Meet the Kohls

Rabbi Eli Kohl, a native of Brooklyn, spent 7 years in the city working on his BA in Sociology and then his rabbinical ordination (semicha) from Yeshiva University. He was a mentor in the YU mechinah (bridge) program, helping students make the transition to campus. Some of his favorite times have been teaching kindergarten at Ramaz (a yeshiva in New York City) and leading Israel tours.

Naomi Kohl, originally from New Jersey, has been involved in youth groups such as NCSY, the OU teen program, and summer camps for the past 12 years. She completed her BA in Psychology at Stern College of YU, received a MSW in Social Work from YU’s Wurzweiler School, and is one class away from completing her MA in Jewish Education from the Azrieli School at YU. Naomi likes to cook and hopes to have everyone to their home for Shabbat.

The Kohls have been planning new programs as well as continuing those begun in previous years. Thursday night is mishmar night, with yeshiva-style learning for men and women, with each of the Kohls leading a separate group.  Tuesday nights are Pizza & Parsha night, where everyone learns the weekly Torah portion with a friend or two.  Friday night onegs (Shabbat celebrations) have been a big hit, with homemade desserts, chulent and lots of singing.

Eli Kohl teaches classes as well, including a daily Talmud class in the morning, as well as sessions on Chassidic Judaism.  Naomi offers a class entitled The Jewish Woman in one of the upperclassman dorms, and began a Smoothies & Shmooze in one of the freshman dorms. They both spend a large portion of their time learning one-on-one with students.

Then there is the guitar. Rabbi Kohl is a musician and has led “kumsitzes,” Jewish jam sessions. He also plays every week in one of the guys’ apartments so that everyone can come together to sing and tell stories. The Kohls live near campus and students feel comfortable popping by at all hours to shmooze.

Yisrael (better known as “Izzy") is the Kohl’s newest addition.  They look forward to introducing their son to all the wonderful things that take place in the special Maryland Hillel community.  They look forward to an exciting new year and getting to know, develop and strengthen their relationships with all the amazing students on campus.