Today, I was honored enough to be one of the Hillel at Baruch’s 25 students to attend the evening of “Inspiring Jewish Greatness” event. The event was presented by Olami, which is a worldwide network of Jewish outreach efforts aiming to forge a deep, meaningful connection to Judaism based on practice and commitment. Naftali Bennett, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Education and known as the Minister of the Jews was the guest of honor and spoke on topics revolving our culture. Through this event, I was able to meet and get to know a number of new people, in the mere matter of hours. It was amazing how genuinely kind and open everyone was towards each other and it made me feel even more fully connected to my religion. And not to mention, the 3 course meal was to die for! Naftali spoke about various topics, including the fact that we must come together as a religion in order to work as one to positively effect the world we are living in. While he was speaking up on that stage and was able to connect with every single person in the audience in a different way was truly beautiful. You could feel the immense positive energy that began to influx the room. I was never at such an event that made me feel more connected to my religion and I’m immensely thankful for the opportunity Baruch has given me and I look forward to even more amazing events like this one. 
-Naftali Bennett at the event
Author: a.gutgarts
Career/ Business Blog
I recently was accepted into the EMET program by Hillel at Baruch. It is a program that consists of about 25 Jewish students who are taught throughout a series of 10 sessions about Business and Judaism. Every week we have a prominent business speaker come in and discuss how these two things go hand in hand. Even from the first session, I could not have been more interested. At first I was skeptical of whether or not I would even enjoy or find any sort of connection to the speakers but I soon found myself attached to everything the speaker was explaining. I was able to relate alot of what he was saying to my family and form an attachment and suddenly understand first hand what he meant. Instantly you were able to feel the amazing, wholesome energy between everyone in the room. As though we were all complete strangers and in a matter of minutes we were all discussing and laughing amongst each other, as if we had known each other for years. I am very excited and looking forward to going through these next 9 sessions and learning about my culture as well as new techniques that have to relate to my future. I think this is an amazing opportunity to learn more about what I want to do with my life and opening my eyes to so many new interactions. I am hoping this program guides me into the right direction with what I want to do in the future and gives me a starting glance at what is to come. I’m thankful that I was able to come across and be able to take advantage of one of so many opportunities that come with not only Student Life but in terms of your career as well. Unfortunately, I had my phone away the whole lecture so I was unable to take any photos, however if needed I can provide one next week!
My Day at Hillel
At Convocation Day, I was approached by a girl who was part of the Hillel organization, which is the club for all Jewish activities. Being part of my high school’s Jewish Culture Club, I was instantly drawn to this club and knew I had to check it out. I went to the first meeting a bit late but still went and met about 15 new people in less than 20 minutes! Everyone was so welcoming and excited to meet new people, I couldn’t wait to go again next week. I had no idea that going to one club would be able to provide such an eye-opening experience. Noa Bentor, an Israeli singer/songwriter was the speaker for the day, and I can honestly speak for everyone in that lecture hall when saying her story really moved us all. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and just as she was ready to start her journey again, cancer free, she got a call that it was back a second time. The pain she was explaining, we were all able to feel it as she played her songs to audiences. Regardless of what was thrown at her, rather it being different treatments, any more bad news, and just the overall fact of what she was going through, she never thought negatively. Her story showed us the real meaning of strength and how she was able to overcome it with her music. Every note she sings with every beat she plays, you feel the rawness of her voice and the struggle she overcame. In a way it also showed us how this was a form of a journey of self discovering and growth. This experience was able to show her there is much more to life and being happy is one of the most important things, because you will never know when that happiness will just slip out and disappear for the time being. There are times where I lack a sense of motivation and I put on her songs and it puts me right back into the state of mind I need to be and I keep going. 
