Pathway Home: Jackie's Story

Every time I exited the Macaulay office at City College, I could see the Hillel office down the hall. Born in Brooklyn and raised in a Russian-Jewish family that was always skeptical of religion, I turned the other way. Then, one day, a student named Tamar approached me and invited me to Hillel. I was intrigued by how open she was about her Jewish identity and ultimately was convinced to come along. That day, walking side by side with my new friend, that same fearful hallway became the pathway to my home away from home. By the time I left Hillel that afternoon, I was a part of a community. By the end of the semester, Tamar and I signed up for Birthright together and I took on multiple leadership positions in Israel advocacy.

Soon after, I witnessed the anti-Israel activism that existed at City College. I knew that I couldn’t stand by while students were spreading lies about the Jewish state on my campus. That’s why this year I presented a resolution to the CCNY Student Government to adopt the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) Working Definition of Antisemitism. The first step in combating antisemitism is for the Jewish community to define it ourselves. After many conversations with my peers in Student Government, the resolution passed and the definition has been officially adopted! Even during the pandemic, we have the ability to accomplish incredible things. My hope is that a better understanding of antisemitism will protect and empower Jewish students for generations to come.

If you told me on the first day of my freshman year, where I would be today, I would have never believed you. My journey would have never been possible without the support of generous donors and for that I am grateful. Today, I am an Israel activist, a proud Russian Jew, and a Hillel Engagement Intern. Just a year ago, someone showed me the way. Now, it’s my turn to show new students how Hillel can change their lives.