News

Welcoming the 黑料传送门 2022 Summer Interns

Author

黑料传送门

Date

June 8, 2022

黑料传送门 is so excited to welcome our Summer 2022 interns! While these students cannot physically be at 黑料传送门鈥檚 headquarters in Washington, D.C., this talented and diverse group of interns is rolling up their sleeves and working virtually with several different teams across the organization. These interns come from diverse Jewish backgrounds and are active in their local Hillels, where they have developed their passion for the Jewish community, Tikkun Olam, and the Hillel movement. 

Read about them below:

Aviva Weinstein (She/Her/Hers) – Brandeis University, ’23
Hillel U Intern

Hi! My name is Aviva Weinstein (she/her) and I’m from Bala Cynwyd, PA, about 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia. I am a rising senior at Brandeis University听studying Anthropology and Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, and minoring in Business. I grew up going to Jewish Day Schools as well as Camp Ramah in the Poconos and I was very active in my local BBYO chapter. At Brandeis, in addition to being a member of the Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team, I have held various leadership roles through Hillel including Engagement Intern (2019), Israel Intern (2020), and Social and Cultural Events Coordinator on the student board (2020-21)! I’m so excited to be joining the 黑料传送门 team this summer in order to further the larger goals of this organization that has given me so much throughout my time in college!

Lindsey Hammar (She/Her/Hers) – James Madison University, ’23
Digital Media Intern

Hi! My name is Lindsey and I’m a rising senior at James Madison University听studying Media Arts & Design with a focus in Digital Video & Cinema. I’m originally from Denver, Colorado but moved to the East Coast for school to pursue my goal of being a Division 1 athlete, which I am now achieving as a diver on JMU’s Womens Swim and Dive team. Outside of sports and video production, I enjoy being with family and friends, reading, and spending time with my dog. I am so excited for this internship and to grow my experience and knowledge in the video production field!

Yana Tartakovskiy (She/Her/Hers) – University of Connecticut, ’25
Social Media Intern

My name is Yana Tartakovskiy, pronouns she/her/hers, and I am a rising sophomore studying Healthcare Management at the University of Connecticut, with a minor in Political Science. I am part of UConn Hillel’s executive board as the Vice President of Marketing. Some things you can find me doing on campus in my free time are hanging out with friends in the Hillel building, taking part in clubs like Law Society, Empowering Women in Law, and UConn’s Ballet Company, as well as studying in the library and going on long walks enjoying the greenery of UConn’s campus. Fun fact about me, I have been dancing since I was 3 years old and it brings out my love for music and the arts. This summer, alongside working for 黑料传送门, I will be taking part in research regarding the pandemic and the effects it has had on Jewish communities around the world with the co-founding professors of the Pandemic Journaling Project. I will also be spending time with my friends and family in my hometown of Brooklyn, New York.

Hailey Smilowitz (She/Her/Hers) – University of South Carolina, ’26
Digital Marketing Intern

Hi everyone! I鈥檓 Hailey Smilowitz (she/her) and I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I am a rising junior at University of South Carolina听where I am the Vice President of Communications and Media at the UofSC Hillel! I am majoring in Mass Communications with a minor in Jewish Studies and I am so excited to be joining the 黑料传送门 team this summer as the Digital Marketing intern!听

Ryan Gibbons (He/Him/His), Elon University, ’25
Measurement Intern

My name is Ryan Gibbons, and I am a rising sophomore at Elon University听pursuing degrees in Environmental Science and Cinema & Television Arts. I grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee where I was raised in a Reform Jewish household. I am a percussionist in several music ensembles, and I enjoy rock climbing and baking. This summer, alongside this internship, I am volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. I use He/Him/His pronouns.

Gabrielle Peck (She/Her/Hers), Boston University, ’23
Communications Intern

My name is Gabrielle Peck and I am a rising senior at Boston University. I’m majoring in English with a minor in Jewish Studies. I’m very active at BU’s Hillel and I’m grateful for the positive impact it’s had on my college experience. I also write articles for BU’s chapter of Her Campus, a by-college-women, for-college-women online publication. I’m looking forward to joining the Communications team this summer!

Geneve Halfman (She/Her/Hers), Hamilton College, ’25
Campaign Services Intern

I鈥檓 Geneve, a sophomore at Hamilton College听in upstate NY, and I鈥檓 studying World Politics and Philosophy! This summer, I鈥檓 working from my hometown just outside Chicago. I love going for walks in the woods, hammocking, and writing poetry, but one of my favorite parts of campus is the Hillel; it鈥檚 such a welcoming community that encourages students鈥� Jewish identities to be ever-evolving, social-oriented, and self-directed. I鈥檓 excited to intern for 黑料传送门 this summer to learn how the business processes translate into the vibrant community I鈥檝e grown to love and to interact with the people that make it possible!

Sydney Klapman (She/Her/Hers), University of Maryland, ’24
Conferences and Events Intern

Hi! I鈥檓 Sydney Klapman and I鈥檓 a rising junior at the University of Maryland. I鈥檓 a journalism major with a minor in leadership studies and another minor in nonprofit management. I鈥檓 from Northbrook, which is a suburb of Chicago. Outside of that, I鈥檓 involved in a few campus news publications, the Maryland Hillel of course, and my sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon. I also work at a country club as a server on the weekends.

Danielle London (She/Her/Hers), University of Maryland, ’25
Digital Fundraising Intern

I am a rising sophomore at the University of Maryland听where I am pursuing dual degrees in Community Health and Psychology. I have found a welcoming 鈥渟econd home鈥� at the UMD Hillel over the past year. I am a singer in Mezumenet,听an a capella group on campus, and serve as their PR Manager. I am a Sigma Delta Tau sorority sister and a fundraising leader in Terp Thon. I enjoy playing tennis, painting, exercising, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. I am excited to serve as 黑料传送门鈥檚 Digital Fundraising Intern, and am looking forward to a summer filled with personal growth and professional development.

Frannie Cohen-Dumani (She/Her/Hers), College of Charleston, ’23
Strategic HR/Talent Acquisition Intern

Frannie is from Bethesda, Maryland, and is a rising senior at the College of Charleston听where she is studying Psychology with a minor in Management. On campus, she served as the Hillel Vice President, works as a research assistant for the Psychology department, and looks forward to her role as a Peer Career Advisor in the fall. In her free time, Frannie enjoys cooking, trying different coffee shops in Charleston, going to the beach, and traveling. She has loved working 黑料传送门 and is so excited to continue as the Strategic HR and Talent Acquisition intern this summer.

Sasha Giniger (She/Her/Hers), Northeastern University, ’25
Israel Action Program Intern

My name is Sasha Giniger (she/her) and I am a rising sophomore at Northeastern University. I am pursuing a double major in History, Culture, and Law and International Affairs. Additionally, I am doing our Plus One program to receive a Masters in Political Science and am a Jewish Studies minor. I have been active in my University鈥檚 Hillel, entering into my second semester on our executive board, first as our Interfaith Chair and now as the Holiday Chair. I am also affiliated with Northeastern University鈥檚 International Relations Council, originally as a competitor, representing the University in Model United Nations, Model Arab League, and Model NATO debate conferences, as well as a member of the executive board for the fall of 2022. I aim to work in the law or politics and I look forward to the work that I will be doing with 黑料传送门 this summer as a member of this team.听听

Zoe Winger (She/Her/Hers), Kent State University, ’23
Graphic Design Intern

Hello, my name is Zoe Winger听 I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio but am currently a senior at Kent State University听where I am studying Visual Communication Design. My passion for design started my senior year of high school where I took a graphic design elective. After graduating high school in 2018, I lived in Israel for a year where I took classes and volunteered in the community. This experience made me eager to stay connected with the Jewish community while in college. On my first day at Kent, I found myself 黑料传送门 on my campus where I fell in love with the students, staff, and overall environment. I am extremely excited to combine my two passions by being a graphic design intern here at 黑料传送门.

Lily Tabenken (She/Her/Hers), Muhlenberg College, ’24
Campaign Services Intern

Hi everyone! My name is Lily Tabenken (she/her/hers) and I am from Falmouth, Maine and go to Muhlenberg College听in Allentown, Pennsylvania where I am a rising junior. I am a media and communications major with minors in Jewish studies and business as well as on the pre-law track. At Muhlenberg I am very active in Hillel and instantly was drawn to the beautiful Hillel Building as well as the active Jewish community on campus. for the past year I have served on my Hillel board as the social action co-chair and for the next year I will be serving as the outreach co-chair where I will show prospective students wh黑料传送门 is like and helping first year students get involved with Hillel. Other than Hillel I am in the sorority Phi Sigma Sigma and apart of the Muhlenberg chapter of Best Buddies where I serve as the event co-chair where I plan our monthly events. In my free time, I love to hang out with friends, travel, and swim. I am so excited to be interning with 黑料传送门 this summer as the campaign service intern!

Samantha Brody (She/Her/Hers), Brandeis University, ’24
Israel Education Intern

Samantha Brody is an incoming junior at Brandeis University听studying Education Studies, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, and Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. She is the 2022 President of the Brandeis Hillel student board, and is active in Masorti @ Brandeis. Samantha is also beginning her second year as a member of the 黑料传送门 Student Cabinet. She is deeply passionate about Israel education and organized an ongoing conservation series about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on her campus. Samantha spent her gap year on the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel, where she studied at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and volunteered as an English tutor in Teveria.

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黑料传送门 Announces 2022-2023 Student Cabinet

Author

黑料传送门

Date

May 20, 2022

The post 黑料传送门 Announces 2022-2023 Student Cabinet appeared first on 黑料传送门.

News

Hillel seniors sign off with reflections on college experience

Author

Gabriel Lesser, Emma Lichtenstein and Rachel Bernstein

Date

May 19, 2022

Cap, gown, tassel 鈥� check.

Hillel seniors are preparing to cross the graduation stage this summer. Meet the soon-to-be college graduates who say the Hillel effect lasts long after they leave campus.

Alanna Margulies, Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2022

鈥�Hopkins Hillel encouraged me to explore my Judaism beyond celebrating holidays and keeping kashrut. I became part of the Modern Orthodox community, and little by little, I began observing Shabbat. I turned off my phone, powered down my laptop, and spent time with my friends. I chose to live an observant Jewish lifestyle, but that didn鈥檛 mean I had to give up the things I loved. I still celebrated Shabbat with all of my friends from different denominations, and I still participated in college activities that were important to me before and are still important to me now.听

I knew I wanted to make a difference on campus, and that鈥檚 why I began participating in leadership roles. I鈥檝e been an intern for the Orthodox Union鈥檚 Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (OU-JLIC), president of the Israel Middle East Forum, and social and marketing chair for the Hillel student board. In these positions, I learned how to create community by planning events, like 鈥楾he Great Latke vs. Hamentashen Debate,鈥� where I recruited professors and worked collaboratively with other members of the Hillel community. Most recently, I was Hopkins Hillel’s student board president, where I was able to become more confident as a leader and continue using my voice. As a leader, I鈥檝e learned how to make ideas come to life, and that鈥檚 what鈥檚 truly meaningful to me. 

As I prepare to graduate, I鈥檓 thinking about my Jewish future. I鈥檒l need to be much more intentional about the communities and activities I鈥檓 a part of because I won鈥檛 have the structural support of Hillel anymore. I鈥檝e definitely grown a lot as a Jewish young adult, and it鈥檚 become something that鈥檚 personally meaningful to me. As I move into adulthood, I鈥檒l need to build my own community around me, and in many ways, I want to emulate what we have 黑料传送门.鈥�

Harrison Rosengard, Brandeis University, Class of 2022

鈥淢y first day on campus, I saw someone wearing a Brandeis Hillel听shirt and pulled him aside to learn more. He took me to services that Friday, and that encouraged me to go every week. From there, my involvement with Hillel continued to grow. I signed up for the Jewish Learning Fellowship, a seminar to help students deepen their Jewish understanding. That was my first experience with Jewish learning that wasn鈥檛 sitting in a classroom and reading prayers. From there, my passion grew.听

Originally, I came to Brandeis thinking I would study science. Once I got to experience Brandeis Hillel, the community that is here, the other people my age who are excited to be Jewish, something just felt right. The community was so vibrant and lively that it made me go from Jew-ish to someone who keeps Shabbat, who keeps kosher, who wants to devote his life to a Jewish community. Now, I want to be a rabbi. I want to support people 鈥� spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.听

I can’t think of an aspect of Hillel that wasn’t a meaningful role, a meaningful experience in some way, shape, or form. There is no other group of people who can match the energy, the spirit, the welcoming attitude, and the fun times that I’ve had here 黑料传送门. I’m going to infuse that same energy into my community when I become a rabbi. For my entire career, I want to do whatever I can to get close to that same level of passion and enthusiasm at Brandeis Hillel.鈥� 

Lauren Milstein, University of Southern California, Class of 2022

鈥淏efore I was even accepted into USC, a close family friend gave me the most recent edition of the Hillel College Guide Magazine. One article, called 鈥楩reshfest,鈥� was about a USC Hillel听retreat for incoming Jewish freshmen and transfers. Reading the article further solidified my goal to go to USC and my desire to be a part of the Jewish community on campus.听

The following spring, I was accepted into USC, and that summer, I actually went to Freshfest. I experienced so many of the things described in that magazine article, like making s鈥檓ores and lifelong friends. The words from that story leapt off the page in real time. That inspired me to pay it forward as a freshman engagement fellow at Freshfest in 2019 and 2021. 

And when I wasn鈥檛 at Freshfest, I was still involved with USC Hillel. It always provided a place of lively conversations and snacks, as well as a wonderful way to connect with my Jewish heritage and identity, whether through Shabbat dinners, Passover seders, or networking events with Jewish alumni.鈥�

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Creating a Home for Myself and Others 黑料传送门

Author

Samantha Brody

Date

May 19, 2022

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago in a Conservative, non-observant Jewish family, I never thought keeping Shabbat was something I would do. I couldn鈥檛 imagine losing a day to do homework, go out with my friends, or use my phone. 

Living in Jerusalem, though, made me completely rethink what was possible for my Shabbat observance. 

After graduating high school in 2019, I moved to Israel for a year. The hostel I lived in, the streets I walked on, and my entire schedule was built around Shabbat observance. Suddenly, keeping Shabbat didn鈥檛 seem impossible. 

Empowered by experiences from my first semester in Israel, I decided to give Shabbat a chance. I woke up early one Saturday morning and walked to services, shared Shabbat lunch with my friends, and spent the afternoon taking on as many Shabbat-friendly activities as I could, like playing cards and strolling around a nearby park. 

Though it wasn鈥檛 easy to change up my routine, I found that I really loved being able to take walks, read books, and enjoy time with friends. Despite keeping myself busy for most of the day, I ended that Shabbat more refreshed and ready for the week than I had ever been.

From that Shabbat onward, I became committed to exploring and growing my practices in Israel. Shabbat became a refuge and a time to relax 鈥� what Abraham Joshua Heschel calls 鈥渁 palace in time.鈥�

When I came home in spring 2020, I had to quarantine without my friends and support system around me. However, I still held onto my Shabbat traditions, despite the challenges that accompanied losing the Shabbat-observant setting and community I had come to rely on.

As I prepared to start college at Brandeis University, I already knew that Jewish resources on campus were going to play a crucial role in my social and religious journeys. Since my first day on campus, Brandeis Hillel has remained committed to providing COVID-safe opportunities to enjoy Shabbat dinner, tefillot (prayers) for Jewish students of all backgrounds, and holiday celebrations that bring us together.听

I never had to worry about the availability of kosher food at an event or having a space for me to say Havdalah. I never worried that I couldn鈥檛 be a part of Hillel because I was more or less observant than my peers. In fact, I鈥檝e been able to keep a stricter level of kashrut (Jewish dietary laws), attend more prayer services, and learn from others about Jewish practices I鈥檇 never even heard of because of the resources at Brandeis Hillel.

As I鈥檝e continued on my journey, I鈥檝e discovered the importance of creating a space where students of all backgrounds and practices can be Jewish together. 

Stepping into leadership roles at my Hillel has enabled me to play a part in making our space more accessible for Jews of all backgrounds. At Shabbat dinners, we make sure to put booklets on the tables for students who need to say Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals), set up handwashing stations, and print out prayers.

The moments when I am most conscious of religious pluralism come during announcements at Shabbat dinner, where my job is to explain how to participate in singing Shalom Aleichem and Kiddush (the blessing over the wine) as well as to direct anyone to resources throughout the room that will make their Shabbat dinner meaningful. 

Every week, I ask myself what I鈥檓 doing to encourage all forms of Jewish connection. Are we defining Hebrew terms during announcements? Are we choosing to sing songs that resonate with a variety of audiences? By taking extra care to formulate our Jewish spaces around diverse needs, I will continue to encourage my peers to explore their Judaism in every way that resonates with them. 

Judaism was made accessible to me throughout my first few semesters of college, allowing me to learn and grow Jewishly, and it has been such a rewarding experience to create a space for others to do the same.

Samantha Brody is a sophomore at Brandeis University.

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Florida Hillels host 鈥淪pread Cream Cheese, Not Hate鈥� Events to Combat Antisemitism

Author

Emma Lichtenstein

Date

April 26, 2022

Florida Hillels have found an incredibly successful 鈥� and delicious 鈥� way to counter antisemitism on college campuses. Call it a schmear campaign. 

鈥淪pread Cream Cheese, Not Hate,鈥� which originated at University of Florida Hillel in 2020, spreads awareness about antisemitism. The event is simple: Sign a petition against antisemitism and receive a fresh bagel and T-shirt.听

UF Hillel students and professionals never expected 鈥淪pread Cream Cheese, Not Hate鈥� to become an annual tradition in Florida. Originally, as a joke, a UF Hillel professional highlighted National Bagel Day on the staff calendar, but quickly realized the potential for an educational event. 

鈥淲e wanted to figure out a low-barrier opportunity for us to start raising awareness and educating the greater community about antisemitism,鈥� said Jamie Zinn, director of development at UF Hillel. 鈥淲e thought, 鈥楬ow can we leverage a pop culture moment, if you will, for an opportunity to create change and dialogue?鈥欌��

This year, to get the campus community involved, Hillel students and professionals set up three tables in areas with heavy foot traffic on Jan. 18. They spent the day tabling, where they answered questions about the rise of antisemitism on campus and beyond. 

The petition stated that the number of antisemtic incidents are 鈥渋ncreasing at an alarming rate.鈥� It asked signers to pledge to combat hate of all forms and work to keep the campus safe for all community members. 

At the end of the day, the petition received over 1,700 signatures.  

For Jakob Levin, a 22-year-old senior studying political science and Jewish studies, combatting antisemitism is a personal mission. 

鈥淒uring winter break in 2019, my mezuzah was stolen,鈥� he said. 

His mezuzah was never found. Another apartment housing Jewish students was also vandalized in winter 2019. 

These incidents motivated him to get out on campus and spread awareness about antisemitism. Levin has worked the 鈥淪pread Cream Cheese, Not Hate鈥� event for three years. 

This year, the event occurred right after the Colleyville, Texas synagogue attack, where four people 鈥� including the synagogue鈥檚 rabbi 鈥� were held hostage for nearly 11 hours. This attack, as well as the spike in national antisemitism, encouraged both Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach and Central Florida Hillel to host their own 鈥淪pread Cream Cheese, Not Hate鈥� events.听

Amanda Baritz, a Florida Atlantic University student majoring in social work, volunteered at the Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach event, which took place at FAU on Feb. 1. She walked around with a clipboard, encouraging passersby to scan a QR code leading to the petition.听

Baritz, 21, said she was pleasantly surprised at how well the event was received on her campus. The pledge was signed by almost 400 people.

鈥淚 was super nervous going up and talking to people,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut it was really exciting to see people from other backgrounds, not just the Jewish community. We weren鈥檛 the only ones sticking up for ourselves. Other people cared as well.鈥�

At Central Florida Hillel, Jake Gould, a 20-year-old junior, worked his campus event at UCF on Feb. 28. The health sciences major said the petition was signed by over 500 people, despite a short tabling window. Many of the people he spoke to weren鈥檛 Jewish. 

For Gould, spreading awareness was crucial, especially because of a slew of hate incidents in Orlando, which included antisemitic signs and rallies earlier this year. 

鈥淭abling on campus is usually superficial, so here we had a unique ability to be able to easily attract students, but also do it with a purpose, to have that deeper level,鈥� he said. 

The event has seen great success this year. Jamie Zinn of UF Hillel said 鈥淪pread Cream Cheese, Not Hate鈥� could grow even more in coming years. 

鈥淚n addition to FAU and UCF, I think we’ve received inquiries from seven other Hillels across the country that are interested in doing this,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think we’re all hungry for proactive opportunities.鈥�

Emma Lichtenstein is a senior at Brandeis University. 

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News

Hillels around the world celebrate Good Deeds Day

Author

Emma Lichtenstein

Date

April 21, 2022

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Jewish Students Shine in 鈥楯eopardy! National College Championship鈥�

Author

Alexandra Goldberg

Date

March 3, 2022

Isaac Applebaum has been a 鈥淛eopardy!鈥濃�� fan for as long as he can remember. As a child, he and his family would shout answers at the television and hum along to the show鈥檚 iconic theme song. 

This month, Applebaum finally put his knowledge to the test on the 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� stage. 

鈥淚鈥檝e wanted to be on 鈥楯eopardy!鈥� since I was a little kid. My parents were like, 鈥榊ou seem to know a lot of these answers, so you should try out,鈥欌�� said Applebaum, a computational biology major at Stanford University. 鈥淚 did well enough on the test to get an audition. And then from there, it was like a dream come true.鈥�

Applebaum, 23, was one of six Jewish students who brought heat to the 鈥淛eopardy! National College Championship鈥� this month. The competition, hosted by Jewish actress and 鈥淭he Big Bang Theory鈥� star , tested the quick wit of 36 college students for a grand prize of $250,000.

The Jewish competitors, most of whom are active in Hillel, said their faith played a key role in their 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� experience. For weeks, they buzzed in answers to questions as their families, friends, and Hillels cheered them on from afar. 

鈥淲hen I was on stage, I wasn鈥檛 thinking about the broadcast, and I just wanted to get the most out of the experience,鈥� said Joey Kornman, a 20-year-old junior at Brandeis University. 鈥淭he whole thing still feels surreal.鈥�

Kornman, who qualified for the semifinals after winning the quarterfinal competition, said the people made 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� a memorable experience.

鈥淚t was so nice to meet students from across the country,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ot everyone shared the same academic interests, but we had enough in common to be selected for this 鈥楯eopardy!鈥� tournament.鈥�

For Sam Blum, an engineering science major at Vanderbilt University, competing on the show was a full-circle moment.

During his senior year of high school, Blum and his father snagged tickets to a live taping of 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� in Los Angeles. While sitting in the studio audience, he spoke to the late Alex Trebek, who hosted 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� for a record-setting 37 seasons.

鈥淚 told him I hoped to be back one day,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 had wanted to be a part of this for so long.鈥�

Flash forward to his senior year of college, Blum was finally on stage. His study strategies, including practice games with his parents, who played the part of 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� host over Zoom, would help him clinch third place in the quarterfinals.

鈥淭hat gave me a better feel of what it would be like to answer 50 questions in a row, standing up, with a buzzer,鈥� Blum, 22, said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about timing.鈥�

Lucy Greenman, a senior studying health analytics at College of William & Mary, opened her television appearance with a short story about teaching Hebrew to kindergarten and first-grade students.

鈥淗aving little kids is the best because they have no filter,鈥� she said to 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� host Mayim Bialik. 

The road to 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� fame was intense. After taking a baseline quiz, Greenman and her peers had a series of callbacks until they were selected to participate in the 36-student tournament.

Greenman, who regularly leads Shabbat services at her Hillel, was excited to interact with a Jewish star like Bialik.

鈥淭he whole show has a Jewish tint to it, because you’re going to meet a Jewish celebrity,鈥� Greenman said. 鈥淪o it was definitely a theme of the weekend, and it’s very comforting to meet somebody and know that you already have such a core part of yourself in common with them.鈥�

Besides connecting with Bialik, Greenman, 24, said the best part of her experience was building relationships with the other competitors. Post-filming dinners and hours spent on stage helped her bond with them. 

鈥淎fter we played our first games, and that whole wave of stress was over, the best part was that we had all been through it together,鈥� Greenman said. 鈥淚t was just like hanging out with friends.鈥�

For Fiona Hellerman, an international relations and philosophy major who is active in Hillel at Tulane University, the most memorable part of the tournament was speaking with Bialik about her late uncle. 

As a child, Hellerman discovered she had a knack for trivia while watching 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� with her Great Uncle John.

鈥淗e loved trivia and random questions. We鈥檇 always watch 鈥楯eopardy!鈥� and joke around,鈥� Hellerman said. 鈥淗e also really loved Bialik鈥檚 character in the 鈥楤ig Bang Theory,鈥� which was one of his favorite TV shows.鈥�

During her senior year in high school, Great Uncle John died of medical complications. Throughout the 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� filming experience, Hellerman said she felt her uncle鈥檚 presence and support. 

鈥淓verything really felt like it came full circle when I was filming,鈥� Hellerman said. 鈥淭here was a confluence of factors, like how the woman who portrayed his favorite character on the 鈥楤ig Bang Theory鈥� was hosting a show that we all loved, and how I was representing my dream school on the show.鈥� 

After filming, the 21-year-old senior spoke with Bialik about how special this experience was for her and her uncle.

鈥淪he sent my family her love and said it was a beautiful story. It was just so sweet and special,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 know that I got a little misty while we were talking.鈥�

Beyond the stress of hitting the buzzer first and the race for the cash prize, 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� was an experience about connection, Hellerman said.

鈥淢y time on 鈥楯eopardy!鈥� was more than a competition. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,鈥� Hellerman said. 鈥淗aving that sentimental moment with Mayim is honestly worth much more than any prize I could鈥檝e won playing the game.鈥�

Isaac Applebaum also shared a moment with Bialik. 

When the studio cameras were rolling, Applebaum told Bialik that his mother鈥檚 battle with cancer deepened his 鈥減ersonal faith and relationship with God鈥� and encouraged him to work toward a career in oncology. 

He also said his faith helped him cope with stress during the competition, especially during the semifinals.

鈥淔aith can give you perspective and also this idea that things in life happen for a reason as part of God’s plan for our life,鈥� Applebaum said. 鈥淚 think it takes some of the pressure off.鈥�

Alexandra Goldberg is a sophomore at University of California, Santa Barbara.

The post Jewish Students Shine in 鈥楯eopardy! National College Championship鈥� appeared first on 黑料传送门.

Antisemitism

Diversity and Inclusion

Hillel Leadership

LGBTQIA+

Social Justice

Grappling with the Complexities of Black, Queer and Jewish

Author

黑料传送门

Date

April 22, 2021

The post Grappling with the Complexities of Black, Queer and Jewish appeared first on 黑料传送门.

Jewish Identity

Social Justice

Jews of Color have always been in the picture. We鈥檙e just easily overlooked and undermined.

Author

黑料传送门

Date

June 16, 2020

The post Jews of Color have always been in the picture. We鈥檙e just easily overlooked and undermined. appeared first on 黑料传送门.

LGBTQIA+

I鈥檓 queer, and I鈥檓 Jewish. These identities are two very important parts of who I am.

Author

黑料传送门

Date

July 2, 2018

The post I鈥檓 queer, and I鈥檓 Jewish. These identities are two very important parts of who I am. appeared first on 黑料传送门.