Candidates for TAC Vice President (for 2 VP positions)
- Yehudit Goldberg
- Rivka Herzfeld
- Miriam Shapiro
- Rachel Weber
- Chaia Wiznitzer
Y e h u d i t G o l d b e r g
My name is Yehudit Goldberg, and I am a junior from Cleveland Ohio. I’ve settled into a major in Political Science and minor in Psychology, but only after a series of flirtations with Pre-Med, Jewish Studies, and Philosophy (and a handful of other majors). During high school and especially in the year I spent studying in Nishmat, I really fell in love with learning Torah, and I’m particularly passionate (I know its weird) about Gemara. This summer I will return to Camp Stone as Rosh Machal, despite all my friends telling me I’m "too old". I have also enjoyed participating in so much of what Stern has to offer- whether it’s YUNMUN, Torah Tours, playing (sitting on the bench?) on the volleyball team, or going to Nicaragua with the CJF. Each of these experiences has allowed me to expand my horizons and cultivate an understanding of the current culture and ‘pulse’ of Stern. Within TAC, I served as the club head of TSLS this year. So while I love doing lots of things and being involved in different parts of campus, if elected I’d definitely clear my plate so that I can concentrate my energies on TAC.
SCW: Describe one goal you want to accomplish for the student body and tell us how you would accomplish that goal.
Instead of using super creative media (not to take away from that), I will just explain what I really hope for in Stern. One of my goals is to create a greater emphasis on Stern as a place for students with different passions, ideas, views and interests while at the same time really viewing it as a community. Stern can become a place where issues are viewed and discussed from a variety of perspectives and opinions, whether it is a Rosh Yeshiva, a professor, an outside speaker or a fellow student. In some cases it would be wonderful to have all or some of them speak together but that’s not always possible. More importantly, however, is the creation of programming with the understanding that different things speak to different students- and that not every event is necessarily right for every person. That means sometimes it doesn’t detract to have parallel programming, both during Shabbat and during the week. And it is equally important that Midtown is not severely unused as a venue for events- we have the right to a campus that is bustling with different programs and is really alive all the time. It is important for Stern students not just to see Stern as the place they go to classes and TAC as an organization that brings speakers and throws a party on Purim, but as a group that works with the students to transform Stern in a vibrant community in which we may have different opinions and outlooks but everyone is granted the right to be heard and respected for their choices and passions.
An example of an event that I would run in order to nurture a community that acknowledges individual voices and promotes intellectual discourse among its diverse population would be a roundtable discussion event. This event would be an evening that would probably have dinner (let’s be honest, likely Carlo’s and Gabby’s, though I’d probably shoot for fancier) in a room with many different round tables. On each round table would be sign designating that table to a certain contemporary Jewish topic. People would walk in and choose a subject that interests them and sit at the corresponding table. After some light appetizers, there would be a start time and discussions would be begin, for 15 or 20 minutes. Each discussion would be led by professors, experts, Rabbis, or students. After twenty minutes, there would be a signal to switch, and students attending the event would be able to go to a different table and discuss a second topic they care about. This night would bring different students to sit around a table together and really discuss issues that are important to the Jewish community today. They’ll get a chance to meet someone new, hear a new perspective, and see an issue from a different angle. I really think we could benefit and have fun from this type of event!
SCW: You have planned a huge event, but you wake up the morning of the event with a migraine. How do you ensure a quality event even though you cannot personally attend?
The first thing that I would do would be to contact a fellow TAC board member and the club head and explain the situation to them. I would work with to- do lists (and schedules, and charts..) beforehand so that by the day of the event most of what needs to get taken has already been completed. Inevitably there would probably be a few tasks that could only be done that day, which would be divided up on the to do list with detailed instructions of what needs to be done and how. What I would do is speak with the fellow TAC member and the club head involved to make sure they were spearheading the event until I got better. I would make sure to check in with them every hour helping guide them and making sure the tasks were being taking care of. But most of all I would drink a lot of tea (the elixir of life, if you were to ask me), take some meds, rest up for a bit, so that I could put my “game face” on and go through with the event.
SCW: One of your clubs has two club heads. You know that one is doing all of the work and "doesn't mind," but the club really needs both heads to be on their "A-game" in order to succeed. How do you proceed?
I would first meet both club heads and ask them about their goals, as well as speak to them about the goals that TAC has assigned to their club. I would ask them how they think it’s been going for them, and how much they think they’ve met those goals thus far. I would also meet with them individually ask them what personal goals they have set for their leadership in this club and ask them if they feel they are achieving those goals. I would be honest with both club heads and remind them that clubs need both heads to be working hard in order to be successful. I would remind them of the difference between the goals and what they have accomplished so far, and we’d talk about ways to improve in this club. This may mean discussing what roles and parts each club head should be responsible for, or dividing the tasks involved in each event in a more concrete, balanced way between the two club heads. I think that ultimately, after understanding the expectations TAC and her club have put forth, it will be up to the club head that had been doing less to decide if she wants to give it her all or she doesn’t have the time, in which case she would maybe ask to find a suitable replacement.
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R i v k a H e r z f e l d
In general I like to be an involved community member. I’m proactive about things that I think are important, and this past year was fortunate enough to have been able to participate in a number of extra-curricular activities in and out of school that allow me to take an active leadership role. In October I was accepted to the YUTeach Undergraduate Fellowship and began the Women’s Leadership Fellowship in January; both are under the auspices of YU and end with this school year. My interests and passions are mostly expressed in my extra-curricular activities; I help SHS because I believe that everyone should be able to have an education that’s affordable, I am a SHEM Ambassador this year and I am editor for the school’s Torah journal Shivim Panim. I don’t have any tentative plans for next year.
I love music, singing and dancing especially and am a big believer in bringing “everything you’ve got” to a chagigah. I volunteer for Yachad as an advisor on shabbatonim. I played the drums for two years and I’m a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I love having a good time for people to have a positive experience with Torah.
SCW: Describe one goal you want to accomplish for the student body and tell us how you would accomplish that goal.
I’d like to have a לנפשתיכם מאד ונשמרתם week; a safety week of sorts. On Monday, a nutritionist could come in and speak to the student body about healthy eating etc. I know a number of nutritionists and would give one of them a call and ask her to come in and talk to Stern’s women about nutritive value of foods, the important nutrients required by the body at different stages of life and the role of nutrients and diet in health and the prevention of disease. After that, a shiur would be given as to why it is important for us to keep our bodies healthy from a halachic perspective. Tuesday would be devoted to mental health: I would have a psychologist and psychiatrist come and speak about their careers and the impact they have on the Jewish community. I would also have and ask Dr. Yael Muskat, the director of the Counseling Center on campus to come and serve as a promoter of the Counseling Center and the help that they can provide to stressful college students. Wednesday would be the highlighted event of the week; representatives from the RAB (Remember Alex Brown) Foundation would come speak about their message to not text while driving, as this is a prevalent problem all communities now face. On Thursday there would be a shiur given as to what the phrase לנפשתיכם מאד ונשמרתם means in the context of its פסוקים and what it means for us nowadays, and if it’s meaning is misappropriated in our society.
SCW: You have planned a huge event, but you wake up the morning of the event with a migraine. How do you ensure a quality event even though you cannot personally attend?
Firstly, I’d call, text and email my co-vice president; she would be the first person I’d rely on to be my back-up. Then I’d take some Advil or something to try and get back up to snuff for the event. Depending on the event I’d call to check with Tami Adelson (or with whom-ever it is that one would go to) to verify that we have a room booked for the given event; nobody likes a last-minute room change. I would then call my co-vice president to update her with any changes. I would make sure that food and drinks would be taken care of, and music as well, if the event required it. I would ask my co-vice president to attend the event in my place so that she could oversee that things go as planned, but only if the Advil hadn’t kicked in.
SCW: One of your clubs has two club heads. You know that one is doing all of the work and "doesn't mind," but the club really needs both heads to be on their "A-game" in order to succeed. How do you proceed?
I would go over to the second club head and ask if she cares about the efforts that her club supports. Most likely, her answer is yes and then I’d proceed to express how much the club needs her in order to help raise awareness of an issue or educate others etc. With this positive reinforcement she’ll most probably go back to help her club head with more enthusiasm than before.
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M i r i a m S h a p i r o
I’d like to introduce myself. Hi, I’m Miriam!
(Campaigning is rough ‘cuz nothing rhymes with Miriam)
In August I was pumped for my first year in Stern
I wanted to be involved but I had a lot to learn
At the club fair I signed up for every club there was
But my commitment would be deeper than that initial buzz
On BMC board this year- we really had a ball
Chaburas to Moshe’s birthday party, we really gave our all
Although the Birthday Bash was cancelled halfway through
It was still a pleasure planning Spirit Week for you
I beatbox for YUSing, patients appreciate us lots
(My plug- if you want in, there are open spots! itsyusing@gmail.com)
Often times, with AIPAC, I go to Washington, D.C.
I get to advocate for Israel, learn a lot, and then lobby
I’m also an advisor for NYNCSY
It’s great because it’s local (although it’s fun to fly)
I’m in Legacy and have big dreams for Jewish Education
Changing the Jewish world’s my greatest aspiration
As TAC VP, I know that I can do my part in Stern
Ennobling and enabling you to have fun, grow and learn
SCW: Describe one goal you want to accomplish for the student body and tell us how you would accomplish that goal.
ONE CAMPUS - YOUR CAMPUS.
My dream for next year is to make Stern College for Women a place where every single student feels like she belongs, a place where each student has something tangible to contribute to the greater community.
The ultimate goal is to unite the entire student body of Stern College for Women to create a community where each student feels like she belongs. Every single person has something tangible to contribute to the spiritual community at SCW. TAC will provide more opportunities for involvement and leadership on both a smaller and larger scale, from participating in more intimate chaburas to running events for the entire student body.
One event that will create such unity will take place during Spirit Week 2013: Dorm Wars. Lead by captains representing each class, each dorm building will compete for the championship. The events will be catered to the interests and skill set of SCW students. The individual events will be short enough that students will be able to make room for the activities in their busy schedules, yet exciting enough that they foster a competitive and unified environment among the student population. Dorm Wars will culminate in the annual Beren Unite Shabbaton, where the individual dorm-centered communities created by the competition of Dorm Wars will unite to create one community on the Beren Campus.
May the best dorm win!
SCW: You have planned a huge event, but you wake up the morning of the event with a migraine. How do you ensure a quality event even though you cannot personally attend?
November 23, 2012
Dear Diary,
Today was the day. Beren Birthday Bash, after over a year of planning, was finally going to happen. But I woke up with a migraine, and there was no way I was going to feel better by the event.
I thought that all hope was lost, but then I thought about all the work that had been done in preparation for the big day. Beautiful flyers were made and hung up around campus, sstuds were sent out on time, food was ordered, entertainment was booked and confirmed, and the planning committee had been talking up the event with their friends ever since planning started. Even without me, the show must go on. And go on it did!
Although my head was pounding, I stopped by for a minute. Everything was going phenomenally, but I wasn’t surprised- the entire planning committee had been so organized that it couldn’t have gone wrong. Koch was packed and everyone seemed to be having an amazing time!
I could never have done it alone, so I am immensely grateful to everyone who worked hard on the event. They pulled off a spectacular evening. Now that my head is feeling better, I can’t wait to start planning Chanukah festivities!
Love,
Miriam
SCW: One of your clubs has two club heads. You know that one is doing all of the work and "doesn't mind," but the club really needs both heads to be on their "A-game" in order to succeed. How do you proceed?
Both club heads assumed an important leadership role by taking on the job, and I will make every effort from the beginning to help them appreciate that they have a shared responsibility. As such, each club head will be responsible for different elements of each event that they run throughout the year. They will be expected to alternate responsibilities, such as logistics coordinating and running the actual event, so that they each have a chance to contribute to their club and share responsibilities equitably. In meetings, they will both present and lead the conversation about the events that they were personally responsible for implementing. This way, both club heads can each take ownership of different elements of their club in order to ensure a successful year!
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R a c h e l W e b e r
Hi, my name is Rachel Weber and I’d love to be one of your TAC VPs next year. I’m a junior majoring in Jewish studies and minoring in history, and I’m involved in a lot of different activities at Stern. I’m the events coordinator for the Beit Midrash Committee, the editor of Shivim Panim, the Stern Torah journal, and during Beren Unite Spirit Week I was on the Spirit Week committee and was one of the people who ran Welcome to the Street. Remember the graffiti wall in Koch, the caricaturist and the hip hop lesson? It was a pretty cool event. In my spare time I love hanging out and learning in the Beit Midrash, reading historical fiction, debating contemporary issues in Modern Orthodoxy and baking and eating chocolate chip cookies. I also teach in a Sunday school for kids with no other connection to Judaism, and I plan on continuing that next year. But mostly my plans for next year are to work really hard to thank you for voting me as your TAC VP and making sure that TAC creates incredible programming for the whole school.SCW: Describe one goal you want to accomplish for the student body and tell us how you would accomplish that goal.
One of the things I loved that TAC did this year was Spotlight Weeks. I think there are a lot of issues that can be discussed from many different angles, and I think that doing a Spotlight Week is a great way to get lots of people involved in TAC activities. My idea is to run a Spotlight Week on Jews of New York; it would involve a different event each night that would highlight a different aspect of Jews of New York (see schedule below). It would be an opportunity for TAC to work with other clubs that they don’t traditionally work with, like the Fashion Marketing Club for an event about Jews in fashion, and the History Club for a lecture on the history behind the Jews of New York.
Spotlight Week – Jews of New York (tentative imaginary schedule)
Dr. Gurock – The History of the Jews of New York
- Bagels and lox will be served
- Monday April 16th, 7 PM, Room 101-102 Stanton Hall
Jews in Fashion
- Come hear about Jews in the fashion industry, past and present, from a Jewish fashion designer at a major retailer.
- And then bring out the fashion designer in you, with a t-shirt decorating contest. Winner will receive a gift certificate to a clothing store founded by a Jew of New York.
- Tuesday April 17th, 7:30 PM, Koch Auditorium
Expansion and Identification: A Panel on Jewish Communities in New York Today
- Moderated by Rabbi Steven Weil, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union
- Panelists: Ruth Messinger, President of American Jewish World Service
- Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, founder of Mechon Hadar
- Rabbi Shlomo Feldman, director of outreach for Chabad-Lubavitch
- Wednesday April 18th, Yagoda Commons 7 PM
Mishmar with Rabbi Wieder
- What’s the deal with the Manhattan Eiruv?
- Thursday April 19th, Lea and Leon Eisenberg Beit Midrash, 7 PM
Lower East Side Trip
- Visit the heart of old New York Jewry with a tour of the Tenement Museum, the historic Eldridge Street Synagogue, and of course, a stop at Gus’s Pickles
- Friday April 20, Leaving 245 Lex at 9:30 AM and returning at 2 PM
SCW: You have planned a huge event, but you wake up the morning of the event with a migraine. How do you ensure a quality event even though you cannot personally attend?
My leadership style is very much about delegating and list-making. If I’m running an event, I’m usually doing it with other people, and we have usually discussed in advance who will be responsible for what aspects of the event, whether it be set-up, MCing or anything else. I also always have detailed lists about what needs to get done and when. If I weren’t able to come to my event I think I would be able to count on the people working with me to pick up the responsibilities that I would have had. Usually I don’t leave too much work to the last minute, so I think most of the event would be taken care of by that day. And even if I really couldn’t get out of bed, I would make sure I was available over the phone or by email for any questions.
SCW: One of your clubs has two club heads. You know that one is doing all of the work and "doesn't mind," but the club really needs both heads to be on their "A-game" in order to succeed. How do you proceed?
One of the things I’ve learned as a club head for Shivim Panim is that people really have different strengths and work much better if they each focus on what they’re good at. If I felt that two club heads weren’t working like this I would bring it up in a meeting with them by asking what they each felt they were doing to contribute to a project. Another way to do it would be to talk about whatever they’re working on right now and suggest ways of breaking up the work into equal parts. A lot of times someone will take on a larger workload because it seems like too much effort to break up the work, so I would try to help on that end. I would also encourage the club heads to make sure that they’re setting up times to meet with each other about everything so that they don’t get caught up in their own individual work too much. I think anyone who wants to be a club head is willing to put in the effort needed, they just sometimes need to be reminded about how important their club is to them, and I think I would manage to do that in a subtle way.
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C h a i a W i z n i t z e r
Imagine lounging in a fantastic train car decorated with plentiful cushions and stunning chandeliers. Any delicacy and beverage is available at your bidding. So you recline on your pillow and enjoy the scenic tour just outside the window. Suddenly, you notice a colorful rainbow streaking across the sky and feel an urge to jump off the train and follow it. It will surely lead you to more fantastic places, you presume.
The nimshal of such a story would be as follows: After spending my year in Israel at Michlalah, I was fortunate enough to “hop on” YU and express delight at all the opportunities and extracurricular activities offered here. While I am part of several clubs, I have participated mostly in the artistic ones—as a Flyer Graphic Designer, to name one. As this year is concluding, however, I decided I must make every attempt to attain this position for next year, for I am certain I can be incredible at it. My creativity, thoughtfulness, responsibility, and initiative personality make me a promising candidate, especially since I intend to devote most of my time for this cause. I am very excited and more than willing to make this effort!
SCW: Describe one goal you want to accomplish for the student body and tell us how you would accomplish that goal.
True Ahavas Chinam
“Nuu, what’s your goal for the coming year’s TAC?”
Arms folded, brow furrowed— is how you ask
And then you’ll decide if you’ve got my back
But I know this question’s quite simple to crack.
For the activities are intriguing and the creativity is astounding
The enthusiasm is still bringing smiles! that are abounding
So what can I say? I’ve had many a thought
What’s there to do? is that which I have sought
But I’ve reached the conclusion that it would be a delusion
To say TAC won’t change after the current members’ exclusion
So although I could tell you an event I have planned
What good will that be when we lose this year’s band?
Different people have different suggestions
Much discussion will bring about questions
So the goal for me, while it is creativity
Is to recreate this year’s originality
With a whole new group motivated to compose
Another great program to keep Stern on its toes
It’s a Jewish idea to be responsible for your friends
Promoting unity is what we intend
TAC does so by making Torah shimmer
The excitement is tangible; the fun is no dimmer
And at the end of the day, we laugh because
TAC has given us so much to love
About our religion, our history and one other
The pride we generate is quite the wonder
So give me a chance and you won’t have to wait
In the footsteps of those before me, will I perpetuate!
