Professional Staff
Ari Dubin
Executive Director​
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Ari Dubin began working as Executive Director of Vanderbilt Hillel in July 2005. Originally from Houston, TX Ari received his BA in Psychology from American Jewish University and M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from University of Texas. Before coming to Vanderbilt Hillel, Ari was the Assistant Director of Duke Hillel, the Youth and Camping Director at the JCC in San Antonio and Director of Teen Services at MetroWest JCC. Ari and his wife, Abbie, have two daughters Davi and Emmie.
Sydney Harlow
Assistant Executive Director
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Sydney comes to Vanderbilt Hillel from Georgia Tech, where she worked as the Campus Director. Sydney served as the Program Director for Gulf Coast Hillel based in Sarasota. She previously worked as the Engagement Associate at the Asbell Center for Jewish Life at Dickinson College. Sydney has led Birthright Israel trips and is a Birthright Israel Fellow. She is also a participant of Hillel International’s Israel Masterclass helping her to develop and hone her skills for Israel awareness, education and advocacy.
Shannon Small
Development Director
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Shannon has focused her career on mental health, working as a clinical visitation worker for the Salvation Army, Jewish education, serving as Education Director simultaneously for Temple Adath Yeshurun Religious School and the Syracuse Community Hebrew School, and fundraising and planned giving in her last position as the Assistant FRD Director and Foundation Director for the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Shannon, in her limited free time, watches all kinds of Netflix shows (especially stand-up comedy specials). She loves to travel, read books written by TED presenters, and exercises regularly. Originally from Sugarland, TX, a suburb of Houston, Shannon is married to Brian Small, who she met in graduate school at Syracuse University. Brian and Shannon are blessed with two children, Danielle and Ari and their beloved dog Theo.
Malka Desale
Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow
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After starting in August 2023, Malka Desale joined the Vanderbilt Hillel staff as the Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow. Malka was born and raised in Holon, Israel. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Government, Diplomacy and Strategy. She was a social activism intern at Act.IL, using public diplomacy and nation branding for Israel through online campaigns and social platforms. Malka has five siblings (brothers) and like to volunteer, travel and loves music.
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Valerie Landa
Finance Director
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Valerie Landa is the Finance Director for Vanderbilt Hillel and is responsible for managing the financial operations of the organization. She has over 25 years of tax and accounting experience in both public accounting and private industry. Valerie graduated with a Bachelor in Professional Accounting from Mississippi State University and a Master of Accounting with a Tax Concentration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Valerie began her career at Arthur Andersen where she worked in the tax department. She has also worked at Kraft CPAs, Caterpillar Financial, and Kraft & Company, PLLC. Valerie is a Certified Public Accountant. Valerie and her husband, Adam, have two children Abby and Zach.
Bar Segev
Jewish Agency and Escoll Family Israel Fellow
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Bar Segev is thrilled to be working on the Vanderbilt Hillel team as a Jewish Agency Israel Fellow. Born and raised in Jerusalem, she grew up Israel's Reform movement and enjoyed spending time as a teen and an adult professional in Telem. Her previous roles as a youth movement coordinator, NFTY professional, and tour guide and companion for groups of Jews from around the world to Israel have prepared her for this next step in her career as an informal educator. She is most excited to meet new students and community members in Nashville, take advantage of Music City's many concerts, and spend time enjoying the city's surrounding lakes and rivers where she plans to kayak!
Rachel Pacernick
Engagement Director​
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Originally from Ann Arbor, MI, Rachel graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2022 with a B.S. in Child Development and Education Policy. While in school, she was heavily involved on campus through Hillel and Alternative Spring Break, while also participating in an off-campus internship. After graduation, Rachel’s internship turned into a full-time job working as the Operations Coordinator for BeWell in School, a local non-profit partnering with elementary schools to teach mindfulness, breath, and movement. She is now excited to join the Vanderbilt Hillel team for the 24-25 school year to build relationships with students and to help bring their programming visions to life. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys rock climbing, exploring new hiking areas around Nashville, and watching reality TV with friends.
Jordan Davidson
Ezra Spring Board Fellow
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Jordan is a recent graduate of UC San Diego from San Pedro, CA. She received her BA in Theatre while also studying Hebrew and Dance. During her time at UCSD she served as the President, VP Membership, and Jewish Culture Chair of Alpha Epsilon Phi, Beta Eta chapter. Jordan also was an active leader and member of Hillel San Diego. She was a Student Ambassador, part of the Kef Committee, and Shabbat Committee. Jordan spent her summers working at URJ Camp Newman as an art specialist, advisor, and unit head. She is an alumni of the Shalom Hartman Institute and the Nachshon Project. When she's not at Hillel you can find her doodling, watching baseball, listening to music, or exploring the beautiful city of Nashville. Jordan cannot wait to spend the next two years in Nashville working with the incredible Vanderbilt Hillel team.