"I am so glad I set aside the time each week
to participate in JGSI’s Sloan Fellowship. As a law student, it was wonderful to have time set aside to discuss Jewish ethics, culture, and religion and to simply be mindful and reflective regarding my own life. This was a new lens on Judaism for me, as I grew up learning the “what” but not the “why.” I also met inspiring graduate students and speakers who I know will comprise a life-long network of supporters in friends. I cannot recommend the Fellowship highly enough."
RACHEL KATZIN
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO Law
"During the midst of COVID
and the very isolating experience of studying for the bar exam separated from my friends and family, I needed community more than ever. This Fellowship brought me into the right headspace every Sunday evening. We studied the Talmud and Torah through a modern lens and applied their teachings to the changing world around us ... the efforts of JGSI to bring people like me together each week to discuss core Jewish values, motivated me to stay positive, believe in myself and served as a reminder that I wasn´t alone - I was a part of a much larger support system."
ETHAN ASOFSKY
UCLA LAW
"The JGSI program was truly
a life changing experience. For someone who was not very involved in the Jewish community, it was an incredible opportunity to reestablish those ties. The program is specifically tailored for the students. The Fellowship is a must for anyone looking to get more involved, network with leading executives, or simply meet new friends!"
Jordan Holtzer
UCLA Law
"Moving across the country from LA to DC,
I was eager to find a way to stay connected to my Jewish roots...Every week for two hours, I had the chance to reflect on what Judaism means to me and to hear different perspectives from other graduate students around the country. It was a worthwhile and transformative experience for me and I recommend it to anyone looking for a truly wonderful experience."
DANIELA COHENSEDGH
GEORGETOWN Law
"JGSI's Fellowship gave me a wonderful
opportunity to bond with other Jewish graduate students in Los Angeles. Not only did I learn new and interesting things about Judaism, hear from amazing speakers, and enjoy a fun weekend retreat, but I also made new life long friends. For that I am forever grateful!"
Danielle Freedman
UCLA Law
"At a time when I was starting
to lose touch with my Jewish identity, the Sloan Fellowship (facilitated by Rabbi Matt and Rabbi Dave) provided me with invaluable experiences. The Fellowship allowed me to explore aspects of Judaism that went beyond what we did learn, or could have learned, in early Hebrew school programs. Listening to the weekly speakers, exploring the weekly topics, and engaging with fellow colleagues and educators truly inspired me to re-engage with my Jewish identity. The JGSI Sloan Fellowship has a special place in my heart and I would recommend it to all who are able!"
LISA ROSENOF
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI LAW
"I am very happy to have invested my time
with JGSI. Rabbis Matt and Dave were able to gather an amazing group of people, an even more amazing pool of guest speakers, and truly taught the Jewish values and ethics in a way that was interesting to hear. This is one of the best fellowship programs I have ever been involved with, and I look forward to continuing to support them. My recommendation if you are interested in joining is simple, JUST DO IT!"
Niko Herman
USC Marshall
"The JGSI Fellowship was instrumental
in reconnecting me to my Jewish roots. Rabbi Matt and Rabbi Dave have put together a top-notch program that touches many aspects of what it means to be Jewish. I appreciated how both advocated forJudaism's value system and were able to discuss these issues in an adult manner. I would definitely recommend this program for any Jewish graduate student."
Michael Segal
U.S. Air Force, UCLA Law
"As someone who recently moved to Los Angeles,
JGSI gave me my first sense of community here. Before moving to Los Angeles, I was very much involved in Jewish life, but I felt I had no idea how to begin here. JGSI helped me fill this void by surrounding me with like minded peers, philanthropies, and Jewish mentors here in LA. I am very thankful for my experience in the Fellowship and would highly recommend it to others."
Alexandra Gudenau
Accounting Professional
"The JGSI Fellowship left me with
an energized view on Judaism and excited to explore my roots. I could not recommend this program enough. We are all busy with grad school but this became the break I looked forward to every week!"
Chantal Hakim
UCLA Dentistry
"To whoever is reading this,
if you're searching for a deeper connection to your religion, to your community, to your own standing in this world, JGSI is right for you. Every week, I found inspiration in either the speakers, the topic, the rabbis, or my fellow colleagues. Every week, I learned more about myself and what I needed to reach my potential...I met incredible people, made incredible memories, and have taken away so much knowledge. If I could recommend one thing to anyone reading this - give it a chance, you won't regret it!"
Gabriela Gershfeld
Southwestern Law
"The JGSI Fellowship provides a unique
opportunity to disconnect once a week from our busy schedules and routines, and remember who we are as Jews, what unifies us, and why we are here. You get to meet, network, and learn together with a remarkable group of young professionals - the future leaders of the L.A. Jewish community and beyond. Rabbis Matt Rosenberg and Dave Sorani put a lot of thought and effort into the program, and the speakers they manage to line up every week is nothing less than amazing."
Chen Chadash
UCLA Anderson
"JGSI provided me with a renewed purpose
to be involved in the Jewish community. I am fortunate to always be guided by my Jewish values through my family, dietary habits, and Jewish education. However, I lost sight of the community aspect. Further, I had never learned with people who had different backgrounds than my own. It made the learning more interesting, the ideas shared more complex, and the relationships more unique. The JGSI Fellowship has a special place in my heart. And I would recommend for anyone to apply and do it."
Sarah Schwarzman
Southwestern Law
"I cannot overstate how valuable,
intellectually engaging, and genuinely enjoyable this Fellowship was for me...This program challenged me to think more deeply and critically about fundamental concepts that we ordinarily take for granted, yet are undoubtedly pervasive in, and vital to, everyday life...Finally, meeting and deeply connecting with other 'fellows,' whom I now consider true friends, was the most fulfilling part of this program."
Drew Jackson
Entertainment Lawyer, UCLA Law Alum
"The JGSI Fellowship was an incredibly
valuable experience! I haven't been involved in the Jewish community in nearly a decade and was nervous going into the program. They made me feel comfortable from day 1 and have created an environment where anyone with a genuine desire to learn about their culture and heritage can flourish! The weekly speakers and discussions were thought provoking and inspired me to continue thinking about how my Jewish values apply to daily life...The entire program completely catered to the chaotic schedules of grad students, so we could really focus our time on connecting with others."
Kyle Sausser
USC Marshall
"I have always been involved in Jewish
organizations, but once I got to law school, I lost that part of myself. The fellowship was a great opportunity to bring that Jewish learning back into my life and connect me with a great group of like-minded individuals and some really powerful executives in the world. This program really reminded me how important Judaism is in my life and how it can transcend into many different realms of my life, including my career."
Stephanie Zhubrak
Southwestern Law
"I consider JGSI a blessing.
Before attending the JGSI events and meetings I was sorely unappreciative of my Jewish heritage, and downright ignorant as to the incredible Jewish community right here in Los Angeles. JGSI provided me with an incredible new perspective with which to view Judaism as a religion, the Jews as a people, and myself as a Jew. I am so thankful to have been a part of this organization, and I can honestly say it changed my life."
Jordan Ash
Pepperdine Law
"By using Jewish values to explore
pertinent career, relationship, and personal issues the JGSI Fellowship allowed me to forge a more adult and contemporary relationship with my Jewish life and Judaism as a whole...The JGSI Fellowship has given me the information and tools needed to begin to wrestle with Judaism from the perspective of a graduate student rather than a young Hebrew school student, and it opened a whole new cerebral side of Judaism and Talmudic study to me that I hope to continue to explore in future JGSI programming."
Josh Nuzzo
Loyola Law School
"JGSI is an amazing program
that exceeded my expectations. The learning portion was easy to follow and felt so relevant to every day life. I learned so much about Judaism, and have a much deeper appreciation for my heritage. Also, the weekend retreat was so fun!"
Janna Rudetsky
Finance Professional
"The JGSI fellowship was an inspiring
and eye-opening experience. Its multifaceted approach to bringing in a plethora of Jewish values and ethics to the classroom inspired me to become a more active member of the community, while at the same time instilling on me a deeper sense of responsibility as a young leader...Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this program!"
Javier Hernandez
Investment Banking Professional, UCLA Anderson Alum
"In undergrad I was always part of
Jewish organizations. When I started law school I disconnected from those organizations and became very focused on school. Something was missing from my life and I didn't realize what was missing until I met Rabbi Matt and Rabbi Sorani...Having a graduate Jewish community to be a part of changed my law school career. JGSI brought purpose back into my life...We met exceptional speakers that I could only dream about ever meeting. In addition to the great lessons and great speakers, we built a community of fellow students."
Lilibet Behdadnia
Pepperdine Law
"JGSI filled a gap in my life
where my Jewish identity used to be. It helped me learn about my Jewish identity, and embrace all that it stands for. I learned that I am not the only Jew who is unsure what their Jewishness means and together, we helped each other take a step to redefining what it means for each of us to be Jewish."
Tal Ratner Solovey
Berkeley Law
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