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"Hebrew School" and "Sunday School" at Solon Chabad
I LOVED going to Hebrew School as a kid. I always thought it was so interesting. I loved the stories about our people, I loved the history, I loved piecing together the aleph bet, and I loved practicing our customs and traditions with other kids like me, and teachers who I learned so much from. -
First Summer at Camp Wise
Camp Wise really changed my life and helped me find my own spiritual Jewish practices as a young child. -
My Bat Mitzvah
I was the first Bat Mitzvah out of anyone in my grade, because at Chabad, girls have their bat mitzvahs when they are 12. I remember really wanting to sing in front of everyone, only to be told that I was not allowed, unless it was in a group and there were boys in that group as well. I remember this really upsetting me. I also did not read from the torah, because that was not allowed traditionally by Chabad either. -
Joined BBYO
BBYO was my very favorite part of high school. I got heavily involved right from the start, and went on to hold many leadership positions in my region. -
Morah Goldy's Wig
Morah Goldy was my 7th grade Hebrew School teacher. I saw her every Wednesday and Sunday. She was outgoing and cared about what she was teaching us, and was an open book, so to speak. As a group of middle school girls, we asked her questions non-stop; will never forget the day that she finally decided that she would answer every question we had about wearing a wig, and brought all of us into the bathroom to show us her "real hair." This was the most "real" a teacher has ever been with me. -
BBYO's International Kallah Summer Program
I spent three weeks at a summer program with BBYO that was all about exploring your Jewish identity. This was a very powerful experience for me that made me further fall in love with being Jewish. -
First Trip to Israel (with BBYO & family)
I went to Israel with other leaders from BBYO for the very first time on a three week leadership program. It was incredible and made me totally and completely fall in love with the State of Israel. Afterwards, my family met me in Israel and we toured the country together, which was such a special experience. -
Antisemitic/Anti-Israel "Eviction Notice" Freshman Year
As a Freshman in college, there was an antisemitic note slipped under my dorm room door, and the doors of hundreds of other students, pretending to be an "eviction notice." It called Israel an occupying force and spewed other antisemitic claims. I remember being devastated. This was the first time that I felt like I was being attacked for being Jewish, even though the note wasn't specifically targeted towards me. This event made me realize that I needed to help others never feel the same. -
The March of the Living
I went to Poland and Israel with a group of teens from Ohio, including my childhood best friend. This experience moved me in ways that I still cannot explain, and has truly helped me embrace the idea of "never again." -
Started "OY: Ours, Yours" Student Group at Michigan Hillel
Founded the only Jewish cultural events group on campus at the University of Michigan. -
Cornerstone Fellowship
I was selected to serve as a Cornerstone Fellow as a staff member at Camp Wise with four other people. Throughout the summer, we worked to infuse Judaism into everyday life at camp. This experience is what made me fall in love with experiential Jewish education. -
Birthright Israel Trip
I went on Birthright Israel through Camp Wise. It was an incredible experience to be in Israel with dozens of camp friends. Being on Birthright was what solidified my thought that I would like to live in Israel for a year after college. -
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Masa Israel Teaching Fellows
I lived in Rishon LeZion, Israel, where I taught English to middle school students. This was the hardest year of my entire life. I struggled with severe homesickness, the language barrier was extremely difficult, and it was just a hard experience overall. Looking back, I grew significantly, and despite the difficulty of the year, it helped me further connect to the land and the State of Israel, which I am so grateful for. -
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Worked at Hillel at Kent State University
This was my first job after my year in Israel. I loved this position and worked with Jewish leaders on campus doing engagement and programming. During this time, I also led three Birthright Israel trips, which was a really moving experience. -
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Worked at Gross Schechter Day School
Ended up working at Gross Schechter Day School in a roundabout way for a year. Here I learned that I do not enjoy formal education and that I much prefer working with older students over elementary aged kids. -
Started at B'nai Jeshurun Congregation - Cleveland
I am now the Youth Director at B'nai Jeshurun Congregation in Cleveland, which is a conservative synagogue. I am responsible for all programming for grades 3-12 and starting later this month, I will be teaching religious school once a week to fifth and sixth graders, and leading a weekly teen night for grades 7-12 as well. -
Enrolled at Hebrew College
Finally realized that I wanted a degree that was going to further my work in experiential Jewish education. I decided to enroll at Hebrew College and study for my Master of Jewish Education. I am also an iFellow through the iCenter for Israel Education.