The impact of Mandelbaum House
On its 25th birthday, Mandelbaum House is reaching out to form an alumni network that will provide networking, mentorship and social opportunities.
THIS year Mandelbaum House, the Jewish residential college at the University of Sydney, celebrates its 25th birthday.
Hundreds of students from Melbourne to Mozambique have found “a home away from home” at Mandelbaum.
In order to keep them connected, Gina Abramowitz (2016 resident, alumni president) and Sophia Kwiet (2015 resident, Mandelbaum board member) have recently come together in a partnership to revive Mandelbaum’s alumni community.
Grateful for the invaluable experiences they had while residents at the college, Abramowitz and Kwiet are keen to give back to this special community.
“Having grown up outside the Jewish community, Mandelbaum was an incredible catalyst in my life,” explained Kwiet.
“I met fellow Jewish students for the first time and was exposed to the wonderful culture and traditions of Judaism and the invaluable offerings of the Australian Jewish community.”
Abramowitz concurred, “Mandelbaum offers so much more than a convenient location and catered meals – it offers students an opportunity to forge meaningful connections, celebrate cultural diversity and engage in personal development as they enter this important phase of young adulthood.”
The two passionate women are seeking to form an extensive network of Mandelbaum alumni. Their vision is to create networking and mentorship opportunities in addition to hosting social events and reunions.
Both recognise that there is a real shortage of opportunities for Jewish community engagement for young adults after university and hope that the Mandelbaum alumni network will facilitate connection to the Jewish community as well as provide ongoing opportunities for cultural exchange and professional development.
Mandelbaum alumni contact: mandelbaumhousealumni@gmail.com
To find out more about Mandelbaum, contact Shana Kerlander: ceo@mandelbaum.usyd.edu.au or visit www.mandelbaum.usyd.edu.au
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