8? for Taylor Rosen
Taylor is a sophomore at Rice University from Shreveport, Louisiana.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Avery Lucas
Avery is a senior from Houston, majoring in education. She's pictured on the right with Ellie Rips,
at the UH Sukkah.
Why did you choose to attend the University of Houston?
I chose to go to the University of Houston because it’s close to home and I love how
UH embraces diversity.
What is your favorite Jewish Holiday and why?
Purim! I think it's so much fun.
What aspect of Houston Hillel has been most enjoyable this semester?
Hanging out with my friends.
How do you spend your spare time?
Watching movies, photography, and video games.
What do you say when you’re asked the most annoying question of all: “What will you do when you graduate?”
Teach elementary school! (Hopefully second grade)
What Jewish food brings up a nice memory? What is the memory?
Challah reminds me of all the Hillel Shabbats!
If you could bake your ideal challah, what would you put in it?
Nutella and peanut butter.
Why “do Jewish” in college?
It provides me with a sense of community.
8? for Sara Singer
Sara is a student at South Texas College of Law Houston. Sara is from Houston and attended Texas State University.
What draws you to Jewston events?
The amazing community that Alyssa has cultivated.
What is your favorite Jewish Holiday and why?
Passover. I have great memories from my childhood of my grandma always coming from California to stay
with my family to celebrate Passover. We would play this Passover themed board game, go to Sedar, and
spend time together as a family. Now that she's no longer here with me, it's these memories that I look back
on with the most fondness and appreciation for the amazing woman she was.
What aspect of Jewston has been most enjoyable this semester?
The partnership events Jewston and Moishe House has hosted. Additionally, Jewston has been an amazing
resource for me when it comes to the Jewish Law Students Association at my law school. As the president
of this organization, I appreciate all of the support Alyssa and Jewston has provided to my organization.
How do you spend your spare time?
Law school, studying for law school, crying over law school, and hanging out with my pets. :)
Why did you decide to pursue law school?
My aspiration to change our country's criminal justice system for the better. I read the book, Just Mercy
by Bryan Stevenson when I was in college and it opened my eyes to the disparity in legal services that are
available to the wealthy in contrast to legal services available to the most disenfranchised population in this country.
"I've come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to justice, the character of our society, our commitment to the rule of law, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the rich, the powerful, the privileged, and the respected among us. The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned. We are all implicated when we allow other people to be mistreated.”
― Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
What Jewish food brings up a nice memory? What is the memory?
Matzo Ball Soup. It reminds me of my grandma and my childhood. No one makes better matzo ball soup than she did.
If you could bake your ideal challah, what would you put in it?
Apples, cinnamon, and honey.
Why “do Jewish” as a young adult?
Making friends as an adult is hard enough. Having a community of people who you can already relate to and who truly understands you is unmatchable. The friends I've made through the Houston Jewish community will be my friends for my entire lifetime.
8? for Jared Imber
Jared is a first-year medical student at UTHealth McGovern Medical School. Originally from Fort Worth, Jared graduated
from Tulane University in New Orleans and moved back to Texas for medical school.
What draws you to Jewston events?
I enjoy coming to Jewson events because I always feel so welcome. There is always good food too!
What is your favorite Jewish Holiday and why?
My favorite Jewish holiday is Passover because of all the food my dad makes – brisket, matzo ball soup, charoset, and more.
What aspect of Jewston has been most enjoyable this semester?
I enjoy going to Shabbat dinners on Friday nights. I have often attended with Jewish classmates, and it has been a great way
to decompress after a long week of school. We have also had monthly bagel brunches at my school, which is a really nice way
to bring all our Jewish students together.
How do you spend your spare time?
I like to take walks in Hermann Park, play golf, and go out for dinner to try new restaurants in Houston.
What do you study?
I am studying to be a doctor. The first year of medical school has been exciting, and I have most enjoyed my opportunities to work with patients.
What Jewish food brings up a nice memory? What is the memory?
Matzo ball soup brings up so many memories. Enjoying a Passover seder, recovering from a cold, and playing in my temple’s Matzo Ball Classic golf tournament with my dad all come to mind.
If you could bake your ideal challah, what would you put in it?
My ideal challah would be dipped in honey.
Why “do Jewish” as a young adult?
I think it is important to stay connected with the Jewish community as I progress through school. There aren’t many other Jewish students in my class, so it is nice to connect with other Jewish young adults in Houston.
