Evan feldman

Campus Engagement Intern

Evan Feldman is the campus engagement intern for the Hillel at Davis and Sacramento. He is a second year undergraduate student studying managerial economics with an emphasis in business. This school year, Evan is most looking forward to meeting new members of the Davis Jewish community and strengthening his relationships with the many friends he has made there. He looks forward to a great year of exciting events and programs. Outside of school, he loves spending time with his family and is a huge football fan.

Téa kaiser

Israel Engagement Intern

Téa (TEY-ah) is a fourth-year student majoring in Organizational Studies with an emphasis in Business and Nonprofits. She is from the San Francisco Bay Area where she was involved with Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) before university. Téa began coming to Hillel as a second-year when UC Davis resumed in-person classes in 2021. She planned events, organized shabbats, and created social media content as the Hillel Summer Intern. Since her sophomore year, Téa has been a dedicated member of Aggies For Israel (AFI) - a Jewish and Israeli culture club committed to cultivating a safe space for Jewish students on campus. Téa has also worked on campus for two years as a Student Assistant at the UC Davis Internship and Career Center. This year, as the Israel Engagement Intern, Téa will work with the Israel Fellow to facilitate programs, plan cultural events, and recruit for Birthright. She will create additional educational programming with Aggies For Israel in her role as an Activism Fellow of the Israeli-American Council (IAC).

Sophie krauss

Tzedek-Social Justice Intern

Sophie is a third year student majoring in biological sciences. Born and raised in Southern California, she moved to Davis two years ago to begin pursuing her college education. Sophie joined Hillel as a first year student, coming to Shabbats and events regularly during her first winter quarter. During her first spring quarter, she joined the Hillel Student Board. As the Vice President of Engagement within the board, she planned student events such as a Hanukkah Party, Purim Party, Pride Party, and Matzah Ball. Sophie is excited about her new role as Hillel’s tzedek (social justice) intern. In this role, she looks forward to planning tzedek events that align with causes she is passionate about. As a pre-vet student, she is especially interested in bringing attention to animal wellness through her internship position. She also looks forward to being able to be a mentor and friend to incoming freshmen and transfer students. 

In her free time, Sophie enjoys interning at the UC Davis Dairy, volunteering in Mercer Veterinary Clinic for the Pets of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and spending time with her kitten, Roni.

Alexandra Martens

Development Intern

Alexandra is a third-year student majoring in clinical nutrition. She was born in the South Bay and raised in the San Joaquin Central Valley. She and her sisters were raised Jewish and Alex has always felt a strong connection to Judaism and her Jewish roots since childhood. Alexandra became involved with Hillel immediately after she received her Davis acceptance letter and went to almost every Hillel event her first year!

She is so thankful for all the friendships she’s made through the Jewish community and can’t wait to make new friends. Some of her favorite memories at Davis were at events such as the Passover Shabbat and the Donors Benefit.

She is super excited to make memorable and positive experiences for others and for meeting new people! Aside from Hillel, Alexandra is part of Challah for Hunger and the Pre-Physician Assistant Club! She also enjoys going on walks, reading, watching movies, and hanging out with friends.

Sam saxe-taller

Shabbat and Holidays Intern

Sam is a second-year student at UC Davis pursuing a degree in Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, and this is his first year as an intern at Hillel. He has experienced the power of singing and communal ritual to build and strengthen communities and ground our actions. Sharing this with the Hillel community is one of his goals. Sam is a songleader and multi-instrumentalist with three years of experience at Jewish camps across the West Coast. He has also led in synagogue and youth group settings.

Sam was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area with connections to many Jewish communities. As a high school student, he was deeply involved in climate justice organizing both in and beyond his school and his Jewish youth group, mobilizing fellow students to fight for transformational change that repairs our relationship with the Earth and creates a just society. Sam plays ultimate frisbee at UC Davis and is an avid bike commuter with a passion for cooking and eating leftovers.

Ilai Sirak

Sac State Engagement Intern

Ilai Sirak is a third-year Computer Science student at Sacramento State. He was born in Be’er Sheva and grew up in central Israel until his family moved to the United States when he was in high school. Ilai hopes to strengthen the Jewish community at Sac State and is looking forward to engage new students and see lifelong friendships form!

Outside of school, Ilai is training for the Journey of Hope: a cross country cycling trip that services people with disabilities. In his free time, Ilai loves spending valuable time with his loved ones, playing video games, and learning new things!

Ari Tilles

Shabbat and Holidays Intern

Ari is a third-year student majoring in Statistics and minoring in Music. While originally from Southern California, he has grown to love Davis with its friendly community and atmosphere. Ari attended Hebrew school growing up and has experience attending and leading Shabbat services at his synagogue.

He intends to use this experience in his role as this year's Shabbat and Holidays Intern at Hillel! In his free time, Ari loves to play and watch sports, along with singing and writing music. Ari is grateful for the sense of belonging and community Hillel has brought him as he transitioned to college, and hopes to continue to make Hillel a welcoming place for Jewish college students!