Meet the 2011-2012 Executive Board!
Josh Gibbs, President, incoming senior in History
Please give a brief personal biography, including your Jewish experiences growing up and how you became involved in Hillel.
I was born a poor black child. I remember the days, sittin' on the porch with my family, singin' and dancin' down in Mississippi... Not really. I was born in Texas. I have three sisters, one older and two younger. I was raised Reform, went to Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute, and volunteered at my synagouge. I became involved in Hillel freshman year when I brought my parents to Hillel because I did not know anywhere else I could take them on campus. I bombarded the then programming director, Audrey, for an intern position until she finally conceded and gave me two hours of work. I then went on Birthright through Shorashim and hit the ground running with Hillel. I also have been involved with Hillel through Alpha Epsilon Pi. Describe your interest in being on Executive Board. What goals do you have for your position? I want to be the President because this is my senior year coming up, and I am the best person for the position. I have been involved with Hillel all my college career and plan to be involved with the Jewish community as I move on. As a senior who has previous board experience, I know what I did wrong the first time and am prepared for round two. First semester will run much smoother with myself as president because I have experience. My goals for the position, are what some would call, huge, ruthless, and epic. I want to lead this board. I want to make sure that everyone has the help they need and the guidance that I can offer them. I want to help them make being on board not only beneficial to Hillel, but to themselves as well. I plan on making all board members keep reports of what they have done, what could have been done better, and what they wish they had done. This will help the board members keep track of successes that they have had and help the next board plan for problems that they encountered. I want to be a crucial part in the transition of the new staff next year. With our lovely Raif and Jessica leaving us for new experiences, we are going to need someone who has been around, and who has worked with many different functions within Hillel to help guide them and acclimate them to student life on campus. I am also ready to be a liaison to the Governing Board. I have a relationship with few members of the governing board already and I am prepared to interact with them on a regular basis. When helping Sammy plan the phone-a-thon I saw the work that we put in mixed with the governing board and I am amazed by the connection we can have. I think working with the governing board and on CAMPUS CAMPAIGN is going to be an extremely important role next year. Please describe your previous leadership experience and how you will apply what you have learned to your position at Hillel. Freshman year I worked with Engagement Associate, Yael Mazor, as an engagement intern. I directed my focus to the Six Pack starting our own bagel brunch there and engaging students that lived in those dorms.l I recommended four people for PNEI positions the next year from people that I had engaged. I then became one of the Greek Chairs for Hillel the next year. I planned Shabbat dinners, Passover Seders, and Greek Iron Chef. This last year I have worked as an intern and helped with some programs such as the Spring Phone-a-thon. I have focused much of my attention this year to being on the SORF Board, reviewing grant applications and allocating money to student groups on campus. I have also been Israeli Advocacy Chair for AEPi and very involved with Alpha Phi Omega for the last three semesters logging over 160 service hours in the last three semesters. President Only: How has your previous experience on the Leadership Council prepared you for the job of president? Being Greek Chair and an engagement intern really shaped me into the person I am today. Working as a team, under a president and staff, allows me to know how it feels to be knew to a position and nervous about succeeding. I feel I will be able to help the board work through problems, attain success, and overall feel happier with their Jewish identity. I think having a board with people who have been on board before along with new people will make the board stronger. I feel I can be a strong role model for board members while remaining on the same level, not acting as a superior while helping to maintain order. I also look great in a suit. Programming Vice President - Britt Rasky
Britt Rasky - incoming senior in Human Development and Family Studies
I grew up in Buffalo Grove, IL and went
to Stevenson High School. I was active in my Jewish youth group at Beth
Am in Buffalo Grove, and served a year on the Executive Board. I also
was involved in NFTY-CAR.
In college, I first got involved at Hillel when I was hired as an Peer Network Engagement Intern my sophomore year. I spent the year engaging uninvolved Jewish individuals on campus and creating initiatives/programs to get people involved in Jewish life. That same year, I spent a week at Camp Ramah in Georgia for the PNEI training, and also went on Birthright. Additionally, I worked at the Jewish Federation last summer as one of their Lewis Summer Interns. This year I served as Hillel's Social Chair and planned Date Auction and Jewish Barn dance. Describe your interest in being on Executive Board. What goals do you have for your position? I want to be on the Executive Board because I loved the experience I had planning Jewish Barn Dance. It was really fulfilling for me to put a lot of time and effort into an event and then watching it be successful. If I was to be VP Programming, I plan on putting together two big events: one fall semester and one spring semester. For fall semester, I was thinking of planning a "Rosh Hashanah/ Happy New Year" formal event and for spring semester, we would have another Jewish barn dance. I'm passionate about planning really fun, appealing programs and social events for Jewish students on our campus. Please describe your previous leadership experience and how you will apply what you have learned to your position at Hillel. As a PNEI, I learned how to put together successful programs and how to put together programs that people would actually like. I've also spent the year serving as Social Chair planning social events for the Sexual Health Peers. Most importantly, I brought back Jewish Barn Dance. Through the experience of planning barn dance, I learned how to get things done on time, reach out to Jewish students all over campus, and work closely with the Hillel Staff. Barn Dance also taught me a lot about effective advertising and gave me a good idea about what to do/what not to do when planning a large event. Jewish Life Vice President - Adina Mann
Adina Mann - incoming junior in English & Secondary Education
Please give a brief personal biography, including your Jewish experiences growing up and how you became involved in Hillel.
My father is a Rabbi and because of this Judaism has always been an important part of my life. My freshman year I really fell in love with the Hillel's sense of community and student leadership and feel that I have a lot to contribute to this community. This past year I served as the Conservative Minyan Leader and feel that through my experiences I could contribute well to the position of Jewish Life VIce President. Describe your interest in being on Executive Board. What goals do you have for your position? As an Executive Board member, I would want to make sure that Jewish Life is continuing to thrive on campus in a pluralistic manner. This means that each minyan should feel that they are thriving and engaging students on a regular basis and further enhance the Jewish Life on campus. Additionally, I would like to continue planning events regarding Jewish Life in an entertaining manner to engage students and continue building a strong Jewish community on campus. Please describe your previous leadership experience and how you will apply what you have learned to your position at Hillel. This past year I served as Conservative Minyan Leader and feel that I have gained much experience in planning services and learning the dynamics of the Jewish life on campus. As Jewish Life Vice President, I can provide insight to the minyan leaders as well as other students interested in becoming involved because I served in their position in the past and can use my experience to help guide them. In addition to my experience on the Hillel Leadership Board, I am also President of two Registered Student Organizations on campus and have skills in time management and leadership. Outreach Vice President - Alex Pomerantz
Alex Pomerantz - incoming sophomore in English
Please give a brief personal biography, including your Jewish experiences growing up and how you became involved in Hillel.
At an early age I was able to start developing my Jewish identity through studies at Solomon Schechter. After graduating I continued my involvement in the Jewish community through USY and song leading at numerous events. Jewish camping has also impacted my life a great deal. I have attended B'nai B'rith Beber Camp for eight years and continue to return because of its strong sense of community and commitment to shaping individuals into positive role models. Once I started college Hillel became my outlet to continue strengthening my Jewish identity and be present in the Jewish community. On a more personal level, I am easy going and committed to what I work on. I have been playing guitar for 10 years and have developed a strong passion for music. Most times when I'm not busy doing school work I will be writing music. Another passion of mine is Jewish camping and am working towards becoming a camp director. Describe your interest in being on Executive Board. What goals do you have for your position? My philosophy is that you take what you put into what ever you are invested in. Being involved in Hillel is important to me because I want to be invested and involved in the Jewish community on campus. Keeping our community connected is important to me and is the reason why I would like to be the Outreach Vice President. My goals for the year are to provide opportunities for all students, Jewish and non-Jewish, to become involved in Hillel and to strengthen our community. I plan on working with several organizations and RSO's on campus to provide fun and entertaining social, educational, and multi-cultural programs. Please describe your previous leadership experience and how you will apply what you have learned to your position at Hillel. During the summers of 2008 and 2009 I went through a leadership training program at Beber Camp and learned about what it means to be a leader. I learned that their are times to take charge and times to sit back and listen to others. If I am Outreach Vice President I will take initiative and make sure tasks are completed and programs are planned. I will also listen to what everyone wants so that events can be successful. For a couple of years now I have lead congregations through prayer and song. I was also a link crew leader for my last two years of high school. Link Crew is a program that helps freshmen make the transition into high school more easily. I plan on providing events that will help the freshmen class connect with one another so that their transition into college can be smoother. Greek Life Vice President - Jeff Mayer
Jeff Mayer - incoming sophomore in Computer Engineering
Please give a brief personal biography, including your Jewish experiences growing up and how you became involved in Hillel.
I am from Naperville, IL. I belonged to a reform-ish synagogue and went to Sunday school all the way through High School. I have always been very active in many activities, I pole vaulted for the track team, was on the Tech crew for Theatre, and also helped try to start a BBYO in the western suburbs. I became involved in Hillel because I wanted to get involved in Jewish life on campus, and I really enjoyed the people and atmosphere so I stayed involved. Describe your interest in being on Executive Board. What goals do you have for your position? I have always enjoyed being on Executive board for any activity I am part of, and the same is said for Hillel. I enjoy helping plan events and being a leader in the club. As a new member of AEPi, I feel like Greek Life VP would fit me well. A goal of mine is to see that other Jewish houses on campus become more involved with Hillel. I would like to see the number of students who come to services on Friday nights increase from the greek houses. Please describe your previous leadership experience and how you will apply what you have learned to your position at Hillel. In high school I was on the exec board for Tech club for 3 year, Treasurer, VP, and President. I was also VP for BBYO for a year when we attempted to form a chapter in the Western Suburbs, and on campus I have been Treasurer of JET since January, and I am the Treasurer for Handball Club for the upcoming year. I have learned a lot about being on exec board from holding these positions. I have learned how to lead a club by guiding instead of forcing it in a direction. I have also planned social events for the club and have learned how SORF works. I feel that I am qualified for the job because I will work well with other board members, and everyone else in the organization, and will be able to plan events that everyone will enjoy. Secretary - Laurie Shinbaum
Treasurer - Michelle Klein
Michelle Klein, incoming junior in Mathematics & Statistics
Please give a brief personal biography, including your Jewish experiences growing up and how you became involved in Hillel.
I was born in Chicago, IL, but I moved to Buffalo Grove, IL when I was three and have lived there since then. When I was small I went to Sunday school and Hebrew school at Congregation Beth Am. I had my Bat Mitzvah there and I continued going there for Religious school classes through my junior year of high school. During my years at Stevenson High School, I was very active in my B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) chapter. I served as my chapter secretary and treasurer. Since I was so involved in Jewish life in high school, I knew I would stay involved in college. I was first introduced to the Illini Hillel by Leah Cohen, who gave me a tour of the Hillel when I came for a campus visit. Since I’ve been at U of I, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed coming to Hillel for Shabbat services, free bagels, and just to hang out and do some homework. Describe your interest in being on Executive Board. What goals do you have for your position? I’m interested in being on Hillel’s Executive Board because I have been fortunate enough to enjoy Hillel's programs for almost no cost. I want to make sure other students get the same opportunity to experience all that Hillel has to offer. Specifically for the treasurer position, I want to help Hillel manage its budget as effectively as possible so that Hillel can continue to meet the needs of its students without being in debt. I would like to plan at least one large fundraiser each semester, including a possible challah baking competition. Please describe your previous leadership experience and how you will apply what you have learned to your position at Hillel. During high school I was the treasurer of my BBYO chapter. As treasurer I was responsible for managing the budget and planning fundraisers. I coordinated our biggest fundraiser of the year and it raised over $1,000 for chapter scholarships. So, I know that my experience will translate into success for Hillel as well. Also, at the college level I have been the Vice President of the MATRIX math club and I was on pledge executive board in my community service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, and I am a recent graduate of the Maimonides program. |
