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Staff (1/1)
Josh Oppenheim, Senior, Lewis & Clark College, Psychology Major, Bend, OR
I was the only Jewish person at my high school, so when I came to college and found Jewish friends, it brought a bit of Judaism back into my life. Next year, I'll be taking over as the LC JSU/Hillel President. I'm more of an 'ethnic' Jew, but I've been on Birthright and celebrate the major holidays. I love cooking and Jewish food is a favorite… I'll have 'Jewish Grandmother' status yet!
I have really enjoyed watching the Greater Portland Hillel form and getting to know not only Jewish students at my school, but at other colleges in Portland. Last year I participated in Jewish holidays, Shabbat dinners, trips, and planned activities on the Lewis & Clark campus with my co-president Nicole. I will be spending the fall semester of my junior year abroad in Valparaíso, Chile, speaking Spanish. I look forward to returning to Portland in 2010 and engaging in the Jewish community even more through Hillel.
Like many Jews today I was raised Jewish, had a bar mitzvah and then fell out of touch with Jewish life in high school and college. Before I came to PSU as a transfer student I went on a Taglit Birthright trip and it changed my life forever. When I came to Portland I threw myself into the Jewish community and helped start this Hillel, which has provided me some of the best experiences and friends I've made since being here. A year after this Hillel was just an idea, we're going to be sending students to Israel on our own Birthright trip and I couldn't be prouder. Rachel Hall, Managing Director
After surviving 10 years of Jewish Day school, Rachel obtained her Bachelors in Psychology and Communications from Clark University and then moved on to her Masters in Cultural Gender Studies at Simmons College. Prior to moving to Portland, Rachel directed an international exchange program between Haifa, Israel and Boston. Raised in the deserts of Tucson AZ and seasoned on the East Coast, she is now settling in to the gentle ways of Portland and the welcoming Jewish Community. She has a passion for multiculturalism and diversity. When she is not overseeing Hillel programs and enjoying the country's most endearing college students, you can find her running along the Spring Water Trail, attending local yard sales, and continuing to build on her Yiddish vocabulary.