Words of Wisdom, Advice from the 2002-2003 Jewish Campus Service Corps Fellows
When I was a little girl it always confused me when I saw my teacher at the grocery store. I didn't understand that teachers lived outside of the classroom. Your fellowship will continue to be a tag wherever you go. Be a link to the Jewish community and help students realize that Judaism does not belong, nor deserves to be locked into a classroom. Confuse people, get outside!
Nicole Guzik, JCSC fellow at Indiana University
"It's never about you. It's ALWAYS about the students. Never seek rewards or
credit, rather find them by watching students be changed by the work that
you do"
oh yeah: Don't be afraid to admit upon coming in that you have no experience, that
you lack knowledge and certain skills. Talk to your supervisors, that's what
they're for!!!!!
Never engage a girl on the rebound!!!!!!!
David Wolkin, JCSC Fellow at Queens College
My words of wisdom is to get a credit card just to use for Hillel so you don't go into debt buying bagels!
Tanya Goldberg, JCSC Fellow at Drexel
In order to be an effective JCSC Fellow, you must be yourself. In order to
be yourself, you must be and effective JCSC Fellow. Confused? I hope so.
Dan Lewinter, JCSC Fellow at Pittsburgh
Don't work so many hours that you don't have time or energy left for a
social life.
Do take advantage of all the resources on campus, in the community and
within the Hillel world. There are tons of people out there who can help
you, and you never know when connections like these will pay off.
Really get to know your students; they are intelligent and wonderful. They
have so much to give, and all they want is your friendship- adore them!
Michele Krebs, JCSC Fellow at North Carolina University
The JCSC Fellowship is not a one-size fits all experience. Every Fellow is
not the same nor is every campus. Feel out your environment and your
university, and do the job the way that fits best for you and your
surroundings.
Danny Newman, JCSC Fellow at the University of Albany
You will be challenged, inspired, educated, exhausted, energized, and
spiritualized all at the same time both inwardly and outwardly. And when all
is said and done, you'll feel like you've been impacted more than you've
impacted others.
Jen Scholsberg, JCSC fellow at Miami University
Spend as much time on campus as possible, without an agenda.
Find some "empowered" students to work with, create an engagement team so
you don't feel like you are alone.
Find your own ways to connect Jewishly- not only will it make your Hillel
experience more enriching, but students will trust you when you tell them
you are exploring your own Jewish identity (not just pushing it on them).
Laurie Matzkin, Senior JCSC at Multi-Campus Hillel of Greater Philadelphia
Don't sweat the small stuff.....Everything is small stuff. Anytime you
need a boost, think back to that first student you engaged in Jewish
life....and SMILE, because that's what its all about!
Mikhal McPherson, JCSC fellow at George Mason University Hillel.
Keep positive, every encounter you make, no
matter how short or small, can change someone's life and you may never
even know it. So always keep and open mind and a smile on your face.
Joanna Mass Alexander. JCSC fellow at Syracuse University
In the process of not only noticing students but genuinely taking an interest in
who they are and who they want to be, you will find yourself building
relationships, forming community, guiding, learning, growing, and doing holy
work. An individual can have a greater self esteem, a more meaningful
collegiate experience, and a stronger connection to Judaism and the Jewish
community because you went beyond noticing this person. Look deep.
Stephanie Sideman, Senior JCSC fellow at University of Chicago
The most radical thing we can do is introduce people to one another.
Everyone should be like Nicole. ( I didn't tell him to say that!)
Establish boundaries-- gently transgress when appropriate.
DONT PUSH.
Micah Lapidas, Senior JCSC fellow at Yale University
Don't drink that usual morning cup coffee if you know you have 3 coffee dates
later that day. By the second one you will be so off the wall you won't
understand the necessity to sit still and pretend to actively listen. HOOK 'EM!
Oh yeah: Bubbles on a beautiful day make for an awesome tabling experience.
Staci Mellman, Senior JCSC fellow at University of Texas, Austin
Add a personal touch to everything you do - it goes a lot further. If
you're sending emails, take 10 extra minutes to add a personal note to as
many messages as you can. You'll hear back about that personal note before
you'll hear back about any other part of your message.
Ari Margolis, JCSC fellow at Rutgers University
The smallest gesture of understanding can change someone's life. Remember
that when the job is hard and also remember it when the job is easy. And
always keep in mind what made you want to become a fellow in the first
place. If you lose sight of your own inspiration, you'll have a harder
challenge inspiring others.
Miriam Steinberg, JCSC fellow at Brandeis University
Always wake up with a smile....people wonder what your up to...and as
Fellows thats a good thing!
Sharon Kupferman, JCSC fellow at Stony Brook University
Remember: Quality, not Quantity. Even if only 4 people show up to bake
challah or, if you can make them feel like they were the most important four
people you spent time with all day, you've been successful. The quality of
your encounters with students is far more telling than the numbers you pull
in!
Jodie Gordon, JCSC fellow at The University of Wisconsin, Madison
Work shouldn't be called work, it should be called having fun, as JCSC's that's
what we do...we get paid to have fun. The minute you call it work, it's not
fun anymore...so I guess everyone should remember to incorporate a little
fun into every day no matter how much they have going on or how stressed out
they get.
Edy Fink, Senior JCSC fellow at The University of Florida
"This is probably the most fun job you will ever have in your life! If you're not having fun, use your creativity to make it fun! Also, remember to take time for yourself and be sure to have a social life. You're no good to anyone else if you're not okay yourself."
Elizabeth Alowitz, Senior JCSC fellow at The University of Virginia
Nothing is a mistake, everything is an experience, continue to learn from
others and constantly learn about yourself.
Samara Kaplan, JCSC fellow at Cleveland Area Hillel
Your job is not to get the most people to a program or to have the best
program on the program the program exchange, but to change lives and give
students a quality Jewish life in college. Also, NEVER FORGET TO HAVE
FUN!!!
Rachel Leavey, JCSC fellow at Houston Hillel
This isn't a job where you go home fulfilled because you finished a big
report or tackled everything on your to do list. The greatest days are
the ones when you connect with students in ways that are meaningful to
both you and them. Enjoy every coffee date, every walk around campus
with a student, every late night in a residence hall or at a Greek house
and treasure each student for the beauty they bring to your community.
Lisa Weiss, Senior JCSC fellow at UC Santa Barbara
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
A penny saved is a penny earned
Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Hind sight is always 20/20
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Jon Goldman, Senior JCSC fellow at the University of Maryland
Righteousness, Righteousness shall you pursue, so that you will live and
possess the Land that Hashem, your G-d, gives you.
Parshat Shoftim, Deueronomy 16:20
Aaron Rubin, JCSC fellow at JCSC Hillel of Silicon Valley
Everyone is going to tell you you need to have a thick-skin to work in this business and
it's true. Don't let the students (or anyone else) push you around and you
don't always have to take no for an answer. Sometimes you'll need to push
and sometimes you'll need to back off, you only have to mess that up once
before you figure out which time is which. And most importantly, do what
you want to do. Use Hillel as your vehicle to see that new movie and play
softball, but don't do the things you don't have to or want to do. Your
students might ot understand why you're not at a specific event, but your
time is your time, and it's precious little. All in all, make the most of
the job in a way that makes you happy. Remember, you're in the spotlight,
and if your not happy, neither will be you audience.
Sarah Chessman, JCSC fellow at the University of Washington
1. If you feel you are getting overwhelmed, step away for a few minutes,
then come back to your work.
2. Don't be afraid to respectfully challenge your supervisor
3. Utilize the listserve to find answers or ask questions.
4. If you have no work to do, why are you still at Hillel - GO HOME!
Seth Rosenzweig, Senior JCSC fellow at the Ohio State University
Remember to push yourself - want to learn more? Find a class on campus or
in the community. Worried about your first tabling program? Yell extra
loud when you're passing out that kosher candy! Need help with an idea or
program? Tap into the many resources available to you - your local staff,
your local community, other JCSCs.
But...don't forget to take care of yourself - Tired? Make yourself come in
late! All that free food getting to you? Check out local gyms or make an
effort to eat a real sit-down dinner that you cooked yourself!
Most importantly - trust yourself and have fun!
Debbie Yunker, JCSC fellow at Washington University, St. Louis Hillel
Kurt Vonnegut said "Why bother? Here's my answer: Many people need
desperately to receive this message: "I feel and think much as you do, care
about many of the things you care about, although most people don't care
about them. You are not alone." This is the key to a successful year as a
JCSC. Share your heart and soul with students and they will respond. Share
your wisdom and love with the other fellows and they will do the same. Just
be open to the experience and you will be invaluably changed.
Jennifer Pearl, JCSC fellow at Binghamton University
Ask questions, lots of questions. Keep an open mind. Maintain a work/life
balance. Take pictures of everything, especially the people that play a
large role in your JCSC experience.
Matt Lowe, JCSC fellow at the University of Wisconsin, Madison
"Be flexible and friendly, and don't give up on the students. Most of all, be patient. Sometimes it may take the whole semester to get this one student, but when you finally do, you have this great feeling watching this student get involved as they grow personally and Jewishly. It's that moment when you realize that all of the waiting and frustration along the way was worth it."
Sharon Dayan, JCSC fellow at UIC Hillel
To engage, you must show your passion for Judaism throughout everything you
do.
Allyson Tash, JCSC fellow at Kansas University
Don't give up even when things seem at there worst
Personal contact is an amazing useful tool
Smile a lot, and be open to all different kinds of people
Have fun, and enjoy what you are doing
Experiment, experiment, experiment
Leah Weiss, JCSC fellow at Claremont Colleges
"Do what you can't do in any other job, get personal! For every student you
meet, keep a record...their home-town, their last place of vacation, their
creative endeavors, their favorite scent...were not trying to clone our
students, but learning every detail of who they are will HELP YOU work them,
and keep an efficient database for the years to come."
Tarah Guttman, JCSC fellow at Florida Hillel
Don't let yourself be caught up in your 'Jewish campus life'... all work and no play makes shlomo a dull boychick."
Matt Konigsberg. JCSC fellow at Penn State
This job is all about people. its about the students and what they need and
want, or don't even know they need and want, and how we give it to them.
its about the staff we work with, and how they build and create, and how we
help them in that mission. its about us, and how we grow and think and
learn and try and fail and succeed, and how we have to overcome obstacles
and challenges, and how we have to embrace happiness and fun times, and how
we change as we change those around you. for me anyway, thinking about it
these terms helps me realize not only the importance of what it is we do,
but the fact that in a job that sometimes seems so much about giving, we
are also gaining more than we know.
Liz Rutzick, JCSC fellow at UC Berkeley
