Rabbi Kenny Weiss (he/him) - Executive Director
Rabbi Kenny Weiss is the Rabbi and Executive Director for Houston Hillel. Kenny is also
a Lecturer in Religious Studies 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
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.
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.
Sammie Lorch (she/her) - Engagement Associate
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 studies political science and international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She spent her recent summers engaged in Jewish informal education 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.
Kedem Blatt (she/her) - Jewish Family Service Counselor
Kedem Blatt is Licensed Master of Social Work in Texas. She received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Israel and her Master of Social Work from the University of Houston.
Kedem has experience working with clients from different cultures, age groups, and socioeconomic backgrounds, particularly with regard to family and relationship distress, anxiety, depression and substance use.
Kedem is determined to provide a safe place for clients to build coping skills and resilience in the face of different life challenges.
Kedem is fluent in both English and Hebrew. She loves spending time at the beach, and ending her day reading a good book.
Contact Kedem at wellness@houstonhillel.org.
Annabellah Pinchas - QJews Program Director
Annabellah is an American Israeli with family roots in Houston. She is a realtor and yoga teacher, and just celebrated her one year anniversary in Houston.
