52 | FEBRUARY 16 • 2023 

T

his January, six undergraduate 
students were selected to lead 
University of Michigan Hillel as 
members of the Undergraduate Governing 
Board. This term’s student board are Sari 
Rosenberg (’25), Greta Loewenthal (’25), 
Jacob Ellenbogen (’25), Noah Volin (’25), 
Jamie Feldman (’25) and Mia Hirsch (’25). 
Each one of these leaders brings a 
different perspective to the board based 
on their previous involvement, personal 
interests and Jewish life. This year, two 
of our board members, Mia Hirsch and 
Jacob Ellenbogen, have Metro Detroit to 
thank for helping to shape their Jewish 
identity. 
Jacob and Mia grew up very engaged 
in the Detroit Jewish community from 
Jewish day school to involvement with 
youth group to summer camp. These 
impactful programs helped them to 

realize that once at college, the need to 
find Jewish community was extremely 
important. 
As a member of Temple Israel, Mia 
became active in youth group where she 
served on the executive board for two 
years. She admits, “I have been so lucky 
to have these experiences through my 
synagogue and it’s why I’m on a path to 
become a rabbi!” 
Not too far away in Birmingham, 
Jacob has been a poster child for USY 
where he served in leadership roles at the 
chapter, regional and international level. 
He currently works for USY as a regional 
intern. “I sincerely hope that I can one 
day give back to this community just a 
fraction of what they have given me. It’s 
why I’ve stayed engaged with USY and 
now with Hillel,” Jacob says. 
Spending summers away from home 

readied them for college life. Mia spent 
many summers at Tamarack Camps, 
whereas Jacob spent many summers at 
Camp Tamakwa. While each camp is 
unique in its own regard, it did prepare 
them to take on new challenges, develop 
new skills and push them to create 
community. That is exactly what Mia and 
Jacob are doing at Hillel now. 
“I knew right away that I wanted to 
become involved at Hillel,” Mia says. “I 
was looking to replicate the connection to 
the Jewish community I had back home 
because it’s been so important to me.” 
According to Jacob, “Because of my 
experiences, Judaism isn’t just my religion, 
it’s my culture and heritage and something 
I am extremely proud of, and I want to 
help create that here.”
Now as leaders at Hillel they both 
continue to make an impact. Mia has 

for college students by college students
Feb. 16, 2023/ 25 Shevat 5783

University of Michigan Hillel 
Installs New Undergraduate 
Governing Board

Sean Morgan } jewish@edu writer

Rachel Shulkin, 
Mia Hirsch, 
Miles Hirsch and 
Estee Moss

