied both Political Science and Philosophy. He also recently obtained his Masters' degree from Reichman University in Israel, where he studied Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution with a focus in Contemporary Middle East Politics.

Ryan loves going to the gym, learning languages and is an avid traveler taking as many trips as he can. To date, he has staffed 17 trips to Israel and Europe for Jewish highschool and University students and can't wait to complete more. 

Raphi Cooper

Raphi Cooper is over the moon to be joining the Hillel staff as the Senior Social Worker! Originally from Long Island, Raphi completed his Masters in Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College after previously studying Economics as an undergrad at Queens College. Before joining Hillel, Raphi spent a number of years working at Yachad, running programs for individuals with all levels of abilities in the Jewish community.

Outside of Hillel, you can Raphi cooking healthy recipes, taking his goldendoodle to the dog park, playing basketball, and exploring the best hikes around.

Talia Salamatbad

Talia hails from Great Neck, New York, with a major in Law and Society and a minor in Speech and Media from John Jay College. Throughout her college years, Talia has been dedicated to the Hillel community, participating in trips, shabbatons, speakers, and so on. Talia actively engages in creating an inclusive environment for students. Her genuine desire to help others experience Judaism in their own unique way is a driving force behind her commitment. Talia is excited to create new memories with our students and faculty, fostering an environment where Jewish experiences thrive.

Outside of Hillel, you'll often find Talia in the kitchen, exploring her culinary skills. She is mainly known for her challah recipe or her Persian recipes. When she's not in the kitchen, Talia can be found at the gym, or on a plane to different corners of the world.

Sasha Rovnaya

Sasha was born and raised in Ukraine. At the age of 19 she made aliyah to Israel, where she has lived for eight wonderful years. During her time in Israel, she completed her undergraduate degree in photography at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, worked as an Education Mentor in "Garin Tzabar" with lone soldiers, and worked as a chef in "Sushiya" (she loves to eat sushi just as much as she loves to make it!) Sasha loves to work with groups of different ages and to improve her skills. She recently completed the Leading Informal Education Course at the Jewish Agency for Israel. Sasha is very happy to share her story and Jewish identity with the students at Baruch, City, John Jay, Pace, SVA, Fordham, FIT, and New School.

Maya Homa

Maya was born and raised in Livingston, New Jersey, and recently graduated from Binghamton University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. During Maya’s time at Binghamton University, she fell in love with her Jewish identity and now wants to help other students connect with theirs in a way that's meaningful to them. As a student, Maya was on the Chabad general board as a member of the social committee and was an active member of the OU-JLIC on campus. In the future Maya hopes to get a masters in public health and pursue her passion for mental health education and advocacy. Outside of Hillel, you'll often find Maya babysitting her nephews and niece, dancing, listening to music, going to the gym, playing soccer, and finding new activities to do with friends. 

Kayla Gorjian

Kayla was born and raised in Great Neck, Long Island, and graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Hebrew. While in college, she joined the youth committee board at her synagogue and quickly became involved with planning Jewish learning classes, Shabbatons, and events for the community’s young professionals. Kayla also volunteers as an EMT for her local fire department! Kayla believes that the best way to achieve “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world), is by uniting the Jewish people through education and acts of kindness.

Since her active involvement with her Jewish community, Kayla has now brought her experience to Hillel at Baruch, City, John Jay, Pace, SVA, Fordham, FIT, and New School & NYIT. She is so excited to be able to connect students with their Jewish identity and build meaningful relationships with every student she encounters.

Jennifer Owen

Jennifer was born and raised in Queens, New York and has recently graduated with her Masters in Social Work from NYU Silver School of Social Work. Jennifer has previously worked at Hillel as a social work intern and is now back as social work and engagement associate, which she is so excited about! Jennifer is very proud of her Jewish Persian identity and is very passionate about supporting others' mental health needs, both of which she hopes to integrate when working with students at the Hillel. She hopes to support and uplift others as they navigate their journey within mental health and their Jewish identity. 

Jennifer has been proactive among various Jewish organizations both on and off campus during her time as an undergraduate at Queens College and beyond and also has a background in supporting others in a therapeutic capacity. She hopes to encourage mental health literacy within communities that struggle with stigma around the topic. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys exploring the city by foot, spending time with animals, basking in nature, and trying new foods! 

Michael Gaudio

Our Hillel partners with CommonPoint Queens to help students build a resume, write a cover letter, find a job or internship, and nail their interview. Michael is ecstatic to be able to join the Hillel staff every Wednesday in the Hillel Suite, located in Baruch College, room 3-250A. With Hillel’s new campaign, Makin’ Moves with Michael, access to available career advice has never been easier! Come in person on Wednesday days or schedule a meeting with Michael around your own schedule. CommonPoint Queens has always been a great resource for Hillel students and Michael is especially excited to see where their career paths take them.

Can’t make it person? Click here to make a virtual appointment. Or click here for more info out more about our Support Staff and all the opportunities that they have to offer!

Benny Klein

Benny Klein has lived in many places making the classic question “where are you from?” Pretty complicated. He graduated from Yeshiva University with a Bachelors in Psychology in the Community and now pursues his Masters in Social Work from Wurzweiler. A big event programmer, Benny works in a Jewish Sleep away camp, a local synagogue, and a Moishe House to generate community wherever he goes.

Benny loves soccer, dance, and board games. He also spends way too much time at the pickleball courts.