Welcome Back!
By Alex Hamilton, Class of 2016
Rutgers Hillel Student Board President
![Alex Hamilton '16](http://www.rutgershillel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Alex-Hamilton-e1447881787898-300x293.jpg)
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](http://www.rutgershillel.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Alex-Hamilton-with-Aaron-Chaise-and-Gabe-Cohen-at-a-Hillel-Hangouts-event-300x237.jpg)
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](http://www.rutgershillel.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Alex-Hamilton-with-Julia-Motis-Paulee-Manich-Adam-Nachman-and-Jacob-Holdowsky-at-Welcome-BBQ-8-31-15-cropped-1024x746.jpg)
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](http://www.rutgershillel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Alex-Hamilton-with-Sami-at-RH-BBQ-on-9-1-14-RESIZED-for-banner.jpg)
Sami Brandspiegel ’17 and Alex Hamilton ’16
at the Rutgers Hillel BBQ on September 1, 2014