Written by: Ilana Ellison
In 2008, I began attending the Fashion
Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.
Being all alone in the big city, I was looking for a way to meet new
people. My search eventually led me to
the FIT Chabad House. What I ended up
finding was a small 10’x10’office, and Mrs. Malka Werde.
Throughout my first year at FIT, I
became very close with Malka, other Jewish students on campus, and Chabad. Everyone
was so nice and welcoming; it was like an instant family. Even though I had
little knowledge of observant Judaism, the Chabad Club gave me a chance to ask
questions and learn more about Judaism. I slowly started keeping kosher,
lighting Shabbat candles, and learning more in depth. In the summer of2009 I decided to go on the
Mayanot Israel Links trip for a chance to learn more and go back to Israel. I had been on Birthright and lived in Israel,
but had never experienced it like this.
With the help of Yehudis Bluming, shlucha to UNC and Duke, I was able to
stay in Jerusalem and attend the Mayanot summer program.
Mayanot was an amazing experience that
channeled my passion for Judaism and gave me the tools that has helped me
succeed post college graduation.
The variety of classes as well the lifestyle
at Mayanot gave me the courage to explore my own relationship with
Judaism. It also gave me the confidence
to talk to my peers about Judaism and being Jewish. This was something I had never felt
comfortable doing growing up. I finally
had the right vocabulary to discuss my feelings and ask questions that I didn’t
know to ask before. Throughout my final year at FIT I continued to work with
Chabad on Campus, increasing the number of Shabbat dinners we held throughout
the year, as well as helped Malka Werde create new events and programs for
students.
After graduation, I went on to work at
Chabad of Midtown Manhattan, with Rabbi Josh Yehoshua Metzger and Mrs. Brocha
Metzger. My Mayanot education definitely
came in handy while helping to plan holidays and Shabbat dinners that sometimes
had up to 300 people attending. My responsibilities included planning these
Shabbat and holiday meals, coordinating classes held at the Chabad House, and
running the office.
I am now the Young Adult Associate of
the Jerome Robinson Family Young Adult Division (YAD) of the Jewish Federation
of Greater Houston, a long way of saying Jewish Outreach. Working at the Federation, my job is to reach
out to Jewish young professionals between the ages of 21 and 39, and create compelling,
impactful, and fun programming. We have
events such as a Jewish New Year’s party, a Business and Professional event,
and even a community wide day of volunteering.
YAD reaches the affiliated and
unaffiliated, the secular and the observant, and helps them to connect to the
Jewish community in the most meaningful ways.
We try to have a program or event that reaches every type of Jew. We also work with congregations and other
Jewish non-profits in the community to get young people further involved in
Houston philanthropic community.
The Jewish Federation of Greater
Houston does a lot to include Jews from all walks of life, and supports Next
Generation initiatives. Our newsletter
title, “Being Jewish Matters”, is a tag line that I think Mayanot
embodies. My education at Mayanot has
helped me recognize why leading a Jewish life is important, as well as given me
the tools to spread the message.