Religious Life Advisers
Religious Life Advisers are local faith leaders who partner with The Office of Religious Life to ensure that students are supported in their diverse traditions and practices. While they are not staff members of the university, our advisers nonetheless play a deeply meaningful role within our community. They offer support during times of celebration, crisis, and everyday life, expanding the university’s unique network of care. Recognized student groups may work with our office to assess student needs, consider potential advisers, and complete an official application process that may lead toward recognition for the academic year.
Religious Groups at Columbia University
Grace Koo — International Students and Scholars
Email: [email protected]
Grace works for Bridges International, a global and interdenominational Christian organization that serves international students and visiting scholars around the world. She spent a year abroad in Hong Kong launching Bridges on 4 campuses there, and has been at Columbia University the last 3 years coming alongside the international community here in NYC. Grace enjoys hosting and creating meaningful spaces that foster deep friendships, spiritual conversations, and lots of laughter! She's available to meet throughout the week!
Rev. Doyeon Park
108 Earl Hall, MC 2008
Email: [email protected]
Web: CUBA Facebook Page
Weekly Meditation: Thursdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: Earl Hall, Dodge Room
Rev. Doyeon Park is a Kyomunim, literally meaning one who devotes oneself to teach Buddha dharma in the Won Buddhist tradition. She has served as the Buddhist Religious Life Advisor at Columbia University since 2011. She is also the Buddhist chaplain at New York University and a minister at the Manhattan Won Buddhist Temple.
Inspired by the Buddhist idea of inner freedom and happiness, Rev. Park started her monastic training in 1998. She graduated from Dept. of Won Buddhism, Won Kwang University, Iksan, Korea and earned an M.A. in Won Buddhist Studies from Won Institute of Graduate Studies, Glenside, Pennsylvania, USA. She received full ordination in 2007.
Rabbi Yehuda Drizin
Email: [email protected]
Naomi Drizin
Web: https://www.chabadcolumbia.org/
Shabbat Meals and Services: Friday and Saturday Nights
Location: 625 West 113th Street
New York, NY 10025
Rabbi Yuda Drizin grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. He studied in yeshiva abroad in Paris, Israel and Argentina before returning to New York to receive his rabbinical ordination. He loves to connect with people of all ages, stages and backgrounds to discuss Jewish thought, share inspiration and best of all to just schmooze over coffee.
Naomi Drizin was raised in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. After completing her schooling, she taught for three years at Beth Rivkah girls high school before beginning a masters program at Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She ensures that everyone who walks through the door at Chabad feels comfortable and welcome with her enthusiasm and warm smile.
Web: www.columbia-catholic.org
Catholic Mass: Monday–Friday, 12:15–1:00 p.m., Sundays, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: Notre Dame Church
Navah Kogen
Email: [email protected]
Rabbi Yonah Hain (currently on sabbatical)
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.columbiabarnardhillel.org
As campus rabbi of Columbia University, Yonah Hain guides the educational, interfaith and religious initiatives of Columbia/Barnard Hillel’s robust Jewish community. Yonah is passionate about Jewish thought, and specializes in text study and religious law in particular. He started at Columbia in 2007 and also worked for three years downtown at New York University. Yonah received his B.A. in Talmudic Literature and ordination from Jerusalem’s rabbinic court. He currently lives on the Upper West Side with his wife, Elana, and their two children, Azzan and Navon. Yonah is on campus full-time with an office at the Kraft Center.
Prayer Schedule:
Conservative Jewish
Shabbat: Sundown on Fridays; Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.
Orthodox Jewish
Daily 7:45 a.m. and sundown
Shabbat: Sundown on Fridays; Saturdays, 9:15 a.m.
Reform Jewish
Shabbat: Fridays, 6:15 p.m.
Location: The Kraft Center
606 West 115th Street
New York, NY 10027
Rev. Daniel Lee
Email: [email protected]
Web: facebook.com/cck.cu
Bible Study: Fridays, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Lerner 302
Pastor Daniel Lee has served as Religious Life Advisor at the Columbia/Barnard Compass Christian Koinonia for over twelve years, and also pastors a local Baptist Church. He received degrees from UC Berkeley, UC Hastings Law School, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary. His religious interests include constructive theology and the integration of faith/work.
Ava Ligh
Email: [email protected]
Ava is passionate about serving students from different backgrounds who feel “in the dark” with respect to God. As a sophomore at Columbia, she joined a Bible study originally to prove to a friend that she could dismiss Christianity’s claims. Instead, she discovered that the Christian framework made better sense of the world and of human nature than did the secular framework. Ava attended Columbia College (CC '99) and her husband Peter attended Columbia Law School ('01). She worked as a consultant before obtaining a Masters in Education and teaching for two years. She then stayed at home to care for her children Karis, Erenei, and Checed before starting to minister to Columbia students in the fall of 2013. She enjoys talking, teaching the Bible, Netflix comedy specials, knitting, calligraphy, and playing Settlers of Catan with students and family!
Gregory Saroufeem — College, Graduate, Post-Graduate Students and Families
Email: [email protected]
Fr. Gregory Saroufeem is parish priest at St. Mary & St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Manhattan, NY. He was ordained into the priesthood in 2015 serving a 1st & 2nd generation American-Coptic Church, The demographic includes College, Graduate, Post-Graduate students and families. Fr. Gregory is an avid supporter of interfaith & inter-community dialogue and service. He has initiated multiple partnerships with various missions to serve the underserved thru shelters, food banks and sandwich drives. His parish hosts many events to promote dialogue with various faith communities. He is an alumni of St. John's University Class of 2001. Prior to his ordination, he has worked as a Pharmacist specializing in Oncology and rare diseases in Queens, NY as well as a Hospital Pharmacist at a Trauma 1 Institution in the Bronx. He is also a loving husband and father of 2 girls.
Vicky Samaritano
Email: [email protected]
Website: nycfacultyroundtable.org
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/columbiakccc/
Vicky works with Cru, an interdenominational Christian organization for students and other segments of society around the world. She’s been working with undergrad and grad students at Columbia since 2004 and in 2018 began investing in the faculty community through an initiative called The Faculty Roundtable. She loves coming alongside students and faculty serving as a safe place to listen, process, and support them in their spiritual and academic journeys. She also enjoys working alongside her fellow Cru staff at Columbia who lead an arm of our global organization called Soon Movement (KCCC). She is available to meet by appointment throughout the week.
Ryan Kuratko
101 Earl Hall, MC 2008
Email: [email protected]
Web: Facebook.com/ColumbiaCanterbury and canterburynyc.org/uptown-home
Eucharist: Sundays, 6:15 p.m.
Location: St. Paul’s Chapel
Noonday Prayer: Once a week
Office Hours: Thursday, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Location: Room 101 Earl Hall
The Rev. Ryan Kuratko is fascinated by the multi-dimensional formation of higher education. Ordained an Episcopal priest in 2006, he has more than 12 years of experience leading, teaching, and shaping Christian communities interested in compassion and justice. He is drawn to the generous Episcopal traditions that value everyday spirituality, rich diversity, and humor.
Ryan received a BA in philosophy from Northwestern University, an MDiv from Virginia Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Emory University in religion, with an added concentration in the study of religious practices.
Audrey Kindred
Audrey Kindred represents ethical culture and humanism in the religious/spiritual life advisor circles of Columbia University and New York University.
Audrey has led ethical intergenerational programming for 25 years and currently serves the New York Society for Ethical Culture as Ethical Education Director, creating programs for children, youth, and families; producing performances and festivals to inspire intergenerational vigor around values; serving on campuses; and presiding over National Ethical Service to global goals of the United Nations.
Audrey is the co-author, with Dr. Anne Klaeysen, of a free online course published by the American Humanist Association Center for Education called “Humanist Family Life Ceremonies.” Audrey is focused on wide ranging creativity and intentional embodiment can impact our ethical development. Her recent masters thesis titled "Human-I-Tree" centered mindful Climate Justice education.
She is alum to Bennington College, SUNY Empire University Master Program, Sunbridge Institute, American Ethical Union's Lay-leadership School, Yoga trainings and Compassionate Communication Study Groups. Other organizations she has contributed deep guidance and work toward include: Trilok School (Gandhian Philosphy), Movement Research, Quad School for 2E Learners, Bent on Learning and Narcolepsy Network. Her masters work centered mindful Climate Justice education. Audrey is focused on how human creativity, intentional embodiment, and collaboration can shape ethical development on a shared Earth.
Karina Vazquez
Email: [email protected]
My name is Karina Vazquez! I moved to NYC, February 2022. I was born in Long Island, NY, but grew up in North Carolina. There, I received my Bachelors in Science of Public Health. In college, I struggled with depression and to find authentic friendships. When I got connected with Every Nation Campus (ENC) at my university, I found a community that walked with me and helped me grow in my faith with God. I am passionate about creating an atmosphere for students to connect with others, grow in confidence and learn more about faith.
Hon Eng — Graduate Students
101 Earl Hall, MC 2003
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.columbia.edu/cu/ivcfg
Phone: 646-715-6079
Hon Eng did his undergraduate studies at Drew University. He received his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and his Master of Theology in New Testament Studies from McMaster Divinity College. He has served InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Columbia for 20 years. Currently, his ministry focuses on graduate students and faculty. He is available for appointments from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm from Monday to Friday.
Amy Cheung - International Graduate Students
Email: [email protected]
Amy Cheung enjoys creating life-giving spaces where students of all backgrounds can explore faith together and encourage each other in their spiritual journey. She cares deeply for the persecuted and has worked in prayer ministry to support unregistered churches in China. A recent research interest is the public nature of faith: the social and political role of the local church. A former English teacher in Hong Kong and New York City, she has a BA from Brown University, an MA from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She has been a long-time member of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Morningside Heights. She enjoys music and theatre, and going hiking with her husband, Ken.
Becca Seely
Email: [email protected]
The Rev. Becca Seely is a campus pastor who works with college and graduate students throughout New York City. Locally, she serves as pastor of LaMP (Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians & Friends), a progressive Protestant campus ministry in Morningside Heights. She was not raised in church and first began to explore questions of faith when she was in college. As a result, Becca is particularly passionate about working with young adults who are asking questions about God and what gives our lives meaning and purpose. She love hearing people's stories, learning new things and discovering the unexpected ways God is working in the world around us. In her free time, she enjoys running and biking in Central Park, hanging out with her wife, Abby, and planning elaborate theme parties. Becca is an active member of Proclaim, the professional community for LGBTQ Lutheran clergy. She holds a BA from Wesleyan University and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School and is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Ebad Rahman
Muslim Life Coordinator
Phone: (347) 266-1425
Office Address: 110 Earl Hall
Mailing Address: 2980 Broadway, MC 2008, NY, NY 10027
Email: [email protected]
Web: msa.studentgroups.columbia.edu
Salat (Daily Prayer): 110 Earl Hall
Jumua (Friday Prayers) 1:15–2:00 p.m.
Location: Earl Hall Auditorium
Halaqa
Thursdays 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Location: Earl Hall Auditorium
Eric Lipscomb
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 804-363-4333
Web: www.columbiaruf.org
Meetings: Thursdays, 8:00 p.m.
Location: Varies by week, email [email protected] for location.
Rev. Eric Lipscomb received a B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia, and his Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary. He is ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America, and has served as the RUF Campus Minister at Columbia since 2014. He enjoys processing questions of life and faith with students, and is available to meet by appointment throughout the week.
Micah Bragg
Email: [email protected]
Micah Bragg received a B.A. in Politics/Philosophy/Economics from Taylor University and his Masters in Biblical Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary in NYC. As the Campus Minister for RUF-I at Columbia, Micah is passionate about welcoming international students to campus through Christian hospitality and engaging with them in questions about faith, life, and their own personal challenges and joys. Micah is available to meet with students by appointment throughout the week.
Stephen Erich
Email: [email protected]
Stephen Erich is a college chaplain for students in New York City. In May ’21, Stephen graduated with an MA in Religion from Yale Divinity School, where he organized a conference on mass incarceration and was an editor for the Yale Journal of International Affairs. Prior to Yale, Stephen studied international business and received an MBA from Andrews University. Stephen has worked on religious and human rights issues in over 15 states and 5 countries. He currently attends a Seventh-day Adventist Church on the Upper East Side and enjoys hosting friends at his home in Lincoln Square.