Rabbi Kenny Weiss (he/him) - Executive Director
Rabbi Kenny Weiss is the Rabbi and Executive Director for Houston Hillel. Kenny is also a Jewish Studies faculty member at the University of Houston. Prior to arriving at Houston Hillel in 2001, Kenny served as a congregational rabbi in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. He earned a degree in Communication from the
University of California at San Diego, a Secondary Social Studies Teaching Credential from the University of
Colorado in Boulder, along with a Masters Degree in Hebrew Letters and Rabbinical Ordination from
Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. (Whew, that’s a lot of school!)
Kenny does a lot of local and national stuff to benefit Jewish life for college students and Jewish
twentysomethings, but he'd rather tell you that he's married to Rabbi Amy Weiss, Founder and Executive Director
of Undies for Everyone. Amy and Kenny enjoy spending time with their sons, Eli and Joshua.
When he’s not hanging out with college students, you can find Kenny running around Rice in preparation for the Houston half-marathon, biking around Houston, figuring out a bouldering problem at the local rock climbing gym, or listening to the Grateful Dead while building something in his garage.
Contact Kenny at kweiss@houstonhillel.org or on Facebook.
Carly Fleck (she/her) - Assistant Director & Director of Jewston
Carly Fleck grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan before attending Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she majored in Communication Studies.
During her time at GVSU, Carly found a Jewish Community within Hillel, something she had never experienced before. Quickly gaining interest in Hillel, Carly became Hillel's Social Media Editor as well as Vice President. In 2019, Carly interned with the Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids as a Communications Specialist.
Becoming more and more involved within the Jewish community, Carly began to realize that Hillel was not just an extracurricular club, but also a passion.
Carly spent two years as Houston Hillel's Springboard Fellow before taking a new role as Assistant Director and Director of Jewston.
Outside of her professional life, you can find Carly walking her pug, practicing photography, and trying new restaurants.
Carly is excited to bring her creative thinking and enthusiasm for Judaism to Houston Hillel.
Contact Carly at carly@houstonhillel.org or on Facebook.
Ulrika Shragge (she/her) - Springboard Fellow
Ulrika Shragge is originally from San Francisco, California. In 2019, she moved to Texas to attend Texas Christian University, where she studied History and Philosophy.
While studying, she joined TCU Hillel and served on the executive team for three years, including President.
In her free time, Ulrika loves doing ceramics, riding her bike, and trying new recipes.
Ulrika is so happy to join Houston Hillel to explore and serve a new Jewish community.
Contact Ulrika at ulrika@houstonhillel.org or on Facebook.
Katia Sokolov (she/her) - Jewish Agency Israel Fellow to Houston Hillel
Born in Ukraine, Katia made Aliyah when she was one year old. She lived most of her life in Akko - a mixed city where Jews and Arabs live together (usually peacefully, but not all the time).
Katia served in the IDF for four (!) years as a logistics officer. What does that mean? She was in charge of 60 truck drivers, supplies, equipment and transportation.
After her military service Katia studied political science and international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She spent those summers engaged in Jewish informal education as a camp counselor for Russian speaking youth.
In her spare time Katia likes to read, go to the beach, travel to different countries (the US is number thirteen), experiment with cooking, listen to music and binge watch Netflix.
Also, she's a certified make-up artist.
Contact Katia at katia@houstonhillel.org.
Anna Ashburn (she/her) - Jewish Family Service Counselor
Anna grew up in the piney woods of Northeast Texas before moving to Waco to attend Baylor University where she studied child development and social work. In her work as a therapist, she has served children, teens, and young adults, most recently specializing in maternal mental health.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she values family systems, attachment theory, and person-centered therapy. She loves working with young adults on issues of identity and personal growth. She is a camp counselor at heart, bringing fun, levity, and depth to her work as a therapist.
Anna was raised by two children of the 1970’s and can most likely be found listening to the Doobie Brothers, Eagles, or Christopher Cross. When she’s not listening to Yacht Rock, you can bet she is reading a fantasy novel, playing Mario Party, or finding the nearest body of water to jump in!
Contact Anna at wellness@houstonhillel.org.
Hannah Kass (she/her) - QJews Program Director
Hannah Kass is thrilled to be the newest program director of QJews.
Raised in Houston, Hannah is excited to create space for queer Jews in Houston. After obtaining her B.A. in English and Jewish Studies at Smith College, she received an accelerated M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies from Tel Aviv University.
Hannah previously worked in education and currently works in marketing.
During her off-time, Hannah can be found reading, writing, singing, completing crosswords or logic puzzles, exploring Houston, and spending time with loved ones.
Contact Hannah at hannah@qjews.org.
