Hillel unveils new Russia director

Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life in Russia has named a new director. Leia Berlin, a Moscow native, began her stint as regional director for the country’s 15 Hillel communities on July 1. The post had been been vacant for nearly two years. Berlin, 34, has a background in education and conflict resolution. She moved from Moscow to Cleveland 13 years ago and holds American citizenship.Berlin and Moscow director Dmitri Maryasis say the organization has struggled in recent years from a lack of resources and vision.”Hillel is coming to a new level,” said Berlin, “and it’s important to have a person with [the] vision to implement those changes.”