Rabbi Zev Kahn
Position: Founder and Director
Rabbi Zev Kahn is better known in the Chicagoland area as the "Rugby Rabbi" from his days as a former Maccabi Games Gold Medalist. Originally from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Rabbi Kahn came to Chicago after spending six years in Jerusalem, Israel. There Rabbi Kahn was enrolled in an advanced Torah learning program at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach, where he obtained his rabbinic ordination and participated in various programs for students from around the world. The Kahns moved to Chicago in 1998, and in 2005 Rabbi Kahn founded JET (Jewish Education Team). He and his wife, Hilary, a native of Los Angeles, live with their four children in West Rogers Park and they just can't wait until you come for Shabbos!
Email: zevkahn@jetcampus.com
Phone: (773) 817-4406
Hilary Kahn
Position: Director of Women's Division
Hilary Kahn (nee Alpert) grew up in southern California catching a tan, playing lots of sports, and contemplating the meaning of life. Determined to help fix the world through education she became an English teacher in an urban school. After travelling to Israel, discovering the meaning of life, and meeting her husband, lifes twists and turns landed her in Chicago married to the Rugby Rabbi. She now spends her time focusing on her family and JET students, coaching, mentoring, and cooking.
Email: hilary@jetcampus.com
Phone: (773) 510-6866
Rabbi and Mrs. Mordi and Tehiya Rubin
Position: Educators at UIUC
Mordi and Tehiya Rubin have been living in the Chicagoland area for the past several years. They are passionate, outgoing, and love connecting with people. They have had experience learning and mentoring Jews of all backgrounds. Mordi grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa and has lived in numerous different cities throughout the USA. Mordi loves to sing, snowboard, and breakdance! Tehiya grew up in Indianapolis, IN and moved to Chicago 11 years ago. In addition to interacting and being an inspiration to others, she is a licensed social worker and has worked in the nursing home setting for the past several years. They are the proud parents of their baby daughter Matti, who will play, laugh, and smile with anyone! Mordi and Tehiya are excited to join the JET team and welcome the Champaign students to the very newly renovated JET house!
Rivki Cherrick
Position: Women’s Educator at UIUC
Rivki is the newest staff member to join the JET team. As a native Chicagoan, Rivki is very familiar with the Jewish life opportunities in the area. Rivki studied at Michlala Jerusalem College and her love for Israel is quite apparent with the many times she travels there every year (as well as her knowledge of great travel deals and credit card points). Rivki’s passion for Judaism and creative energy led her to Camp Nageela Midwest where she serves as the Director of Creative Programming.
Rivki is most often found in her car as she drives to Champaign 2 days a week to meet with students on campus. Her popular GNO (Girls Night Out) programs are a great hang-out for Jewish girls and have welcomed many new participants to JET programming. Please reach out to her… you will be glad that you did.
Email: r.cherrick@jetcampus.com
Phone: (773) 571-6452
Adina Mayer
Position: Positive Speech Project Coordinator
Adina Mayer is the newest staff member to join the JET team. Adina recently moved back to Chicago with her husband, Yaakov, and beyond adorable son, Shmuel Yehuda, after living in Israel for the past two years. Adina attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (class of 2013) concentrating in English and Secondary Education where she became the founding president of JET on campus and has been involved since. Adina’s outgoing nature, creativity, and enthusiasm for life and Judaism has helped to inspire others in a variety of jobs including Jewish outreach, teaching, and marketing. She hopes to use her incredible life experiences to help achieve her dream of “lightening” up the world through the innovative Positive Speech Project. When she is not working or spending time with family, you can usually find her in nature, hiking, playing guitar, or reading! She strives to become her best self and hopes to inspire others to do the same!
Email: adinamayer@jetcampus.com
Phone: (630) 345-2172