Welcome Back!
By Alex Hamilton, Class of 2016
Rutgers Hillel Student Board President
Alex Hamilton ’16
Brrrr. It’s really chilly here in my New Jersey apartment. I didn’t know what a winter really felt like until I started here at Rutgers. The winters here are far longer and far snowier than my native Oklahoma. It gets cold in Oklahoma, but not this cold. Also I was in shorts by mid-March. In New Jersey it’s unthinkable for me to wear my shorts and t-shirts in mid-March. There’s still ice on the ground when my family switches to their summer wardrobes. Such is winter in New Jersey, but I am still enjoying being in New Brunswick for part of winter break, and even more looking forward to the semester starting.
Alex Hamilton ’16 with Aaron Chaise ’14 and Gabe Cohen ’14 at a Hillel Hangouts event
I remember my first welcome back event from winter break. It was an initiative called Hillel Hangouts. It was an informal hangout back at my second of four Hillel buildings, 8 Bishop Place. The board members were there, my friends were there, and there was plenty of food. We were simply enjoying each other’s company in that nice cozy building.
I remember how cool the board members were. I was close friends with the president then, Ariel Lubow, and she was a huge inspiration. She really helped me. I could not have gotten to the place I am without her. I remember then that I really wanted to be on Hillel board the following year. They were all having such a good time, and I wanted to be like them. They were planning great events that were so fun to go to.
Alex Hamilton ’16 with Julia Motis ’17, Paulee Manich ’18, Adam Nachman ’17 and Jacob Holdowsky ’17 at the Rutgers Hillel Welcome BBQ on August 31, 2015
Last year, when I was co-chair of the Conservative Community, I wasn’t able to go to the welcome back speed-friending event because I had work. I remember being very disappointed that I couldn’t go to it and participate.
But this year’s welcome back event will be even bigger and better. On Wednesday, January 20 at 9pm we are having a giant pizza party with lots of drinks and snacks. The main event will be a game show with prizes for the winners. I am very excited for it. We anticipate that this will be one of Rutgers Hillel’s biggest events of the year, and I hope to see you there!
Click here for more information about the Welcome Back Party: Game Show Night
Sami Brandspiegel ’17 and Alex Hamilton ’16
at the Rutgers Hillel BBQ on September 1, 2014
