Election Information
Voting Period: Monday, November 29 after speeches - Monday, December 6 at 2 pm
Who is eligible to vote?
Any
student who has attended at least three Hillel-sponsored events over
the course of the year (Shabbat services/dinner and high holidays
qualify as an event... we follow the honor code on this this). Voters
should have heard or read candidates speeches prior to voting.
How
do I vote?
There will be a ballot box in the Hillel lobby starting Monday night the
29th after speeches until Friday, December 6th at 1 pm.
Candidates
Eboard
President - Joey Resnick
Executive Vice President - Paige Kirstein, Ariel Pick
Vice President Programming - Naomi Heilweil
Vice President Campus Relations - Sarah Forman
Vice President Cultural Arts - Lex Rofes, Eliana Greenberg
Programming Board
Shabbat - Audrey Lew, Yotam Tubul
Holidays - Melanie Fineman & Lauren Bilsky (running as co-chairs)
Learning - Chelsea Feuchs
Social - Kelly Milman
Tzedek - Rachael Mazzella
Welcoming - Josh Block, Zach Silverstein
Israel - Ethan Hammerman
RISD Liason -
Speeches
Joey Resnick - President
Famous legends: First, there was Methusela and his 969 years of glory. Next, there was Jack and his magical beanstalk. Then, not surprisingly, Hercules was finally appreciated as a Disney great. Members of the Hillel Community, Friends, Foes, and Others, I want to take Hillel to truly legendary heights.
For the majority of my speech, I want to address serious issues with a serious approach, both to prove that I am capable of such a feat and to appropriately discuss such matters.
I admit that I find it strange to discuss my qualifications given the circumstances. So, brief summary of some relevant points: I served as Hillel’s Wisdom Chair this past semester and often found myself involved in other unconnected Hillel issues. I have only lost my way in this building once, and that was, I think, before I was a student here. I see Judaism as an important part of my life and look forward to helping it thrive here, at Brown and RISD.
While Hillel has made many dreams into realities—bringing a fantastic interreligious comedy group to Salomon, providing important organizational skills to its leaders, and birthing two children—I want to both expand similar successes and initiate innovative approaches.
One great debate that has plagued Hillel-related conversations is the simple definition of Hillel’s MVP, most valuable principle: community. Aside from being a phenomenal TV show, community is how I personally define Hillel’s importance to the Brown and RISD families. Hillel has provided a spiritual, cultural, social, religious, observant, political, societal, pluralistic, exclusive, open, warm, and/or gastronomical home for many RISD students, Brown explorers and others. I commend past and current Hillel leaders’ efforts. Notwithstanding, I want to focus some Hillel energy on encouraging those religious adventurers who may have only stepped into this beautiful building once or twice, to do so again.
I do not mean to imply that Hillel is a pair of sweatpants with a waistband that anyone can simply adjust to fit their waist, head, or social journey, what have you. Rather, I mean that Hillel’s waistband is very adjustable. Hillel’s solar rays help nurture and grow a super-large amount of activities. I look forward to working with ongoing and upcoming advertising plans to market Hillel as what it truly is—a complex ecosystem that contains diverse people, purposes, backgrounds, actions, and outcomes. It saddens me to think of the first year who was turned off by a first Friday night dinner table that seemed too self-absorbed or a senior who never explored her spirituality in a Jewish environment, even though she has considered such a possibility for many years.
Hillel is, and should continue to be, a place for Brown and RISD students to explore their Judaism in the most personally appropriate ways. While holding steadfast to some past successful programs will help foster such an environment, our family’s needs are constantly changing. I look forward to working with the engagement interns and the rest of Hillel leadership in analyzing, disseminating, and appropriately reacting to the information gathered in the campus-wide survey.
In order for Hillel to run as smoothly as Dobby’s fingers can snap, cohesion, and maybe some adhesion, is necessary. Jewsdays, when all of Hillel leadership gathers every other week and enjoys dinner together and then communally discusses relevant skills along with a guest speaker, represent a strong form of promoting this beneficial communal connection. I hope to utilize every form of social connection that is appropriate to link Hillel leaders into an efficient machine that cooperatively creates awesome programs, initiatives, and atmospheres that reflect Hillel’s greatness and true potential.
Part of ensuring that the Hillel Leadership is truly on the same page is encouraging cooperation and mutual benefit. By involving the optimal amount of parts under the Hillel umbrella at each event, we can help make each experience more successful. More people involved in the planning means more people invited by word of mouth as well as more resources, more fun, and more person power. In addition to incorporating officially titled Hillel leadership, it is also important to utilize the abilities of those who want to involved but may not be labeled by an official heading. A wise man once said: the more, the merrier. An even wiser man once said: the even more, the even merrier.
Friends, Family, and Familiar Others, Hercules achieved many great feats before becoming a true hero, Jack’s magical beanstalk did not grow faster than overnight, and Methusela did not break 1,000 years.
I want to wish good luck to everyone running and I look forward to working with everyone in this room. Together, we can go the distance. Together, we will take Hillel to legendary heights.
Back to top Paige Kirstein - Executive Vice President
My name is Paige Kirstein and I’m running for Executive Vice President.
The Executive Vice President has two main jobs – managing the programming money and supporting the president. Today, I’d like to tell you a bit about my past 2.5 years at Brown, and how my experiences have equipped me to be your next EVP.
From the first day of freshman year, I knew I wanted to be involved in Hillel. I attended tons of events, joined the Tzedek committee and began to make Hillel my second home on campus. Meanwhile, I pursued another one of my interests – the environment, by joining emPOWER, the umbrella environmental organization on campus.
When sophomore year began, I immediately took leadership roles in both of these activities. I joined the programming board as tzedek chair and simultaneously the leadership of emPOWER. As tzedek chair, I submitted many budget requests from a few dozen bagels for our first meeting to a week worth supplies for alternative winter break. As EVP, I will be reviewing these same budget requests that I once submitted. My knowledge of the “other side of the process” will help me to work with the programming board members to stretch their funding. I can provide tips on how to save money, like planning events around holidays where separate Hillel funds already provide meals or using leftover art supplies that are often lost in the closet.
I’d also like to make the budget request system more accessible by providing programming board with more information about the “bigger picture”. For one, all budget requests will be catalogued in one easy to access folder for all to refer back to throughout the year. Second, I’d like to provide quarterly updates to the programming board about where the programming budget stands. These updates will provide general tips as well as an idea if their spending is on track.
In addition to Hillel funds, I have personal contacts at dozens of student groups at both Brown and RSID through my work with emPOWER. By working with these contacts, we can use co-sponsorship to its fullest potential. Through co-sponsorship, we’ll have more funds for our programs as well as a broader appeal to the Brown community.
To speak to my support of the President, without taking up too much of our time, I’d just like to applaud this year’s EVP, Gene, for setting a great example as an EVP that was more than just “the money person”. Similarly, I will work to share responsibilities with the President to help him/her better serve the community. Forgive my vagueness, but I feel this support will come based on what the community needs most from the President at a given time.
Hillel has meant a lot to me during my years at Brown. With your support, I’d like the opportunity to ensure this community continues to grow and provides for the students of Brown, RISD, Johnson and Wales, and the greater Providence community.
Thank You.
Back to top Ariel Pick - Executive Vice President
Hi everyone, my name is Ariel Pick, I’m a sophomore, and I’m running for the position of Executive Vice President.
There are many reasons why I believe I am qualified for this position. Over the past year and a half, I have spent a good deal of time at Hillel and have been involved in numerous aspects of the Jewish community. I have served on four committees (Social, Welcoming, Tzedek, and Shabbat) and I feel that as a result of this, I have a good understanding of what it takes to make Hillel events successful, fun, and welcoming for everyone, whether it is regular Friday night Shabbat services and dinner or an event like Speed Dating and Friend Finding. A good portion of the Executive Vice Presidential position involves budgeting and the allocation of funds, and through my participation in the organization of events I have learned both about how the budgeting process for committees works and what amount of money is necessary in order to have a successful event. I consider myself skilled at calculations and will be trustworthy and organized with Hillel funds. I am creative and resourceful and would be able to assist committee members in making the most out of the funding they receive. If elected, I will also keep organized and up-to-date records regarding the funding and scheduling of events.
The Executive Vice President is also responsible for note-taking at meetings, and I like to think of myself as an organized and scrupulous note-taker. After meetings, I would send emails to board members with the notes from that day’s meeting. I also believe that, when appropriate, we should make key ideas presented at the meetings available to other community members (outside of Hillel Community News), so they can learn more about how Hillel functions and events we are thinking about or planning.
If I am elected Executive Vice President, I am prepared to fully devote myself to the job. I am ready to step in as second-in-command whenever necessary. I consider Hillel my primary extracurricular activity and am always willing to help wherever and whenever I can. I intend to be open and available to community members as a sounding board for ideas to help make Hillel an even better place than it already is. If I am elected, I look forward to working with and getting to know even more members of the Brown/RISD/JWU etc. Jewish community and expanding my knowledge and participation to committees and other groups with which I have not yet had the pleasure of working.
Back to top Naomi Heilweil - Vice President Programming
I'll start off with a rhyming acrostic:
P rogramming board has tons of soul
R eal cohesion is our goal
O rganization and communication too
B e the motto of our crew
O n top of my stuff, I know you'll be floored
[I'm]
Y our liaison to the E-Board
O ur ProBo this year will not be a bore,
U nstopabble creativity and fun times galore!
K ind and kooky, you know that's me,
N aomi will be your fearless VP
O outstanding programs all year long
W ill make this ProBo uber strong
!
For all of you who might not know me, my name is Naomi (that's another rhyme.) Ever since I was Social Chair on ProBo '09-'10, I knew that Vice President of Programming would be my eventual goal in Hillel leadership. How great is it to be able to oversee such amazing leaders and get to know all about the fun and creative stuff going on in Hillel every day!?
I have a couple main goals to enhance the experience of the members of the 2011 ProBo and will hopefully make the programming we provide to the Hillel community even better in the upcoming year.
1) Increase ProBo unity: I have no shortage of fun and sometimes silly activities that are sure to deepen the friendships of the members of the programming board
2) Increase ProBo support for each other: I plan to encourage every ProBo member to attend at least one of every other member's programs each semester
3) Increase ProBo communication with the E-Board: I plan to have each E-Board member "guest lecture" at one ProBo meeting to get to know each other and to give in-person updates about how Hillel as a whole is doing
4) Make meetings fun: I know that we are all busy people, and I want the ProBo to be excited about spending an hour a week with each other
5) Be friendly and available to the ProBo and anyone else!
...and so much more...
With tons of love for E-Board 2011, ProBo 2011, Brown/RISD Hillel, and rhymezone.com,
Naomi Heilweil
Back to top Sarah Forman - Vice President Campus Relations
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Sarah Forman, and I’m running unopposed to be Hillel’s Vice President for Campus Relations. I’m a sophomore now, so I’ve had almost a year and a half to discover what an amazing place the Brown/RISD Hillel can be. As VCR, I look forward to sharing the positive, supportive environment that is Hillel with the greater community.
Since I also have a few years of journalism experience, I’m excited to be on the other side of the interview table as VP for Campus Relations. Because I’ve asked questions of Hillel-affiliated groups as a reporter, I can predict what sorts of answers our community will need to provide in the coming year. I’ve learned what sparks a conversation in the Brown community, and I look forward to working as part of a team to help that conversation stay positive.
My new role will let me collaborate with the leaders of several student groups under Hillel’s umbrella, and together we’ll navigate the sometimes-tricky task of combining Hillel’s responsibilities as a respected Jewish establishment with its commitment to support groups with a wide range of social and political causes. Over the next 12 months, I will work to strengthen the ties between Hillel and the organizations that choose to use it for funding and structure. Building on the momentum and direction of the out-going E-board and the extensive staff at Hillel, I think that we can — together — make this place even more cohesive and integrated.
Thank you so much for coming tonight and for your support in the next year. I can’t wait to start working with such a talented and committed group of new Jewish leaders. It’s going to be a great privilege to work together with the rest of the E-board, and I’m so glad that you’ve entrusted me with the role.
Back to top Lex Rofes - Vice President Cultural Arts
Hello viewers of the Brown-RISD Hillel website! I’m Lex Rofes, and I’m running to be Hillel’s next Vice President for Cultural Arts. I am currently a sophomore, and this past semester I served as Welcoming Committee Chair on the Programming Board.
There are a few reasons that I believe I would be able to fulfill the obligations of this position effectively. A major job I would have as VP for Cultural Arts would be to oversee organizations such as Yarmulkazi, the Alef Beats, Jewish Cooking Club, and the Hillel Gallery Project, and I think there are a few reasons I could do this effectively. First, I am in an a cappella group on campus and I understand some of the issues that any performance group has to confront regularly. Second, I have seen each of these groups in action at one point or another, and I understand what makes them so valuable to Hillel.
One task I would like to take on as the next VP for Cultural Arts would be to integrate the members of these groups more completely into Hillel life. I would do everything I could to reach out to the various leaders of these groups and find ways to make spending time at Hillel appealing to them. I feel that my experience as Welcoming Committee Chair would be incredibly helpful as I attempt to make these groups feel as if they are a key link in what makes Hillel succeed.
So the obvious question is…how would I go about making these groups feel more welcomed into the Hillel community? Well, one way is very simple…attend their events. I know that there are some people who frequent Hillel events who may never have seen the Alef Beats or Yarmulkazi perform in a setting outside of Hillel’s building. That is really sad to me. How can we expect them to come to our programs if we don’t go to theirs? It is our obligation as an umbrella organization to publicize our cultural arts groups just as much as we publicize any of our committee. I do not think we have necessarily done this in the past, and I’m ready, willing, and able to reverse that trend. Second, I would consistently communicate with the Programming Vice-President when the various groups have upcoming events so that, in every single Programming Board agenda, the events of these groups are included in addition to those of the programming committees. While the programming board will by no means be in charge of running the events that the cultural arts groups run, they should at the very least be aware of them so that they can help publicize and ensure that we avoid scheduling conflicts.
Finally, I want to thank Miriam Joelson, our outgoing VP for Cultural Arts, for a really positive semester of leadership. I will have tough shoes to fill, but I feel confident that I, and my size 11 feet, can get the job done. I know that I can help make Hillel a more inviting place for our cultural arts groups, and I will do everything in my power to help them succeed. If you have any questions about my goals for this position, please feel free to call me at 414-828-3598 or e-mail me at alexander_rofes@brown.edu. The earlier we open up the lines of communication, the more positive change we can create. Vote Lex Rofes for VP for Cultural Arts!
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Eliana Greenberg - Vice President Cultural Arts
One Friday night last year, I walked into Hillel and found an interesting new piece of art hanging on the wall outside the social hall. Some of you may remember it—it was a plaster cast of a male nude, true to life, that did not glaze over the private parts. Upon closer inspection, the entire Hillel gallery was filled with not so inconspicuous images of certain body parts. Most of you who remember it probably agree that the exhibition was more than a little strange. But it did get us talking, and thinking—and I believe that is what the Cultural Arts program here at Brown-Risd Hillel is all about. Now, I’m not proposing that we outfit the halls of our beautiful building with questionably appropriate pictures so that we all have something to talk about, but I do think that enriching our lives through cultural expression is a valuable aspect of what we do here at Hillel, and that is one of the reasons I have chosen to run for this position.
We have a number of fantastic groups that are geared towards the exploration of Jewish identity and culture through music, arts, and even cooking. I am committed to the cultural arts here at Hillel already as a member of the Alef Beats, our Jewish themed a capella group. I joined because I wanted to embrace and explore my Jewish identity in a new, fun way that I personally enjoyed, which for me was through singing. But for other people that way may be music or art, and I love that Hillel has the resources to help students explore the cultural arts and encourage personal expression through such groups. That’s what excites me about this position—being able to play a behind the scenes role in that part of Hillel.
I think Hillel’s role goes beyond funding these initiatives or providing a venue for performances and exhibitions. Hillel should bridge these different groups and further incorporate them as parts of the vibrant community we share, and as VP for Cultural Arts I would endeavor to do so through connecting often with leaders of each group, working on events to allow the cultural groups to share what they do with the Hillel and Brown/Risd communities, and occasionally bring the leaders of each different group together to increase the possibility of collaboration between them. Obviously each group has its own identity and mission, and Hillel’s role will differ with each one. As VP for Cultural Arts, I would try to foster a healthy connection between Hillel and each existing group, as well as remain open to working with students on creating new possibilities. Furthermore, the cultural arts are a way to bring more people into Hillel to see and learn from different performances, events, and exhibitions.
I have not served on Hillel’s leadership board already, but I believe I am qualified to serve on the E Board because I am an active member of Hillel already engaged in the Cultural Arts here. I have leadership experience from before college, as a leader in my synagogue teen group and as head of several cultural arts groups in high school, including drama club and the literary magazine. I am eager to work as part of the E board team and as the coordinator of the different groups, and am confident that I will successfully manage the time requirement this job demands, making an effort to keep communication with each group a top priority.
I love being a part of one of Hillel’s cultural groups, but as an active member in the Hillel community and attendee at Hillel events, I want to engage more fully. Hillel has given me a lot in the past year and a half—great friends, experiences, and even food—and this is my chance to give back so that other students can have the same. As a member of the E board, I hope to work not just with Cultural Arts but to take my responsibility further and help my colleagues to ensure that Hillel remains a welcoming place for all students, not just for weekends but for every day, somewhere not just to come for an event but to come and hang out. To me, Hillel is exciting: I envision a place where you never know what you are going to see, hear, learn, or taste when you walk in the door, whether it be art or klezmer music. As VP for Cultural Arts, I hope to help bring those experiences to Brown and Risd students as possible, and to help share these parts of Hillel with other members of our community. I ask that you trust me with this responsibility and vote me as your representative on the E board. Thank you.
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Audrey Lew - Shabbat
Hey everyone, my name is Audrey Lew and running for the position of Shabbat Chair.
The reason why I’ve gotten involved with Hillel is simple: Shabbat. I look forward to Friday night all week long, but not for the reason I imagine most college students do. If elected to Shabbat chair, I hope to incorporate new ideas into our routine to make Shabbat more exciting and fun!
First of all: food. Last year, there was falafel for Israel Shabbat, and I think we can build on this with other parts of the world. It might be fun to learn about the Jewish communities around the world while eating sushi or guacamole. I really enjoyed the Sacred Foods Shabbat this fall, which I would want to do again next year. However, one thing I would change about it would be the challah, since I believe that traditional, non-vegan, egg challah is timeless.
When the weather gets better, we should hold services outside in the garden and dinner on the terrace. During dinner, it might be fun to have short (under 5 minutes) d’var Torah done by a different member of our community every now and then. This way, we could hear the thoughts of our classmates about Judaism and anything – current events, learning, Brown. I hope that for things like this, I could work with the Learning committee to make it happen and make it relevant.
Saturday is a little trickier, because I’ll be honest – I haven’t been yet. This will change regardless of whether I am elected or not. My goal would be to get a minyan once a month, perhaps for Rosh Chodesh Shabbats.
I’m looking forward to a great year at Hillel, and I’d like to be a part of the programming. If you elect me as your Shabbat Chair, I promise to be organized, motivated and excited about Shabbat!
Thank you and vote for me!
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Yotam Tubul - Shabbat
Hi everyone, my name is Yotam Tubul, I'm a freshman from New Jersey, I live in Littlefield Hall, and I want to be Hillel's Shabbat chair for the coming year.
Let me tell you first why I'm qualified for this position. I have leadership experience with Jewish social-educational groups, having served as my local USY chapter's President last year, and having held the Religion/Education position before that. My Jewish education certainly isn't lacking -- I went to Jewish day school from first grade through high school, where, in addition to secular subjects, I studied Jewish texts, theology, and practice, and more importantly, I had the chance to lead and interact with a Jewish community on a daily basis. Finally, and most importantly, I have an extensive Ramah background to draw upon. Ramah is the official camping arm of the Conservative movement, and it is where I spent my summers from 2002 to 2010, as both camper and counselor. At Ramah, I have been fully immersed in a functioning, dynamic Jewish community that values Shabbat as a tool for learning, spirituality, communal enrichment, and experiential education. I have seen the power it has to bring people together on educational, religious, and social planes, and I have taken part in varied unique prayer services, from traditional full tfillah minyans to sunrise minyan. In short, I know a lot about what works and what doesn't regarding Shabbat, and I'm excited to bring my background and knowledge base to Hillel.
So what is my vision for Shabbat at Hillel? In short, I want to make it bigger
. Shabbat needs to be an even bigger deal, and a more developed, dynamic event than it already is. This is because Shabbat is the most important thing Hillel has to offer to Brown's Jewish community. Shabbat is the easiest way for us to reach out to people at Brown, to get more Jews involved with Hillel and to increase the strength of our Jewish network. This is why we need to capitalize on Shabbat and make it something we are proud to offer. That being said, here is my vision for Shabbat. First off, we need to attract a larger and more varied group of people to Friday night services and dinner.
What I mean by this is that I plan to have more themed Shabbats
that work in conjunction with the Brown community. Picture an environmental awareness Shabbat that we produce with the help of Brown EcoReps, or perhaps an Israel-conversation themed Shabbat with a speaker that we get all of the Israel groups on campus and the Political Science DUG to help out with, or any other creatively-themed Shabbat in which we empower other student groups and thus, reach out to the different social groups who populate those clubs. I really liked the "Holy Foods Shabbat" we held recently, because it involved collaboration with another student group and it broadened our Shabbat table to include the members of that group as well. These are the kinds of collaborative Shabbats
we need to be having more of in the future. Additionally, having different varied themes will also help to increase our appeal to the Brown community. The local foods Shabbat was a hit for another reason -- because Brown students love local food! That's the kind of thing the average Brown student gets really excited about; if it just has the word "organic" or "sustainable" or "Ruth" in the title, that kind of program will automatically appeal to more people here. And yes, while we may not be having the Sustainable Organic Ruth Simmons Shabbat anytime soon (though I'm curious to see what that would look like) I want to plan Shabbats that get the average Brown student excited.
The Environment. Pluralism. Different cultures -- like a Eastern Judaism themed Shabbat perhaps? -- will get more Brown students excited about coming to Hillel.
Now, Shabbat "themes" tie into another important part of my vision -- the 24 hour Shabbat.
What I mean by this is that Shabbat should not end on Friday night. Shabbat is not just services, dinner, go home, the end. We need to work to make sure it is a day-long part of our Judaism. To that end, I plan to integrate Shabbat morning minyan with the themes of our Friday nights.
Let's say the Shabbat is Eastern religion - themed. We could sit down to Mizrahi Jewish foods on Friday night, sing Sephardic niggunim after dinner, and come back the next morning for "yoga-style minyan." Any theme we have can tie into tfillot on Shabbat morning. This of course raises the issue of morning minyan, and the difficulty it sometimes pose for us. Put simply, it is hard for us to get a Shacharit minyan at Brown. This is understandable -- it's tough to ask students to wake up early, Shacharit and Musaf can seem long and inaccessible, and it is often tough to find seven Torah readers. What I propose to do to make minyan more attended, more spiritual, and easier to maintain is the creation of more unique and creative ways of getting in touch with prayer.
We could have that yoga-style tfillah, or a discussion-based service, or a Carlebach singing minyan, or text study, or any number of other creative options to make services more enticing -- I'm open to any suggestions. This would also make services shorter
,
so we could start them later, and let more students get to tfillot and
get their beauty sleep. Of course, I would make sure to have at least one traditional torah-reading tfillah a month, and work with more traditional members of our community to make sure they don't feel left out. Nevertheless, I feel such a revamping of morning minyan would benefit Hillel and Brown's Jewish community as a whole.
To recap, here are my goals
for the coming calendar year: Increase attendance at Shabbat services and Friday night dinner
. Reach out to a wider variety of students and collaborate with more student groups through themed Shabbats.
Have some form of creative or traditional 'minyan' every Shabbat morning, and see attendance increase.
And of course... get Ruth Simmons to come for Shabbat.
I feel that I would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, I value Shabbat and its role as a communal event, and I have many exciting new ideas to make Shabbat at Hillel bigger and better than it has been in the past. Please elect me as your next Hillel Shabbat chair, and I hope to work with all of you to enhance Shabbat over the coming year. Thank you.
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Melanie Fineman - Holidays
Hello, My name is Melanie Fineman, and I am interested in running to be co-chair of the Holidays Committee at the Brown-RISD Hillel.
As a first year student, words cannot express how much the Brown-RISD Hillel has meant to me. Hillel instantly provided me with a community that has made me feel so comfortable and so welcome. It was great having somewhere to go to during High Holiday services where I would feel just as comfortable as if I was at home in Newton, Massachusetts. For the first time since I was in Israel, I felt inspired to go to Friday Night Shabbat services; I wanted to be a part of the Jewish community here at Brown.
I am interested in running to be co-chair of the Holidays Committee partially because I want to give back to Hillel. I want to help create events like those that make people feel part of a larger Jewish community, amongst their friends and the Brown community as a whole. I want the Jewish holidays, from Passover to Yom Kippur, to mean something to people, as they have started becoming more meaningful to me as my Brown experience progresses. I want to help attract people to Hillel so that they can see what an incredible resource and community it provides. Whether you've been a devout Jew all of your life or if you've never met a Jewish person before stepping foot on College Hill, I want the Jewish Holidays to be meaningful and enjoyable activities for everyone in the Brown-RISD community. Thank you so much and good luck to everyone running for election on Monday!
Back to top Lauren Bilsky - Holidays
Hello,
My name is Lauren Bilsky and I am running for co-chair of the Holidays’ Committee. I am running for a position on the programming board because I want to be a part of ensuring that Hillel continues to be a friendly, vibrant, and homey place on campus. Specifically, I am running for Holidays because my experiences at Hillel during holidays early this semester really helped Brown become home. This was the first time I was away for the holidays, and I was nervous about attending Rosh Hashanah services anywhere besides my synagogue. But the from the first time I stepped into Hillel, I felt at home. I appreciated that every holiday was celebrated in a way that was flexible enough that everyone could observe as much or as little as they wanted. The pressure-free environment is supportive no matter how you choose to participate. Never did I feel judged for my traditions and beliefs. Since the beginning of the semester is filled with so many holidays, I believe that the holidays’ committee plays an important role in demonstrating to freshmen how wonderful a community Hillel truly is. Before I got here, I wasn’t sure how much time I was going to come to Hillel, but as soon as I came the first time, I was hooked. Because my experiences during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were so positive, I began coming to Shabbat services and other programs. Furthermore, I love holidays! (Who doesn’t?) One of the fantastic parts of being Jewish is the sheer number of holidays we have. Each holiday is another excuse to gather with friends, and of course each has its own delicious foods. I would love the opportunity to help make holidays at Hillel fun and welcoming all year long.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to celebrating Chanukah with you!
Lauren
Back to top Chelsea Feuchs - Learning
I came to Brown University unsure about my religious identity and with relatively little information about Judaism.
My education was stuck in the Hebrew school classes I attended prior to my bat mitzvah. Joining Hillel has been a corrective experience; there are many learning opportunities offered that are geared to analytical thought and inspire questions and conversation. Programs such as TNT, Just Jewish, and lunches in the Ivy Room provide opportunities for mature and responsible Jewish learning. Still, there are several additions I want to propose to enhance and expand Jewish education at Hillel.
Though many want to, few students find a space to ponder big, philosophical questions. Though the weekly white board question inspires this type of thinking, there should be more time allotted to these thoughts. I think that a student-run discussion group focused on creating a safe space to explore these issues would be a great additional program. This group would not only draw from already active Hillel members, but also students interested in philosophy, psychology, sociology, religious studies, and more generally anyone open to thinking deeply and searching for new ideas and view points on universal questions.
While text-driven classes are important and informative, Jewish education at Hillel would benefit by offering more programs that are not text-based. Being a Jewish learner incorporates knowledge of original documents as well as an understanding of Jewish history, culture, tradition, and current events. For these reasons I propose adding both a few educational events and new ways to incorporate Jewish learning into other aspects of Hillel.
In terms of current events, many students feel that they are not informed enough to discuss or debate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A class or event that focuses on providing a history of the conflict as well as arguments from both sides would be helpful in filling in gaps that often appear in discourse led by experts on the subject. One cannot keep up with current events on this topic unless they have a basic understanding of the origins and causes of the conflicts and presenting information from multiple perspectives allows students to form their own opinions.
Additionally, not everyone has the time to attend a weekly Jewish education program or is interested in engaging in learning in that manner. To serve the need of more of the community, it is important to incorporate learning into other aspects of Hillel. For example, the learning committee can collaborate with the holidays committee to share information about what each holiday means, its historical context, the reasons behind certain traditions, and the cultural impact or significance of the holiday to the Jewish people. There is also room for education in Shabbat, whether it is learning about customs and their origins related to Shabbat specifically, or understanding the presence of Jewish values in special events such as sacred foods Shabbat.
I am excited to work on Hillel’s existing education programs and I hope that my proposals will expand the amount of information available and attract even more students to the Hillel community.
Back to top Kelly Milman - Social
Hey! I’m Kelly Milman and I’m running for re-election for Hillel’s Social Chair.
I have held many positions that will help me be successful for another term. In high school, I was active in United Synagogue Youth, serving as my chapter’s Membership and Kadima Vice President, then as Chapter President and Regional Sunshine and Mixers Chair. I enjoy planning social programs and working with a committee to make such events successful.
This semester, we had a lot of great social programming at Hillel, ranging from our Orientation Barbecue to Speed Dating and Friend Finding. This upcoming year, I hope to use my experience this semester to make Hillel’s social events even more successful. By using my knowledge of what worked and what could be improved for annual events, like the barbecue and apple picking, I can make these events run more smoothly than they have in years past. Similarly, by looking back at which events were successful this year, like speed dating, and finding commonalities among them, I can plan events that will best appeal to interested students.
This semester, I have had a large and active social committee. In the spring, I hope most of my committee members continue to work with me and I also hope to recruit some new members to get a variety of inputs as to what Hillel’s social programming should look like. I also plan to create either a physical or virtual suggestion box for students not on my committee to help shape our events.
I am excited about the possibility of being on Hillel’s Programming Board again and wish everyone running for a Hillel leadership position the best of luck. Thank you.
Back to top Rachael Mazzella - Tzedek
Greetings from Ireland! For those who don't know me, I'm Rachael Mazzella, a junior currently studying abroad in Cork, Ireland. I have been a committed member of Tzedek since freshman year, and am running for Tzedek programming board because I want to enact some changes in the way that Tzedek approaches community service. I believe that social justice, and community service activity that works towards its achievement, should be an essential part of Jewish life and the Jewish reputation. This semester, I have had an eye-opening experience in Ireland because Judaism is extremely rare in the country. Almost all of the Irish people to whom I have related my religion have replied, “Really? You are the first Jew I have ever met.” They then ask me to describe my beliefs. I have discovered that one piece of common ground between Judaism and other religions is commitment to charitable works. Therefore, I believe that one of the most powerful ways to combat Anti-Semitism is show the world examples of Jewish charity, empathy, and generosity. I want to be able to, when explaining Judaism to my Irish friends, provide concrete examples of how the religion cherishes and protects social justice.
As Tzedek chair, I will ensure organization and instrumentation of at least four social justice events each semester. I believe that it is important for Tzedek to cover four main areas of community service focus: each semester, Tzedek should carry out one event for a Jewish charity and one event for a non-Jewish charity, and one event for the Providence community and one event for a more global cause. I think that dividing Tzedek into sub-committees, and assigning each Tzedek members personal responsibilities, is an efficient way to ensure that the events are actually accomplished. I have started to brainstorm ideas for each category of service, but I hope that Tzedek members will volunteer even better ideas when we all return in January.
For the local non-Jewish charity, I hope Tzedek can volunteer with the PeaceLove studios in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, which helps mentally ill individuals relieve stress and attain happiness through artistic expression. I believe that charities dealing with mental illness, because of the stigma associated with the disease, are often overlooked.Within Tzedek, we could research Jewish learning on mental illness, and discuss how these attitudes inform or affect our volunteer work. For our Jewish-focused local charity, I think we should collaborate in some way with the charity 'Facing History and Ourselves', which educates students on the Holocaust and raises awareness about genocide. For example, Tzedek could begin working towards institution of 'Facing History and Ourselves' events or curricula in Providence public schools. Finally, for our global-themed charity work, perhaps Tzedek could organize exchange or letter-writing programs with synagogues in countries in which the longevitiy of Jewish communities are threatened. I already know of a congregation in Cork, Ireland, which, due to insufficient attendence and funding, is struggling to survive.
Tzedek is a unique social charity group because it enables a group, guided and informed by Jewish commitment to social justice, to pursue justice in Jewish and non-Jewish communities alike. Unlike many community service groups at Brown, Tzedek maintains a wide focus, and provides a forum for students to express and action their ideas, no matter how diverse. Please vote for me for Tzedek board because I am enthusiastic about a varity of community service projects, and am committed to their completion. Thank you!!
Back to top Josh Block - Welcoming
Perhaps the greatest author and most brilliant man of all time, Dr. Seuss, once wrote, “If you want to catch those you don’t see everyday, you have to go places quite out of the way. You have to go places no others can get to. You have to get cold and you have to get wet, too.”
This is what being welcoming chair is about. It’s about going out of the way to find prospective Jewish students and give them the best possible experience on campus. It’s about going out of the way to plan great ADOCH and orientation activities that ensure active participation in Hillel by next year’s incoming class. It’s about going out of the way to work with the rest of the programming board in order to plan new events of the highest possible quality. But above all, it’s about going out of the way to reach out to others.
Over the past year as the International President of USY, and the three previous years as chapter, regional, and international Membership/Kadima Vice President – essentially the Welcoming Chair of USY - I have learned more about Jewish programming and education than I could possibly have imagined. The opportunities that these positions have given me to meet, teach, and learn from thousands of Jewish teens across North America and Israel have taught me a great deal about how to reach out to others and make sure that you give them a fantastic experience. Arguably the most important job of the Welcoming Chair is simply to be an active part of the programming board, and I look forward to bringing my experience with outreach and with Jewish programming to Hillel over the next year.
This past year, I have worked to set up a listserv of all chapter and regional officers from BBYO, NCSY, NFTY, USY, and Young Judea. This resource will be invaluable to getting active Jewish youth involved with our Hillel next year. I have also made connections with leaders of Hillel in a great number of local schools, and next year, I hope to work with them both to better our own programming and to plan inter-school Shabbatons. I look forward to organizing and arranging not only overnight visits, but also tours, food, and an entire on-campus experience for prospective Jewish students. In every possible way, I want to reach out to first-year students, transfer students, high school students, students from other universities, and the general Brown, RISD, and Johnson & Wales communities.
The term “welcoming” implies that somebody has already approached you, but the position of Welcoming Chair requires one step further – it requires active outreach. In Bereshit, three angels come to Avraham’s tent. But he doesn’t just welcome them. He actively seeks them out, greets them, invites them in, and offers them food. That’s what we need to do in Hillel – right down to the food. We need to go out of our way to find those who haven’t been found, both current and prospective students, and do everything we can to give them a great Hillel experience.
In the words of Dr. Seuss, “Everyone is just waiting. Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.”
There are so many people just waiting to get involved in Hillel. It is time for them to stop waiting, and we have the ability and the responsibility to make that happen.
Back to top Zach Silverstein - Welcoming
Hey! I’m Zach Silverstein and I’m running for Hillel Welcoming Chair. For those of you who don’t know me let me quickly introduce myself. I am from Cleveland, Ohio, love Brown and Hillel, and enjoy football, basketball, tutoring and the outdoors as well as 90’s Nicktoons, all duck-related sports movies, Where’s Waldo? books, and Teddy Grahams.
As a current sophomore, I am actively involved here at Hillel and have been so for the past year or so. Nonetheless, I must admit, this has not always been the case. When I first arrived here as a freshman I wanted to distance myself from Hillel as much as possible. You see, I went to a small, private high school where almost every Jew was completely secular. However I did not completely fit this mold; I was deeply involved with my synagogue throughout high school, and – beginning my sophomore year – USY as well. While this involvement was almost completely social, communal, or service-related, my intense association with these programs caused me to be viewed by my peers as quite religious, so much so that my own sister even referred to me as being a “super Jew” on multiple occasions. Nevertheless, I never really viewed myself as fitting this description that would come to characterize me. Consequently, I stepped onto Brown’s campus with a firm desire to reinvent myself as much as possible; even swearing to myself that I would not go near Hillel. Yet this embargo did not last. Whether it was the people I met here, the sense of community Hillel provided, or the seemingly endless supply of teas and hot chocolates available in the lobby, I began to come here more and more. Fast forward one year and Hillel has become a huge part of my life, so much so that I can’t even remember my life here at Brown without it
Now, I would like to further my commitment by taking on a leadership role. I have chosen to run for Welcoming Chair because it is the medium through which I believe I can really make a difference. The main goal of this position is to get people who are considering getting involved with Hillel to do just that. I believe that these people fall into two groups. Firstly, there are those people who readily want to get involved with Hillel. It is relatively easy to sell Hillel to them; all we really need to do is show them what Hillel is all about. This includes doing such things as inviting them to Shabbat services, dinners, and various other events, always greeting them by name with a smile, getting them involved with the fun, and bringing them into the strong community that Hillel fosters.
This first group, however, constitutes only a small minority of the Brown community. The vast majority of prospective Hillel-ers fall into a second group: those people who are considering getting involved with Hillel, but are hesitant to do so because they don’t want to be involved in a religious organization. This type of person presents a bit more difficult of a situation. We can’t immediately immerse them in Hillel as the religious aspects could easily scare them away. On the other hand we can’t completely eliminate the religious aspects of Hillel that are so vital to its existence. Thus a balance needs to be struck and these Group 2 members must be treated with additional care. As a person who has fought against his “Jewishness” for some time, I can truly empathize with what the feelings that they are feeling about Hillel. In addition, my experience allows me to better understand the balance that must be struck between religion and secularity to get them involved. I believe that these two things will help me be an effective Welcoming Chair by allowing me to come up with events that are specifically targeted at this elusive second group of Brown students.
One idea I have for attracting these Group 2 members is one that worked very well for my USY chapter in high school called “Pizza Night”. It’s an amazingly simple concept: invite people – particularly those Group 2 members – to come to Hillel to do some homework. While they are there, you order a few pizzas, put out a few other snacks, and let people eat, drink, and socialize. This allows a secular environment in which these group 2 members can make new friends as well as experience that sense of community that might help convince them to get more involved in Hillel in the future. It’s easy yet quite effective. I do have other ideas but I’ll have to present them later since I see that I’m running low on time.
But before I end my speech, I have one last thing I need to address. I know that I can come across as nonchalant, aloof, and slightly abrasive at times, but I can assure you that if I’m elected that will not be the case. When there is something that I am passionate about – and rest assured, I am incredibly passionate about Hillel and this position – I give it my all and do my best to be a leader in any way possible. Believe me on this one: I would not be running for board if I thought I would be ineffective. Thank you.
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Ethan Hammerman - Israel
Israel is extremely polarizing nowadays. On a campus like Brown’s, where liberal thinking reigns supreme and people often protest against convention, Israel may not be in every student’s good graces. Protesters rail against issues in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and ask that amnesty be sought for Palestinian refugees who are victimized in their current situation. However, even though Israel is not perfect, there are plenty things that this country has to offer outside of this perceived political dischord. As Israel Committee Chair, it is my job to convey to the student body the many positive aspects of the Holy Land, and I will attempt to do so with aplomb.
This semester, I was called into service halfway through to try and stabilize the Israel Committee. Next semester, I want to take it to the next level. We will be continuing Israel TV Night and I want to show Srugim, a famous and an extremely popular Israeli sitcom that has been compared to shows like Friends and Sex in the City in terms of relatability and impact. I will also create some larger events next semester. Ideas of mine include established ones such as a party surrounding Yom Ha’atzmaut, and new ideas like an Israeli drum circle night. I’m creative, so coming up with other ideas will not be problematic either. I also want to try and recruit an actual committee this year, because I am sure that there are other students on campus who love the cultural aspects of Israel and want to help out with my programming.
Even though the Israel chair should not take a political role, the truth remains that there are two groups, Brown Students for Israel and Puzzle Peace, both of which also have Israel programming and ideas. I, working with the Vice President of Campus Relations and the presidents of both of these groups, want to create a slightly stronger front and ensure that the groups are communicating and working together when necessary. The identities of these clubs will remain separate as they should be, but creating a unified front against larger issues, such as the spring’s impending Israel Apartheid Week, will only create a stronger, more positive presence on campus.
At the end of the day, I am going to try my best at this position, and I think I can be a viable Israel chair. I look forward to working with both the Executive Board, the Programming Board, and the presidents of various other groups next year, and I hope that you vote for me. Thank you.
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