Keith Dvorchik (Executive Director) arrived in Gainesville in May 1992 after finishing both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State – Go Nittany Lions).  During his first 6 years in Gainesville, Keith worked in the mental health field for the Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Children and Families, and Meredian Behavioral Healthcare, where he was specialized in forensic mental health, mental illness, and family evaluations and assessments.  He also had a small private practice which he closed in 2003.  While putting himself through his Master’s program, Keith opened his own company, Capital Investments, and he traveled the country dealing with the Sports Memorabilia business.  Keith is obsessed with The New York Yankees, Florida Gators, and Penn State Nittany Lions, Classic Rock, cult flicks like “Dogma” and “Vision Quest” and... oh yeah... his incredible family.  Keith has the best job in the world working with the greatest students in the world.  The worst part of Keith’s job is the amount of travel required, so email is the best way to reach him, but please meet him and find out more by asking him to treat you to coffee, ice cream, or a meal!  

Keith can be reached at keith@ufhillel.org or 352-372-2900 x1234 but due to his travel schedule, email gets a much quicker reply.

Rabbi Yoni Kaiser-Blueth (Associate Director for Jewish Student Life) just completed his first full year at UF Hillel after having spent the last 6 years in New York with his wife Mandy where he was studying to be a Rabbi. Yoni has a beautiful 2 year old daughter, Zoe, who is a bundle of fun and is primed and ready to enroll at UF.  Shai was born this past summer and is still keeping his parents up at night – but he’s so cute, so how can we be mad.  While in New York, Yoni spent 3 years working at the Bronfman Center, NYU’s Hillel.  Yoni is a certified scuba diver and beat boxes to entertain himself.  He is passionate about making sure every Jewish student on campus has a positive Jewish experience while at Florida.  

Yoni can be reached at 352-372-2900 x719 or yonikb@ufhillel.org

Navah Kogen (Program Director) is a native Jersey Girl, but she couldn't be more excited to join the Gator Nation! Navah graduated in 2008 from Barnard College with a degree in History of the Middle East, and in 2009 from the Jewish Theological Seminary with a degree in Talmud. Navah loves to sing and dance along to the radio, bake challah, do arts and crafts, and is mesmerized by all kinds of Torah. She's a certified fitness instructor, but has been told that a majority of memories involving her also involve ice cream. Don't judge. An absurd number of things conveniently rhyme with Navah (lava, java, guava, Bratislava...) and she would be thrilled to spend time with you exploring the finer points of any of them. Some of you may know Navah from her 10 years in lovely Clayton, Georgia at Machaneh Ramah Darom. Drop by Hillel or send her an email - she can't wait to grab coffee (or more likely, ice cream) and talk about Jewish life at UF!

Navah can be contacted at navah@ufhillel.org or 352-372-2900 x721.

Dana Ben Chail (Israel Fellow) is a 24-year-old born and raised Israeli who just graduated with her BA in Government, Diplomacy and Strategy. Dana is an incredibly energetic, outdoorsy and adventurous person, and in her short 24 years she has managed to travel to almost all of the continents. After her 2 years of service at the IDF Air Force, Dana went all the way across the world to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Thailand, Laos, Mexico, Guatemala, France, and Italy…the list just go on and on. Other than traveling just for fun, Dana worked in 2 JCCA summer camps as an Israeli culture and traveling guide. She loves sports (especially kickboxing, so watch out!) the summertime, and of course - Israel!! Finally, she is more than excited to get to know UF and meet you!  

dana@ufhillel.org or 352-372-2900 x751.

Lisa Brown (Director of Finance) is a native Californian venturing out in the world.  Her goal was to make it coast to coast and she has finally made it, to Florida!  Lisa enjoys horses, the beach and her cat ZoeZoe.  She has sixteen years of experience in accounting and bookkeeping and has been at UF Hillel for over a year.  Lisa enjoys working with the wonderful students here, especially because they are passionate about wanting to learn.  Lisa hopes to be with UF Hillel until she retires!!

Lisa can be reached at lbrown@ufhillel.org or 352-372-2900 x722.

Avie Friederwitzer (Food Service Director) was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in Business Administration. Avie then went on and got his masters in Human Resources at George Washington University. Avie and his wife Sara have 3 beautiful children- Chani (age 11), Rami (age 9) and Racheli (age 3). The Friederwitzer family lives in South Florida and has for over 12 years. Avie has been in the food service industry for over 25 years and has spent the last three and a half years as Director of Food Service for the second largest day school in the country. Avie is also a Mashgiach with the Orthodox Rabbinical Board of Broward and Palm Beach Counties (O.R.B). Avie was the original Masgiach when UF Hillel opened its current building four years ago. He is happy to be back at UF Hillel! Avie is looking forward to working with students and the community to fill all their Kosher Food Service needs. Avie runs All Star Caterers, The Olam - Tastes From Around the World, and Community Java Connection.