In summer 2024, the Impact Office at the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought provided grants to several students with internships in Jewish advocacy, fostering a new generation of leaders dedicated to both public service and Jewish values. Here we include a snapshot of some of their activities.
Matthew Minsk (YC ‘26), a Straus Scholar, interned at the Anti-Defamation League through The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) Academic Internship Program. At the ADL, Minsk worked on a book proposal for Vice President of Antisemitism Research Matt Williams, synthesizing recent quantitative data on antisemitism. His research explored how conspiracy theories foster prejudice and intersect with rising antisemitism, drawing from scholars like Karen M. Douglas and Michał Bilewicz. His experience enhanced his narrative skills in presenting research on complex social issues to a general audience, learning from works like Bari Weiss's How to Fight Anti-Semitism and Christopher Blattman's Why We Fight. His work, combining academic research with advocacy, sharpened his understanding of how Jewish advocacy can be more effectively communicated.
The students below were placed in their roles through the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Government Advocacy or International Advocacy Internship Programs:
Gavriel Factor served with Assemblymember Chantel Jackson’s district office, focusing on legislative and constituent services. His research contributed to the drafting of a bill addressing mental health issues in the Bronx, a key concern in the district. Factor reflects that his role also provided an opportunity to be a positive Jewish presence in a diverse community, representing Jewish values while addressing broader social issues.
Lisa Silver interned with Councilmember Farah Louis’s office. In her role, she documented constituents' concerns and coordinated solutions with city agencies. Her standout contribution involved drafting a letter to the New York City Department of Design and Construction to address concerns over water shutoffs impacting Shabbat preparations in Jewish neighborhoods. Her work highlighted the importance of Jewish advocacy in government and the role Jewish professionals play in ensuring communal needs are addressed at local levels.
Mijal Gutierrez interned with Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia’s office in the Bronx, where she managed constituent cases, assisted with community-wide events, and conducted legislative research. As a native Spanish speaker in a largely Hispanic district, she frequently served as a translator, helping bridge the communication gap between constituents and the office. Gutierrez noted that empathy was key to her work—sometimes listening and offering support was just as important as finding immediate solutions. She emphasized how her Jewish identity and values guided her actions in a largely non-Jewish environment.
Naomi Rose spent her summer working with the New York Secretary of State’s office, conducting legal research on reciprocity and notary laws. She had the opportunity to present a court case in front of an administrative law judge and draft a settlement for the Division of Licensing Services. Rose also received valuable mentorship from Jack Kliger, President and CEO of the Jewish Heritage Museum. Her legal work, coupled with her mentorship, offered firsthand experience in navigating public policy with a focus on Jewish advocacy.
Avraham Frohlich interned with the American Red Cross, working on a project surveying college students’ perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict. His team gathered responses from over 100 universities in 11 countries, using the data to inform a presentation to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Frohlich’s work focused on facilitating productive dialogue on the conflict and ensuring college campuses remain welcoming environments for students. His experience reinforced the importance of understanding and engaging with diverse viewpoints on challenging global issues.
These internships offered students practical skills in research, communication, and problem-solving, while allowing them to integrate their Jewish values into public service. Through their roles, these students made a meaningful impact in both the Jewish community and the broader society. All of the grant recipients attested to the profound value of opportunities like these for students who aim to be voices for the Jewish community and contribute to American society, and expressed their gratitude to the Straus Center for its support.
