The Grad Network Advisory Board launched Spring 2022 as a way for graduate students to help shape the Jewish community at Columbia. The Advisory Board has evolved each year and now includes three special committees: Shabbat Committee, Social Committee, and School Ambassadors Committee. Advisory Board members serve on one of the three committees.
The Advisory Board includes students from different Columbia Graduate schools and Teachers College in order to best support students across academic disciplines and departments. Throughout the semester, The Advisory Board meets to provide feedback on current programs, imagine new initiatives, design Shabbat experiences, create social events, examine values guiding Jewish leadership, and build community among each other. We're grateful for their time, ideas, and dedication to strengthening Jewish community at Columbia.
Meet the 2024-2025 Grad Network Advisory Board
School Ambassador Committee Members
Bella Adler
Grad School: Columbia School of Social Work
Hometown(s): St. Louis, Missouri
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I played on my college tennis team and love to watch tennis tournaments.
I like to talk about country music - the new and the classics :)
Eliana Aiken
Grad School: School of International and Public Affairs
Hometown(s): The Bay Area (California)
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I have attended eight schools.
I like to talk about everything!
Esther Rotlevi
Grad School
Hometown(s)
People who meet me might be surprised to learn
I like to talk about
Lily Serber
Grad School: Teachers College, Early Childhood Education
Hometown(s): Los Angeles, California
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I mentored students in Italian High Schools during my study abroad semester in Rome.
I like to talk about travel, philanthropies, and cooking.
Louie Kulber
Grad School: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons / Graduate School of Arts and Sciences MD-PhD Program
Hometown(s): Los Angeles, CA
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I really enjoy cooking (when I have the time!). It’s just like working in lab.
I like to talk about science, medicine, languages, running, and food (will accept any recipe recommendations).
Rebecca Zola
Grad School: PhD Ethnomusicology at GSAS
Hometown(s): Lexington, Massachusetts
People who meet me might be surprised to learn I made aliyah after undergrad, and I split my time between the US and Israel!
I like to talk about food and live music (especially jazz)!
Shabbat Committee Members
Dan Twili
Grad School: PhD Statistics at GSAS
Hometown(s): Randolph, NJ
People who meet me might be surprised to learn I work on machine learning and AI research!
I like to talk about calisthenics, tech, and wild Talmud stories.
Josh Sussman
Grad School: Mailman School of Public Health/ MHA
Hometown(s): Glencoe, IL
People who meet me might be surprised to learn I speak fluent Spanish.
I like to talk about Israel, cooking/ food, dogs.
Noam Brenner
Grad School: School of International and Public Affairs, MPA
Hometown(s): Montclair NJ
People who meet me might be surprised to learn I was a beatboxer in an a capella group in college.
I like to talk about politics, what TV shows I am watching, and sports.
Rebecca Sklar
Graduate School Program: Columbia School of Social Work
Hometown(s): Oakland, CA
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I was a professional jazz singer before graduate school.
I like to talk about making friends, popular anime, and romance novels.
Social Committee Members
Kiersen Mather
Graduate School Program: Law School
Hometown: Richmond, VA
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I love rollerblading.
I like to talk about hiking!
Lauren Goldberg
Graduate School Program: School of International and Public Affairs; International Security Policy
Hometown: Paris, France & Palo Alto, California
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I have an identical twin sister.
I like to talk about movies & sitcoms, NYC restaurants, and book recommendations!
Lauren Goldsamt
Grad School: Columbia School of Social Work
Hometown(s): Great Neck, NY
People who meet me might be surprised to learn I have a twin.
I like to talk about philosophy, music, and national parks.
Rachel Radosh
Grad School: Masters in Curriculum and Teaching, Teachers College
Hometown(s): Reading, PA
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that Taylor Swift grew up in my hometown!
I like to talk about the app Beli & food recommendations, shopping, TV shows and NYC!