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Profiles of Georgetown Jews
What do Jewish Hoyas do?
Lots. (and lox)
Eric Lashner (COL '05)
Erika Oppenheimer (COL '08)
Matt Singer (SFS '07)
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Eric Lashner (COL '05)
Political Economy &
Psychology
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Georgetown, believe it or not, had way more Jews than my high school, so for me coming to Georgetown was exciting because I was finally going to hae some sense of Jewish Community. At Georgetown I've been heavily involved in student activities both on an off campus. I've interned for the city government, worked in Leadership Development and ran for elected office twice. The opportunities at Georgetown are incredible and I thank G-d every day that I've been able to have the Hoya experience. My most meaningful contribution has been being Chairman of the Board of Directors of Students of Georgetown, Inc. (The Corp - www.thecorp.org) we are the largest student owned and operated non-profit corporation in the entire world. While I have not taken full advantage of all the Jewish campus ministry resources, I am comforted in the fact that they are here and readily available. There is no one way to "be Jewish" at Georgetown but to know that we are a faith based university that cares about the whole person both physically and spiritually is incredible.
As a senior, it is bittersweet to look back at four diverse, interesting, and, honestly, challenging years full of the ups and downs that I shared with a group of people who I consider some of my best friends in the world. You are given a great gift being accepted to Georgetown and I encourage you to make Georgetown your home. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me at ESL4@georgetown.edu
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Erika Oppenheimer (COL '08)
English & Psychology
Theatre minor
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Growing up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, I was used to being the only Jew in my class. Approximately 1% of the city's population is Jewish, so when choosing a college, Jewish-population-wise, the only real place to go was up. When I first visited Georgetown at GAAP weekend last spring, I didn't visit the JSA House. I figured that the most effect that the organization would have on me was through giving me the knowledge that there are other Jews at our proudly Jesuit university. Somehow, over the course of my Freshman year, things changed. After attending just one service, I found myself attracted to this organization, so welcoming and friendly. Over the course of the year, I was able to get more and more involved. I am most proud of my work with J-GAAP, a program involved in the establishing relations with prospective Freshmen. Next year, I look forward to serving the JSA as the Vice President - Student Activities Commission
Of course, my life at Georgetown has not only involved the JSA. Over the course of my freshman year, I have become a member of Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society, for which I have acted in two productions, performed in The Vagina Monologues for V-Day, taken amazing classes and met some of the greatest people in the world. Freshman year has completely flown by, and the longer I am here, the more sure I am that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
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Matt Singer (SFS '07)
International Politics
Security Studies
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Like every Jewish Mom, my mom was concerned that Georgetown would be the end of my Jewish identity. At the time there was no Hillel on campus and the community according to statistics was extremely small. What was a mother to do when she had spent 18 years raising her son in a Jewish environment? Well, she nervously let me enroll at Georgetown. I have to say it has been one of the most monumental decisions of my life in terms of my Jewish character and identity.
Atlanta, Georgia is a bubble of Jewish culture Ð a majority of my friends were Jewish, I went to Jewish day school until high school and my high school friends knew a lot about Judaism. In terms of tolerance, there could not have been a better place. However, I think I took for granted the opportunities and advantages of living in such an insulated atmosphere. At Georgetown, for the first time, I realized I was a Jew. Seeing crosses on the walls constantly reminds me of our small constituency on campus. However, I would liken our little Jewish community to the Maccabees Ð we may be small but we are strong and very supportive of each other. It is incredible to go to Shabbat services and expect there to be, weekly, 40 other students who are ready and excited to pray, eat and relax. Such opportunities can be found around the country but at Georgetown, being small, reminds of you of its importance.
Jewish leaders at Georgetown are committed to sustaining and enhance Jewish life on campus through a variety of means. Whether it is praying, Jewish mixers, Israel events or joining a fraternity, Georgetown has it. We are active and ambitious students who care greatly about our identity and work to make Georgetown a hospitable and familial environment.
I would ask perspective students and their parents to email, call or chat with their friends at more populated Jewish universities and find out how their friends are active in their respective Jewish communities. Many of my Jewish friends who attend Washington University in St. Louis, Boston University or George Washington acknowledges the Jewish presence but rarely, if ever, attend Hillel or Israel events. Being surrounded by Jews is great and ideal but, in terms of providing a strong and thriving community, Georgetown excels and outperforms. I know at Georgetown for those who want to be Jewish, they have a huge, reliable family that is waiting to meet them and befriend them; you could not ask for more from a Jewish community.
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