Staff


Miriam StarkmanExecutive Director – Miriam is the long-time Executive Director of HMD.  For over 30 years she has seen students come and go, and sometimes come back again.  As an informal Jewish educator, she welcomes the opportunity to help students as they develop both Jewishly and personally.  There are few questions or comments from students that would surprise/shock her, but she encourages any student to try!

E-mail Miriam!

Margo LazarDevelopment Director – A native Detroiter, Margo has been involved in the non-profit world for some time with the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Planned Parenthood, Bookstock, ORT and Hadassah, as well as her children’s school PTOs.  She is excited to be at Hillel of Metro Detroit and help make a difference in the lives of Jewish young adults in our community.  She enjoys spending time with her husband Mike and her two daughters, Shaina and Brooke.  She loves meeting new students so if you are in the area, stop by and say hello.

E-mail Margo!

Illana GreenbergDirector of Advancement – Illana joined the HMD staff in August, 2015. She is managing HMD’s endowment campaign and marketing to enable new and creative programming and solidify HMD’s future in Metro Detroit.

Illana has worked for 25+ years in marketing and communications and in non-profit campaign, event and program management.  She has held many community volunteer positions and currently serves on the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Women’s Philanthropy Board.  Illana lives in Franklin with her husband, Danny, and her (really pretty) cat, Shayna.

E-mail Illana!

Brittany Begun – Associate Director – Brittany was born and raised in Michigan.  She returned to work at Hillel of Metro Detroit after 7 years away and is excited to be back!

Previously, Brittany worked at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Michigan State University Hillel and the Hillel Campus Alliance of Michigan.  Brittany graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.A. in Organizational Communication and received her Masters in Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.  Brittany lives in Huntington Woods with her husband, daughter, and their dog.

E-mail Brittany!

Rabbi Michele Faudem – Rabbi – Rabbi Faudem joined the HMD staff in September 2015.  She graduated from the Jewish Theological Seminary, earning Rabbinic Ordination and an MA in Education.  Rabbi Faudem loves people, learning and teaching and looks forward to combining all three in her work at HMD.  She is originally from Detroit and spent her high school years in Jerusalem, where she also completed two years of National Service.  In addition to her work at HMD, Rabbi Faudem teaches adult education classes through the Florence Melton Mini-School sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.  She lives in West Bloomfield with her husband and their three sons.  She enjoys reading and sports, and loves road trips.

E-mail Rabbi Faudem!

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Jake Rubin – Social Worker Jake graduated Michigan State University in 2021 with his Bachelors in Arts and Humanities (with minors in Jewish Studies and Religious Studies) and the University of Michigan with his Masters in Social Work in 2022.  During his time in grad school he spent his time working at Michigan Medicine on the adult inpatient psych unit.  Following graduation, he moved to Grand Rapids and stayed there for a year, working at  Kent County Community Mental Health. In his free time he enjoys reading comic books, playing videogames and doing improv comedy.  He is excited to get to know the students here at HMD and to talk all things mental health and the many stressors college might bring on!

E-mail Jake!

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Leah Fershtman – Program Associate – Leah F. graduated from Michigan State University in 2021 with a B.A. in elementary education. Once COVID-19 hit her junior year of undergrad, Leah realized elementary education was not her true passion. Instead, her true passion involves helping others connect to their roots and being a resource to all. Leah loves to be as active as possible. She enjoys camping, downhill skiing, hiking, and traveling. Leah would love to take you out for coffee and talk about camping/ski trips, travelling, and Jewish life.

E-mail Leah F.!

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Rachel Gaberman – Program Associate – Rachel is a lifelong Michigander and Michigan State alumna, holding a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Human Behavior and Social Services. She is passionate about traveling and finds joy in exploring new cultures and perspectives. In her downtime, Rachel enjoys practicing yoga, getting lost in a good book, and watching movies with her partner.

E-mail Rachel!

Leah Burian

Leah Burian – Program Associate – Leah B. recently moved to Detroit after graduating with her B.A. in Music History at University of Oregon. Before coming to Detroit, she worked as a chef in the San Juan Islands. Leah is excited to get to know the Jewish community in Michigan by spending time with the wonderful students of HMD. Leah lives with her partner and her dog, Simba. They spend their free time making music, exploring nature, and tasting their way through local restaurants. She would love to take you out for coffee or cook something with you in the Hillel kitchen and hear about all your favorite places around Detroit!

E-mail Leah B.!

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Kyle SmithOffice Manager – Kyle is the gatekeeper of HMD.  Her background includes a dedicated involvement with Detroit non-profit community-based organizations.  Kyle has coordinated and been director of programs and initiatives which addressed the quality of life and neighborhoods for citizens of Detroit.  She is the proud mother of three adult children, Tesa, Jahshua and Kenya and one granddaughter, Star Lynx.  In her free time, Kyle loves music, reading, independent films and stimulating conversations.

E-mail Kyle!