Muhlenberg college

Jason Bonder

Jason serves Hillel  as the Rabbinic Intern. Jason is a 2007 graduate of Muhlenberg College where he studied History and Religion Studies. Jason was involved in Hillel and served as Hillel’s Program Assistant in his senior year. He was a four year letterman on the baseball team, a Tour Guide, a Cardinal Key, a Student Advisor, and loved spending time with his friends. After graduation from Muhlenberg, Jason played professional baseball for the Tel Aviv Lightning in the Israel Baseball League during Israel's first (and last) season of professional baseball.

Jason earned a Master’s in Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is now a student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Jason loves exploring his own Jewish identity and enjoys encouraging others to do the same. Jason hopes to challenge students to learn about themselves through the process of grappling with Jewish texts and Jewish issues in the world today.

When he is not studying, Jason loves playing baseball and has also taken up endurance races. Jason has completed 6 triathlons, 1 half marathon, and 1 marathon. You can follow the intersection of Jason’s athletic and rabbinic passions on his blog at http://rabbiintraining.com/

In August 2011 Jason married Muhlenberg classmate Rina Lebovitz.  Rina works for the American Cancer Society.  She and Jason live in the Philadelphia suburbs.

April Cunningham

April Cunningham is the Office Manager for Hillel. She was born and raised in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania but now lives in the Reading area with her husband Joshua and son Benjamin. She graduated from Alvernia University in 2004 with a degree in Psychology and began her work in higher education doing research and eventually ended up working in Student Life. Her husband is a food scientist and works in the gourmet dessert business at Sweet Street Desserts in Reading.

The number one thing in April’s life is her family. In addition to her husband and two children, she also has two dogs; Fenway, a Boston terrier and Savannah, a Boxer. April loves to travel anywhere she can. Her favorite getaway is Key West because of its tropical beaches, delicious food, and unique places to visit. April also loves to cook and likes anything spicy.

Stefano Fuchs

Stefano Fuchs '13, from Lexington, MA, is thrilled to be a part of the Hillel team as the Program Assistant through Muhlenberg’s Presidential Assistant program. Stefano has been an active member of the Hillel community since the beginning of his freshman year. He began as a work-study student at Hillel in his sophomore year after he was lucky enough to travel to Israel on a Muhlenberg Birthright Israel trip! As the Program Assistant, Stefano is looking forward to helping to create opportunities for his peers to explore their Jewish identity and foster the welcoming community that initially attracted him to Hillel.

Outside of his work at Hillel, Stefano has a passion for theater, music, the outdoors and academic interests in Business and Political Science. He has engaged in and held leadership roles on political campaigns ranging from specific social issues to the election of partisan candidates. Stefano also enjoys spending time traveling, exploring new places and relaxing on the beach during the summer! Stefano is an active brother of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity at Muhlenberg College.

Cheryl Garcia

Cheryl Garcia is a member of the housekeeping staff at Muhlenberg and is the daytime housekeeper for the Hillel House. Cheryl joined Muhlenberg College in 2002 and enjoys working here. She says: "I like to clean" and "I really am happy in my job here at Muhlenberg."

She was born and raised in Allentown where she still lives with her husband and children. Cheryl’s husband is also a housekeeper at Muhlenberg, working in the library. Their son Luis is member of the Class of 2015 at the College and a student leader in Multicultural Life.

Cheryl loves to go camping and travel as much as possible. She has traveled to Florida and Puerto Rico to visit family. She describes her dream vacation as a Hawaiian getaway – somewhere she has never been but would love to go.

Patti Mittleman

Patti Mittleman came to Muhlenberg College in 1988 when her husband Alan was appointed the College’s first Jewish Studies professor. She was happy to leave behind the corporate world she had lived in and begin work she could believe in. Her passion for Hillel work permeates everything she does in life. Patti owes her Jewish identity to Hillel at the University at Pennsylvania and intends to spend her life repaying that debt. She enjoys losing sleep thinking about how to get college students to make a lasting commitment to their own Jewish identity. Patti’s husband is on the faculty of The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. She and her husband have two adult sons, Ari and Joel who are still the center of Patti’s universe.

Gil Schpero

In his position as Hillel’s Assistant Director, Gil oversees all aspects of Hillel programming and student engagement. He works with the student board in the area of leadership development and also coordinates our Birthright Israel and Alternative Break programs.

Gil is a 2011 graduate of Muhlenberg College where he was a double major in Economics & Public Policy and Political Economy.  During his time as a student, Gil was a leader on and off campus.  He was active in the College Democrats and interned in the 15th district’s 2010 Congressional Campaign.  Following the election he volunteered in the mayor’s office in Bethlehem.  Gil was Vice President for Israel Affairs on the Hillel board and co-founded MUFI - Mules United for Israel.  Gil has participated in both AIPAC’s Policy Conference and its Summer Saban program.  A brother of Delta Tau Delta, Gil served as Sergeant at Arms, Alumni Chair and Interfraternity Council Representative.

Among the sports Gil enjoys are cycling, swimming, waterskiing, snowboarding and hiking in the beautiful Lehigh Valley. Originally from Orange, CT, he is now happy to be settled in Allentown’s West End. Refining his cooking skills and sharing meals with others is a favorite pastime. He welcomes all students to his office where everyone is invited to try the ring toss.

Lisa

Lisa is a member of the Housekeeping staff at Muhlenberg and is the overnight housekeeper for the Hillel House. Lisa joined Muhlenberg in September of 2010 and loves working here. She says, “It’s a completely awesome job. Everyone here is super nice and I encounter zero stress. I don’t know what more I could ask for.” Lisa lives in Allentown with her two daughters Lashea, age 9 and Laurel, age 7 and their four year old pit-bull, Onyx. She loves spending time with her kids, enjoying all that the city has to offer, from watching the sunset on the rooftops to walking and relaxing in the city’s parks. She dreams of going to Guatemala to study the land and help people in need there.