Alumni Profiles

I did not come from a strong knowledge base of Judaism prior so I wanted to take away as much as I could from my involvement with JHP. During school I set a time that I spent learning with Menachem and the other rabbis which really grew my knowledge and connection to Judaism beyond what I had previously understood.

I was hired by JHP in the summer of 1994, and I had just graduated from college. I was looking for a job doing something different and they put an ad in the Harvard Newspaper which I randomly saw and answered. That's how we found each other, and I took the job spending one school year doing it. It was great.

The one thing about JHP that constantly amazes me is its ability to expand across borders – and not just physical ones. JHP unifies people, regardless of age, beliefs, or background, and creates this ever-growing community that you know you can always rely on.

I was one of the founders of JHP in 1993 and joined then. It definitely kept me more involved after school, in particular seeking out folks from Chabad in different communities that I’ve been in because I have had such a great experience with them.

There are many ways to practice Judaism, and the best way to have young adults become involved is to engage them in a way that is relatable.

Meeting people with similar values, many outside of my social circles, who all deeply recognize how important Judaism is in their lives for various different reasons. The togetherness was one of the biggest factors for me. Regardless of the stressors of school, all of the trivial things were put to the side when you all come together for a shabbat dinner.

I joined JHP, I believe, at the beginning of my sophomore year. I joined mainly because a lot of my friends were in it and they told me it was pretty cool so I went to a couple of meetings. It was really fun to be able to spend time with my friends. Not long after that I joined the board in my sophomore year spring semester. I joined as the VP of Jewish Content and helped lead Shabbat for 2000. I was on the board for most of my time and then for senior year I was a co VP with Taylor Freeman.

The connections I made through JHP that have lasted into the real world are the biggest thing for me. JHP allowed me to continue my connection to Judaism and get more involved with my Judaism, especially as I am no longer under my parent's leadership for holidays.

I got introduced to JHP my sophomore year of college and I think it was because I had gone to Israel on a whim my sophomore year. JHP was a very welcoming way for me to explore my love for Israel without contradicting fundamental beliefs I have about the world.

I was in the first class of JHP when it started, and I was picked by the Rabbis to be a part of something so beneficial. I don't think any of us realized from the beginning how beneficial this would be down the road.

Community, fun, engagement, finding ways to practice / observe / learn about Judaism in a way that fits into life as a college student. Everyone can explore at their own comfort level. A great way to build community and network with others on a college campus - in a Jewish way.

JHP’s ability to balance learning, mentoring and personal growth had a significant impact on my life.  It was also amazing to see the authentic passion that Menachem brings that makes JHP so special.

Being around the Rabbis, and spending a lot of time with them, you really see that when you are passionate about something and really believe in it, you follow it and go all out on it, and everything else falls into place.

I joined JHP when I was a freshman in fall 2016, and I had a lot of friends on the board. I started lightly going to meetings, once a month, and I got more into it and started going to all of the meetings, the retreats, PB&J, etc. I also  ended up going on birthright with JHP, which was amazing.

At JHP, you could have Jewish identity and varying levels of Jewish observance, while also having the social and community aspect. It created a space that allowed me to be comfortable in my Judaism.

Jewish practice was more part of my college life because of JHP. I do not know if it would have been as much otherwise in terms of the holidays or Shabbat. I don’t know if I would have had such an active Jewish life during college if it were not for JHP.