Mindy Hirsch is beginning her fifth year as Associate Director of American University Hillel, and her 11th year working for Hillel.  She began her Hillel career as a JCSC fellow at the University of Maryland, where she remained for three years before beginning work as the Office Administrator at American University.

Originally from Huntington, NY, Mindy received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a duel major in Communication Arts and a minor in Jewish Studies.  She went on to further her education, earning an MFA from American University in Film and Media Arts, where she focused primarily on writing and environmental documentary filmmaking.

In her free time Mindy enjoy reading memoirs, watching television shows about Alaska, and exploring the great Maryland outdoors.  She one day hopes to move to the “country” and own her own log cabin.

Jonathan, a Sophomore at American University majoring in Interdisciplinary Political Sciences, is thrilled to serve as the Chair of NUJLS this year.  During his freshman and sophomore years of high school in Los Angeles, Jonathan attended a pluralistic Jewish Community High School where he excelled as a leader and chair of numerous community service organizations including as the Secretariat of the school's Gay-Striaght Alliance, the co-chair of the Community Service Coalition and as an intern for the Hillary Clinton Campaign.  

After relocating to San Antonio, Texas.  Jonathan formed the first ever Gay-Straight Alliance in San Antonio through legal means, forming the school's Young Democrats as well as the Jewish Student Union. He served as the statewide intern for the Texas Gay-Straight Alliance Network and formed the first ever diversity coalition at his high school.  Jonathan further served as the Executive Vice President of the Southwest Region of USY, a Bank of America Student Leader and worked as the campaign staffer for a local democratic candidate, Barbara Scharf-Zeldes, for Probate Court 2 in San Antonio.

At American University, Jonathan led the Rally to Reaffirm Sanity, rallying over 1,200 students on campus to combat the hateful message of the Westboro Baptist Church.  Further, Jonathan served as the Chair of Holocaust Remembrance Week and as the Vice President of AU Students for Israel.  Jonathan has continued his involvement in the DC area through internships with Rabinowitz-Dorf Communications and with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY).

Jonathan is thankful to his family, friends and teachers for all of their support over the years.  When not engaged in politics, academics or any of his other countless extra-curriculars, he can be found catching up with the latest episodes of Glee or Pan Am and exploring new places in DC.

Jonathan was the recipient of the 2010 LEAGUE Foundation Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship and a Finalist for the Point Foundation. 

Jason Benkendorf was recently appointed Executive Director of American University Hillel.  An AU alumnus, he is excited to return to his old stomping grounds and eager for the chance to work and learn with the extraordinary people who make up the AU community.

Jason comes to Hillel following five years with The Curriculum Initiative (TCI), an organization that supports inclusive Jewish programming at independent high schools.  He previously served as Senior Officer of Public and Academic Affairs at the Embassy of Israel, during which time he worked closely with student activists at AU and other DC area campuses.  Jason has also been involved with BBYO in a variety of capacities over the last fifteen years.  

A passion for public service brought Jason to DC, and he received his BA in political science from the AU School of Public Affairs.  He subsequently completed an MBA at Johns Hopkins University with a concentration in organization development.  

Jason is a devoted Washington Nationals fan, an avid reader, and a summer camp enthusiast (17 years and counting).  No matter the weather, rest assured that he wishes he was wearing flip flops.

I am the Associate Director for Inclusion Initiatives, directing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center and overseeing Religious Life.  In these roles, Timothy upholds GW’s commitment to recognize, celebrate and support diversity and inclusion regarding sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and religious communities.  Timothy has also directed GW’s Office of Community Service where he developed programs for students, staff, faculty and alumni focused on civic engagement and public service. Most noted, Timothy led the now successful year-long service campaign where students committed to achieving 100,000 hours of volunteer time in exchange for the First Lady, Michelle Obama, to speak at the University’s commencement in May, 2010.

Timothy has over 20 years international and cross-cultural teaching and travel experiences, including positions throughout the Middle East and Latin America.  He received his Bachelors of Arts Degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, his Masters Degree of Divinity from Harvard University, and his Masters Degree of Theology from Maryknoll School of Theology in Ossining, New York (with a concentration in Justice and Peace Studies).  More recently, Timothy has completed a Certificate in International Development at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, a Graduate Certificate in HIV/AIDS Studies at the GW School of Public Health and Health Services and is a Certified Instructor of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. 

Timothy celebrates and embraces the abundance of life as a Smithsonian volunteer, speaker of Spanish and avid tennis player.  As one of nine children, Timothy recognizes the importance of family, as well as the many creative configurations which bring people together.  He strives to lead a balanced life informed by a personal commitment to spirituality, the Earth and the Common Good.  Timothy seeks to be a Servant-Leader and believes in the words of Mother Teresa when she says, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”