The Life and Times of JC

It was an early, 4 am to be exact, Thursday morning when Campus Coordinator Jonathan 'JC' Cohen began his 4 week campus tour. His first stop was Brandeis University, his alma mater. Walking through his old stopping grounds, JC met with Hasbara Fellows Jennifer Bieber '09 and Jason Lustig '07. Old memories and great leaders fused together for some great activism planned for Brandeis this semester.



Spending the night overlooking the Mass Turnpike, Boston really has everything; JC split his day between Northeastern, Boston University, and MIT. Meeting with leaders on campus, Northeastern's Samantha Lemansky '10 and Dana Shulsinger '09 are already putting together sessions for Israel by the Book, Hasbara's 8 week Israel crash course. Israel by the Book is set to make its Boston debut during the Spring Semester! Jonathan had the pleasure of having Shabbat dinner with MIT students at the MIT Hillel. Joined by MIT Students for Israel president Stephen Fried '09, Jonathan presented the vision and goals of Hasbara Fellowships to over 50 students. Spending the rest of his Shabbat at Harvard, JC experienced Shabbat through the eyes of many Jewish college students in Boston.



Motzei Shabbat Jonathan hopped unto the Mass Turnpike making his way for UMASS-Amherst. Enjoying the sunny weather out at Amherst, JC met with Hasbara Fellow Shira S. Nouriel '08 discussing the goals of SAFI. The bar has been set high at UMASS-Amherst, especially after the screening of Obsession last semester, and the fellows at UMASS are up to the task. Hopping back unto the Turnpike, JC ended his Boston adventure with the Students for Israel-Northeastern general meeting, speaking about Hasbara Fellowships to many eager and energetic students. Students, who were in Israel this summer, shared their personal stories.



As his first week came to a close, Jonathan traded in his Boston Red Sox hat for a Pittsburgh Pirates hat. Making his first ever trip to the Steel city, Jonathan was very excited for his second week of campus visits.



Be on the look out for the next entry as JC joins Hasbara Fellows at Carnegie Mellon, University of Pittsburgh and Penn State for some Pennsylvania fun!