8? for Taylor Rosen
Taylor is a senior at Rice University from Shreveport, Louisiana.
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Why did you choose to attend Rice?
I attended a summer camp at Rice the year before I started high school. After seeing the campus and
interacting with some of the students, I knew that Rice was where I wanted to be.
What is your favorite Jewish Holiday and why?
My favorite Jewish holiday is Hanukkah because my mom pulls out all of our decorations for the house,
and we have endless celebrations with my extended family. An added bonus is that my mom always makes
her coveted chocolate chip cookies this time of year.
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What aspect of Houston Hillel has been most enjoyable this semester?
I’ve really enjoyed getting the chance to connect with my Jewish classmates at events each week,
such as Shmear Society, Hillel's weekly lunch on campus.
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How do you spend your spare time?
Currently, I teach a Jewish baking course at Rice in my spare time. Besides that, I watch Netflix
and spend time with my friends. When I’m home, I also like to play with my dogs.
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What do you say when you’re asked the most annoying question of all:
“What will you do when you graduate?”
Currently, I’m debating between applying to medical school or dental school post graduation.
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What Jewish food brings up a nice memory? What is the memory?
Latkes remind me of my extended family’s Hanukkah celebrations. Before he passed away, my grandfather used to make an endless supply of latkes for the holidays. When my aunt makes them each year now, it reminds me of all of the happy memories I had with my grandparents as a child, including my grandfather’s love for cooking us insanely tasty meals.
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If you could bake your "ideal challah," what would you put in it?
If I could bake my ideal challah, I would probably use my personal recipe and coat the challah in honey butter after baking it.
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Why “do Jewish” in college?
I come from a town with a very small Jewish population. My Sunday school class was about 6 people. By joining Hillel, I’ve gotten the exciting opportunity to meet more Jewish people that are my age. Not only this, but Hillel has enabled me to continue to explore my relationship with Judaism while at school. I love connecting with the Jewish community at Rice because, even though we come from different parts of the country, most of us share experiences due to our Jewish culture.
8? for Marissa Coveler
​Marissa is a sophomore at the University of Houston, and is from Houston.
Why did you choose the University of Houston?
I chose to go to the University of Houston because I’ve always wanted to do business and I got into the
Bauer Honors Program.
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What is your favorite Jewish holiday?
My favorite Jewish Holiday is Passover. This is because my family has hosted Passover since I was little,
and it brought together family and friends, even if they weren’t Jewish. Plus, great food!!
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What aspect of Houston Hillel has been most enjoyable this semester?
My favorite aspect of Houston Hillel is our mission to bring together a Jewish community. All of the
events so far have been fun, and I’m excited for the rest of them!
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What do you do in your spare time?
I spend my spare time watching movies, listening to music, or being with my friends.
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What do you say when you’re asked the most annoying question of all: “What will you do when you graduate?”
When I’m asked, “what will you do when you graduate,” I say that I plan to pursue project management and the rest of it I’m still figuring out!
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What's your favorite Jewish food?
One of my favorite Jewish foods is bagels and lox, but the one dish that holds the most memories is chopped liver. Every Passover my grandfather makes it, and everyone goes CRAZY for it! The recipe is my grandfather’s secret recipe, and it has now been passed on to me, so I plan to uphold the tradition.
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If you could bake your "ideal challah" what would you put in it?
If I could make my ideal Challah, it would be the normal, fluffy, and sweet challah but gluten free!!!
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Why "do Jewish" in college?
You should “do Jewish” in college because now is the time to develop your own Jewish traditions, and not just what your family did. You get to decide how you celebrate, and what being Jewish means to you. This could also be your very first Jewish community and we are the most welcoming of all!
8? for Lily Primus
Lily is a senior at Rice University from Denver, Colorado.
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Why did you choose to attend Rice University?
I chose to attend Rice University because of the amazing Shepherd School
of Music and because of our wonderful Jewish Studies Program. I was
also thrilled to be a part of a community of inspiring and incredibly
intelligent and caring people.
What is your favorite Jewish Holiday and why?
I love all of the Jewish holidays but I think I especially love Hanukkah
because it’s time that I get to spend with my family when I go back home
on breaks since I’ve been to college. While I love being at school and
celebrating other Jewish holidays that fall during the school year, it’s been
really nice to share Hanukkah with my family.
What aspect of Houston Hillel has been most enjoyable this semester?
I have really loved coming to Hillel’s Shabbat dinners. They are wonderful opportunities to meet other Jewish students and celebrate Shabbat.
How do you spend your spare time?
I love to crochet and read. I’m also a big fan of Netflix shows (Gilmore girls is my favorite show of all time). I also love getting coffee with friends and exploring Houston.
What do you say when you’re asked the most annoying question of all: “What will you do when you graduate?”
I am a Harp performance major at the Sheppard School of Music at Rice, and after I graduate I hope to go to graduate school for harp and play harp in a professional orchestra or opera. I also want to teach harp and play harp all over the world.
What Jewish food brings up a nice memory? What is the memory?
Latkes are probably my favorite Jewish food, although there are so many to choose from. I can remember every Hanukkah my dad making latkes on our pancake griddle and remember celebrating Hanukkah with all my family and friends. I still eat latkes every year with my family during Hanukkah and reminisce about this tradition that we have been doing my entire life.
If you could bake your ideal challah, what would you put in it?
I am gluten-free (unfortunately) and gluten-free challah is not quite as delicious as regular challah. If I could get a gluten-free challah to have the same amazing texture as challah with wheat flour (and maybe add some raisins for the new year) I would be very happy.
Why "do Jewish" in college?
Judaism is an integral part of my life and who I am as a person. I knew that I wanted to study Judaism from an academic perspective when I went to college, and in addition to that, I am so grateful to have Hillel to celebrate my Jewish culture with many different people.
8? for TJ Owers
TJ was raised in Houston and attends Houston Community College.
What draws you to QJews events?
What draws me to QJews events is the welcoming atmosphere that always makes me feel at home, along with the
opportunity to forge genuine connections and friendships with like-minded people.
What is your favorite Jewish holiday and why?
I love Hanukkah because every year I cook latkes with my whole family, and almost every time, we end up getting into
a flour war, tossing flour at each other and making a big mess.
What aspect of QJews have you enjoyed most this past year?
The conversations. During one event we talked about our favorite queer characters in tv shows and movies late into the night.
How do you spend your spare time?
I spend my spare time writing and performing my poetry, volunteering on political campaigns, and advocating for LGBTQ rights.
What do you study?
I am going to school to become a vet tech and a slam poet.
What Jewish food brings up a nice memory? What is the memory?
Matzo ball soup brings up a nice memory because every year my grandma and I make it together and then pass it out to the homeless. It's a tradition that connects us to our roots while giving back to those in need. It always makes my heart happy.
If you could bake your ideal challah, what would you put in it?
Nutella.
