Our Staff
Rabbi David Komerofsky, Executive Director
David Komerofsky (AKA D-Kom) joined the Texas Hillel staff in January 2006 after seven years as dean of students and director of the rabbinical school at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR). David earned a degree in history, specialization in 20th century African-American, from the University of Cincinnati in 1993 before enrolling in HUC-JIR’s rabbinical school. He studied in Jerusalem, Los Angeles and Cincinnati and earned a master’s degree and ordination. His most notable achievement is that he is the father of ten year-old twins who can sometimes be spotted amongst the Longhorns at Texas Hillel on Shabbat. His ambition is to own a scooter that gets 80 miles to the gallon and won’t tip over when he sits on it.
Margo Sack, Director of Jewish Student Life
For seventeen years, Margo Sack has been the heart and soul of Texas Hillel. She is universally loved and respected in the Hillel world for her dedication to making students feel warm and welcomed, and is one of a handful of Hillel professionals across the globe who trains JCSC (Jewish Campus Service Corps) Fellows. Margo earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Case Western Reserve University and worked in student affairs at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, among other places, before coming to Texas Hillel. She has two grown sons. She is also the nicest person on west campus.
Devora Brustin, Senior Jewish Educator
Devora came to Texas Hillel in August 2008, having lived and worked most recently in Tucson, Arizona. Devora is part of an exciting new informal education initiative through Hillel International, funded by the Jim Joseph Foundation. Devora brings more than 15 years of experience as a specialist in integrating the creative arts in Jewish formal and informal settings. In addition to a Masters in Education, she is trained as a Jewish Family Educator, certified hypnotherapist, and yoga instructor. She is married to her college sweetheart and has two fantastic daughters. For extra fun, Devora enjoys racing her pets – the tortoise and the hare – or belting out Broadway show tunes.
Noa Givon, Israel Fellow
She’s all about Israel, ready to engage students at The University of Texas at Austin. Her mission is to bring Israel to the students and the students to Israel. Noa is from Haifa and is a talented theatrical personality who recently got a drivers license. Beware.
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MonicaCapozziello, Office and Operations Manager
Monica is originally from Del Rio, Texas (that’s near the river, as the name implies). She runs the business side of Texas Hillel’s operations and is an alumna of UT Austin. When not tied her to desk in the maze of funky cubicles, you can find Monica enjoying the Austin music scene. She is endlessly patient and a master multi-tasker.
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Michelle Kaman, Campaign Manager
Michelle has returned home to Texas Hillel after four years of adventures in the wider Jewish world. She graduated from UT-Austin in 2006 and worked at Central Florida Hillel and for KOACH while earning her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Business Management with a concentration in Jewish Communal Service from Spertus College. Michelle is ecstatic to be back from the cold weather of Chicago, working at the Hillel where she and her husband, Adam, met.
Caroline Addlestone, Dallas-Based Fundraiser
Caroline Addlestone is Texas Hillel’s Dallas-based fundraiser and event organizer. Caroline is from Leeds, England and graduated from the University of Birmingham. She also studied at the University of California at Santa Barbara and the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Caroline worked at Deutsche Bank in New York before moving to Dallas, where she will be working with Texas Hillel board members, parents and alumni.
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Rabbi Moshe Trepp, JLF Educator and Mashgiach
A native of England, Rabbi Trepp came to Austin with his family in 2006. He is active in the wider Jewish community teaching classes, learning with individuals and supervising the kashruth of kitchens through Dallas Kosher. Rabbi Trepp works with students at Texas Hillel to create meaningful and inspirational Orthdox Shabbat experiences and can always be counted on for good conversations over strong coffee and cans of soda. He has a nice collection of hats and a scooter.
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Cheryl Black, Bookkeeper
Cheryl came to Texas Hillel in 2009 through the Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations. She is a CPA and has been executive director of a non-profit. She is the QuickBooks goddess.
Robert Frank, Office Assistant
Second in longevity at Texas Hillel (to Margo), Robert has been the voice of Texas Hillel for more than a decade. He was the receptionist in the previous building and is the man behind the reminder phone calls to board members and students. Robert is from San Antonio and is aiming for the world’s record for number of espressos consumed in a single day. Come by the office at 11 AM and hear his famous “lunchtime” announcement.
Hans Mayer, Senior Consultant
Hans Mayer came to Texas Hillel to help with the renaissance of the organization in 1998. He spearheaded the capital campaign that resulted in our beautiful new home and continues to help with resource development. Hans has many years of experience in the Jewish non-profit world, including an impressive tenure as CEO of the Houston Jewish Federation.
Pedro Vasquez, Custodian
If you want to know how Texas Hillel manages to stay up-and-running for year-round programming, look no farther than Pete Vasquez. Our resident expert in country music and all things Star Trek, Pete’s dedication to Texas Hillel is what keeps our new home in tip-top shape.
Mamalinda Argueta, Custodian
Mamalinda is our bright ray of sunshine and smiles greeting everyone in the morning, helping to keep our building like new, and watering Komerofsky’s office plants so that they stay alive.
