Marissa Steinhofer

I am a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, currently studying Jewish Studies. I am from Shorewood, Wisconsin. I enjoy hanging out with friends and photography. Judaism is a big part of my life; I go to temple and I have gone to camp for the past eleven years. I really enjoy attending events at Hillel and meeting new people. I am looking forward to some great programming this year at Hillel and grateful for this opportunity.

Senior Peer Network Engagement Intern

Ben Hirschman

I was born and grew up in Milwaukee, and graduated from Nicolet High School in 2008. I have been playing sports all of my life and currently play ultimate frisbee here at UWM. I am studying Marketing and have worked in the restaurant business most of my life. Last year I interned for both Hillel and Microsoft and enjoyed each very much. My beliefs in Judaism are secular and it has been a pleasure this year to get to know so many different Jews with very diverse beliefs. I am excited for my senior year here at UWM.  Please feel free to contact me at hirschm3@uwm.edu.

Peer Network Engagement Interns

Yael Blatt

My name is Yael Blatt. I am originally from New York, and have lived in Milwaukee for the past 12 years. Currently I am studying Kinesiology with a sub-major of pre-Physical Therapy at UW-Milwaukee. In my free time I like to weight train and do yoga. I also have a motorcycle and I'm always up for trying something new. My email address is yaelb414@gmail.com.  

Chelsea Gilbertson

I grew up in Shorewood and graduated from Shorewood High School in 2007. I am studying social work at UWM. I grew up in an interfaith family with a Jewish mother and Christian father. I am really looking forward to becoming more involved in the Jewish community this coming year. I have spent three summers working in beautiful Colorado and it’s my favorite place to be. I love to sing, swim, run, and meet new people! Add me on facebook or feel free to shoot me an email at Chelsea@uwm.edu!

Ben Rechavel

I have lived in Milwaukee since I was born. Before and during my years at Nicolet High School, I played guitar in a garage-blues band. When senior year presented itself to me, I decided to intern with Rabbi Berkson for the school year. After graduating in 2010, I took what I learned from all the work experiences I had in four different restaurants and got accepted into the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Over the course of my Freshman year of college I became a Baal T'shuva, a returnee to Judaism. I consider myself a Torah-observant Jew, and am excited to start my sophomore year at UWM. My favorite things to do are study Judaism, throw a Frisbee around with friends and cook. I have almost 18,000 songs in my iTunes library, and am currently writing an album of my own. Meeting new people is something I enjoy and look forward to, so send me an email at benrechavel@gmail.com at any time!