UCSB, Senior HSJCSC Fellow
2003-2004 home page
HSJCSC FELLOWSHIP
Job Responsibilities
The Corps
UCSB HILLEL
Staff
Student Groups
ENGAGEMENT
What is it?
Engagement Stories
TARGET GROUPS & PROGRAMS
Freshmen
Women
Grad Students
Social Action/Spitzer
Jewish Honor Society
Recommended Groups
Other
GETTING TO KNOW CAMPUS
Maps/Calendars
Contacts/Resources/Partners
Campus Orgs/Leadership
Helpful Hints
GETTING A LIFE
Downtown
Goleta/IV
LA
I took Dorit on a coffee date to Nicoletti�s and after hearing from her about how shy she was, I wanted to find a way for her to be social, but a way that was not so intimidating in large crowds. I suggested that she come to our Ladies� Night gatherings, because they provided a great way to meet other women, but in a relaxing atmosphere. She started coming and then became a regular, coming to every event sponsored by the Women�s Group. One time I saw her on campus, and she said that I would be proud of her-that she was looking to join AEPhi, the Jewish interest sorority. When it came time at the end of the year to recruit people to be officers for next year�s women�s group, I immediate thought of her! She was on the first ones to respond that she was interested, and after talking with others who were interested, she was informally elected as the Co-President for next year!
�Jordan and Joseph�
I met both of these guys at our first grad student gathering. They were from very different backgrounds, Jordan being a History student, and Joseph studying Materials. I saw them exchange phone numbers shortly after they both found out that they were from the east coast and rooted for the same football teams! Shortly after, I heard that they were hanging out with each other socially and at one point, I found them both coming to Shabbat dinners! Getting these two together was one of the highlights of my year, as they truly have become a �pair� and the foundation of how they met lies at the heart of the Jewish community. They also have become a couple of my close friends here in Santa Barbara.
�Sarai�
I first met Sarai at the Jewish Awareness Social at the beginning of the year. I noticed that she was shy and so I immediately got her information and said that I would love to see her at Hillel programs. I encouraged her to come to things and to meet other students, and soon she began coming to Shabbat services and the Freshmen Council meetings. Although she was shy, she was always willing to step up and help out, putting together packages to deliver to freshmen in the residence halls. When her parents and grandparents came in for Grandparents� Weekend, they told me how much I have meant to her and how I have been a role model for her. By the end of the year, she applied for one of the open positions for the Student Outreach team.
�Emet�
I met Emet when we were chatting over coffee one day at Nicoletti�s. I noticed that she was shy, but a very confident woman. She came from Colorado, so didn�t have as much in common with others in her hall, who would sometimes go home for the weekend. I found out that she was interested in singing. When we were forming the Vocal Ensemble, I thought of her and was excited to see her at our first practice! Eventually, when the director of the vocal ensemble could not come to practice, it was Emet who was the one laying the piano and leading the practices. Now, I often see her in the building studying and the two of us have had many �heart-to-heart� conversations. It�s great to know that she sees me as someone who she goes to for advice!
�Brian�
I met Brian at a table in front of the UCen at the beginning of the year. He seemed like a very cool person and I noticed that he seemed adventurous. He came to our Freshmen Fiesta at the beginning of the year. After he came on the Freshmen Retreat, I realized that he was really into outdoors stuff and that he was interested in being a HSJCSC Fellow! We had several intimate conversations, and soon I found myself convincing him that he should go on birthright. After taking him out for a smoothie, and sitting down with him and his wireless laptop, he is currently signed-up for the birthright trip in June and perhaps both of us can meet up with each other when I�m there studying in Jerusalem!
�Kerry�
I met Kerry very informally once but didn�t really get to know him until he came on the freshmen retreat. He went on birthright and had a great time and apparently had been searching for a Jewish outlet. He became rather close with Josh (Program Director) and we both realized that he was a cool guy, but also one that was genuinely a good listener. When it came time to select the Student Outreach Coordinators for last year, I was excited that Kerry was interested! Eventually, he was selected and I look forward to working with him next year!
�Leora�
I don�t remember when I met Leora, as she always seemed to be part of a group of freshmen women who came to Hillel a lot. I would still consider her as an engagement student, though as she did not come from a �Jewish� background. By directing her to other students with whom she felt comfortable, she began coming to a lot of programs and even had her Bat Mitzvah at Hillel. She organized several hikes for the Freshmen Council and even started dating another Jewish student! I am so proud that she is continuing to explore her Jewish identity and question what being Jewish means to her!
�Sameach�
I first met Sameach when I was delivering flyers to the residence halls for a program. She seemed interested in the flyer, so I suspected that she was Jewish. After saying that she only comes to high holiday stuff, I encouraged her that there were many other cool programs that might interest her. I took down her information, and followed-up with her by inviting her to a women�s group gathering. After I saw that she responded as a �yes,� to the program, I gave her a call, indicating how excited I was to see that she was planning on coming. She came to the program and I greeted her with much enthusiasm. She said that she had a good time, so when I was thinking of people to challenge and become part of the women�s group officers, I sent her an invitation. She responded and eventually was voted as the Vice President of Activities for next year for the Jewish Women�s Group-yay!
�Sara�
I met Sara through email. I received an email from someone at another Hillel asking if we were interested in starting a Jewish Honor Society. I said that we would put it on our listserv and if anyone expressed interest, we would help facilitate this process, but that we wouldn�t create it otherwise. After putting the ad on the weekly email, I got an email from Sara saying that she was interested in the honor society. I wrote back and indicated that we did not have a group formed yet, but that I was looking for someone to help start the group with my help. She responded that she was still interested, so we met for lunch and talked about it. I realized how organized she was and since she was Student President in high school, she obviously had a lot of leadership experience! Slowly, we talked about advertising and recruiting and soon enough we had 15 members! She is the sole reason why we have a Jewish Honor Society now-and one with a board of 6 elected officers!
�Adat�
I met Adat at the Freshmen Fiesta, but didn�t really have that much time to talk with her. After talking with another student, I found out that she liked to crochet, so I immediately IMed her to ask her if she would be interested in starting a crocheting circle with me on campus. She expressed interest and so we met in her suite to talk about how we would do this. She eventually became one of the organizers of the group and thus why we had �Crocheting for a Cause� each week, a time for people to come together and crochet projects that we would donate to good causes.