With the presidential elections in full swing, it is only fitting that the Stern student council elections were held this past Tuesday, May 10th. Students had the chance to run for positions on Torah Activities Council (TAC), Stern College for Women Student Council (SCWSC), and Syms School of Business Student Council (SYMSSC). This year, both TAC and SCWSC are creating new positions for their councils. Below are brief biographies of the winning candidates and what they hope they hope to accomplish this coming year.
SCWSC
Lizzi Peled – I’m running for SCWSC President because I love Stern and think it has a lot to offer, but I also believe there are a lot of areas where it can improve. My main goal is to build up the community at Stern and make sure students feel that they have a voice on campus. I would also like to encourage more school-wide events and work with the YC student councils to bring the two campuses closer together. I know sometimes Stern students feel slighted or unwelcome at Wilf and I think it’s important for everyone to feel at home on both campuses.
Miriam Pearl – My name is Miriam Pearl Klahr and I feel very privileged for the many opportunities I have been afforded at YU over the past two years. I appreciate many different aspects of Stern College, but my favorite part is the exploration of ideas that takes place inside and outside the classroom. As SCWSC vice president of Academic Affairs. I look forward to working on perpetuating and improving the events of the current Academic clubs. I also hope to act as a liaison, expressing the frustrations and suggestions of the student body to the administration so that we can all work to ensure the best academic experience for the students of Stern.
Carly Friedman – I am running for VP of Clubs for SCWSC! I love this school, and love all of the opportunities it has given me, especially allowing me to branch out socially, academically, and religiously through clubs and extracurriculars offered. As VP, I hope to provide a friendly face and a helping hand to students, both new and old, to ensure that every student takes advantage of the wonderful opportunities offered here, just like I was able to!
Esther Montrose – I’m running for treasurer of SCWSC because I love all the activities, programming, and other things that go on at Stern, and I’d love to be involved in making them happen. This is my first year at Stern so initially, I didn’t want to commit to being involved in to many things because of the time commitment. But now that I’m understanding my schedule, I am ready, able, and wanting to become as involved as I can, and I think that student council is a great way for me to do this.
Shayna Michalowski – I’m running for PR Secretary of SCWSC. I wanted to be more involved on campus, especially in extracurricular activities. Not only do I enjoy participating in these activities, but it is a great way to meet people. Also, I thought it would be fun to be a part of the committee which is responsible for making things happen on campus. I know everybody who is running for SCWSC will do a fantastic job, so I know it will be a great committee to be a part of.
SYMS
Deena Fuchs – Up until this year, my life was like the famous song by Rihanna “Work”: work work work work work, and nothing else that was significant. I realized that I needed to change it up, to move on from my daily Syms routine of work, sushi salads, and group projects—I needed a spark. I joined the Business Leadership Club and realized that holding an executive board position enabled me to actually do something really special within the Syms world. I was helping people get internships, giving advice to new students, and making new Syms friends.
Avicii said it best, “all this time I was finding myself, and I didn’t know I was lost.” It was this realization, that I could make a real difference and have a say in the wide world of Syms, that pushed me to keep moving forward in the Syms world.
Well, we are finally at election time and I am saying “Hello from the other side.” I am very excited about becoming Syms president, and I hope that in this position I can foster a fun environment while still helping students find the spark in their daily routines, similar to how I found mine. With the position I hope to bring fun and excitement to school-wide activities. There’s only one question left to answer: Are you Dee? Because I’m Dee, and as Hannah Montana once taught me, “Life’s what you make it, so let’s make it rock!”
Tess Blaustein- Syms Vice President
TAC
Hudy Rosenberg- I’m running for TAC president. After having been on TAC this past year (serving as treasurer), I’ve really become increasingly invested in the campus community. I hope that I’ll be able to build on my experience and continue to contribute to the atmosphere and programming at YU. One thing that is specifically important to me is working to create a cohesive community that has a place for anyone to feel comfortable. I hope to not just contribute to the community but to encourage others to be active members as well. And, of course, I’m looking forward to an incredible year of exciting programming and events.
Jennifer van Amerongen – I’m a junior and I’m running for TAC vice president of Shabbat. Since my start at Stern College, I’ve been passionate about helping build and strengthen our community—a unique, diverse, and large one. This year I served as co-president of the Beit Midrash Committee to help work on that goal. Now, I am running for this position to continue working with TAC on building the Beren community, specifically with a focus on Shabbat.
Shabbat is a time that revolves around the idea of community—from tefilla, to tisches, panels, kiddush, games, and even just chilling. As a member of TAC, I hope to contribute to building the Beren community, ensuring fun events and meaningful programming. I have few ideas in mind: I would like to try to figure out ways to ensure we have a minyan more often for Shabbat davening so that we can come together for communal tefilla in our own Beit Midrash instead of having to walk as guests to a shul in the area. Additionally, to help build a warmer community, I thought of the idea of “dorm meals.” Maybe a few times a semester, students would have the option to sign up for Shabbat meals that are hosted in smaller groups in different dorm lounges to help students meet new people and enjoy a smaller group feel. Some other ideas include some more “chill programming” throughout Shabbat, which oftentimes can feel a little over-programmed for students looking for a relaxing Shabbat in. Also, I’d like to try and get better food at Kiddush and to try and make Shabbat tickets more affordable for students who stay in often. As a TAC member, I hope to be a part of planning great school-wide events and programming from fun chagigas to thought-provoking speakers.
Bethia Gindi – I’m running for VP of speakers because I think Stern should be a place everyone feels comfortable religiously. So, if I win in this election, I would bring in speakers that reflect everyone that is at this school in a religious sense. Nobody should feel like they don’t belong in the Stern community and, if I am elected to TAC, I would try my hardest to make sure everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves religiously here.
Ziona Isaacs – I’m running for TAC public relations secretary. In a school that asks Y U, I will tell u why me. Coming into Stern, I was looking forward to having the unique opportunity to take Jewish classes in college. However, from my past two years here, I found out that Stern is not just a college that offers Jewish classes. Stern is a unique institution that promotes an environment in which our Judaism is able to be infused into our college life. My plan is to take that synthesis to the next level! Bringing more passion, excitement, student wide involvement, and fun is how I plan to maximize our potential and improve our Jewish life on campus. We fortunately have amazing resources and incredible minds, we could put them together to better our religious experience and I want to make that happen.
As TAC PR Secretary I will try my best to make sure that everyone’s ideas are heard and that everyone is informed on TAC’s amazing religious opportunities. I want to work on creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to connect with one another. I want to create an atmosphere where everyone can contribute and be involved in their own personal, as well as our communal religious growth. I can’t do this alone and I want to work with you to infuse your Judaism into college life. Together, me, you and the rest of our student body can bring TAC to the next level and ultimately enjoy and benefit from the one of a kind religious experience here at Stern. I’m ready to make TAC and our Jewish life on campus Z-best!
Ilana Karp – I’m running for TAC Treasurer. I love being involved on campus, and I want to be involved in helping to create different kinds of programs. There are many different people on the Beren Campus with many unique and amazing ideas for programs, and I want to help bring those programs to fruition.
Rebekah Khakshoor – I’m running for Senior Class President. I’m running because I’m very qualified for the position, I was VP of the Sophomore class and I’m currently President of the Junior Class. In addition, I think I know/have what it takes to make student life even more amazing for senior year and for students to engage in activities like we had this year such as trivia night, ice skating in Bryant Park, and going to a Knicks game at MSG.
Talya Menashe- Senior Class Vice President
Hanna Chicheportiche- Junior Class President
Jori Holloway – Junior Class Vice President