The University of Arizona College of Social & Behavioral Sciences6

“I have thoroughly enjoyed every enriching moment that I spent being

a Judaic Studies’ student. ... I will think back on my time there with a smile,

as I believe that it did no less than make me a better, more knowledgeable and hopeful

person, and I thank you all for that.”- Adam Brownstone class of 2012

The Magellan Circle Patron Scholarships

Magellan scholarships are financed by members of the Magellan Circle in the college of SBS. They are awarded to undergraduate students in good standing at the University of Arizona who are majoring in one of the programs offered within SBS. In 2010 and 2011 three Judaic Studies’ students were chosen for this prestigious award. To learn how to become a Magellan Patron, visit sbs.arizona.edu/college/alumni

Dean J.P. Jones (L) and Magellan Circle patron David Stein with Magellan Circle Scholars Tara Malone and Ariel Peret.

2011-2012 GRADUATES

Roni Bar • Sarah Blumberg Michelle Brownstone

Karin Finkelstein • Camille Gan Rachel Honig • Aaron King Dan Sher • Harrison Siskin Elana Weil • Adam Weiner

Ben Benlulu • Adam Brownstone Tara Fleishman • Noah Gan

Ma’yan Maoz • Bryce Megdal Amanda Rothstein • Naomi Schnee

2012 Graduates from left to right: Ma’ayan Maoz, Bryce Megdal, Tara Fleishman, Naomi Schnee & Ben Benlulu.

My Jewish National Fund Alternative Winter Break Experience“By far, my semester at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem was the best

semester of my college career. I made new friends from all over the world.”

- Bryce Megdal class of 2012read more at http://judaic.arizona.edu/about_jus_students

Bryce Medgal ‘12

Judaic Studies Majors & Minors

2012 Magellan Circle Scholar Daniela

Tascarella

The Magellan Circle Scholars for 2012 are Daniela Tascarella and Camille Mathieu.

2011-2012 Eta Beta Rho Hebrew Honor Society Inductees

Roni Bar Ben Benlulu

Sarah Blumberg Michelle Brownstone

Karin Finkelstein Tara Fleishman

Camille Gan Rachel Honig Aaron King

Ma’yan Maoz Bryce Megdal

Amanda Rothstein Naomi Schnee

Dan Sher Harrison Siskin

Elana Weil Adam Weiner

www.judaic.arizona.edu/support Arizona Center for Judaic Studies 7

I graduated from the UA (Honors degree in Near Eastern Studies) in December of 1991. Prior to that, I spent my Junior year studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Bill Dever and Ed Wright were

instrumental in arranging this. Then I went to the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, School of Medicine and graduated in 1997. Upon my return to the States, I did my general Internship at the Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale. Perhaps the most significant and meaningful part of my UA

experience was working with Professor Wright on my Honors Senior Thesis: “Medical Practices of the Ancient Israelites - Biblical and Classical Periods.” It was the first major project that I took by the horns and matured with. Piles of books in my studio apartment; reams of paper; dot matrix printer; late nights … then the “ah ha moment!” I actually had accomplished a major work. And Ed was there the whole way. He was my mentor, confidant, and friend. I owe much to him, particularly the huge sense of accomplishment that I still carry today.

Josef Schwartz

Alumni News

...more Alumni News!Drew Alyeshmerni ‘03 lives in Israel and works for the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.Jesse Downey ‘07 is a Learning Disabilities Specialist at UCLA and serves on the Disabled Students Housing Appeals Board. Karin Finkelstein ‘11 was accepted in UA law school and but deferred for two years in order to teach special education K-8 for Teach for America.Phyllis Kenigsberg ‘10 returned to California and is administrative and programming assistant for Beach Hillel. This year Phyllis and Sarah Langert ‘08 will be representing JUS alumni on an American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee service trip to Argentina. Rachel Kitt ‘05 served on the 2011-1012 Judaic Studies Academic Program Review panel. She is Executive Assistant at the Jewish Federation of San Diego County.Sarah Langert ‘08 After two years as a Campaign Associate at the Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, Sarah joined the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona as the Director of Leadership Development and Public Relations.Gideon Levine ‘08 teaches first grade at The Abraham Joshua Heschel School, a community day school in New York City. This year he will be a computer educator for grades 1-5.Ken Miller ‘09 is currently enrolled in the Judaic Studies’ Graduate Certificate Program. In May Ken was awarded “The 2012 Meritorious Service” award by The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona.Rebecca Missel ‘02 recently formed “Jersey Tribe” an organization that serves young Jewish adults in northern and central New Jersey. Her efforts earned her recognition as one of “36 under 36!” in New York’s Jewish Week. Silas Montgomery ‘08 graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with a Master of Divinity degree. He currently lives and ministers in the Chicago area.David Sclar ‘02 earned an MA in Modern Jewish History at Yeshiva University in New York. He is working on a PhD in History at the City University of New York.Erin Searle ‘07 is the Director of Adult Services and Cultural Arts at the Valley of the Sun JCC in Scottsdale.

Read more about our alumni at judaic.arizona.edu/alumni

“I think each student should walk away from

the program feeling confident that he or

she could engage in an academic conversation

about Judaism, the State of Israel, and more.”

- Phyllis Kenigsberg ‘10

Phyllis Kenigsberg (2nd from left) and friends at the 2011 Tribefest Conference