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 2025-2026 Grad Network Advisory Board
School Ambassador Committee Members
Esther Rotlevi
Grad School: Neuroscience PhD, General School of Arts & Sciences
Hometown(s): Queens, NY
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I make a mean shakshuka.
I like to talk about cooking, the nature of reality, all things Jewish,
Joel Tillman
Grad School: Teachers College, Applied Linguistics
Hometown(s): Philadelphia, PA
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I lived overseas for 2 1/2 years and earned my first M.A. in Hong Kong.
I like to talk about music with strong vocals and video games.
Joey Levine
Grad School: School of International and Public Affairs
Hometown(s): Port Washington, NY
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that as a baby, my likeness was used for the cover of a romance novel.
I like to talk about DJ sets, books, Israel, and basketball.
Leora Segal
Grad School: College of Dental Medicine
Hometown(s):
People who meet me might be surprised to learn
I like to talk about
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.
Noam Shapiro
Grad School: School of International and Public Affairs, MPA in Environmental Science & Policy
Hometown(s): Upper West Side, New York City
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I am a professional theater director and producer. I founded two theater companies and have directed 12 professional shows!
I like to talk about performing arts, politics, literature, Israel, Judaism, climate change, and cooking.
Rachel Araten
Graduate School Program: Teachers College, Early Childhood Education
Hometown(s): Murray Hill, NYC
People who meet me might be surprised to learn I grew up on top of a hospital
I like to talk about Arts & Crafts, DIY projects, Trader Joe's, and Museums
Sarah Shapiro
Graduate School Program: M.S. Sustainability Science
Hometown(s): Rockville, Maryland
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I've run two marathons.
I like to talk about clean transportation, recycling, and anything else climate and sustainability-related.
Zev Grossman
Graduate School Program: Teachers College
Hometown(s): Ridgefield, CT and Mill Valley, CA
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I am a total nerd!
I like to talk about everything.
Social Committee Members
Eylam Tagor
Graduate School Program: M.S. in Computer Science
Hometown(s): Hod HaSharon, Israel and Sunnyvale, California
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I play competitive Pokemon and I was once globally ranked top 10 in one of the formats.
I like to talk about any movies, reggaeton, jazz bars, college football, and architecture.
Genevieve Krieger
Graduate School Program: School of International and Public Affairs; MPA- Development Practice
Hometown(s): Boca Raton, FL
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I did ballet for 16 years.
I like to talk about tennis, traveling, interior design, and The West Wing.
Jara Grossman
Grad School: Columbia School of Social Work
Hometown(s): Miami, FL and Teaneck, NJ
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I carry a sketchbook almost everywhere, just in case
I like to talk about art, kickboxing, and which Jewish holiday has the best food (it's a tough call)!
Roni Matza
Grad School: Columbia Business School, MBA
Hometown(s): Tel Aviv, Israel
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I don't sound Israeli, I worked on The Amazing Race Israel, and I served in the IDF for 2 years!
I like to talk about film & TV, arts!