By Gabriella Gomperts, Features Editor
Born in Miami Beach, Florida, Aliza Feldman (SCW ‘26) is an English major in her junior year at Yeshiva University. She started writing for the YU Observer in the fall 2024 semester, and enjoys cooking, playing sports, running and listening to music in her spare time. She’s passionate about creative writing, Talmud Torah and good food.
What does writing mean to you?
For me, writing is the ultimate form of expression and self discovery. It helps me make sense of my own inner world and what allows me to find my place in the world around me. Finding a way to put my feelings and experiences into words, whether it be in the form of journaling, poetry or rhetoric is so powerful and freeing. There is literally nothing like it.
What do you hope to accomplish with writing?
I really enjoy creative writing and I can see that leading me in a number of possible directions. Right now, I’m not tied to any one particular goal.
What topics are you most passionate about writing about?
In the context of journalism, I often find myself writing about misconstrued societal values and ways that people are swayed by popular opinions or social trends. I think it’s important to reflect on the ways that group thinking can limit individuality and critical thinking, especially in environments like Stern where strong academic and cultural expectations make it feel safer to conform rather than be authentically yourself.
What’s your favorite class you have taken at YU and why?
I’d have to go with Professor Miller’s Introduction to Creative Writing class. That class really inspired me to follow my passion for writing. It was a small group of really great people which made it really conducive to workshopping and it helped me improve my skills immensely.
Why did you choose to attend Yeshiva University?
I love Torah and I love Madda. Win-win.
But on a more serious note, I really did choose YU for the unique opportunity to learn alongside my degree and to be part of a more tight knit community of people who share the same Torah centered values. That is something no other college can really offer.
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?
During my year in Israel, my dad and I traveled to Egypt with no set plans. We only had the bags on our backs and we somehow found our way around. We hiked through Sinai and went snorkeling in the Red Sea.
Which article that you’ve written are you most proud of?
“Why Isn’t Science Cool Anymore?: The Problem with Higher Stem Education.”
This article addresses what I think is a super pressing issue that is specific to the YU community, but also more broadly in the world of higher education. It’s about how we need to rethink what our goals for education really are and make sure that beyond the humanities, all classes are truly embodying those values.
Photo Caption: Aliza Feldman
Photo Credit: Aliza Feldman