Jackie Farber will be leaving her spot as JCSC Fellow at Hillel-JSU, Binghamton University, after two years in the position.
JCSCFellowship.org describes the position as “a paid, one or two-year fellowship that enables recent college graduates to work on campuses across North America helping students connect with their Jewish identities and with the Jewish community on campus.”
Hillel is currently in the process of interviewing prospective JCSC Fellows.
I interviewed Farber about her experiences here, and the results below will be published in April’s Hatikva Magazine.

1) How did you get involved in JCSC?
I applied to be a JCSC Fellow during my Senior Year of college at Bradley University. I actually found out about the position when I was a junior on Birthright, before that I had no idea that Hillels could even have staff members, as my Hillel was run by students and a faculty advisor. I applied to be a JCSC because when I read the description for the position I realized that if I tried to write a job description to explain what I wanted to do after graduation it would end up being the JCSC Fellowship. I was in love.

2) How did you get to the BU campus as a JCSC fellow?
Coming to Binghamton was a suprise for me. When I applied I said I wanted to be at a campus that was large and public (opposite of my college experience) and ideally, had an amazing sports program. Because of this I really thought Kansas University was the right place for me…and I was all set to go, until they didn’t decide I was the right fellow for them. Thankfully, Gary Coleman thought that I would do well at Binghamton and off I went. I remember getting the call where they said “Congrats, you’re going to Binghamton!” and I responded with “Cool! Um, where is that again?” It turned out that Gary was right, and Binghamton has been a wonderful home and workplace for me!

3) What were some responsibilites and jobs you took care of while you were here? Phew. My main target groups were FYSH (First Year Students of Hillel), Greek Students and Residence Halls. My jobs were various but include, taking students out for coffee, smoothies and lunches, planning dorm programs, planning crazy FYSH programs, teaching a Freshman Leadership Class, overseeing student leaders, supervising an intern, recruiting and staffing alternative breaks and more!

4) What specific memories, stories, or images come to mind when you look back at your work at BU? Oh this is a toughie. My favorite times as a JCSC Fellow BY FAR are the three alternative break trips I have gotten to staff. There is nothing like the joy of knowing you are helping someone, and bringing close to 45 students to do great work in the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans is simply amazing. I’m also thankful for the network of 72 other JCSC Fellows who made my experience so worthwhile. The images I will always remember is the path from the New Union to the Coffe Kiosk in Fall and Spring when it is full of students, and I run into hundreds of people I know, the Food Court at full capacity, either during lunch time or on Friday nights, the constant Facebook contest I run with myself to have more friends and the joy I feel when students are touched by the work that Hillel, and I, do.

5) Why are you leaving? Well, you can only be a JCSC for two years, and so I’m all done with that. While I would love to stay and continue work at Hillel, its time for me to go back to school!

6) What are your future plans? I’m heading to the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work. I’m so stoked to being going to back to school, I often joke that I can’t wait to study and read again, much to Binghamton students shock and dismay! After that…who knows?

7) Anything else you wanted to say? Many many thanks, most of all to the amazing studnets at Binghamton who support my crazy ideas, help me have successful programs, supported me when I fell, and have gone from being my “students” to my friends. I hope to keep in touch with so many of you, and can’t wait to hear about all of your successes in the future. Also to my co-workers, Gary, Ellen, Sandy, Rachel (and Seraya…who was here last year), working on a team has taught me so much and I am thankful to take these lessons with me to my next stage of life. In addition, to my familiy and Amber who have listened to my cheer and cry over my two years here, and I would have simply been lost without them.