Hillel Faces

Serena

Rabbi Serena Fujita was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the Reform Movement's seminary. Her first year of seminary was spent in Jerusalem and her four stateside years were at the New York campus. During her seminary studies, she worked as an intern for the Reform Movement's Commission on Interreligious Affairs and was the student rabbi in East Liverpool, Ohio and Woodlands Community Temple in White Plains, New York. She also worked as a student chaplain at New York Presbyterian Hospital for a summer. One of her main interests has been interfaith communication, and she participated in several ongoing dialogues with seminarians from many different faith communities.

Before entering the rabbinate, Serena was a Montessori School teacher. She taught in the elementary program at the Shrewsbury Montessori School and before that at the Cambridge Montessori School. Serena was also the director of the pre-school programs for Boston Community Schools. She has two grown sons, Ross and Craig, who reside in the Boston area, but will pop up on the Bucknell campus from time to time.

Sarah Block

Hi! My name is Sarah Block and I'm a member of the class of 2011. I'm from Sharon, Massachusetts, a town about 25 minutes south of Boston, and I am a History and Spanish double major. Since the day I applied to Bucknell, I knew that the Hillel community was one that I wanted to be a part of.

I was very active in the New England Region of USY (United Synagogue Youth) during high school, and it is because of that involvement that I knew that I wanted to be a part of Jewish life on my college's campus. I was looking for a place where I would immediately feel a sense of belonging, and since the accepted students overnight, I have felt completely at home in the Hillel community; it is welcoming, tight-knit, and though I have only been on campus for one semester, the Berelson center and Bucknell Hillel have become a second home to me. From Friday night dinners to guest speakers and trips, Hillel has many great opportunities to meet other Jewish students, learn a little, and even share a few laughs. So far, Hillel has been an important aspect of my college experience, and I know that it will continue to be in the future. I'm so excited to be a member of the board for 2008, and I'm looking forward to an awesome year!

Lindsay Machen

Hi there! My name is Lindsay Machen and I am Friday Night Dinner Coordinator here at Bucknell Hillel. One of my first experiences at both Bucknell and Hillel was at the Accepted Student's Weekend in April 2007 of my senior year. As part of the weekend activities aimed at introducing accepted students to the campus, Hillel sponsored an overnight. I can truthfully say that the reason I am at Bucknell is because of my experiences at Hillel that weekend. Coming into a college setting and attempting to determine whether I could see myself on campus was daunting but Bucknell Hillel made the decision seem simple. The warmth and conviviality I felt upon entering the door convinced me of both the student involvement and pride felt at Hillel. After the service and dinner I knew that I would be back. Through Hillel, I have an outlet and a means of expressing my religion—it's always a comfort to come into the chapel on Friday nights and hear familiar prayers. Service have made me feel comfortable and helped me acclimate to both Bucknell and college. Where else can you get a home cooked meal on a Friday night and spend time with people who share the same faith? Hillel has become one of my favorite places on campus both to socialize, eat, pray, relax, do laundry, and take pride in being Jewish.

Adam Anderson

Hi. My name is Adam Andersen and I hail from Albany, NY. I entered Bucknell as a Mechanical Engineer and have since become an Engineering and Management dual degree student. Aside from the academics of college, it was my goal to become very involved in organizations on campus. I am a member of Chi Phi Fraternity, I play intramural sports, and am the Vice President of Engineers Without Borders.

I was also an active member of Hillel. As a Jewish student at a very small university, I knew that the only way to maintain at least a semi-religious lifestyle would be involvement in Hillel. I participated in various Hillel events in my first year, but as I rising sophomore, I became Vice President of Education. I am now taking an even more active role as President and I am looking forward to a great year of improvements and steps forward for Hillel.

Greg Wagner

Hey, welcome to the Hillel website! My name is Greg Wagner and I am the Social Vice President of Hillel. I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and I am a Neuroscience major. In addition to my involvement in Hillel, I am very involved in other aspects of the Bucknell campus community. I am the Station Manager for 90.5WVBU, Bucknell's radio station, I am the Alumni Liaison on the Inter Fraternity Council, and I am an active member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. In my free time I like to play intramural sports and volunteer to tutor Hebrew in Williamsport.

All throughout my childhood I attended URJ Camp Harlam, which helped me develop a strong Jewish identity early in life. Bucknell Hillel has allowed me the opportunity to continue to practice Judaism and discover what it really means to me. Over the past semester, I have been working hard along with the other board members to create new, innovative programming to reach out to new membership while maintaining the interest of Hillel regulars.

Aaron Cravez

Hi! My name is Aaron Cravez and I am in the class of 2010 here at Bucknell. I am from Anchorage, AK and I came to this school with the intention of being an engineer and now I am an International Relations Major. I have been always been an avid cyclist and am currently the President of Bucknell Cycling.

During my high school years I was president of my youth group and involved with NFTY and BBYO. I spent a semester studying in Israel on NFTY's EIE program and went to conventions and conferences across the country. Arriving at Bucknell I found a small, close-knit community, where I could feel comfortable practicing my Judaism. I quickly learned that there are actually far more opportunities available then I had expected. Aside from simply going to services and eating Shabbat dinner on Friday night, I also have been able to volunteer to tutor Hebrew to kids at a synagogue in Williamsport. I've even been able to meet up with some of my old friends and meet some new ones by going to conventions in California and in Texas. I am currently the Vice President of Social and Religious Action for Bucknell Hillel and this organization has provided me with countless opportunities to further my Judaism in any why I like.

Joshua Steinberg

Hi. My name is Joshua Steinberg and I am a member of the class of 2010. I am from Setauket, New York. I entered the University as an undecided engineer but have since declared Mechanical Engineering as my major. I play on the club ice hockey team and have spent many a Friday night at the Berelson Center. Ever since entering the University, I have felt a commitment to revitalizing the Jewish community on campus and being an active member of Hillel. Bucknell Hillel has provided me with a home away from home to socialize and engage in personal reflection and religious thought. I have found through my first half of my college career that Hillel is a great place to spend time with friends, make new ones, strengthen your Jewish identity and have fun!

last updated - 2008 May 09