Financial woes caused Fieldler Hillel Center to cut its assistant director on the same day it appointed a new campus rabbi.

In an e-mail sent Wednesday, the Jewish organization’s executive director told members of NU’s Jewish community that Stacy Lubov will vacate her post by the end of the week.

Josh Feigelson, the newly-appointed campus rabbi, will be joining the center’s staff in August upon his graduation from rabbinical school in New York this June, Executive Director Adam Simon said.

The executive director said it was an unfortunate coincidence that news of the elimination of the assistant director position came at the same time as the appointment of the rabbi.

“Although there is a definite financial implication to each of them,” Simon said. “The decisions were made independently.”

Lubov’s position was eliminated after Hillel’s board of directors at NU, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, and the network of Hillel centers across the country, decided to make more immediate financial changes in the organization.

“It is unfortunate because Stacy is very talented and a great asset to the community, but we have a deficit and can no longer support the position,” Simon said.

Simon said Hillel has not done a good job communicating the financial needs of the center to parents, alumni and community members.

“We have to raise money to support the organization,” said SiMonday, explaining that Hillel receives no funding from NU.

Facing structural changes and financial difficulties, the center has been working to reorganize itself for several months.

After the October resignation of Rabbi Michael Mishkin, who previously served both as the executive director and head rabbi of Hillel, officials decided to separate the positions. Simon was named executive director in February.

Feigelson was hired after an intensive screening process by committees of students, faculty, staff and community members, Simon said.

The transitions that Hillel is facing ultimately will benefit the organization, said Zach Galin, president of Hillel Cultural Life.

“We, as Jews, have to work with our restraints and create a vibrant community on campus,” said Galin, a Weinberg sophomore. “As sad as I am to see Stacy leave, we have to move forward as a community.”

Galin also said Feigelson will be a positive influence on the Jewish community on campus.

“I think Josh is an excellent person with great brains and personality,” he said. “He will connect well with the students and will assist in creating great programming.”

Simon agreed, saying that the new rabbi has an approachable demeanor and a “tremendous way to relate to people.”

Weinberg senior Adam Riff said he believes the changes will benefit Hillel in the long run.

“It’s hard for any organization that goes through such a complete turnover,” Riff said. “The appropriate decisions are being made, as unfortunate as they may be.”

Simon said he believes Hillel is taking the necessary steps to solve its financial problems.

“We are a place that is making tough decisions,” he said, “but we are setting ourselves up to be very strong.”

Reach Yndira Marin at [email protected].