Meet The Staff

Rabbi Gil is a Princeton alumnus who has dedicated his life to teaching, inspiring leaders, and creating a vibrant Jewish community. He has a passion for teaching and fostering dynamic new leaders within the Jewish community and the world. He has a deep love of Princeton and the Princeton Jewish community, which shaped his life's path as a Rabbi, and sees his return to Princeton and the CJL as a "homecoming long in the making." He is excited to use his skills as an institutional leader, as a teacher of Torah and spiritual wisdom, and as a pastor who derives profound meaning from sitting one-on-one with young people at the moment in life when they are asking the big questions.

Robin joined the CJL staff in 2012, bringing nearly 20 years of fundraising and marketing experience in the Jewish community to her work as the CJL’s chief resource development professional. A graduate of both Brandeis University and Drexel University, she is deeply committed to informing our many stakeholders

Rabbi Ira cannot wait to get to know you and what inspires you! He comes to the CJL from BBYO, where he served as South Jersey Regional Director in Cherry Hill, NJ and Director of Jewish Enrichment based in Washington, DC. He was ordained at the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) in New York. He and his wife Shaina enjoy exploring the outdoors, seeing movies, and bowling.

Marni is thrilled to advise the CJL student board and several affiliated student groups, to supervise the CEI and JRC engagement interns, and to oversee the dynamic and diverse programming in our community. She works closely with a wide variety of campus partners to enrich the experiences of all Princeton students.

Rabbi Azi Horvitch was born and raised in Jerusalem and then Beit Shemesh. He learned at the High School of Mercaz Harav. From there he continued to a Yeshiva in Cochav HaShachar where the emphasis was on intense Talmud and Jewish thought learning. He drafted into the army as a combat medic. Over the next few years, he participated in various learning programs including a tour guiding course, Mizmor, a music school and a yearlong leadership program in Yishivat Siach. He also worked as a counselor in the same high school he attended, and as a tour guide in Jerusalem.

Atara was born in New York and made aliya with her family to Bet Shemesh in 2005. After High School, Atara served one year of National Service (Sherut Leumi) in Israel and then learned at Nishmat, the Jeanie Schottenstein for Advanced Torah Study for Women for five years. During that time, she also worked as a counselor for overseas students. While at Nishmat, Atara earned her bachelor’s degree education at Herzog College. Atara has spent many summers in Bnei Akiva in Camp Moshava Indian Orchard and at Mach Hach Ba’aretz, as a camper and in both programs as Counselor and Division Head.

Orly has extensive experience supporting CEOs in Israel and the US in various global industries.

Orly was born in Tel Aviv and served in the Israeli Air Force as an air traffic controller and volunteered for several years as a traffic officer in the Israel Police. She has a BS in Social Science from the University of Maryland and a piano diploma from Tel Aviv music academy. Orly has a grown daughter who lives in Portland, Oregon, and in her free time, she enjoys playing piano, traveling, reading, and watching movies

Orly is very enthusiastic about being part of the CJL’s mission of amplifying young students' connections to Israel and Jewish meaning.

Eitan was born in Herzliya and moved to Zurit in the Galilee Region of Israel when he was 14-years-old.  After high school, he took part in Meitzar which is a preparatory year of study on Zionism and Leadership as well as community service/volunteering in the Golan Heights.  Eitan served in the IDF as a crew commander and a platoon sergeant in the artillery corps.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in Government, Diplomacy & Strategy and a master’s degree in Diplomacy and Conflict Studies from Reichman University.  Eitan also served as an Israeli Education and Advocacy emissary in Seattle.  Eitan loves socializing with people, the outdoors, and dancing.

Debbie joined CJL in 2018, bringing over 20 years of business and marketing experience to the CJL.  Debbie's professional career includes small business owner, Marketing Director at one of the largest JCCs in the country and most recently Executive Director at a synagogue in Princeton.  Debbie's passion for Jewish connection and community began at Camp Ramah and continued throughout USY, BBYO, Hillel, study abroad at Tel Aviv University, and ulpan and post-graduate work in Israel. Debbie and her husband Craig Provorny have a blended family with one son and four daughters.  Debbie enjoys the gym, pickleball, traveling and spending time with her family in her spare time. Strengthening Jewish peoplehood has always been an important part of her life and she is thrilled to continue that precious work here at CJL.

During his undergraduate years at Princeton, James was an inaugural member of the Jewish Leaders Advisory Board (J-LAB) and a student member of the CJL Board of Directors. He was also one of the first participants in the CJL's B'nai Mitzvah program. Although James did not grow up with a "traditional" or "intensive" Jewish background, he continues to explore his Jewish identity through his involvement with the CJL and Hillel International. He is dedicated to making all students feel welcome at the CJL. Additionally, James studies the psychological aspects of antisemitism and aspires to be a social psychologist. He also dabbles in stand-up comedy, and critics have described him as "Who?" 

Marissa Michaels was born and raised in New Jersey. After taking a gap year with Princeton's Bridge Year Program in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Marissa pursued a bachelor's degree in Sociology with minors in American Studies and Journalism at Princeton University. At Princeton, she worked as a news editor at The Daily Princetonian, as music director and president of Koleinu acappella, and as a musical theatre research assistant. 

Marissa wants to help build community wherever she goes and encourage others to strive for compassion and justice. She enjoys being in nature, cooking vegetarian food, singing, and dancing. She looks forward to finding ways to do all of this with the CJL community!

Maureen began working at Princeton University in Human Resources as a Benefits Administrator in 2