Jewish Studies Graduates

Class of 2024

Alexandra Greenberg - BS Digital Marketing and Communications, minor Jewish Studies & Leadership Studies, Honors, Service Learning Certificate

Jonathan Davis - BA History, minor Jewish Studies & Philosophy

Madeline Helms - BA Global & International Studies, minor Jewish Studies, History, & Middle Eastern Studies

Eli Richman - BA History, minor Jewish Studies; degree completion Fall 2024

Samantha Grofsky - BA Jewish Studies & Communications, minor Human Sexuality

Zachary Kitay - BS Journalism, Media Arts & Production, minor Jewish Studies

Robert Metz - BA Political Science, minor Jewish Studies & Intelligence & National Security; degree completion Fall 2024

Alexis Greenberg

Winner of the Danciger Service Award in Jewish Studies, BS in Digital Marketing Communications, minors in Leadership Studies and Jewish Studies.

What are you up to right now?
I am working as the Digital Marketing Specialist at Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and pursuing a Masters of Science in Project Management at KU Edwards.

Any advice for current Jayhawks including graduating seniors?
Make the most of the time you have- get involved in everything that interests you, try new things, be friendly and helpful, talk to strangers, the stranger the better! You never know who will turn into a lifelong friend or a valuable career connection.

What was your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
I enjoyed Language, Gender, and Sexuality because learning about gendered language and comparing many languages was fascinating to me!

How has your Jewish Studies degree or your minor helped you personally and professionally?It absolutely helped me explore multiple disciplines in my academic career, learn more about my identity personally and help me appear more adaptive to employers!

What's your favorite KU memory?
My favorite KU memory is hosting Jewish Joy Parties (JJP for short) in my on-campus apartment with my roommates. Spending time with our incredible KU Jewish community on and off campus was such a blessing.

Samantha Grofsky

Winner of the David and Sharyn Katzman Award, BA Jewish Studies and Communications, minor Human Sexuality.

What are your post graduation plans?
I'm doing camp, then backpacking in Southeast Asia, and then I have a job with Jewish Camps in London.

What is your advice for future graduating classes?
Take as many classes that interest you as you can. Go out of your comfort zone and really explore everything that you are interested in now.

What's your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
My favorite Jewish studies course was Jewish Ethics because it got me to think, have in depth conversations with my peers, and make my beliefs stronger.

How has your Jewish Studies degree helped you personally and/or professionally?
My Jewish studies degree has helped me branch out into the Jewish professional world.

What is your favorite KU memory?
Working for KU Jewish Studies everyday!

Zac Kitay

Winner of Danciger Service Award in Jewish Studies, BS in Journalism, minor in Jewish Studies.

What are your post graduation plans?
Traveling through France, going to a Springsteen concert tomorrow!

What is your advice for future graduating classes?
Lawrence Kansas is a hidden gem of the United States, explore it all!

What's your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
Politics and Government of Israel. It’s quick, and if you put in the work, you’ll come away having learned a lot.

How has your Jewish Studies degree helped you personally and/or professionally?
It brought me another Jewish community at KU — you can never have enough Jewish communities.

What's your favorite KU memory?
Winning the natty!

Is there anything else you would like us to know?
Thank you all.

Robert Metz

BA Political Science, minor Jewish Studies, Intelligence and National Security Studies, degree completion - Fall 2024.

What's your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
Rami Zeedan is the foremost figure of Israeli history and conflict studies. Taking his classes has been an absolute pleasure.

How has your Jewish Studies degree helped you personally and/or professionally?
It has made me more educated in my own religion, and I think it has already helped me get a job as a summer camp counselor.

What's your favorite KU memory?
Rushing the football field when we beat OSU!

Class of 2023

Caitlin Erickson - Jewish Studies minor

Kate Jacobs - BA Jewish Studies

Austin Klinock - BA Jewish Studies

Mary Morrison - Jewish Studies minor

Kate Jacobs

BA Jewish Studies, BA Psychology

What are you up to now?
I’m working as the Fund Development Associate for Jewish Vocational Service in Kansas City!

Any advice for current Jayhawks including graduating seniors?
Cherish every moment you have during your time at KU, it goes by faster than you’ll realize. Be kind to others and set a good example for those who will come after you. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!

What was your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
My favorite Jewish Studies course was Language, Gender, and Sexuality with Dr. Perelmutter. During that course I learned so much about the way gender and sexuality are shaped by language and how gender and sexuality shape language.

How has your Jewish Studies degree helped you personally and professionally?
My JS major helped me to be more comfortable and confident when interacting with people I haven’t met before. I also gained professional experience as the student liaison between the department and students which allowed me to go into my first corporate job with knowledge of how to conduct myself.

What's your favorite KU memory?
My favorite KU memory was graduation week! After 4 years of hard work, it was such a joy to be surrounded by peers and professors who helped me get to that point. The pride on my parents face made it all worth it!

Is there anything else you would like us to know?
I miss you guys!

Austin Klinock

BA Jewish Studies and History, minor in Communications

What are you up to now?
Post graduation I am working for a marketing firm where I create content strategies for websites.

What was your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
My favorite class in the Jewish Studies Program was Hebrew 490 with Shelley Rissien. She is the best person on the planet and I highly recommend taking any class she teaches.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?
As a Jewish Studies major, I developed skills in collecting research, structuring bibliographies, and collecting source data. The Jewish Studies faculty supported and advised me through the process of co-writing my honors thesis while simultaneously writing my capstone.

Mary Morrison

BA in Political Science and minor in Jewish Studies, African and African Diasporic Languages, Middle Easter Studies, and Global and International Studies.

What are you up to now?
I am currently applying for jobs specifically for policy analysts. In order to make money I am a Batista at a local Starbucks.

Any advice for current Jayhawks including graduating seniors?
Good Luck!

What was your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
Jewish Ethics. It was very informative and the class discussions included topics not commonly discussed in classes such as LGBTQ+ inclusion, disability, the rights vs the roles of men and women, and more!

How has your Jewish Studies degree or your minor helped you personally and professionally?
It definitely has been brought up in interviews and made me stand out amongst applicants. I think it shows that I have worked to develop of view of the world.

What's your favorite KU memory?
There's so many! My scholarship hall getting an inclusive restroom is definitely up there (GP represent!!)

Class of 2022

Leah Anderson - BA Jewish Studies

Brian Bobka - BA Jewish Studies

Kassandra Kizlin - BA Jewish Studies

Sadeh Klein - BA Jewish Studies

Beatrice Levine - Certificate of Holocaust and Genocide Studies

Paul Samberg - BA Jewish Studies

Danielle Wolff - Jewish Studies minor

Brian Bobka

BA Jewish Studies, minor in History, Certificate in Entrepreneurship

What are you up to now?
Law school!

Any advice for current Jayhawks including graduating seniors?
Networking cannot be understated, follow the career path towards the job you’ve always wanted to do!

What was your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
Religious Zionisms, the in-depth conversations on complex issues is exactly what you do in law. Reading, analysis, and debate!

How has your Jewish Studies degree helped you personally and professionally?
Personally loved the people and community, and professionally, the intensive coursework (history, politics, philosophy) is exactly what you do in law school.

What's your favorite KU memory?
Bringing my dog Astra to campus to show off…no apologies

Is there anything else you would like us to know?
You’re all the best!

Danielle Wolff

BA American Studies, minors in Jewish studies and Education

What are you up to now?
After I graduated I moved to Israel to study at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. I finished my studies at Pardes, and now I am now in my first year of graduate school at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion where I study Jewish Education.

Any advice for current Jayhawks including graduating seniors?
Undergrad is your time to explore! Take classes in things that interest you - even if they are not in your major!

What was your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
The Jewish World of Jesus - opened my eyes to ideas and beliefs I am not familiar with and gave me the opportunity to discuss religion-related topics with classmates from a variety of religious backgrounds.

How has your Jewish Studies minor helped you personally and professionally?
My minor gave me a glimpse into the greater world of religious studies, which proved helpful in my yeshiva studies this past year.

What's your favorite KU memory?
2022 National Champs!

Is there anything else you would like us to know?
I am happy to talk to students who are interested in studying and/or living in Israel for an extended period time. I also just finished studying a pluralistic yeshiva - so I am happy to talk with students who might be interested in doing that after graduation.

Class of 2021

Henri Gaeddert - BA Jewish Studies

Jade Groobman - Jewish Studies minor

Emerson Karsh-Lombardo - Jewish Studies minor

Benjamin Novorr - BA Jewish Studies

Lana Prager - BA Jewish Studies

Jacob Rosenfield - Jewish Studies minor

Bari Sigal - BA Jewish Studies

Alaina Tyrrell - Certificate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, BGS Liberal Arts and Science

Kahler Wiebe - Jewish Studies Minor

Ben Novorr

BA Jewish Studies & BS Elementary Education

What are you up to now?
I am the Director of Youth and Family Programming at Congregation Beth Shalom in Overland Park, Kansas.

Any advice for current Jayhawks including graduating seniors?
TRY EVERYTHING! College is a time for self-exploration, so take advantage of every opportunity that college provides. Even if it seems like something that isn't in your wheelhouse, try it... you just might like it!

What was your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
My favorite Jewish Studies course was Mystical Tradition in Judaism. I loved it because it taught me about a side of Judaism that I had never heard of before and therefore had no preexisting knowledge or thoughts on. Every single moment in the class was interesting, thought provoking, helped me to better understand my Judaism.

How has your Jewish Studies degree or your minor helped you personally and professionally?
My Jewish Studies degree has provided me not only with a knowledge base about Judaism that has given me more confidence in myself as a Jewish person and Jewish educator, but it has also given me a fulfilling career in Jewish education and engagement that has found me working both in the Hillel and congregational worlds.

What's your favorite KU memory?
My favorite KU memory? That's like asking a parent to choose their favorite child! I truly loved every moment at KU, but I don't think any moment could possibly beat graduation, where I got to walk the Campanile as a KU graduate with some of my best friends in the world, something I'd been dreaming of since I was a little kid growing up in Lawrence.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?
Thank you so much for everything you all do to support Jewish life on KU's campus as well as in bettering the Jewish world by educating and engaging young adults. It is important work and I am grateful that the program I care for so much is in such capable hands.

Class of 2020

Macie Clawson - BA Jewish Studies

Tess Cohan - BA Jewish Studies

Benjamin Davis - Jewish Studies minor

Andrew Fern - Jewish Studies minor

Elizabeth Frager - BA Jewish Studies

Daniel Hakan - Jewish Studies minor

Jacob Kirsch - Jewish Studies minor

Mika Schrader - Jewish Studies minor

Angela Schwab - Jewish Studies minor

Mika Schrader

BA in History and Religious Studies, minors in Art History, Classics (Latin), and Jewish Studies

What are you up to now?
I am the assistant director of the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum.

Any advice for current Jayhawks including graduating seniors?
Find your passion. Life is so much more fulfilling when you’re doing something you’re passionate about, whether it’s in your career or a hobby.

What was your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
Archaeology in Israel. I never thought that I would have an opportunity like that, but it was the best summer of my life, I met incredible friends, and I got to experience rediscovering history firsthand.

How has your Jewish Studies degree or your minor helped you personally and professionally?
My Jewish Studies minor has helped me be able to relate to many of my friends, and has given me a chance to broaden my knowledge and connect to more people.

What's your favorite KU memory?
Going to Scholarship Hall events, particularly cereal night with friends.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?
I really loved my experience with the Jewish Studies department—even though it was not the largest chunk of time at the university. I really felt welcomed and wanted and it was a great place to be.

Class of 2019

Devan Burris - Jewish Studies minor

Marlena Geller - Jewish Studies minor

Margo Hellman - Jewish Studies minor

Paige Krug - BA Jewish Studies

Logan MIller - Jewish Studies minor

Rebecca Seldin - Jewish Studies minor

Molly Weisgrau - Jewish Studies minor

Elizabeth Wenger - Jewish Studies minor

Devan Burris

BS Journalism, minors in History and Jewish Studies

What are you up to now?
Working as a journalist in NYC

Any advice for current Jayhawks including graduating seniors?
Take advantage of your time at KU. It sounds cliche but use your resources. The university has so many programs to assist students for free. You don’t realize how valuable they are until your an adult and you don’t have that access.

What was your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?
It’s a tie between Jewish mysticism and bad boys of the Bible. As someone who is not Jewish but grew up Baptist I loved breaking down Bible and Torah passages and re contextualizing what I thought I knew.

How has your Jewish Studies degree or your minor helped you personally and professionally?
I would say personally it broadened my knowledge of a religion I had only passing interactions with before this. I also know how to make Challah now so big bonus for that.

What's your favorite KU memory?
I loved getting to Smith early and sitting in the library by myself. The smell reminded me of my childhood going to older churches for Bible school. And it was always cozy and quiet. A hidden gem at KU for sure.

Class of 2018

Caleb Adams - BA Jewish Studies

Samantha Agranoff - BA Jewish Studies

Casey Brown - BA Jewish Studies

Abby Chargo - Jewish Studies minor

Jordan Esterman - BA Jewish Studies

Rebecca Haun - BA Jewish Studies

Kelly Miller - Jewish Studies minor

Ariel Silverman - Jewish Studies minor

Class of 2017

Talyn Helman - BA Jewish Studies

Sarah Herman - BA Jewish Studies

Annabella Zighelboim - BA Jewish Studies

Class of 2016

Evan Traylor - Jewish Studies major

Rebecca Levine - Jewish Studies major

Jerusha McFarland - Jewish Studies major

Allison Winchell - Jewish Studies minor

Victoria Luecking - Jewish Studies minor

Evan Rakoover - Jewish Studies minor

Sean Manning - Jewish Studies minor

Rebeka Luttinger - Jewish Studies minor

Jerusha McFarland

BA Jewish Studies & BA in Global & International Studies

What are you up to now?

I'm a hospital social worker. I help patients and families with accessing resources, understanding their health conditions, and with transitioning safely back home or to rehab facilities. My BA in Jewish Studies was one of the stepping stones in my career path that led me to serving my community and in seeking to understand people from diverse backgrounds.

Any advice for current Jayhawks including graduating seniors?

Realize how your education is a background to many career options, humanities and history and religious studies may seem limited in job searches but the reading & writing, class discussions, and broadening of perspectives is actually integral to many careers out there. Develop relationships with your classmates and professors, you never know who will be helping you in finding that new job or career path.

What was your favorite Jewish Studies course and why?

The History of the Talmud - that class was like diving into a pre-historic version of the internet with how hyperlinked the writings and authors were to one another, the level of connections and dependency was eye opening.

How has your Jewish Studies degree or your minor helped you personally and professionally?

I really internalized the concept of tikkun olam and the importance of serving the communities we're a part of in meaningful ways

Class of 2015

Mary Boyles - Jewish Studies minor

Rebekah Durham - Jewish Studies minor

Morgan Goldstein - Jewish Studies minor

Molly Rissien - Jewish Studies major

Molly Rissien

Molly Rissien was the first student to graduate from KU with a Special Major in Jewish Studies. This historic moment was written about in the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle. She also majored in Applied Behavioral Science with a focus in Early Childhood Autism Intervention. She works as a Para-Educator for Keshet: A Rainbow of Hope for Children and Adults with Special Needs, located in Chicago, IL. Keshet is a not-for-profit organization providing educational, recreational, vocational and social programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, operating according to Jewish values.