TH: You are the new Birthright Israel IACT Coordinator. Can you explain what your job is? Why were you interested in this position?

AB: Technically, my job entails recruiting Jewish students on the University of Texas campus to go on Birthright trips to Israel and engaging Birthright participants once they return from their experience. However, I believe that this job goes way beyond this and further explains why I was interested in this position. The idea of inspiring college students to seek a connection to the land of Israel and then bringing back their connection to their college campus is beyond exciting to me.

TH: Where did you work before Texas Hillel?

AB: Before Texas Hillel, I worked at the Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach in South Florida. My role at this Hillel was Engagement Associate. This meant that my main role was to engage students on campus to get more involved and attend events at Hillel.

TH: What are some of your goals as Birthright Israel IACT Coordinator?

AB: One of my main goals as Birthright Israel IACT Coordinator is to instill a connection to Israel to as many students on UT’s campus as possible. I plan on finding those untapped areas on campus where we can recruit new faces to Birthright and the general Hillel community as well.

TH: You recently relocated from Florida. How do you like living in Austin?

AB: I am in LOVE with living in Austin so far. The food scene and beautiful outdoors that Austin has to offer definitely won me over from the very beginning. It’s also very exciting that I get to live near both of my sisters now. One of my sisters lives in Austin and the other lives in Dallas!

TH: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

AB: I was born in Coral Springs, FL but moved around a great deal throughout my life. I’ve lived in Danbury, CT, Baltimore, MD, and most recently, Parkland, FL. I attended Florida State University for undergrad and majored in Family and Child Sciences, with a minor in Social Welfare. I come from a family of two Reform Rabbis, my father and my eldest sister. I hope to one day become a Rabbi as well so that I can give to the Jewish community and inspire others to love Judaism as much as I do! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, visiting URJ Camp Harlem in the summertime and eating delicious food (especially sushi).

August 17, 2018