Titi Aynaw, who lost both parents by the time she was nine and never owned shoes until she emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel at age twelve, made history by becoming Israel’s first black Miss Israel in 2013. Along the way, Titi overcame the challenges of learning a new language and culture, served as a lieutenant and commander in the IDF, and battled poverty and racism. She has used her celebrity to help underprivileged children and to advocate for her adopted country, Israel.
Titi will share her story with Hillel on February 13 in the Student Union Rm. 3214 at 12:15 pm. Free and open to the public. Event sponsored by Jewish National Fund.
Introducing Our New Student Board
Standing: Jordan Katz, Rabbi Dov Oliver
front row: Mendy Gross, Rachel Bukher, Zehava Baker, Rachel Zareb
We are very grateful for all those who sought to devote their time and energy to Hillel by running for the board. After some sincere and intelligent speeches, the votes have been counted and re-counted and here are the results from four VERY CLOSELY contested races.
President - Rachel Bukher
Vice President - Jordan Katz
Treasurer - Zehava Baker
Secretary - Mendy Gross
Recruiter- Rachel Zareb
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Hillel students joined with community members at an overflow crowd for the soft opening of the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education at RCC in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27.
Uri Sasson, Holocaust Museum builder; Rabbi Dov Oliver; Alan Moskin, concentration camp liberator; and students Avi Vinecour and Yoeli Lichtman gather at the International Holocaust Remembrance Day event.
Student Profile: Yankele Friedmann
How did you end up at RCC and what was your favorite course? I was raised Chassidic, and after I got divorced in 2014, I chose to restart my life by coming to RCC to get educated. My favorite course was English 103, College Writing, with Dr. Lynch. I liked it because it was full of conversation on a variety of topics, like poverty, politics, abortion, sex, and so on. It led to the students engaging in conversation, which reminded me of my yeshiva days.
What were your favorite Hillel moments? My favorite moments are Hillel Shabbatons. They are filled with socializing, good food, and great vibes.
What motivated you to become a pilot? Since my father was from Switzerland, we used to travel there often, and as a child, before 9/11, I was allowed to sit in the cockpit, which planted a seed in me. Years later, when I enjoyed traveling and meeting people, I realized that becoming a pilot would enable me to do just that.
Where are some of your favorite flying destinations? The Statue of Liberty is so pretty, it never gets old. I also love flying to Block Island and Martha's Vineyard.
What's your next big flying goal? I'm aiming to get my instrument rating, which I've been working on the last month. My career goal is to travel the world while flying and visit beautiful places and meet people.
Fun facts about you? I'm quirky in that 80% of my diet is organic and pescatarian.
Mazel Tov!
To Board member Rabbi David Berkman and his wife Carol King Berkman on the birth of their first grandchild, a boy, to Dov & Lauren Berkman.
To alumna Sima Weiss on her engagement to Simcha Kovitz
Upcoming February Events
7-8 Alumni Shabbaton
12 Tu B'Shevat Seder
13 Titi Aynaw, first Ethiopian Miss Israel
19 Team Leaders dinner and pre-campaign launch
21-22 Upstate Regional Shabbaton in Albany
Hillel Poised to March Forth on March Fourth with First Online Campaign
From March 3 to March 4, Hillel is inviting everyone to March Forth with us in our first online fundraising campaign to provide a warm and welcoming Jewish environment for college-age students of all backgrounds.
Open Call for Team Leaders
Would you like to be a Team Leader in our Charidy campaign? There is no financial obligation, only your willingness to step forward and help Hillel March forth! Contact Rabbi Oliver at dovoliver@gmail.com or 845-659-2388.
Have You Joined Our Hillel Heroes Legacy Society?
Huge Hillel shoutout to the following people (plus a few who wish to remain anonymous) who have designated Hillel of Rockland as a beneficiary in their wills through the Life & Legacy program:
Rabbi David Berkman & Carol King Berkman * Bert & Cathy Distelburger * Gary & Marsha Forman * Leslie Goldress * Martin & Roberta Goldstein * Lisa Green * Roberta Leitner * Rich & Melinda Levin * Michoel Muchnik * Rabbi Dov & Shevy Oliver * Kasriel & Zipporah Oliver * Ekka & Harrison Peck * Moshe & Tzipora Reitman * Shaina Reitman * Andrea Winograd * Gerri & Allen Zabusky
BE REMEMBERED FOREVER by the Jewish community with a gift to Hillel of Rockland in your will, trust, retirement plan or life insurance policy.