MEET THE CANDIDATES
Matty Powell (she/they)
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Current Position: President
Running for: President
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Current Position: President
Running for: President
- "I want to be able to meet students where they are. Whether that means one-on-one coffee dates, programming that involves their interests, or care packages. I think students are more likely to come to Hillel like the people there care about them and show genuine interest."
- "One of my goals is to get more students engaged at Hillel, and to have those students who are already engaged in leadership positions."
- "Another goal I have is to connect students more with the Greater Milwaukee Community and the Greater Jewish Community of Milwaukee."
- "I think that virtual engagement can be a challenge, especially in the colder months. Zoom fatigue is real, but I think if we spice up the types of programming we do we will be able to avoid some of that fatigue. Maybe a movie night, or game night. I also think that more student led programming will drive up engagement because when a student is passionate about their program, they will encourage their peers to attend."
Sima Meadows (she/her)
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Running for: Executive Vice President
"We should have a campaign to raise awareness about Hillel on campuses, because students can't be engaged in Hillel if they are not aware of everything that it has to offer."
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Running for: Executive Vice President
"We should have a campaign to raise awareness about Hillel on campuses, because students can't be engaged in Hillel if they are not aware of everything that it has to offer."
- "I think that activities like the Game Night Havdalah allow students to engage with each other while having fun, so my suggestion is to have more activities where students just hang out and get to know everyone. I think that there should also be more events like the open house throughout the year where students can learn about Hillel and how to become active in everything Hillel has to offer."
- "I want to become active in helping to organize events and ensuring that they run smoothly. I want to become more involved in Hillel and learn leadership skills by completing all the tasks associated with this position. I want to build relationships with students and the entire Hillel Milwaukee community."
- "Having to do online classes this past semester has taught me that as long as I complete each task on time and with enthusiasm, anything can get done."
Ben Stern (he/him)
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Running for: Marketing/Social Media Chair
"There will be two primary challenges to engaging students. One of them is transitioning out of the COVID pandemic and the other is when we can fully engage face to face again. Since no one really knows where one ends and the other begins, this will require us to be extremely flexible."
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Running for: Marketing/Social Media Chair
"There will be two primary challenges to engaging students. One of them is transitioning out of the COVID pandemic and the other is when we can fully engage face to face again. Since no one really knows where one ends and the other begins, this will require us to be extremely flexible."
- "Maintaining and emphasizing Hillel's fun and positive events will be crucial. To do so, continued engagement through Hillel's social media will bolster these activities."
- "One potential idea to keep students engaged is through games like Jackbox and Among Us. These are games that are practical and popular, and will potentially draw even more students to join. It is entirely possible to have socially distant fun."
- "I have learned that true leadership requires the consideration of one group's needs and wants, while also speaking authentically for oneself and keeping one's eyes on the core message."
- "I think Hillel already does a fantastic job with coming across as professional via its graphic design on social media, yet I think it is important to employ more energy within its branding. As Marketing/Social Media Chair I can walk the thin line between being professional and being visceral. My skills are best on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. I am growing my skills on platforms like Facebook and TikTok as well. I want Hillel Milwaukee to have a distinctive voice among the clutter often associated with social media."
- "Mediation is not as much a tool as it is an attitude. Being mindful and considerate of group members' attitudes and ambitions while handling conflict requires a multifaceted approach. Mediation is not an ability that one 'has' or 'doesn't have,' it's an attitude that takes multiple experiences and contextual knowledge to improve. In a situation in which there is a disagreement between two group members, it is important to make a distinction if the conflict is pertaining to a task, or if it is relational. From there, conflict resolution can preferably be made through collaboration. In terms of task-related issues, it is important to remember that the group's output is dependent on the entire group's input. Complete consideration of their differing ideas can actually result in better overall product because conflict itself is not inherently a bad thing."
- "Levying proper social media outreach while also being mindful of the limitations placed on events is important. I plan on being extremely adamant on being held accountable in all aspects of my position."
Michaela Brooke (she/her)
Marquette University
Current Position: Jewish Life and Learning Chair
Running for: Jewish Life and Learning Chair
"One way I think we can better engage students with Hillel is working to create a sort of buddy system by connecting students that are new to Hillel with students that we know and think they would get along with so they can join programs together. In my experience, I was so much more comfortable coming to Hillel events my first year knowing that someone I had already met would be there too. Coming to a brand new place with brand new people is intimidating so helping to create one-on-one connections between students can be a helpful push."
Marquette University
Current Position: Jewish Life and Learning Chair
Running for: Jewish Life and Learning Chair
"One way I think we can better engage students with Hillel is working to create a sort of buddy system by connecting students that are new to Hillel with students that we know and think they would get along with so they can join programs together. In my experience, I was so much more comfortable coming to Hillel events my first year knowing that someone I had already met would be there too. Coming to a brand new place with brand new people is intimidating so helping to create one-on-one connections between students can be a helpful push."
- "I also think reaching out to students and asking what sorts of activities they would like to see at Hillel would be engaging because it shows that we care what they want to participate in and are willing to put in the work to make it happen."
- "Holding events on each campus could be a good way to engage students from far away schools like Marquette who may feel disconnected from the Hillel building and community."
- "An important goal I hope to accomplish as the Jewish Life and Learning Chair is to make learning about Judaism and Jewish life accessible to students from all backgrounds. One of the best things about Hillel Milwaukee in my opinion is the diversity in experience among the students. I think it's important that all of the students feel comfortable learning about Jewish holidays, traditions, history, and texts no matter their previous experience. I hope to accomplish this goal by working to get students more involved in holiday and Shabbat programming and other learning opportunities, as well as leading learning programs that are relevant to the topics that the students care about."
- "I think conflict management is best considered on a case-by-case basis, but as a bottom line, keeping an open mind and heart throughout is the best course of action."
- "One way I think we can help to overcome COVID challenges is asking students what they would be interested in participating in or learning and what sorts of activities would be fun for them and not feel like added stress or work. Another way could be finding mediums through which to learn together outside of the Zoom world, such as through a book club style program or some sort of social distanced gathering."
Jordan Pajeau (she/her)
Marquette University
Current Position: Marketing/Social Media Chair
Running for: Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Chair
"To better engage students with Hillel, I've recently come up with the idea for a 'mentorship' program where we can pair new Hillel students with upperclassmen or Hillel veterans to help teach new students the ropes of Hillel and how they can experience Judaism on campus. I think this would be a good way to make Hillel seem less intimidating for newcomers and help new students to make a friend."
Marquette University
Current Position: Marketing/Social Media Chair
Running for: Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Chair
"To better engage students with Hillel, I've recently come up with the idea for a 'mentorship' program where we can pair new Hillel students with upperclassmen or Hillel veterans to help teach new students the ropes of Hillel and how they can experience Judaism on campus. I think this would be a good way to make Hillel seem less intimidating for newcomers and help new students to make a friend."
- "My specific goal for this position is to increase student engagement and outreach to further show students in Milwaukee that Hillel is a warm, inviting environment and a second home for our students."
Shir Bloch (she/her)
Marquette University
Running for: Israel Chair
"I would like to work with the board to help students understand that they have a place at Hillel, and that there aren't any requirements like 'being Jewish enough' for them to have a place with Hillel."
Marquette University
Running for: Israel Chair
"I would like to work with the board to help students understand that they have a place at Hillel, and that there aren't any requirements like 'being Jewish enough' for them to have a place with Hillel."
- "Though on-site events would be preferable, I think a social media approach would still be effective in bringing interesting students on our radar and helping grow our community."
- "I want to implement education as a recurring theme, hosting interactive sessions to teach Hillel students more about Israel."
- "As a way of furthering both my own and fellow Hillel students' connection to and understanding of Israel, I want to host informational sessions, perhaps similar to the Russian Learning Shabbat last semester. I think these events should be more interactive, possibly with a Kahoot component or some other way to improve retention of the important information that is so rarely taught in high schools."
- "I think increasing education and familiarizing students with Israel is crucial, and I hope to be part of this learning journey for Hillel's students. I also want to recruit students for Birthright and Side by Side, both trips I want to go on myself."
- "I would also create an anonymous question space, where students could submit questions they may not feel comfortable asking but could then be covered at the next informational event. Each event could also have a specific focus, so students could join about particular topics or all of them."
- "My attitude is all about learning and engaging and I am certain that with the help of my fellow board members and Hillel staff I will be a quick study."
HILLEL MILWAUKEE STUDENT BOARD
Term: January 2021 - December 2021
Executive Committee Qualifications: Must be enrolled as an undergraduate student at one of the 12 Milwaukee-area campuses that Hillel Milwaukee serves, with a graduation year of no earlier than December 2021.
In addition to all of the role specific responsibilities listed below, all Executive Committee Members must:
- Be present at bi-monthly Executive Committee Meetings and monthly Board Meetings
- Frequently attend Hillel Milwaukee events, especially those you help plan
- Lead a spiritual element of a Shabbat once a year
- Engage with at least 3 different people each month via text, phone call, FaceTime, etc. (or meet for tea/coffee when we return in person)
- Be accessible for Board communication
- Sign an accountability agreement committing to Student Board responsibilities
- Fulfill all other Board responsibilities as they arise and are applicable
Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, January 19 from 6 - 8 pm for the first 2021 Student Board Executive Committee meeting.
Executive Committee Qualifications: Must be enrolled as an undergraduate student at one of the 12 Milwaukee-area campuses that Hillel Milwaukee serves, with a graduation year of no earlier than December 2021.
In addition to all of the role specific responsibilities listed below, all Executive Committee Members must:
- Be present at bi-monthly Executive Committee Meetings and monthly Board Meetings
- Frequently attend Hillel Milwaukee events, especially those you help plan
- Lead a spiritual element of a Shabbat once a year
- Engage with at least 3 different people each month via text, phone call, FaceTime, etc. (or meet for tea/coffee when we return in person)
- Be accessible for Board communication
- Sign an accountability agreement committing to Student Board responsibilities
- Fulfill all other Board responsibilities as they arise and are applicable
Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, January 19 from 6 - 8 pm for the first 2021 Student Board Executive Committee meeting.
Executive Committee Roles & Responsibilities
Click on each role to learn more.
President
Executive Vice President
Marketing/Social Media Chair
Israel Chair
Jewish Life and Learning Chair
Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Chair
Executive Vice President
Marketing/Social Media Chair
Israel Chair
Jewish Life and Learning Chair
Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Chair
Click here to meet our current student board.
