Proud to be Jewish

When Basketball Meets Shabbat: Rami鈥檚 Story

Author

Rami Sloan

Date

March 10, 2023

Coming to campus as an observant Jewish student, I was immediately drawn to Hillel as the center of Jewish life at University of Maryland. I went to Hillel for kosher meals, for services, to meet friends, and to learn Torah. 

I鈥檓 also a lifelong basketball fan (go Sixers!), and was looking for a way to bring my Jewish life together with my love of basketball. When I learned about the National Hillel Basketball Tournament (NHBT), I knew I found the perfect blend of Judaism and basketball. I joined the board of NHBT and it quickly became an important part of my college experience. 

Now, as the Co-Chair of NHBT I am excited to welcome over 300 players and another 300 guests to Maryland Hillel in April for the 11th annual NHBT. Over the course of the weekend, each team will have the chance to play against teams from all over the country and from all kinds of Jewish backgrounds. 

In a moment unique to NHBT, at sunset on Friday, the competition of the Friday games will be set aside as the entire tournament welcomes Shabbat together. 

For me, Shabbat is a moment outside of space and time. It鈥檚 a paradoxical moment of disconnecting from the noise of weekday life in order to connect with friends, family, and God. Hillel is all about bringing connection and passion to our Jewish lives, and Shabbat at NHBT is an opportunity for students to experience that regardless of their background. 

When Shabbat ends after a Havdalah ceremony, which marks the separation between Shabbat and the rest of the week, the playoff games will kick off, and the tournament will be back in full swing. It鈥檚 these moments which have made NHBT such a special part of so many students鈥� lives and had such an impact on me. 

As I wrap up my last semester of college, Hillel, Shabbat, and basketball continue to be foundations for my life and my identity. I鈥檓 so proud of the work I鈥檝e done with NHBT and I鈥檓 excited to see where this journey takes me next.

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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.

The post Welcoming the 黑料传送门 2022 Summer Interns appeared first on 黑料传送门.

Leadership and Career Skills

I grew up being taught the values of helping others and making sacrifices for the greater good.

Author

黑料传送门

Date

May 11, 2022

The post I grew up being taught the values of helping others and making sacrifices for the greater good. appeared first on 黑料传送门.

News

Hillels around the world celebrate Good Deeds Day

Author

Emma Lichtenstein

Date

April 21, 2022

The post Hillels around the world celebrate Good Deeds Day appeared first on 黑料传送门.

News

Shir Delight: Jewish A Cappella Groups Bring Students Together

Author

Gabriel Lesser

Date

January 3, 2022

At the start of his freshman year, Itai Segev already knew that he wanted to join an a cappella group. He auditioned for one and got in, but when he learned that there were no Jewish a cappella groups on campus, he decided to start his own.

鈥淚 wanted to combine my passions for Judaism and singing. I found a group of people that shared the same passion.鈥� said Segev, who is currently a senior at American University.

Segev co-founded with strong support from American University Hillel. 鈥淎ll of our advertising goes through Hillel,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd we try to perform at different Hillel events, like at Rosh Hashanah services, Hanukkah events, and Shabbat once a month.鈥�

While TenLi Tunes was founded recently, Jewish a cappella has been thriving on North American college campuses for decades. These groups provide students an opportunity to connect with their Jewish identities through music and song.

Many of these Jewish a cappella groups create catchy names for themselves with multiple meanings. Segev talks about the meaning behind TenLi Tunes, with Ten Li meaning 鈥済ive me鈥� in Hebrew. Tenleytown is also the neighborhood in DC. in which the group resides.

At Northwestern University, the premier Jewish a cappella group is named Shireinu, meaning 鈥渙ur song鈥� in Hebrew, with the final two letters capitalized to stand for the initials of the university.

Natalie Daninhirsch, one of the co-presidents of , emphasizes how a love of music brings together members of various religious and cultural backgrounds. 鈥淢y Jewish experience on campus is this beautiful melange of music, culture, education, and people,鈥� she said.

Fellow member Rachel Meiselman expresses a strong connection between ShireiNU and Northwestern Hillel, as the group both rehearses and performs in the Hillel building.

鈥淲e just performed in Hillel鈥檚 Hanukkah event, Latkepalooza, and we are lucky to have a very supportive audience,鈥� Meiselman said.

As a freshman, Meiselman is delighted to start her college career as part of this group. 鈥淢usic is something that truly bonds people together,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the most unique community experience I鈥檝e had.鈥�

In addition to fostering a strong sense of community, Jewish a cappella allows for students to explore a wide variety of music, ranging from traditional Hebrew songs to both Israeli and American pop.

At Syracuse University, Anna Fleischer describes how her Jewish a cappella group, , performs a variety of genres, mixing Hebrew music with popular American music.

鈥淲e have our two staple Hebrew songs: 鈥�Al HaNissim鈥� and 鈥�Licha Dodi鈥�,鈥� Fleischer said. 鈥淎nd we鈥檝e also performed popular songs like 鈥淗appier鈥� by Olivia Rodrigo, 鈥淪et Fire to the Rain鈥� by Adele, and 鈥淎merican Boy鈥� by Estelle and Kanye West.鈥�

Keren Binyamin, a current member of the Jewish a cappella group, (鈥渟ounds of joy鈥�), at the University of Maryland, mentions how her group balances Hebrew and English songs and mixes in fun pop songs and ballads. 鈥淲e are planning to record a CD of our music during winter break,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e also made two recordings for the KOLedge A Cappella Competition.鈥�

The KOLedge A Capella Competition, which Binyamin mentioned, is a Jewish collegiate a cappella competition that features multiple Jewish groups each year. This year, (鈥渞hythm鈥�), from Johns Hopkins University, won first prize singing Leonard Cohen鈥檚 鈥淗allelujah.”

Diana Bershadsky, president of Ketzev, describes the singular feeling of performing Jewish songs. 鈥淭here is something so special about singing songs steeped with tradition and meaning,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen you get it right, time stops and you can feel the goosebumps.鈥�

Ketzev performs 鈥淗allelujah鈥� at each of their concerts and invites visiting alumni to come sing with them, a touching tradition that has gone on for years. 鈥淭hese moments of meaning are why I joined Jewish a cappella in the first place,鈥� said Bershadsky.

When asked about the essence of Jewish a cappella, students are filled with pride in being able to combine their Jewish identities with musical passions.

Segev describes his joy in expressing his Jewish identity through music. 鈥淚 love singing and I love Judaism,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to give other people the opportunity to practice Judaism on campus in a way that fits their style.鈥�

Anna Fleischer echoes this feeling of joy. 鈥淛udaism has always been a huge part of who I am, along with singing,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he combination of both is incredible beyond words.鈥�

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