Jewish Student Association hosts open board meeting

Last Monday, the Jewish Student Association (JSA) had their first open board meeting to discuss their plans for the year. The board consisted of seven people: President Ari Weiss, Vice President Andrea Fields, Treasurer Matthew Lehmann, Communications Director Michelle Greenman, Jewish Life Director Jon Weinreich, Social Life Director Erica Biegen and First Year Students at Hopkins Hillel (FYSHH) Director Arielle Kaden.

“The JSA’s responsibility and goal is to promote a strong sense of Jewish community on campus. We do this by planning programs and initiatives that promote Jewish education and social actions while also to help build lasting friendships between members of the Jewish community at Hopkins,” Kaden wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “Many of my closest friends here at school have been made through my involvement in Hillel, and being on the JSA board has been an awesome way to give back to the amazing community that has been there for me since I came here as a first year student.”

Weiss, as President of JSA, was able to further explain the mission of the JSA.

“The Jewish community makes up about 14 percent of our student body, and it’s a significant group to reach out to on campus. Our goal is to reach out to a more diverse Jewish community on campus,” Weiss said

At the meeting, students discussed past events, such as the First Year Students at Hopkins Hillel (FYSHH) Shabbat Dinner on Friday, Oct. 18. The freshmen at the meeting — Avi Hass, Amanda Edwards, Danielle Blustein and Julia DeVarti — agreed that there was a good turnout. They also planned upcoming events, such as an upcoming workout session with Randy Cohen, on Thursday at 6 p.m. and Nacho Making on Nov. 4. Other upcoming events include a Lunch and Learn with Ralph Brunn, the son of the founder of Old Bay Seasonings.

Students were especially enthusiastic when discussing the Bible Players, a Jewish comedy troupe that is performing at Nolans on Nov. 14.

“I saw them over the summer and they’re absolutely hilarious. They had a group of people completely dying,” Weinreich said.

A large focus of discussion during the meeting was placed on FYSHH. Students discussed potential events that the freshmen could coordinate, including a latke-making event.

“I personally love my job as FYSHH director because it’s granted me the opportunity to really get to know this year’s Jewish freshmen class,” Kaden wrote. “These students, while new to Hopkins, have added such a great flavor to our Hillel, and I see so many of them rising up at JHU, whether its through Hillel or a different student organization, as great leaders. They are truly extraordinary and just the sweetest students.”

Disagreement ensued when students discussed how to arrange activities that were inclusive to students of all ages, with the seniors at the meeting arguing that there were not enough events that interested them.

“It’s a bit of an impasse. . .I did like when there was finally some disagreement because I think that’s the best way to grow as an organization,” freshman Julia DeVarti wrote in an email to The News-Letter.

Although many students considered the meeting to be a success, some argued that there was room for improvement, especially considering the importance of the event.

“It would have been nice if the event were publicized more so that more people could have showed [sic] up. . .It’s really important for the board to hear voices from the community, especially because it’s a board of six people running activities for a really huge Jewish community. I also think it’s a good way to let people into the inner workings of JSA,” DeVarti wrote.