CJL Board 2020!
Hodaya Propp is a sophomore 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!
Samson Karben is a junior in CALS majoring in Biological Engineering. No, this does not mean he can make you a cyborg. Yet. In the luxurious free time engineers have, a whopping few minutes, he enjoys reading, YouTube and tending to his plants. He is honored and excited to serve as President on this esteemed board. Please feel free to reach out to him for questions, concerns, memes, recommendations, advice, plant props, etc.
Elliot Meyers is a sophomore in CALS majoring in plant sciences, hoping to concentrate 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. 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. Elliot is excited to serve as one of the Vice Presidents of Communications for the CJL for his second year. Feel free to contact him with any questions about the CJL or Cornell in general.
Gidon Amsellem was born on a Tuesday. In his spare time you will find him in his bathrobe playing Lorraine, his saxophone, running an illegal, definitely not up to sanitary codes barber shop in the frigid Ithaca air, outside of 104West! Multicultural Dining Hall, or perhaps entertaining his best friend, Shani Kasdan. He comes from a far away land, a LaLaLand, where he attended YULA (Yeshiva University of Los Angeles). He later spent a gap year at Yehivat Orayta in the Old City of Jerusalem and is currently a Biology major 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.
Sarah Smart is one of the lucky few who can be considered both an in-towner and an out-of-towner, since she proudly hails from Stamford, CT and attended SAR for high school. Contrary to common belief that she is majoring in Shakespeare, Sarah is a yet-undeclared freshman in Arts & Sciences and is open to hearing about any classes that don’t involve math. When not playing with the Ress children, Sarah can be found walking around campus, trying to find the best study spot and enjoying all the Gorges-ness that Ithaca has to offer. She is very excited to serve as Vice President of Religious Programming and can’t wait for an amazing year.
Alex Paley is a sophomore in A&S who is currently undeclared. Just kidding, he is studying History. Actually, now we’re getting reports of Computer Science? His experience in the gap year program ERETZ! has taught him to persevere, recycle profile pictures, and to always take on the next biggest challenge. Infamous in high school for his invention of the “1/8th nelson” and for beating a brick wall in tennis, Alex decided to take on the next biggest challenge and run for CJL board. Alex can always be found on his couch in the second floor of the CJL either laughing with friends, or bemoaning the future. Usually, both at the same time. If anybody has any questions regarding CJL finances, contact him on Facebook. Actually, his co-treasurer would probably be more than happy to hear from you.
Matthew Samilow is a sophomore majoring in Industrial and Labor Relations. He is from Weston, Florida and attended the Weinbaum Yeshiva High School. When not dealing with the awesome responsibilities associated with his office, he is most likely on Twitter or rewatching Breaking Bad. He is excited to be serving on the CJL Board for his second time and invites you to contact him with any questions you may have about the CJL or Cornell.
Benjamin Rudoy, or as he is affectionately called in the CJL “Rudeboy”, is a freshman 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 Vice President of Social Programming and help make the CJL a more fun and inviting community.