Jewish Chicago Magazine

Community is a way of life for Ellie.
 
She is a co-chair of the Rose Crown Minyan at Anshe Emet Synagogue and, alongside her partner, Ruthie, runs the Lakeview Moishe Pod, where they have hosted dozens of community events, from Shabbat dinners to book clubs to packing food for tzedakah.
 
Professionally, Ellie is a leader in sex education. She currently works at DePaul University where she is responsible for sexual health programming and provides individual support for survivors of sexual violence. As a Jew working at a Catholic university, Ellie expertly navigates supporting students’ needs in a religious environment.
 
“Ellie is a fierce advocate for her students, accompanying students to police stations, legal hearings, and medical appointments,” Ruthie said. “Ellie has created new interdepartmental coalitions, events, and programs to meet the needs of all the students at the university.”
 
Ellie works tirelessly to right the wrongs she sees in the world. Whether she’s helping college students, families at synagogue, or family, she is always chasing justice for the people around her.
 

Age: 29
 
Pronouns: she/her/hers
 
Primary gig: Wellness Support Specialist & Survivor Support Advocate in the Center for Counseling and Wellness at DePaul University
 
Jewish summer camp: Camp Ramah in Wisconsin
 
Describe yourself in 10 words or less: Ambitious, passionate, quirky, fierce, taboo, and un-embarrassed.
 
Celebrity doppelganger: I’ve been told that I look like Ariel Winter, but I’m not sure that I see it.
 
A Jew who inspires you: Harvey Milk. He was a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and for social justice causes that were ahead of his time.
 
Your best piece of advice: I definitely don’t always follow this advice, but you don’t have to say “yes.”