52 | FEBRUARY 16 • 2023
T
his January, six undergraduate
students were selected to lead
University of Michigan Hillel as
members of the Undergraduate Governing
Board. This term’s student board are Sari
Rosenberg (’25), Greta Loewenthal (’25),
Jacob Ellenbogen (’25), Noah Volin (’25),
Jamie Feldman (’25) and Mia Hirsch (’25).
Each one of these leaders brings a
different perspective to the board based
on their previous involvement, personal
interests and Jewish life. This year, two
of our board members, Mia Hirsch and
Jacob Ellenbogen, have Metro Detroit to
thank for helping to shape their Jewish
identity.
Jacob and Mia grew up very engaged
in the Detroit Jewish community from
Jewish day school to involvement with
youth group to summer camp. These
impactful programs helped them to
realize that once at college, the need to
find Jewish community was extremely
important.
As a member of Temple Israel, Mia
became active in youth group where she
served on the executive board for two
years. She admits, “I have been so lucky
to have these experiences through my
synagogue and it’s why I’m on a path to
become a rabbi!”
Not too far away in Birmingham,
Jacob has been a poster child for USY
where he served in leadership roles at the
chapter, regional and international level.
He currently works for USY as a regional
intern. “I sincerely hope that I can one
day give back to this community just a
fraction of what they have given me. It’s
why I’ve stayed engaged with USY and
now with Hillel,” Jacob says.
Spending summers away from home
readied them for college life. Mia spent
many summers at Tamarack Camps,
whereas Jacob spent many summers at
Camp Tamakwa. While each camp is
unique in its own regard, it did prepare
them to take on new challenges, develop
new skills and push them to create
community. That is exactly what Mia and
Jacob are doing at Hillel now.
“I knew right away that I wanted to
become involved at Hillel,” Mia says. “I
was looking to replicate the connection to
the Jewish community I had back home
because it’s been so important to me.”
According to Jacob, “Because of my
experiences, Judaism isn’t just my religion,
it’s my culture and heritage and something
I am extremely proud of, and I want to
help create that here.”
Now as leaders at Hillel they both
continue to make an impact. Mia has
for college students by college students
Feb. 16, 2023/ 25 Shevat 5783
University of Michigan Hillel
Installs New Undergraduate
Governing Board
Sean Morgan } jewish@edu writer
Rachel Shulkin,
Mia Hirsch,
Miles Hirsch and
Estee Moss