News

Welcoming the 糖心vlogl 2022 Summer Interns

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

June 8, 2022

糖心vlogl is so excited to welcome our Summer 2022 interns! While these students cannot physically be at 糖心vlogl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聽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 糖心vlogl 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聽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 糖心vlogl, 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聽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 糖心vlogl team this summer as the Digital Marketing intern!聽

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

My name is Ryan Gibbons, and I am a rising sophomore at Elon University聽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聽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 糖心vlogl 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聽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,聽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 糖心vlogl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聽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 at Hillel 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 糖心vlogl this summer as a member of this team.聽聽

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

Hello, my name is Zoe Winger聽 I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio but am currently a senior at Kent State University聽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 at Hillel 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 糖心vlogl.

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聽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 what Hillel 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 糖心vlogl 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聽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 糖心vlogl 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 糖心vlogl 2022 Summer Interns appeared first on 糖心vlogl.

News

Penn Hillel Students Inspire Healing鈥ith Jewish Teddy Bears

Author

Alexandra Goldberg

Date

April 27, 2022

Penn Hillel students are comforting people in need of healing 鈥� one teddy bear at a time.聽

Audrey Singer, 21, and Aden Horowitz, 21, founded , a startup that sells plush teddy bears to provide comfort to those who are ill. Each bear holds a customizable note and a heart-shaped card containing the 鈥淢i Sheberach,鈥� a Jewish prayer of healing.

鈥淪o many of our family members and friends have been suffering during the pandemic,鈥� said Singer, a health and societies major. 鈥淪aying 鈥楳i Sheberach鈥� for a loved one is very powerful, and with a Mishe Bear, the prayer can stay with them. It reminds them that someone is praying for their recovery.鈥�

The Jewish-inspired teddy bear is designed to lift spirits and help loved ones find strength in the words of the 鈥淢i Sheberach.鈥� This powerful blessing (sometimes spelled Mi Shebeirach) is usually recited during prayer services, offering a moment of reflection for those in need of healing. 

鈥溾�楳i Sheberach鈥� is a prayer of healing in any way that you need it 鈥� spiritual healing, emotional healing, physical healing,鈥� said Horowitz, a junior studying finance and fine art. 鈥淚n a lot of Jewish families, the prayer means that someone is wishing that you heal from a divine source and receive divine goodness. It’s special.鈥�

A Mishe Bear is a simple yet meaningful gift, Horowitz said. The first, unofficial customer was her aunt, who now serves on the Mishe Bear board. 

She was hospitalized during the pandemic. To support her aunt, Horowitz sent her a teddy bear with a printed copy of the 鈥淢i Sheberach,鈥� creating the original Mishe Bear. 

鈥淣ot only did the bear help my aunt through her healing process, but it also got her really excited about the potential of Mishe Bear,鈥� Horowitz said. 鈥淪he loved the idea of a business that could make an impact on other people’s healing.鈥�

After sending her aunt a bear, Horowitz fleshed out the idea for a Mishe Bear startup with Singer. At the height of the pandemic, the young entrepreneurs went to Penn Hillel for advice. 

Hillel professionals helped them navigate the start-up process, including brainstorming, networking, and proofreading. They were also instrumental in answering Jewish questions, especially Rabbi Gabe Greenberg, who serves as the executive director of Penn Hillel.

Rabbi Greenberg said Penn Hillel served as an incubator, allowing the students to connect and get exposure to Jewish ideas.

鈥淎udrey and Aden are leaders who will create and run with their own ideas in a supportive Jewish ecosystem with help from staff,鈥� Rabbi Greenberg said. 鈥淥ur role is to help students figure out what they want and how we can support them.鈥�

Singer and Horowitz share an entrepreneurial spirit, something they discovered they had in common while serving on the student board of Penn Hillel in 2021. Horowitz was vice president of marketing, and Singer was vice president of social affairs. 

鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 have even met if it weren鈥檛 for Hillel,鈥� Singer said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e really leaned on Hillel for support. Aden and I credit Hillel with everything that has come out of this company.鈥�

In January 2022, Horowitz and Singer used their bat mitzvah money to launch the company.

So far, Mishe Bear has sold approximately 125 bears, helping each customer share healing prayers from a distance.

Mira Potter-Schwartz, 21, sent her grandfather a Mishe Bear as he recovered from heart surgery miles away. Potter-Schwartz, a senior majoring in economics at Penn, also included a personal note with comforting words.

Reciting the 鈥淢i Sheberach鈥� has been a part of her life since she was a child. Sending the Mishe Bear to her grandfather was extra special because the message touched on her family鈥檚 traditions, Potter-Schwartz said. 

鈥淗e absolutely loved it,鈥� Potter-Schwartz said. 鈥淗e wrote to me in an email that it brought tears to his eyes and has a special place under his pillow.鈥�

The value of Mishe Bear reaches far beyond the hundreds of customizable bears awaiting their recipients. The company donates 10% of its profits to Jewish organizations, including Penn Hillel, Northeastern Hillel, (a Philadelphia-based childhood education program), and (a nonprofit that supports Jewish women diagnosed with breast cancer and ovarian cancer).聽聽

Horowitz said one of the most rewarding parts of Mishe Bear is being able to give back to Jewish organizations that have supported them during childhood and adulthood. 

鈥淚t just feels very full circle,鈥� Singer said. 

Singer and Horowitz said Mishe Bear is just starting to make an impact. There鈥檚 more to be done.  

The entrepreneurs see two main avenues for growth: strengthening the charitable impact through more partnerships with Jewish organizations and creating additional products that inspire healing. 

鈥淚t’s not too gushy,鈥� Horowitz said. 鈥淎 Mishe Bear is perfectly appropriate for anybody, anytime, in need of any type of healing.鈥�

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

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Antisemitism

Not only do we need to keep their memories alive, we need to keep their stories alive.

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

October 27, 2020

The post Not only do we need to keep their memories alive, we need to keep their stories alive. appeared first on 糖心vlogl.