By
Published
December 19, 2013
Rachel is currently pursuing a Master's in Oral History from Columbia University, where she studies Jewish history and collective memory. In her free time she runs And You Shall Tell, an oral history project exploring the diversity of the Jewish, New Yorkish world.
Rachel's idea to host a Jewish storytelling contest was recently chosen to receive a $1,000 #MakeItHappen micro grant! To read more about her project and to volunteer to help her #MakeItHappen visit Rachel's idea page.
What three hashtags would you use to describe yourself?
#storyteller #storyseeker #wordmaven
What inspired you to apply for a #MakeItHappen micro grant and what do you hope it will achieve?
After seeing the incredible success of the Moth, This American Life and other storytelling platforms, I wanted to bring the experience to the Jewish community. I want this event to bring together people from different Jewish communities and use storytelling as a way of bridging difference, opening up dialogue and building connection.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
There’s always more people to meet and stories to hear, different ways of thinking about what it means to be Jewish and engaging others in doing the same. Maybe today will be the day that I’ll hear a story that changes how I think or how I see the world.
What is one change you want to see in the world?
We need a more inclusive Jewish narrative that embraces the exceptional depth and breadth of Jewish life and the different ways of doing, thinking and being Jewish.
What is the biggest risk you have taken and how did it pay off?
After graduating from NYU, I moved to Abu Dhabi to work as a Teaching Assistant. I unexpectedly ended up serving as a founding member of the university’s Spiritual Life Committee. In this role, I organized Jewish life in Abu Dhabi, and in doing so, found a renewed sense of my own Jewish identity.
Have you ever failed before and what lessons did you learn?
I once tried to run a program for college students that didn't include free food. Lesson learned: know your audience.
Who are your heroes?
My heroes are Jon Stewart, Abraham Joshua Heschel and my younger sister. They've each taught me to view the world in ways that keep me questioning, challenging, seeking and laughing.
Where do you find solitude?
I find solitude on rooftops; anonymous and above the city with a bit of perspective.
Where do you find community?
I find community wherever I have invested in building it—at work where I’ve created a Green Team, at school where I’ve organized trips, at Moishe House where I’ve helped run events and at Synagogue where I regularly help lead. I have tried to build community wherever and with whomever I am engaged.
If you had to give up one modern convenience what would it be and why?
I would get rid of the amalgamation of automated bathroom machines: automated soap dispensers, sinks, paper towel dispensers, flushers and hand drying machines. I’ve found that I have an incredible knack for setting them all off at the wrong moments.
What is your favorite Jewish memory?
Celebrating Shabbat dinner in Abu Dhabi with fifty coworkers, students, professors and community members.
The Schusterman Philanthropic Network is proud to empower emerging leaders to explore their values, identity and new ways to strengthen their communities. We believe that as we work together to repair the world, it is important to share our diverse experiences and perspectives along the way. We encourage the expression of personal thoughts and reflections here on the Schusterman blog. Each post reflects solely the opinion of its author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Foundation, its partner organizations or all program participants.
