Student Representatives
Undergraduate Departmental Representatives
The Undergraduate Departmental Representatives serve as a resource and representative for fellow majors and minors and potential majors and minors, and bring student concerns and/or ideas to the program faculty. They also provide feedback to the program chair, undergraduate advising head and faculty regarding scheduling problems, course offerings, etc. and help organize events for majors, minors, and other interested students.
Gabi Chiquiar-Rabinovich is a rising Junior at Brandeis from Brookline, Massachusetts. She is majoring in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and English. Gabi is a co-president of Shira Chadasha, a progressive Orthodox prayer group on campus, and is the communications chair of the Brandeis Orthodox Organization. She is passionate about intersectional Judaic Studies and works at the Hadassah Brandeis Institute. (Ask her about disability and gender in the Hebrew Bible!) You can find her crocheting in the humanities quad, hanging around the Women’s Studies Research Center, and gabbing in Sherman.
Ayelet (she/her) is a senior at Brandeis majoring in NEJS: Bible and Ancient World. Ayelet likes to say that the more ancient the material, the more drawn to it she is. She has a strong passion for what she learns and would love to chat about anything NEJS related, including class recommendations; the fascinating experience of learning religious texts from various differing perspectives; and language learning- especially Hebrew, both Modern and Biblical, though she's been dabbling in Arabic as well. Reach out with any questions about what NEJS has to offer, or just to talk!
Guy is in his second year at Brandeis; he majors in neuroscience and biology, on the pre-med track. Guy was born and raised in Israel and moved to the U.S. in 2020. Some clubs that Guy is a part of are: Mishelanu (an Israeli club that promotes Israeli and Jewish cultural activities) and The American Cancer Society. This year he is also starting a new pre-med club with some fellow students. Feel free to talk to him about anything; he is very interested in sports and movies as well!
Ella is a Junior at Brandeis from Seattle, Washington. She is majoring in Education with minors in Yiddish and East European Jewish Literature and Culture as well as Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. In her free time, Ella can be found hanging out with friends, reading, or practicing with Kaos Kids (Brandeis's premier Hip-Hop dance crew) for any upcoming performances. Ella is excited to connect with other students interested in and passionate about Yiddish and East European Jewish culture. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
Allan is a junior majoring in Economics and Near Eastern & Judaic Studies on the Arabic & Islamic Studies track. Originally from the Bay Area in California, Allan grew up within a cultural melting pot and has loved to immerse himself within new cultures—currently, he is learning Arabic and hopes to travel the Middle East. Outside of his studies, you can find Allan riding his bike for the Brandeis Club Cycling and Triathlon team, going on runs, or trying (and ranking) new restaurants. He is excited to spread his passions and help you excel and find yours!
Dalia (they/he) is a senior majoring in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies and Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and minoring in Arabic Language, Literature, and Culture Studies. On campus, they are a member of SSIS and Brandeis’ Rugby Team. If you have any questions about Arabic Studies please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Graduate Department Representative (GDR)
Graduate Student Representatives are resources for fellow and potential graduate students. They can assist students with learning about the program from an experienced student's perspective, give advice on housing and getting around town or navigating campus, share questions or concerns about being a graduate student, and suggest ideas for promoting social connections with fellow students. They represent NEJS graduate students at the monthly departmental faculty meetings and can share your suggestions or areas of concern.
Carl Weinstein is a PhD student in Jewish Studies. He studies the aftermath of the Holocaust, looking at survivors' lives in DP camps and family formation after the war. His research interests include gender and sexuality. Carl previously earned a BA in Judaic Studies from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.