What is a monthly mensch?
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| What a mensch! |
A Monthly Mensch is someone who effortlessly does a little good each month by donating to support JHP's awesome programming. The way the Monthly Mensch Club is set up, you can join once and agree for JHP to automatically receive the same contribution every month. And that contribution can be as little as $1.18!
Alumni and friends get involved in a way that incrementally will build to a considerable impact. I think one of the great things about the Monthly Mensch Club is that over time some alumni have lost touch with JHP, and this is an easy, non-intimidating way to re-engage and give back to an organization that has personally done so much for many of us.
What is your involvement with JHP?
I first got involved my Sophomore year. I hadn't connected with the opportunities at Hillel and JHP felt like a comfortable and fun environment for me to remain connected with Judaism while in school. And then in my senior year, I was a lead intern, working with Lindsay Teich to create fun and meaningful programming for our group--everything from maintaining the annual Shabbat for 2000 to launching the first-ever JHP Jewish Speed Dating! Now, as an alum, I'm on the Event Committee for A Taste of New York, I volunteer as a mentor, and I'm in touch with Menachem throughout the year about other ways to help.
What impact did JHP have on your Jewish identity?
College is a time when there are really infinite opportunities, so many new things to be involved in and to learn about, and as a result, it's also a time when you fall out of certain habits while you build new ones. For someone like me, who didn't grow up very religious, JHP ensured that Judaism wasn't just a habit that I fell out of. Instead, I learned about new Jewish traditions and perspectives that I carry with me every day.
What is your favorite JHP memory?
My 2008 Birthright trip with Flora! It was such a special trip that for me put many faces to a country's name. Just this past week, we had dinner with one of the Israeli soldiers from our trip who was in NYC for a couple of days!
