About the Staff

Lisa Hostein, Executive Editor

Lisa Hostein became the executive editor of Hadassah Magazine in November 2015, making her the first female journalist to lead the publication. Her prior experience includes serving nearly 15 years as editor in chief of JTA, the global Jewish news agency, and eight years as the executive editor of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia. A graduate of Swarthmore College, she has received numerous journalism awards from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Philadelphia Press Association and the American Jewish Press Association, which has honored her with its Award for Distinguished Service to Jewish Journalism.

She can be reached at lhostein@hadassah.org.

Libby Barnea, Deputy Editor

Libby Barnea has been with Hadassah Magazine since 2000, serving in a variety of editorial roles before being named deputy editor in 2020. Among her various areas of journalistic interest are food, travel and Jewish life-style pieces as well as explorations of motherhood and womanhood. In 2011, she edited The Hadassah Everyday Cookbook: Daily Meals for the Contemporary Jewish Kitchen. She is a graduate of Barnard College.

She can be reached at lbarnea@hadassah.org.

Leah Finkelshteyn, Senior Editor

Leah Finkelshteyn started at Hadassah Magazine two decades ago as a freelance writer and editor and went on to become associate editor and then senior editor. With a background in design as well as Jewish art history, her areas of interests include literature, arts and culture and the intersection of religion and modern thought. She is a graduate of Stern College for Women.

She can be reached at lfinkelshteyn@hadassah.org.

Arielle Kaplan, Digital Editor

Arielle Kaplan is a Jewish culture and comedy writer, media personality and top-charting podcaster. Her career in Jewish media began at 70 Faces Media as an editorial assistant for Hey Alma, Kveller and the Nosher. Arielle covered the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and has bylines in The Times of Israel and Haaertz. She created, produced and hosted the Torah comedy video series “And God Was Like” and currently writes “Hey Bubbela,” a Jewcy Magazine dating advice column. She gravitates towards stories about women and Judaism, Jewish history and pop culture, comedy and sexual health. Arielle joined Hadassah Magazine as digital editor in May 2022. 

She can be reached at akaplan@hadassah.org

Celia Weintrob, Advertising Manager

Celia Weintrob is a career advertising sales executive who joined Hadassah Magazine in July 2017. She was publisher of The Brooklyn Paper, worked in sales and marketing for NewsCorp’s New York City community newspaper group, was general manager of The Riverdale Press and advertising manager of The Jewish Star. Celia has produced and managed newspapers, magazines, websites, direct mail and other marketing products. She is active with the Great Long Island Challah Bake, Jewish Women Entrepreneurs and the American Jewish Press Association.

She can be reached at cweintrob@hadassah.org.

Randi O’Connor, Advertising Sales Associate

Randi O’Connor first came to Hadassah Magazine in 2009 as a freelance writer and editorial consultant and later became an independent ad salesperson. She joined the magazine ad staff full time in 2012. Randi was a staff writer at The Jewish Week. She has also written for Babaganewz and CeramicsTECHNICAL.

She can be reached at roconnor@hadassah.org.