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About
Our mission is to grant Jewish students from different cultural backgrounds opportunities to come together. Bridging the Gap seeks to bridge the divide between Jewish cultural groups by incorporating Hillel’s core Jewish values: Chesed (kindness), Tikun Olam (Repair the world), Tzedaka (charity), Jewish Identity and Israel. Every event we facilitate embodies the theme of unity; embracing our differences and realizing that we are one people, with one mission, and one purpose.
“Bridging the Gap” Fellowship – is your chance to help us build a lasting and effective partnership between the NYC Hillels and our communities. The fellowship is creating a community of dedicated college students and narrowing divisions between diverse cultures of Jewish students. Bridging the Gap has served the Russian, American, orthodox, and conservative communities, helping students open lines of communication not otherwise possible.
Project of Tanger Hillel at Brooklyn College funded by UJA-Federation of New York
When students become part of this leadership experience, they’ll be meeting new people, interacting with key professionals and philanthropists, gaining valuable experience, helping them in the future. In addition to professional experience they will receive a $1000 stipend.
During the spring semester, Bridging the Gap fellows are expected to attend one general interest meeting followed by three programming meetings. They will also organize two large city-wide events based on their own ideas and planning desires, incorporating Hillel’s underlying core Jewish values. Each student leader will gain a portfolio of experience through their responsibilities which include:
• Generating interest for the initiative, • Contacting students and active members from their universities • Publicizing events • Creating Social Media initiatives
Bridging the Gap’s dynamic summer programming consists of two events hosted and facilitated by the student fellows. These events produced for current and prospective students in New York City to give them a diverse taste of “summer in the city.” The themes explored will reflect the work done by the student fellowship board
During the fall semester, interns will return to the respective campuses with an “event planning & coaching certificate” through Bridging the Gap. Fellows will assist Hillel staff and student board to plan and promote two large scale city-wide events bringing their new experiences and leadership skills to their local communities.
Become a part of Bridging the Gap: Unite and build a diverse, cohesive Jewish community.
For more information, email Tanya Gutsol at tanyahillel@gmail.com
Staff
Rozeeta Mavashev
Director of Engagement
Is the Director of Engagement at the Tanger Hillel at Brooklyn College. Her Jewish Professional life started out with a simple Hillel internship that stemmed into countless Fellowships and her Israel involvement. She is very passionate about the young Jewish Millennial generation and devotes most of her time in engaging and guiding other young Jewish students. She loves to travel and is always interested in learning anything and everything that has to do with art and music. Two years ago Rozeeta discovered that she can sing and uses any excuse to share the music within her soul with the world; even if it means singing loudly in the shower. She also has this well-known addiction to staffing Birthright trips and has an ultimate goal to reach 30 trips before she turns 30. Overall she’s pretty funny, ambitious and talks too much, and in her presence, you’ll never get bored, it’s a guarantee.
Fellowship
BRIDGING THE GAP FELLOWSHIP
June 2017-August 2018
We’re looking for a smart, motivated self-starter to be a member of our growing fellowship team!
ABOUT US:
Bridging the Gap is an initiative that grants Jewish College students from different cultural backgrounds opportunities to unite their diverse networks. Bridging the Gap fosters lasting connections between Jewish cultural groups by incorporating Hillel’s core Jewish values: Chesed (kindness), Tikun Olam (Repair the world), Tzedaka (charity), Jewish Identity and Israel. All our events embody the theme of unity; we embrace our differences, realizing that we are one people, with one mission and one purpose!
WHAT ARE THE GOALS AND TASKS?
- Build relationships with Jewish students on campus and maintain an ongoing contact • Create and implement events that help bridge the divide between Jewish cultural groups • Connect individuals to Jewish life on campus and across NYC
- BTG Fellows will work with the BTG staff (Campus Hillel staff if applicable) to ensure they meet all benchmarks and requirements of the BTG Fellowship.
- BTG Fellow should be able to dedicate on an average of 5-7 hours per week to successfully fulfill the responsibilities.
- BTG Fellows receive professional skills, improve their resume and make friends and in addition, $1000 is awarded to BTG Fellows for the period of May 2015 through June 2016. The stipend is paid in increments of two installments as the criteria for the internship is met. The results will be measured qualitatively and quantitatively.
- Have a basic level of: Jewish knowledge; Understanding and/or experience with engagement/follow-up; Programming (preferably with students-young adults) • Possess excellent interpersonal communication skills • Have excellent research skills • Desire to contribute to and learn from the experience
Bridging the Gap Fellows 2016-2017
Megan Zubar
Pace University
Megan Zubar is a sophomore at Pace University with a major in Peace and Justice Studies. She strives every day to live a meaningful Jewish life and encourages others around her to do so as well. Megan spends her summers at the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) Kutz Camp, which is the center for empowering Reform Jewish teens to make a difference in their home communities. At Pace, Megan is the VP of Hillel and hopes to use the networking in the Bridging the Gap Fellowship to learn more about strengthening communities of Jewish college students. In addition to Hillel, Megan is involved with the Sigma Delta Tau: Delta Theta Chapter at Pace. She is very passionate about Israel, promoting justice for the environment, and all individuals, and traveling and engulfing into a new culture. Megan is more than excited to see what she can offer to Bridging the Gap and how this fellowship will aid in her growth as a young Jewish adult.
Rebecca Kerzner
Stern College for Women
Rebecca Kerzner is a junior at Stern College for Women. She is majoring in graphic design and minoring in writing. Although her creative credentials can seem intimidating, she has some basic qualities at heart. Brunches, avocado toasts, and Instagram are high on her priority list. But in school, she is the captain of the women’s fencing team and this is her third year playing the sport, ever. She loves meeting new people within her campus and being active all the time. Rebecca was born in Houston, Texas and is the youngest of six children. Her parents are both Russian and are bal-teshuvas. Religiously, Rebecca considers herself a spiritual person who is very proud of her identity and enjoys sharing her passion with others. Lastly, she can’t wait to be more involved with Bridging the Gap so she can connect with Jewish communities on other college campuses and make great events happen!
Noam Menashe
FIT
Noam Menashe was born and raised in southern Israel. At the age of 11, she moved to Brooklyn, NY. Noam Menashe is a transfer student at the Fashion Institute of Technology; she previously attended Parsons The New School for design. She is enrolled as a communication design student and plans to work in advertising after graduation. With a strong connection to her homeland, Noam is a strong advocate for Israel. As a designer, artist and an advocate, Noam believe that art is the best way to communicate a message.
Rebecca Yelizarov
Baruch
Rebecca is a junior studying Marketing Management at Baruch College. Rebecca was born and raised in New York City and born into a traditional Gorsky-Kavkazi Jewish home where she learned many important Jewish traditions. After losing a little bit of touch with her Jewish community, Rebecca joined the Baruch Hillel and started getting involved in the community at school along with other events throughout the city. Rebecca also went to Birthright this past summer and visited Israel for the first time, after which she came back feeling inspired. After seeing the community in Israel and how unified the people were, she wanted to bring that back home and help build a stronger and more unified bond amongst the Jewish community and feels that Bridging the Gap will give her that opportunity.
Joshua Gladstein
City College
Was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and with it, passionate about everything outdoors including week-long camping trips, boating, and anything else he can convince friends to do with him. Before college, Josh spent two years learning in a small yeshiva in Jerusalem, and is now a Junior in college majoring in psychology and history, hoping to pursue a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Josh has been actively involved with Jewish institutions since joining NCSY in high school and is still an active advisor on trips to Israel and weekend retreats. Go Seahawks!
Joey Jubas
Yeshiva University
Joey is a junior at Yeshiva University studying engineering. From Detroit, Michigan, Joey promises that his hometown is not as dangerous at its reputation. On campus, Joey is VP of student council and works as a lifeguard at the college pool. When not doing schoolwork, Joey spends his time with friends, reading, or watching movies, or participating in mud runs. He is really looking forward to the coming year working with the other bridging the gap fellows, and hoping that someone will eventually teach him how to snap.
Nicole Yankovich
Brooklyn College
Nicole is a sophomore at Brooklyn college studying in pursuit of her dream career as a dentist. She is currently Vice President of the Hillel Board as well as a coordinator of the annual Hillel Fashion Show. Raised in a traditional Russian-Jewish household, Nicole is passionate about maintaining her traditions and values. She enjoys exploring new places and is always up for an adventure. There is never a dull moment when you put Nicole in charge of plans. She is very excited about becoming a fellow for Bridging the Gap and can't wait to expand her horizons.
Sarah Schwartz
Hofstra University
Sarah Schwartz is a public relations student attending Hofstra University. Sarah was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. Sarah is passionate about community service and making the world a better place. Her interests include traveling and exploring the world, trying new foods as well as fashion. She is very active on campus among several organizations and clubs including Alpha Phi Omega and Hillel. Sarah wants to connect her campus and allow students to have a voice when it comes to Judaism and Israel.
Devora Cohen
Hunter College
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Devora now lives in Brooklyn and is a sophomore at Hunter College. She is currently majoring in Sociology, and hopes to one-day help as many foster kids as she can find happiness and a home. She loves connecting with new people and learning about who they are and where they come from. When she has the time, she loves to go on adventures to new places, read, and listen to music.
Johnny Fuzailov
Touro College
Jonathan is a sophomore at Touro College, working hard to fulfill his pre-med requirements while leaving his mark in the larger Jewish community. He will stop at nothing to do chesed and help people, even when they don't ask. Jonathan knows how to connect with everyone, making what could be an awkward situation more comfortable and bringing laughter to any room. He is a great asset to the Bridging the Gap team and we are so excited to have him on board.
Maurice Birnbaum
Kingsborough
Maurice is a computer science major at Kingsborough Community College and a proud brother of Alpha Epsilon Pi. Growing up with a love for computers has inspired him to seek a career in the advancing technological world.
Mitchell Skurnik
Queens College
Mitchell Skurnik is from Hewlett, New York. He is a Queens College junior majoring in economics and history with intentions on pursuing an MBA. Mitchell has an interest in meeting Jews from various different backgrounds and learning about their cultures. Mitchell hopes to create a foundation for the diverse Jewish community on campus
Rachel Waldman
College of Staten Island
Rachel Waldman is 21 years old and a senior at the College of Staten Island studying Psychology. She is looking to go into a career in Jewish Non-Profits and give back to the community. She is an active member of the Hillel on her campus, serving as President for the past 2 years.
Noah Levinson
NYU
Noah Levinson is a Sophomore at New York University in the Clive Davis Institute of Record Music. In his free time, he produces electronic music under the name STRBX (star box) and runs a company called LEVITATE that creates music festivals centered around an immersive experience. He grew up in a Jewish community in San Diego, and spent many years actively involved with USY.
Dore Vashdi
Brooklyn College
Dore is from Brooklyn New York and a sophomore in Brooklyn college. He is double majoring in accounting and marketing. He attended HAFTR HS and went to Ohr Yerushalaim for a year before attending college which helped him develop a very strong connection to Judaism. He co-Directs an after school program and is currently an AEPi E-board member and a BTG fellow.
Our Events
Made possible by funding provided by UJA-Federation of NY:
March, there was a Purim dance party in downtown Manhattan.
April brought a combined Earth Day, Yom Ha’atzmaut and Rosh Chodesh celebration in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.
May gathered students and professionals around Shabbat table for “SHABAM” – Shabbat Across Manhattan.
What’s next?? Stay tuned!
Get Involved
Help us build a lasting and effective partnership between Hillels of NYC and our communities.
