E N D O F Y E A R N E W S L E T T E R 2019

JRP takes ten days in Israel and turns them into the start of a
Jewish journey. Just ask JRP Summer Birthright alum, Nicole
Ksendzovskaya (C ‘20). Inspired by the experience of Shabbat in
Israel, Nicole wanted to bring a little of that spirit to friends back Inside this issue
on campus. Through JRP’s Great Shabbat Challenge, Nicole
got everything she needed to host her own Shabbat gathering.
“I wanted to be more involved with my Judaism, but also to be STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
able to do it on my own terms. This was the perfect way for me NEXT COURSE
to share something important with my friends and dip my toes INFUSING THE PUBLIC SPACE
in the water. It was a super rewarding experience for everyone
SENIOR REFLECTIONS
involved, and my friends’ positive reactions is actually why
I decided to host a seder too!” The Great Shabbat Challenge
empowers Birthright alumni to act as Jewish conveners and
conversation starters. This year, 23 JRP Birthright alumni WWW.JRP.COM
hosted Shabbat dinner in their homes for 302 of their
friends. Before her JRP Birthright experience, Nicole couldn’t
find an entry point into Jewish life, but through JRP, she along
with 89% of trip participants, remain highly engaged in
Jewish life on campus.
The Jewish Renaissance Project is an alternative platform for Jewish growth, unconventional leadership opportunities, and creative social experiences.
JRP is a startup for students looking to redesign the possibilities of Jewish life on and off campus. Nationally recognized for its cutting edge approaches
to engagement and education, JRP is a popular brand at Penn, known for infusing the public and virtual spaces of students lives with compelling and
inspirational Judaism.
Photo: Summer 2018 Summer 2018 JRP Birthright students
afds

S T U D E N T I N T E R N Spotlights
JRP student interns are naturally gifted community builders. Read below about how Adam and Molly used their year-long
fellowships as platforms to create fun and compelling opportunities for their friends to grow Jewishly, on their own terms.

imo n
hS From DA L L A S, T E XA S • PINCUS JRP FELLOW • Majoring in CRIMINOLOGY •
a

Member of the TH E P H I LOMAT H E A N S O C I E T Y • ENCOMPASS FELLOW

Sar

“The Pincus Fellowship is a wonderful learning experience that is simultaneously immersive

and eye-opening. I have learned a great deal about Jewish values and have felt myself become
a more empowered Jew. I have hosted many individual events that connect people to Jewish
values/culture/people, and have served as an open forum for non-Jewish people to ask
questions about the Jewish faith.”
nGeist
Be
From B UF FA LO, N E W YO RK • B E R E N G RE E K LI F E F E LLOW •
Majoring in PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS • Member of the TAU E PS I LO N PH I F R AT E RN I T Y

“JRP gave me a chance to interact with Judaism that was indicative of Penn’s Jewish scene. It has perfectly
blended the social, cultural, and religious aspect of modern Judaism that quite often not balanced correctly.
When I came to Penn I had to acclimate to a Judaism that was entirely new to me, and through my involvement
with JRP, I thoroughly think I have become accustomed to and learned to enjoy this variety of Judaism.”

Infusing the PUBLIC SPACE

JRP staff is based out of campus hot spots, bringing Judaism to students and
meeting them (literally and figuratively) where “they’re at”. During holidays, staff
and student leaders deliver seasonal spirit along with the necessary supplies so
students can do Judaism their own way.

500 JRP “Koozies”!

300 Hanukkah Care Packages 400 Boxes of Matzah

 NEXT COURSE: Supporting Young Jews B E YON D PEN N

JRP’s Next Course initiative provides young Jewish alumni with the resources they need to host Jewish events
for their peers. Trained in Jewish micro-community building, former JRP student fellows have been taking
advantage of this unique project, hosting Shabbat and holiday meals across the country and globe.

H A N N A H FAGI N ( C’17) • PA S S OVE R S E D E R • LO N D ON, EN GL AN D

R EBE CC A BROWN, AARON NE S S E L, A ND
J E N N GO LD (C’17) • S HAB BAT DI NNE R
N E W YO RK C IT Y
This was the most meaningful Seder I’ve ever been a part of. We asked everyone to connect
with and discuss the themes of Passover, and had incredible dialogue. We reflected on what
we’re too rushed to do today, what challenges each of us faces, how our identities inform
the way we do and don’t stand up to systems of oppression, and what traditions we find
meaningful. I’m looking forward to making this a yearly tradition. — H A N N A H FAGI N, C’17

NEW YORK CITY, NY

PHILADELPHIA, PA This year, 33 alumni hosted

34 events for over 555 of their
SAN FRANCISCO, CA close friends in Boston, New
York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C.,
SEAT TLE, WA Tulsa, Nashville, Chicago, Seattle, San
Francisco, London, Luang Prabang,
Coronel Ovideo, and St. Petersburg
WASHINGTON, DC

BOSTON, MA

NASHVILLE, TN
Passover Seder
TULSA, OK
High Holiday Celebration
CHICAGO, IL
Hanukkah Party
LONDON, UK

Happy Hour
LUANG PR ABAN G, L AO S

CO RON EL OV IDEO, PA R AG UAY Shabbat Dinner

ST. PE TERS B URG, FL

 S E N I O R Reflections
Through fellowships, immersive experiences, and relationships with staff, JRP accompanies students through the
four years of a Penn education. We asked graduating seniors to reflect on the impact of JRP on their student careers.

“Starting freshman year, JRP “JRP gave me the opportunity to host “The JRP experience allowed me
quickly became one of my favorite engaging Jewish events with my Penn to explore Judaism in ways that
communities on Penn’s campus. It community - something that I probably relate to my life. Rabbi Josh ef-
provides a comfortable, creative, and would not have done without the fectively painted continuity and
inclusive space led by some of the resources and support of the program. I change from past to present, and
kindest people on Penn’s campus. I also gained a deeper sense of spirituality I have a greater understanding
appreciated the opportunities JRP gave through the thought-provoking of the Jewish tradition and have
to share Jewish values and culture, conversations, and has influenced me a stronger grasp aspects which
reflect on my own Jewish experiences, to think about religious/spiritual/moral are relevant to me.”
and create lifelong friendships.” dilemmas in my everyday life.”
—M I C H A E L GRE EN STEI N,
— C AM HEL L ER MA N, FO R M E R — R AQ U E L L AGUE RRE, F O RM E R PI N CUS &
B EREN GREEK L I FE FE L LOW FO RM E R PI N C US J RP F E LLOW J RP2 F E LLOW

+Events include one-

JRP STUDENT SPRING 2019 STUDENTS
on-one conversations
PROGRAM AREA LEADERS JRP EVENTS + REACHED* and group gatherings.
The Marjorie M. and Irwin Nat Pincus JRP Fellowship 12 812 1,535
*Student numbers
denote total number
Beren Greek Life Fellowship 13 809 1,612
of student attendees.
Jewish Life Liaisons: Freshmen Engagement 10 561 1,044 Individual students
may be represented
Passover Across Penn 34 36 616 multiple times – this
is a testament to our
Jewish Off-Campus Initiative (JOCI) 16 28 483 work in engaging new
students while creating
The Kavannah Initiative 9 7 63 a consistent community
of student attendees.
JRP2: Continued involvement in Jewish Life 10 83 394
Immersive Experiences and Alternative Break Trips 64 1,430 1,645
Beyond the Bus: Post Birthright Engagement 30 107 530
Public Space Judaism Events N/A 17 977
Birthright Israel N/A 337 665
Individual Staff Engagement N/A 1,477 550
TOTALS 167 3,164 9,780
TOTAL UNDUPLICATED STUDENTS REACHED 2,103

The Jewish Renaissance Project is an initiative of Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania which is a
program of Hillel of Greater Philadelphia, an affiliate of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish
Campus Life. The Jewish Renaissance Project is also generously supported by th Irwin Nat
Pincus Fund, as well as numerous alumni and parents.