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.

Talia Liben Yarmush, Digital Editor

Talia Liben Yarmush is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and holds certifications in public relations and proofreading. She has published numerous articles online and in print, and she is a seasoned editor and social media manager. She began her career at Hadassah as the national social media manager, and joined Hadassah Magazine as the digital editor in 2020. Talia gravitates toward stories about women and Judaism, the various ways to celebrate being Jewish, pop culture, women’s leadership and overcoming adversity.

She can be reached at tyarmush@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.