After two and a half years as campus couple, Esty (Rollhaus) (SCW’10) and Jonathan Schwab (YC’11) have decided to leave the position at the end of the semester. The couple will be moving to Washington Heights as part of Jonathan’s new position with the Wilf Campus Office of University Housing and Residence Life. Esty will be a second-year resident in Psychiatry at Montefiore. Esty and Jonathan (or Schwab, as he is more commonly known) met at an Honors dinner during orientation of their first undergraduate year, but, as Esty adds, they “really got to know each other (this is true!) through Shabbatot at Beren.”
Observer: When you reflect on your experience as campus couple, what thoughts come to mind?
We are very thankful to the Office of Student Life for giving us this tremendous opportunity, and very thankful to the many students who partnered with us to enhance this community. We were here for almost three years, and there were so many great people we worked with – from the administration and from the student body – some who’ve moved on and some who are still doing amazing work.
O: What was the most challenging aspect of the job?
We always tried to balance the needs of all the constituencies of the Beren Campus, which is important, but maybe more challenging than it seems. There are a lot of different types of students with different types of concerns, and trying to create an experience that caters to everyone is hard enough – doing that at the same time as also working toward a cohesive and inclusive community is even more challenging. This is probably also the most important part of the job, but definitely pretty challenging.
O: What was the most rewarding aspect of the job?
Working with students was absolutely the most rewarding part of the job, on two levels. Talking to students, sharing our experiences, and giving advice – that was all enjoyable and felt great, especially when we could really help someone. Even more rewarding, though, were the many times that we were inspired or awed but what students did or how they acted.
Esty: It was an amazing opportunity to meet and get to know so many different types of students. We met far more students than we knew in our college experiences, and a much more diverse group of them.
O: How do you view the role and responsibility of the campus couple?
Our mission as campus couple was twofold. One was to provide a ‘home’ for students on Shabbos- a place where they felt accepted and comfortable- and were able to experience Shabbos in a way that was meaningful and rejuvenating. The other was to inspire students to become active partners in creating this ‘home’ or community. We helped strengthen the Shabbat Enhancement Committee, a group of students who worked with us and the Office of Student Life to create student-driven programming. We believe this is an important part of your informal Jewish education because soon you will be members of communities that you will build with your peers and it is important to start thinking about community-building and acquiring those skills as an undergraduate.
O: How do you think you brought a unique “Esty and Schwab” flavor to the job?
We think we incorporated our own personalities through some of the programs where we channeled our interests – “Schweopardy,” Classic movies on Saturday nights, Stay to Play, various games in the park. This was good, because (as we say below) we always felt like we wanted to be enjoying the job ourselves, and also because we thought it was important for students to see us and relate to us as real people. Just like everyone else, we have things we really like and enjoy.
O: What will you miss the most about the job?
We’ll miss the students most, for sure. There were a lot of great benefits and experiences, but nothing can compare to the students. We hope we can stay in touch with so many of the students we got to know, because those relationships were really special to us.
O: What were some of the highlights of your experience as campus couple?
There were so many highlights.
Esty: One story in particular that stands out was Megillah reading our first Purim at Beren. A group of women worked really hard at preparing the leining, and did a beautiful job. One student who came to hear Megillah was late and missed a lot of it – and without thinking about it, all those who leined stayed to read it again just for the one student, giving up the chance to enjoy a lot of the chagigah themselves. It was such a beautiful moment that speaks so much to the amazing women here.
Schwab: I really enjoyed speaking on Shabbat morning, mostly because of the comments I received afterward. Sure, it’s nice when people tell you they like what you say, but what I really enjoyed was when students had more to say – either agreeing or disagreeing – about the ideas I discussed. I hope that I can find a way to continue to have really interesting discussions about the parsha, about Modern Orthodoxy, and about the college experience.
O: How were you able to balance this job with your other full-time jobs?
We were able to balance it because we enjoyed it. This idea came up at probably every Oneg and “Shmooze with the Schwabs,” but we both really believe in doing things that you love. It was enjoyable, so it never felt like a second job.
O: How has the experience changed you? How will it continue to impact you as you move forward?
It’s made us both realize more of the diversity of the YU and Modern Orthodox communities; and that’s not just diversity in terms of background, but also strengths and interests. There are so many truly great people around us, and we’re so thankful we got to know so many of them.
In addition to getting to know so many students, it was really great to speak with so many of the guests who come. We really get the best and brightest to join us for Shabbat, and it was so interesting to hear their ideas and answer their questions about Yeshiva University.
O: What do you think the YU community should do to continue to strengthen the on-campus Shabbos experience?
First, realize that it’s yours – yours to experience, yours to shape, yours to improve if that’s what you want. There are so many ways to get involved, from giving divrei Torah to waitressing to being on the Shabbat Enhancement Committee, leading an Oneg, running a chaburah or activity. So don’t sit on the sidelines (to quote a dvar Torah from a couple of weeks ago). If you have an idea or want something to happen, get involved and work on it.
Also, get to know other people and understand what they’re looking to get out of Shabbat and college. Shabbat is such a great time to sit with friends and catch up, but it’s also a great time to meet new people. Don’t miss that opportunity.