The 2011 Group!
Not Pictured: Andi Feldman
Our participants:
Laura Breznick
Name: Laura Breznick
Program/Campus: School of Sacred Music, New York
Hometown/Home Congregation: Temple Emeth, Teaneck New Jersey
Education: BM in Vocal Performance w/ minor in Judaic Studies from the University of Hartford, Hartt School of Music/ Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies
Jewish Involvement: I have been involved in the Reform Jewish community since I was very young. It began with my desire to sing in the Jr. Choir at Temple Emeth, and that led to five summers as a Camper at URJ Camp Harlam. From there, I went on to be on the board of my synagogues youth group as vice- president and being a teacher’s aide for the Kindergarten for six years. During college, I was active in Hillel and the local Jewish community working as a Hebrew school teacher and music teacher, as well as Cantorial soloist positions each year on the High Holiday’s. I also went back to Camp Harlam, during my college years, this time on staff as a drama specialist.
What I was doing a year ago: Working at Temple Sinai as a Bnai Mitzvah Tutor and Kindergarten teacher as well as professional singing gigs in NYC.
Why you are SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: As soon as I heard about this project I knew i needed to be a part of it. I am looking forward to learning what it is like to be Jewish outside of North America and Israel. To be able to be in a place where it was not always easy to be Jewish, to see a community thrive under difficult circumstances. Also, I want to see if they have any interesting melodies that I can bring back to use for my own Passover Seders in the future.
Ryan Daniels
Name: Ryan Daniels
Program/Campus: Rabbinical Studies, New York
Hometown/Home Congregation: Temple Tikvah (formerly Temple Israel of Jamaica), New Hyde Park, NY
Education: SUNY Buffalo, BA, Political Science, Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Jewish Involvement: NFTY (2001-2005), URJ Eisner Camp (1998-Present), religious school teacher at Temple Beth Zion, Buffalo (2006-2009).
What I was doing a year ago: Last year I lived and worked in Buffalo, New York, as a part time religious school teacher (Temple Beth Zion) and full time counselor at an outpatient addictions clinic.
Why you are SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: I look forward to returning to the birthplace of my great grandparents and celebrating Pesach with the unique Jewish community in the FSU!
Rayna Dushman
Name: Rayna Dushman
Program/Campus: Cantorial Program/New York Campus
Hometown/Hometown Congregation: Anchorage, Alaska, Congregation Beth Sholom
Most recent home: Portland, Oregon, Temple Beth Israel
Education: Undergraduate Degree: University of Oregon, B.A. Family and Human Services
Jewish involvement: I spent my childhood summers flying down to URJ Camp Swig and across the country to URJ Camp Kutz to meet other Jews my age. When it came time to apply for college, I chose the University of Oregon because I heard they had an active Hillel, which was completely true! I songled at Shabbat services, led Passover seders and was on board of Oregon Hillel for all 4 years of my time there. During my college summers, I directed Camp Sholom at my synagogue back home. I went on to songlead at Camp Newman for a couple years and was the inaugural Head Songleader at Camp Kalsman up in Washington State. For seven years I served as preschool teacher, senior and junior youth group advisor, and Song Leader for the Sunday School, Tot Shabbat, and Family services at Temple Beth Israel in Portland, Oregon. I also helped found Beth Israel’s 20s and 30s group, Jews Next Dor. Music has always been my gateway to Judaism and to G-d and I look forward to sharing that connection with others in the FSU and throughout my future career as a Cantor.
What I was doing a year ago: I was practicing with my synagogue house band, Def Schlepper, for our annual Hanukkah party and making edible dreidels with my preschool class.
Why I am SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach project: I am looking forward to a cultural exchange of music with the Jews in the FSU. I’m also excited about the chance for dialogue between communities in addition to enhancing each other’s Pesach experience.
Miriam Farber
Name: Miriam Farber
Program/Campus: rabbinical school, LA campus
Hometown/Home Congregation: Tarrytown, NY, and proud to call both Woodlands Community Temple in New York and Temple Shir Tikva in Massachusetts home
Education: Brandeis University, 2008, BA in Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies
Jewish Involvement: Jewish communities of all sorts – synagogues, camp, youth group, Hillel, young adult independent minyanim – have been important to me all my life.
What I was doing a year ago: I was living here in Jerusalem, studying classical Jewish texts at the Pardes Institute.
Why you are SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: I can’t wait to explore liberal Jewish life outside of North America and Israel!
Andi Feldman
Name: Andi Feldman
Program/Campus: Rabbinic Program/ Cincinnati Campus
Hometown/Home Congregation: Congregation Shaare Emeth in St. Louis, MO
Education: I received a BA in Psychology with a Jewish Studies Certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2009.
Jewish Involvement: I was an active member of Shaare Emeth from childhood, participating frequently in programming and volunteer opportunities. From 2003-2005 I was a teaching assistant in a first grade religious school classroom. In college I went on a Jewish Studies trip to Poland to tour Holocaust related sites and later helped plan a Yom HaShoah commemoration ceremony through Hillel. From 2008-2009 I was a Religious and Hebrew school teacher at Temple Beth El in Madison, WI. From 2009-2010 I was a participant on a volunteer program in Israel called Otzma.
What I was doing a year ago: A year ago I was finishing up the first section of Otzma, a 10 month volunteer program in Israel. I was living in Ashkelon taking Ulpan during the day and volunteering in the afternoons in a preschool and teaching English to a selected group of high school students. After leaving Ashkelon I moved to a small city in the north of Israel called Yokne’am, the partnership city of St. Louis, MO. There I volunteered at an elementary school working with special needs students and assisting the English teachers. I also volunteered at a center for at-risk youth and worked in a food pantry. Three months later I moved to Jerusalem where I was an intern for the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism.
Why you are SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: I knew this was something I had to be a part of the moment I first discovered the FSU Pesach Project. I love to travel and when I do I try to experience as much of the native culture as I can. Wherever I am, I try to see what life is like for the local Jewish communities. I am interested to see and experience the remnants of this community in particular having had such a difficult and rich history. I want to contribute to their passover experiences and at the same time to try and understand what life is like living in the FSU now as a citizen and as a Jew.
Sarah Fishman
Name: Sarah Fishman Daniel Fliegel
Name: Daniel Fliegel
Program/Campus: Rabbinic Program, New York
Hometown/Congregation: Santa Monica Synagogue formerly Sha’arei Am), Santa Monica, CA
Education: UC Santa Cruz, BA in Philosophy
Jewish Involvement: I’ve been involved in the Jewish Community for most of my life beginning with working as a teacher’s aid in Religious school. After College I began interning for Jewish National Fund. Spending a summer at Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Mississippi, I got a taste of Southern Jewry. Over the last couple years I taught religious school.
What I was doing a year ago: Last year I was living in Santa Monica interning at JNF, teaching swimming lessons, lifeguarding, substitute teaching in the public schools, and teaching religious school. All the while preparing to apply to HUC
Why I am SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: My father’s side of the family originates in Ukraine. I hope that i might be able to see the town from which my family originated. While working at camp I’ve gotten to know a few people from Ukraine and Russia as well and I’m excited to get a little peek at what life in these areas is like. The FSU is such a different culture and way of life that I am really excited to be going and seeing with my own eyes.
Mike Harvey
Name: Michael Harvey
Program/Campus: Rabbinical Studies, Cincinnati
Hometown/Home Congregation: Temple Beth El, Charlotte, NC
Education: Boston University, B.A. Psychology, Class of 2004
Jewish Involvement: NFTY member and board member (1996-2000), Lipper Intern at the Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, 2003-2004, Religious school/Confirmation teacher at Consolidated Hebrew High School, 2009-2010, Religious School teacher at Lake Norman Jewish Congregation, 2009-2010, Youth Advisor for Temple Beth El, 2009-2010
What I was doing a year ago: Last year I lived and worked in Charlotte, NC. I taught religious school at two temples, was a youth advisor and served as a rabbinical intern. During this time I also worked two secular jobs. I also was taking masters classes at the Laura and Alvin Siegal College of Judaic Studies.
Why you are SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: My father’s side of my family comes from Russia, and I am told I still have relatives there! The FSU project is an amazing way to reconnect with my Russian history, to see how Jewish communities used to be, and how they are now. I also studied the Russian language for six years throughout middle and high school, which taught me a great deal about Russian culture, I am hoping to experience it first hand by this opportunity! Most importantly though, I am truly looking forward to seeing yet another multicultural look at Judaism by visiting a place I have yet to visit in the world, and to take full advantage of this unique opportunity to teach and learn from each other! Thanks so much for helping me achieve this goal!
Rachael Jacob
Name: Rachael Jacob
Program/Campus: Rabbinic/Cincinnati
Home congregation: Har HaShem in Boulder CO
Education: B.S. in Chemistry
Jewish Involvement: Har HaShem board for a few years; led torah study and chanted regularly; a leader for 20/30yr olds Jewish involvement in atypical ways.
What I was doing a year ago: I was working at a biofuels company in the analytical lab, deciding what made the cut and what didn’t. I was also volunteering much of my left over time to the synagogue in any way possible.
Why you are SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: Cultural experience. The ability to see and do and explore a whole new world in a Jewish context and Jewish way–thrilling. To expose myself to new things. I am excited for all the learning and growing opportunities.
Ricky Kamil
I, Frederick (Ricky) Kamil am in the Rabbinical Program at HUC in Jerusalem and heading to Cincinnati. I grew up in Commerce, Michigan. I attended Michigan State University and received a B.A. in 2008 in Interdisciplinary Humanities, with concentrations in Religion, English and Philosophy. I also received a minor in Jewish studies. I worked for the Hillel at Eastern Michigan University as a program associate from July 2008 until the beginning of 2010. I am very excited to go to Russia and help lead Seders for Jewish communities.
Dave Malecki
Name: David Malecki
Program/Campus: School of Sacred Music, New York
Hometown/Home Congregation: Temple Israel, Ottawa Canada
Education: BASc Electrical Engineering, University of Waterloo
Jewish Involvement: I have been actively involved with Temple Israel Ottawa for many years, heading adult education, teaching in the Hebrew School, and serving as a regular ba’al t’filah (lay cantor). For the past two years, I have been the choir director at Temple Israel, preparing and leading the choir for the Chagim and High Holy Day services.
What I was doing a year ago: Living in Ottawa, Canada and working in the high-tech industry as a hardware engineer in telecommunications. In my “spare time”, I conducted Musica Ebraica, a chamber choir dedicated to Jewish music, and sang in Seventeen Voyces, a high-caliber vocal group dedicated to early music and most things a cappella.
Why I am SO EXCITED to be participating in the FSU Pesach Project: This will be a wonderful opportunity to explore Jewish life in eastern Europe, where my family is from. I hope to be able to enrich the Pesach experience of Jews living in this area of the world, as much as I am excited to learn from them. The history of their music, food, and other traditions relating to Jewish life and Pesach in particular.
Jaclyn McCabe
Name: Jaclyn (Jaqui) McCabe
Program/Campus: Rhea Hirsch School of Education, Los Angeles, Masters in Jewish Education
Hometown/Home Congregation: Danville California. Temple Isaiah of Lafayette California
Education: University of Arizona 2010: Bachelor of Arts in English and Judaic Studies.
Jewish Involvement: Religious Aid from 8th grade throughout high school. Lafayette Area Federation of Temple Youth (LAFTY) participant and Membership Vice President. Camp Tawonga camp counselor and Jewish Educator. I was the Youth Group Director for Temple Emanu-El is Tucson Arizona, Cantorial Soloist for Congregation M’Kor Chayim and choir director for the Tucson Jewish Community Center.
What I was doing a year ago: Last year I was in my Senior year at the University of Arizona. I was the Assistant Vice President of Chapter Development for my Sorority Delta Delta Delta as well as continue my position as Cantorial Soloist for Congregation M’Kor Chayim.
Why you are SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: When I graduated high school I went on a trip with my high school choir to Russia and while the heat and the humidity took a toll on me, I was intrigued by the culture of the country. I always swore I would never go back to Russia, but here I am on my way back! I am excited to work with communities so different from ones I have been involved in, and to have a positive and educational impact on the lives of other Jewish people. This will also be a great opportunity for me to use many of the skills I have learned this semester about what it takes to be a Jewish Educator!
Steven Morris
Name: Steven Morris
Program/Campus: Rabbinical Studies, Los Angeles (for now)
Hometown/Home Congregation: Temple Judea, Tarzana, CA and Congregation B’nai Israel, Sacramento, CA
Education: University of Judaism (now American Jewish University): BA in Political Science and Modern History; University of Judaism: MBA in Non-Profit Management
Jewish Involvement: I has extensive Jewish experience, including teaching religious school, working in a Hebrew resource center, running religious school retreats and working at URJ Camp Newman. While at the UJ, I helped start a Reform Minyan and revitalized the Hillel. As a member of Temple Judea in Tarzana, CA, I served on the Ritual Committee, chaired the Lay-Led Saturday Morning Minyan and edited the Prayerbook Companion. In 2008, I went to New Orleans twice to help rebuild with Temple Judea and then the URJ Young Adults Mitzvah Corps. Previous to his current stay in Israel, I visited Israel in 1992 after his Bar Mitzvah and then on NFTY Exodus in 1995.
What I was doing a year ago: Last year, I was working for a small nonprofit organization called SCELC (Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium) as the Business Manager, while also running a minyan at my synagogue.
Why you are SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: One of the reason that I decided to go to rabbinical school was because I love teaching Judaism. This gives me the opportunity to do so, while also experiencing Pesach in a different place. I look forward to connecting to the people and the FSU, as a I return to where my great grandparents were born.
Liz Piper-Goldberg
Name: Liz Piper-Goldberg
Program/Campus: Rabbinical Program, New York
Hometown/Home Congregation: Temple Beth David, Westwood, MA
Education: Brown University, BA, Environmental Studies
Jewish Involvement: I am happy to be back in Israel for the year, having studied abroad here during high school on the Reform Movement’s Eisendrath International Exchange and in college at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies on Kibbutz Ketura. Throughout high school, I participated in local, regional, and national NFTY events, and in college, I was an active leader of Brown University Hillel. I am also a long-time member of the URJ Eisner Camp community, beginning as a camper in 1998 and serving as a counselor, songleader, and senior staff.
What I was doing a year ago: This past year, I worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Religious Action Center, the Washington, D.C. office of the Union for Reform Judaism. There, my portfolio issues included Israel, the Middle East, Interreligious Affairs, the Separation of Church and State, Education, Anti-Semitism, Arms Control, and serving as the liaison to NFTY.
Why you are SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: I am looking forward to building connections with new Jewish communities and sharing my love for Passover!
Yael Rooks-Rapport
Name: Yael Rooks-Rapport
Program/Campus: Rabbinic, New York City
Hometown/Home Congregation: Louisville, Kentucky. I am a member of Congregation Adath-Israel-Brith-Sholom, or as we like to call it, The Temple in Louisville.
Education: Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where I graduated with a double major in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Art History.
Jewish Involvement: The URJ’s Goldman Union Camp Institute was my home away from home for almost ten years! I also attended the URJ’s Kutz Camp in the Regional Board Leadership track as the Regional Social Action Vice-President for NFTY-Ohio Valley. Immediately after I graduated high school, I also spent a semester studying at the University of Haifa and the Leo Baeck Progressive Yeshiva with the URJ’s Carmel Program. During college I was both the Tzedek and T’fillah Coordinator for BaRuCH, the Brandeis Reform Chavurah and I had the unbelievable opportunity to staff a Jewish summer camp abroad with Netzer-Olami’s Campy Briyah in Port Talbot, Wales, as Rosh T’filah and a member of Senior Tzevet.
What you were doing a year ago: I was in the middle of my year-of-service with Americorps in Boston as part of MATCH Corps VI, a one-year fellowship at the MATCH Charter Public Middle School. I served as a tutor and Corps member providing intensive skill remediation for five students in literacy and math. Additionally, I tutored 4th and 5th graders at two failing schools three days a week and donated 340 hours of outside service to strengthening communities in Massachusetts.
Why you are SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: I am so unbelievably excited by the chance to spend Pesach this year serving a community in the Former Soviet Union. It will give me the chance to meet new people, experience a new part of the world and a new practice of Progressive Judaism. I am incredibly grateful for all of the help and support you can offer me in reaching my goal!
Marina Tecktiel
Name: Marina Tecktiel
Program/Campus: Rabbinic at Cincinnati, Ohio
Hometown/Home Congregation: Hoffman Estates, Illinois. I am a member at Beth Tikvah Congregation in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Education: In Spring 2010, I received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where I majored in Hebrew, Sociology, and Jewish Studies as well as minored in Leadership.
Jewish Involvement: I have been active in my home congregation since I was in 1st grade, attending Hebrew school and religious school from 1st grade until 12th grade, attending our day camp, Camp Tikvah, being an active member of BTTY, our youth group where I held positions on the board for 2 years, as well as participating in various committees. I was a camper and then a member of the staff at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute for 12 years. In high school, I was also a member of the North American Federation of Temple Youth – Chicago Area Region (NFTY – CAR). I also held the position of Membership Vice President and then President of the Chicago Area Region. In college, I was active in Hillel: The Jewish Student Center and was on the board for 2 years. I am also a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi, a Jewish interest sorority, where I held the position of Vice President of Recruitment in the fall of 2009.
What I was doing a year ago: As you can see from above, I was finishing up my fall semester at the University of Minnesota. During that semester, I was the Vice President of Recruitment for my sorority, the Co-Coordinator of Admissions Ambassadors, which was the group of about 200 volunteer tour guides; a Teacher’s Assistant for the Beginner’s Modern Hebrew class at the U, the President of the Bentson Scholars Student group, a group that is comprised of Bentson Family Scholarship recipients; and working as a Student Territory Manager for the Office of Admissions at the U. I was also enrolled in a full course load of classes. Needless to say, I keep myself PRETTY busy!
Why you are SO EXCITED to participate in the FSU Pesach Project: This project allows me to see a different part of world Jewry than just North American or Israeli Jewry. It is an amazing experience that allows me to travel back to the areas that my ancestors once lived. It gives me an opportunity to share with others my Jewish life and knowledge to be able to enrich their Pesach experience this 2011! Any way that you can help accomplish this wonderful opportunity would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks for getting to know all of us!!
We are excited to spend Shabbat with you and wanted to let you know the details of the events planned for this weekend.
Here is the schedule:
5:00pm: Meet at the North gate of the Student village. HUC will pay for a cab into town – you will be going to the HUC-JIR campus that is situated at 13 King David St. You will be greeted by Haim Shalom (Outreach Director) who will show you to the Teachers’ lounge where you will be able to drop your bags and any food you may have brought.
5:30pm: Tefillot in the HUC-JIR Muirstein synagogue.
7:00pm: Kiddush and tasty pot-luck dinner (don’t forget whatever you are meant to be bringing – if you don’t know, be in contact with either Terri Soifer or Marina Tecktiel).
After Dinner: Song session in the HUC-JIR teachers’ lounge.
At the end of the evening, your HUC student hosts will accompany you home.
On Shabbat Morning:
09:30: Tefillot at the Muirstein Synagogue
12:00: Kiddush, followed by a bagel lunch and learn with HUC-JIR’s Year In Israel Director, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback.
13:30 – Optional taxi home (paid by HUC)
For those interested in staying around the center of town until Havdallah (at 5:15), let us know beforehand. Optional activities include:
Chilling in the park (weather permitting) with Frisbee/football.
Tour of HUC Jerusalem Campus with Haim Shalom.
Games and fun in the HUC moadon (learn Perudo, the amazing Peruvian dice game.)
For those who want to stay around (or come back):
5:15pm: Havdallah overlooking the old city of Jerusalem with the HUC students.
We hope this mail finds you well and are really looking forward to seeing you on the weekend.
All the best,
The HUC Outreach team.
dfliegel
Marina
lizraeli
Mike
yaelrr
Former Soviet Union Pesach Project 2011 
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