Last Tuesday, the Jewish Student Association (JSA) and other student groups collectively hosted “ManiCURE for the Cure,” a fundraiser event whose proceeds went to a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping women of Jewish heritage fighting breast cancer.
The organization, Sharsheret, has recently begun multiple programs on college campuses to celebrate the wonderful ten years of service to Jewish women, their families and communities that have faced breast cancer. “ManiCURE for the Cure” was one of those programs.
Sophomore Rebecca Rubenstein, a member of the JSA board, was the point person for the event on JSA’s end. Additionally, she was the person in contact with Sharsheret and the person who brought all the groups together to plan and run the event.
“The aim of the event was to raise awareness about breast cancer, while also raising money and having a hand in the fight against breast cancer,” she said. Myriad organizations on campus came together to make this event possible. These include the Hopkins Hillel and the Jewish Students Association, in collaboration with Alpha Phi, Alpha Phi Omega, Pi Beta Phi, the Women’s Pre-Health Leadership Society and Alpha Kappa Delta Phi.
In October, Rubenstein contacted Sharsheret to inquire about running a “maniCURE” event on campus to raise money for this organization. Sharsheret was enthusiastic about Rubenstein’s request and immediately helped her to successfully plan the event.
At the event, students and faculty members were able to get manicures for ten dollars from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The nail polish company, OPI, generously donated all of the nail polish and Carma’s Café donated many of their delicious pink Dalmatian cookies.
“We raised $700 to help the fight against breast cancer and to provide support to women who have breast cancer and their families,” Rubenstein said. “We had a lot of students participate in this event. In my opinion, everyone involved had a great time.”
According to Rubenstein, although this was the first time Hopkins hosted such an event, it went really well. “The people who attended really enjoyed it and asked if we could do an event like this in the future.”
Sophomore Julia Segal, a sister of Alpha Phi, was also deeply involved in this event. “ManiCURE brought together a lot of different student groups at Hopkins for a great cause, Sharsheret. It was awesome to see everyone working together and having fun,” Segal said. “Overall, based on the money we raised and the great experience we had, I’d say the event was a success.”
Students and staff in attendance enjoyed the event as well. “Even the students volunteering were extremely excited,” Rubenstein said.
Another student, Jenny Ferentz, a sister of Pi Beta Phi, also greatly contributed to the event. “Participating in maniCURE was a really great experience and I am so excited about how well the event turned out,” Ferentz said. “I think everyone who came enjoyed it, not to mention the free nail polish and amazing cookies. I am happy that I was able to be involved with an event that raised money for an important cause and helped us all celebrate being girls.”
