CJL Board

Alex Paley is a Junior in A&S who (finally) is majoring in Computer Science and minoring in History. After adding CJL Treasurer to his already impressive resume (the invention of the 1/8th Nelson, winning against a brick wall in Tennis, etc), he is back and hoping to lead the CJL community out of the Covid period and into greatness. If there are any questions regarding anything CJL, he can always be reached by email and sometimes by phone.  

On a complicated Tuesday morning in Washington DC, Gidon Amsellem arrived in this world smiling and ready to get moving. In the warm, dry air of his hometown Los Angeles, he has grown into a somewhat larger, yet still compact child, and still smiles and is ready to get moving – especially on Tuesdays. You can often find him in the CJL House practicing martial arts in the communal space, loudly playing his saxophone, Lorraine, talking to Alex Paley about president stuff, or happily entertaining his best friend, Shani Kasdan, with whom he shares a close intelligence and maturity level. He attended YULA (Yeshiva University of Los Angeles) and spent a gap year at Yehivat Orayta in the Old City of Jerusalem. He is currently a Biology major on the pre-med track in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is a full-blooded, Moroccan-Iranian Sephardic Jew, so he is definitely wearing Tzitzit, even though you cannot see them.

Elliot Meyers is a senior in CALS majoring in plant sciences, concentrating in plant breeding and genetics. Like 1/3 of the Cornell population, he is from Westchester County, New York. He is passionate about plants, people, hiking, memes, and science, but most importantly, he cares deeply about Judaism and the CJL. He also loves talking to prospective, incoming, and new Cornell students and helping them get to know the community! Although he is a person who really likes food, he’d rather be a plant, getting most of his food from photosynthesis. Since this is not yet possible for humans, he is content just eating lots of human food. If you’re ever looking for Elliot, listen for the sounds of a flock of Canadian geese, as he is probably with them. He also says the word “Yeet” a lot for whatever reason. Elliot is excited to serve as one of the Vice Presidents of Communications for the CJL for his third year. Feel free to contact him with any questions about the CJL or Cornell in general.

Eli Kolodezh is a junior in CALS studying Biometry and Statistics and also getting a Business minor for some absurd reason. He enjoys playing piano, reading boring history books, and generally existing in his room. He is excited to be on the CJL board as a VP-Comm in order to work together with his fellow board members to improve the CJL and enhance Jewish life at Cornell. Please feel free to contact him with any questions about the CJL.

David Sommer is honored to serve with Rivkah Shoshana Ben Sorek on the illustrious CJL Board as Vice Presidents of Religious Programming. He looks forward to a successful term meeting the needs of the community and planning/executing fantastic events and learning opportunities (COVID compliant of course). While he misses the good ol' pre-COVID days, he is reminded that EVERY day is a bracha and that the good parts of life are still great: 104 West! food is still the best, learning Torah is still rewarding, time with friends is still enjoyable, PT is still exciting, and the CJL community still brings much joy to its many enthusiastic and devoted members. David Sommer is a student in the School of Industrial Labor Relations, a highly motivated member of the Cornell Reserve Officer Training Corp, a dining Hashgacha manager, a member of the Cornell Political Union, brother of six, and most importantly Vice President of Religious Programming. Please reach out to him with any questions, ideas, or general comments about religious programming. 

Benjamin Rudoy, or as he is affectionately called in the CJL “Rudeboy”, is a sophomore Biological Sciences major in CALS (and before you ask, yes he is Pre-Med).  As a responsible hyper capitalist Cornell student, he is also a business minor.  Outside of class, he can be found either in the CJL basement, where he often plays Madden 18 with enough ‘enthusiasm’ to tear open large beanbags, or in his room, where he chants loudly as he watches his favorite hockey team, the New York Rangers or his favorite soccer team, Tottenham Hotspur.  You can also easily find him hopping around campus playing air drums to his all-time favorite band Rush or whistling to the catchy tunes of the Beatles.  Though Rudeboy is a passionate fan of unbelievable sports teams and great music, he is willing to put those passions aside for at least a couple of hours a week to serve as one of the CJL treasurers and help make the CJL a more fun and inviting community.

Mati Lancewicki is a freshman studying Business, and he is excited to be one of the CJL treasurers in the upcoming year. Feel free to reach out to him with any questions.

Benj Austin is a sophomore in ILR majoring in Religious Studies (he’s just as confused about how that works as you are) and desperately trying out all number of classes for a double major. Before coming to Cornell he took a gap year in Orayta followed by Shana Bet at Binghamton, but he finally made his way over to the Tzfat of Upstate New York, Ithaca. When Benj is not doing work for class, which contrary to popular belief non-engineers do have, he can be found doing anything outside, watching, listening or reading comedy or just looking for the next big thing to do. He can’t wait to make the CJL the best it can be. For any questions regarding possible bookings or meetings you can reach his assistant at (240) 535-0953.

Hodaya Propp is a junior majoring in Applied and Engineering Physics and minoring in Music. In her "spare time," she writes poetry, sings, plays piano, and rock climbs. Before coming to Cornell, she took a gap year at Migdal Oz. You can find her by following the sounds of cackling high-pitched laughter and snorting. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you have about the CJL or Cornell!