Rutgers Hillel’s Student Leadership Day
By Danielle Alter, Class of 2018
Danielle Alter ’18 and Sami Brandspiegel ’17
Rutgers Hillel Student Leadership Day in May 2015
This being my first Hillel Student Board Leadership Day ever, I had no idea what to expect. Would the day be filled with lecture after lecture describing the same idea in different ways? Would I be stuck in a room being forced to speak about past leadership experiences? I sure hoped not. Luckily, these assumptions were incorrect. Hillel Leadership Day, which took place on Thursday May 14, 2015, was a wonderful experience that I took a lot of valuable information and resources from. Many new ideas were introduced to me as well as old ideas viewed from a different perspective.
A large portion of what Leadership Day focused on was the word ‘why.’ Although many topics were discussed, everything came down to why we do what we do and why what we do has the impact that it does. From going around the room and discussing why we chose to become involved in Hillel to sharing our ideas about future events and programs, I was inspired by those who surrounded me. It was extremely motivating to me to be surrounded by students who are both dedicated and eager to make Rutgers Hillel a more inviting place and a more exciting organization to be a part of. A part of Leadership Day that I found to be reallyinteresting was the segment where the entire incoming Student Board took part in improvisation games. It was fascinating to see my peers put on the spot and to watch their creativity flow. The improv segment also proved to be helpful in building teamwork skills because we bounced ideas off of each other in order to keep the many games we played going. Additionally, the segment where board members mapped out the organizations, clubs, and activities that they were a part of was extremely valuable because we were able to make connections and networks for future events and programs.
Rabbi Brandon Bernstein leading improv at Student Leadership Day in May 2015
I would consider Leadership Day to be a success because it was full of resources, motivating, and made me excited for the upcoming school year. The incredible group of individuals that make up the incoming Student Board will surely contribute great things to the Hillel community at Rutgers.
Rutgers Hillel Student Board 2015-2016 at Leadership Day in May 2015
