Our Staff
Rabbi Joseph PolakDirector
In the Fall of 2007 Rabbi Polak began his 38th year at Boston University, and his 41st year in Hillel. Even though he is not the oldest Hillel director, nor does he hold the Hillel record for job longevity, the students at Boston University love him just the same.
Rabbi Polak’s passions include students, the possibilities and limits of pluralism, a Torah-based intellectual life and jogging around the Charles River. Rabbi Polak is the father of five children and grandfather of five grandchildren.
Susan Sloane
Director of Operations
| Susan Sloane is a native of the Boston area, growing up just 15 minutes from BU Hillel. After graduating from The American University in Washington, DC, Susan pursued a career in hotel management and achieved her goal of being a hotel General Manager in record speed- making her the youngest woman hotel manager in the Boston area. After 13 years in the hotel industry, Susan went into the family business (since 1939!) as a candy wholesale distributor. During her 12 ‘sweet’ years in the candy industry Susan was also President of the Boston Confectionery Sales Club and Vice President of the Board of Directors of the National Candy Salesman’s Association. |  |
Leaving the candy business in the capable hands of her younger brother, Susan decided to move on to an arena that had always intrigued her- event management. Although not a golfer, Susan managed the corporate transportation logistics for the 1999 Ryder Cup Matches held in Brookline, MA, along with several PGA Championships and other transportation logistic events for major conventions throughout the US. She continued in another aspect of the events area as Executive Director for a firm that handled speaker management and concert production.
A lover of the ocean, Susan lives on the South Shore just 5 minutes from the beach where she takes advantage of being able to walk seaside every chance she gets. Her passions- family, friends, jazz vocals, old movies and chocolate chip cookies!
Michael (Kip) Lombardo
Director of Student Activities
Michael (Kip) Lombardo originates from Rochester, New York. Kip holds degrees from Bucknell University, Binghamton University and Boston University. After four summers as an actor in the Tic/Toc Players, Kip abandoned a career in the theatre when Madonna suggested over drinks, that “Pumpkin, the children really need you!” For six years, he has taught Junior High School English and worked at the Rochester Institute of Technology as the Hillel Director and Instructor in Rhetoric, from 1995-2000.
In 2000, Kip entered the doctoral program in Language and Literacy at Boston University’s School of Education. He teaches Children’s Literature and Writing in Boston University’s Writing Program. Since 2000, Kip has served as the Director of Student Activities, advises Hillel’s 36 student groups and has organized birthright Israel trips. He has a personal library of over 5,000 volumes, is a gourmet cook and has traveled to more than a dozen countries. Kip loves receiving gifts, especially from Williams-Sanoma, Stonewall Kitchens, J. Crew, the Andover Shop and Borders Books.
Rabbi Avi Heller
Director of Jewish Education
Rabbi Heller grew up in Denver, Colorado, where he first developed his love of Torah, family and football. Rabbi Heller studied at BU and graduated in 1997 with a BA in Political Science and International Relations. After graduating, he worked at the Hillel International Center in Washington, DC, where he had the opportunity to visit Hillels all over the country. Rabbi Heller received his Rabbinic ordination and a Masters in Bible from Yeshiva University, and also studied in the Gush and Sha'alvim Yeshivot. Prior to BU Hillel, Rabbi Heller worked at the Community Kollel in Boca Raton, Florida.
Rabbi Heller is married to Shira, his college sweetheart (CAS '98), and they have three vivacious children. Rabbi Heller remains a passionate Denver Broncos fan and enjoys Torah study, long-distance running, music, and crossword puzzles, among other things.
A proud Garden State native, Seth graduated from American University in 2005 with a major in International Relations with a concentration in the Middle East and Peace and Conflict Resolution, and a minor in Communications.
As Program Associate, Seth works with individual students and student groups to help develop programs and events. Seth has also helped organize and lead the Boston University Hillel Birthright Israel and Alternative Spring Break trips. Seth also never declines a challenge by students for a round of pool or ping pong.
Outside of Hillel activities, Seth is the lyricist and manager of the east coast band Family Junction. You can also check out some videos that Seth has made over the past few years on Family Junction’s website.
Holland Dieringer
Business Manager / Gallery Coordinator
Though born in Hawaii, Holland has since lived in California, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Oregon. She graduated from Boston University College of Fine Arts in 2005 with a major in painting.
Aside from the view from her office, Holland most enjoys when the Florence & Chafetz Hillel House is packed with students because there is an overpowering sense of excitement and warmth that fills the building. That energy is due entirely to the fantastic people that work and gather here. That, and the grape leaves they serve in the cafeteria.
When Holland is not at Hillel she plays violin in the Boston local rock band Fly Upright Kite.
Lauren Kaskey
Program Associate for Birthright Israel
Lauren Kaskey, originally from Northhampton, MA, graduated in 2006 from University of Rochester and has worked at Beacon Press for the past year printing most of the fabulous textbooks all the BU students are reading. She currently lives in the North End and can tell you which bakeries are better than Mike's Pastry!
Shira Heller
Jewish Learning Initiative Campus Educator, sheller@bu.edu