Reflection on Sophomore Year

Friday was the two-year anniversary of my high school graduation. Now, I’m halfway done with college. It’s pretty hard to believe! Two years ago, I never could have predicted the amazing learning, growth, friendships, and independence I would gain throughout my time at Princeton. I also wouldn’t have predicted that I would spend the second half of my sophomore spring semester at home because of a global pandemic. It's certainly been quite the year.

This year, I finally had to declare my major. I had initially expected to major in English, but as much as I love to read, I found myself wanting to learn more about the world outside of books. I ultimately decided to major in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, which is a very long name for what is basically public policy. This interdisciplinary major lets me explore politics, economics, and psychology in the core classes, while allowing me to take elective classes in areas that excite me, such as education, gender and sexuality studies, and healthcare. My junior year independent work includes a policy task force that involves writing about solutions to public policy problems and then collaborating with other students to present our research to experts. I will supplement my major with a certificate in Journalism, which relates back to my passions for reading and writing. This course of studies lets me combine advocacy and communications in the perfect manner.

My sophomore year classes were difficult, yet they were all fulfilling. I really loved my fall semester classes. At that point, I was considering majoring in English, Politics, and the Woodrow Wilson School, so my schedule allowed me to explore all of those options. My Investigative Journalism class was taught by a fantastic former Washington Post reporter. In that class, I completed a semester-long journalism project about the many inaccessible buildings in the town of Princeton. I also really liked my Education Policy class because I learned so much about the complexity of the American public school system. Every week, we focused on a different topic, ranging from segregation to school choice to universal pre-K. I also took State Politics and American Federalism, Science Fiction, and Intro to American Studies.

Even before we went home for the second half of spring semester, I didn’t love my classes. Because I decided pretty late to major in the Woodrow Wilson School, I had three prerequisites left in subjects I wouldn’t have taken otherwise. I struggled more than I ever have before in my Intro to Microeconomics class. However, with the help of tutoring from the learning center and working with friends, I got through the class. My favorite class was American Cultural History, which discussed important topics such as slavery, the civil rights movement, and the women's liberation movement. My other classes were Intro to Quantitative Science and Environmental Science & Policy.

Even though my spring semester classes weren’t my favorites, my life outside of classes had never been better. I had just gotten into Tower, one of Princeton’s infamous eating clubs. Eating clubs are dining halls combined with nightclubs in buildings that look like mansions. I have lots of friends in Tower and I was looking forward to making more throughout the semester. Tower is also known to have the best food out of any of the clubs, so hopefully I’ll be able to enjoy that food soon! This semester, I became an Associate News Editor for The Daily Princetonian (the Prince for short). I’m so glad that now I get to help other writers by editing their articles, while still writing my own pieces when I can. I even got to interview members of Congress about their response to COVID-19! I also got closer with the amazing Prince staff. Publishing daily from home wasn’t always easy, but we knew it was important to keep the campus informed during this period of stress and uncertainty. I was also active in the Center for Jewish Life and worked two jobs as a blogger for the Office of Admissions and a student fellow for the AccessAbility Center.

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When I think about this year, I mostly think about the many fun experiences I had with my friends. I was fortunate to make a solid friend group freshman year who I got even closer with, as well as some new friends this year. I want to document some of my favorite memories of the year, partly so you can see that Princeton is much more than just studying, but mostly for me so I don’t forget the great times I had in the 3/4 of sophomore year I got to have on campus.

September 29: I went to Broadway with my residential college to see the musical Oklahoma! I wanted to go mostly to see Ali Stroker, who made history as the first actor in a wheelchair to win a Tony for her role as Ado Annie. Her dad came over to me and my friend after the show and asked if we wanted to meet her. We got to talk to her for several minutes!

November 8: My journalism class took a trip to the Bloomberg News headquarters. It was so cool to visit a real newsroom and learn from expert reporters! When I got back to campus, I went to Shabbat with some friends and then stayed in the Center for Jewish Life talking for a long time afterwards. It was a nice way to end the week.

December 12: Today was one of the last days on campus before Winter Break. I went to a going away party for my friend who was studying abroad in the spring, my friend’s acapella performance in one of our beautiful archways, the newsroom to say bye to my Prince friends, and Tower for some dancing and fun.

January 25-27: I went on a halftime retreat designed for sophomores to take the time to reflect on their Princeton experience so far. I made some awesome new friends and set some goals for the rest of my time at Princeton.

February 7: I found out I got into Tower after a several day bicker period, which is like sorority rush. They sprayed the newest members with shaving cream and then treated us to a delicious brunch.

February 14: Today was the first session of my Jewish Learning Fellowship called that discussed mass incarceration alongside the Passover story and its themes of freedom and suffering. It was co-taught by one of the amazing Rabbis and a professor who is also Deputy National Political Director of the ACLU and Director of the ACLU’s Justice Division. I learned so much about the criminal justice system and Judaism's commitment to social justice.

February 28: Today was the second annual Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month Shabbat that I planned! My friend Jake, who was one of the leaders of my Birthright trip, flew in from California to speak. His words were so impactful and brought a much needed discussion of disability to the campus community.

February 29: Tonight, the Prince editors welcomed the newest reporters to the staff. We surprised them by showing up at their rooms and bringing them to a common location. I got to swear them in on bound copies of the Prince. We all went to the newsroom and celebrated current and future staff. Then, we celebrated Mardi Gras at Tower.

March 7: I saw my friend’s first performance as a newly accepted member of a slam poetry group. I played some fun games at another friend’s birthday party. Finally, I went to my closest friends’ room for what I didn’t realize would be the last time this year. We stayed up late talking and enjoying each other’s company.

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My memories of the last three days on campus were much sadder.

March 13: I said bye to one of my favorite seniors and then walked around campus with one of my closest friends. The flowers were just starting to bloom. Spring was the best part of freshman year, and I had to come to terms with the fact that I was missing it.

March 14: My friend group had a birthday party for everyone whose birthdays we would be missing, including those like me who had summer birthdays. I didn’t go to the party because I was isolating myself as much as possible because of coronavirus. However, my friends FaceTimed me in when they sang Happy Birthday.

March 15: Today was the day I left Princeton for an indefinite amount of time. It didn’t fully sink in until my best friend came and said bye. I broke down after she left. This was really happening.

Now, I have successfully completed my sophomore year from home. Spending a quarter of it at home has definitely been difficult. I was more stressed than ever between hard classes, social isolation, and worrying about catching the virus. I couldn’t have gotten through this semester without my friends. We had surprise birthday parties, our own major declaration ceremony, and even a formal over Zoom. I am also grateful for the love and support of my family. The best part of this semester at home has been getting our adorable new puppy, Lacey!

Tomorrow, I will start my position as a Communications Intern for the Global Fund for Women, an organization that gives grants and support to women around the world who advocate for reproductive health, freedom from violence, education, and other women’s rights issues. While I didn't expect to be interning from home this summer, I am really looking forward to this opportunity.

My time at home has made me even more thankful for the 1.75 years I’ve had on campus. When we do return to an in-person semester, I want to truly take advantage of all that Princeton offers us. This pandemic has reminded me to make sure that I don’t take my opportunity to learn and grow as a student and person for granted. I miss Princeton so much, and I can't wait to be back inside the Orange Bubble! Please stay safe and healthy, readers.

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Addendum: I can’t publish something online right now without addressing the racial injustice that has reverberated across our nation recently. The killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and so many others at the hands of police violence are unjust, unethical, and just plain wrong. As a person in a place of privilege due to my skin color, I will never fully understand what Black people go through every day in a country full of obvious and subtle racism. But I am here, I am listening, and I am trying to learn. I urge you to raise awareness, sign petitions, peacefully protest, make calls, donate, be there for your friends, educate yourself, and do whatever else you can. Black Lives Matter.

Here are some resources with ways to show your support and ways to learn:

Links to Petitions, Organizations, and Other Information

75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

Anti-Racism Resources (books, movies, etc)

Summer 2019

This summer was full of amazing experiences that led to both personal and professional growth. I already wrote about my Birthright trip to Israel, but that was only one part of my packed summer!

This summer, I worked as a Policy Intern for the Center for Disability Rights (CDR), a disability advocacy organization headquartered in Rochester, New York. Because of my own disability, I was able to intern remotely from the comfort of my home in Maryland instead of relocating to New York for the summer. I had a variety of tasks that taught me about the local, state, and federal government advocacy process.

Throughout the summer, I did research on a wide range of topics that affect people with disabilities. These topics weren’t always things I traditionally associated with disability, but because of my internship, I learned that pretty much any policy issue relates back to disability. For example, I researched opioids and how they help people with chronic pain, automatic vehicles and their potential to increase independence for people with disabilities, rentable micromobility scooters and how they block walkways, gun violence and how blaming it on mental illness increases stigma, and much, much more. Every day was different and educational. I would often take what I learned and turn it into a social media post for CDR.

One of my biggest projects this summer was writing an official position paper for CDR about increasing political engagement by people with disabilities. I thought about how we as a society can make sure people with disabilities are included in the political process, from voting in elections to supporting campaigns to participating in government events to running for office. Especially with the upcoming election, it is essential that people with disabilities feel empowered to mobilize and show up to vote. However, there are often both physical and societal barriers that prevent people with disabilities like myself from being able to fully participate in the political process. I am excited to continue this focus on political engagement throughout the year in my role as a Service Focus participant in the Advocacy and Policy cohort.

The most exciting part of my internship was when I went to a week-long conference in Washington D.C. held by the National Council on Independent Living. Disability advocates from around the country and even the world got together to learn from each other and organize as a collective group to make an impact on disability policy. I participated in engaging workshops, met amazing people, and most importantly, put my advocacy skills to the test during a day on the Hill. A big focus of the conference was the Disability Integration Act, which allows people with disabilities to get the services they need at home and in the community instead of in an institution. We participated in a march to the Capitol and then held a rally outside the building where important members of Congress spoke, including Senator Chuck Schumer, who introduced the Senate version of the bill. I appreciated getting to hear from legislators who are making an effort to support Americans with disabilities. Then, I got to meet with staffers from New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as a staffer for one New York Representative and an actual Representative himself, who seemed even more engaged than the staffers. I loved getting to talk to members of Congress and their staff about why they should support or oppose certain bills. It was so cool to spend time on Capitol Hill surrounded by the people who keep our country running. I even ran into Bernie Sanders while crossing the street!

My internship allowed me to learn about the day-to-day duties of a disability advocate, and I could see myself pursuing this career in the future. Advocacy is not always easy, but this summer I learned how important and rewarding it really is. I am so grateful to my amazing boss Katy and everyone else at CDR for this fantastic experience.

Outside of my internship, I also got to spend quality time with my friends and family. My family went on vacation to Montreal, Quebec City, and Vermont, which were all destinations that had been on our bucket list for a long time. In Montreal, we saw a gorgeous view of the city from Mont Royal, explored the Old Port, went on a riverboat tour, and visited the 1976 Olympic Park. We enjoyed the food and the sights of this historic city. Then, we drove to Quebec City and saw even more old and beautiful sights. We spent our first day exploring Old Quebec. Even though this area wasn't really wheelchair accessible, I just loved rolling around and taking in the atmosphere. It felt just like a quaint European village! We also saw the changing of the guards ceremony at the Citadel, an old stone fortress. For some reason, there was a goat in the ceremony! We went to a beautiful waterfall called Chutes Montmorency. I can't believe my dad was crazy enough to zipline over this gigantic waterfall. After seeing these two awesome Canadian cities, we spent some time in Vermont. Of course, our first stop was the Ben & Jerry's factory tour. We learned about colonial America at the Shelburne Museum. We also spent some time eating and exploring Burlington. Our last night, we watched the sunset over the Burlington waterfront. It was such a great week filled with new adventures and memories with my amazing family.

This summer was one of the busiest summers I've ever had, but it was also one of the best. I move back to Princeton in two days. At this point, I'm ready to start the new school year, but I will miss spending time with my family and friends from home. This upcoming school year comes with some important decisions, including what to major in and what meal plan to be part of as an upperclassmen. It also comes with new responsibilities, including a fifth class, a job as a Fellow in the AccessAbility Center, and a role as a Community Engagement Intern for the Center for Jewish Life. I'm excited to see what I learn and how I grow in the upcoming year. Sophomore year, here I come!

Birthright No Limits in Motion

I can’t even fully explain how amazing my Birthright trip was, but I’ll do my best. No Limits in Motion a Birthright trip organized by Amazing Israel specifically for young adults with disabilities aged 18-26. This trip promises a completely free and accessible trip to Israel. Each participant gets to bring a companion with them for free, so I brought my former camp counselor Shira Schneeweiss, who knows me so well that I consider her a sister. Together with the other six participants and their companions, we had an adventure of a lifetime.

Over the course of ten days, I saw beautiful sights, pushed myself to do things I never thought were possible, and made incredible friends. It started out a little rough when we landed at 6:00 am and faced a full first day of activities. We explored Jaffa, a port city with 4000 years of history. I had my first Israeli schwarma and took in the beauty of this historic city. The next day, we began our morning with a zipline that was constructed right outside of our hotel just for us! This wasn’t a typical zipline; instead of climbing a ladder and stepping off a platform, the creators buckled us in at the bottom and hoisted us to the top before letting go. At first, I wasn’t sure if I could do it because I’ve had some negative experiences in the past. The creators proceeded to construct a custom sling for me out of a hammock they found in their car so that I could participate safely with adequate neck support. Day 2 and I already conquered a fear!

Later on Day 2, we visited an olive oil factory. It was cool to see how the olive oil was made, but the more interesting part was a conversation with a stranger. I was not expecting to meet the teacher whose class was shot during the Parkland school shooting. What’s even crazier is that she was teaching a class called History of the Holocaust. It was moving to hear her story and it reminded me of the importance of continuing to advocate for gun reform. I’ll always cherish the #MSDStrong bracelet she gave me. We finished the day by visiting our tour guide Omer’s house, where we met his father and learned about a special wheelchair Omer built so that his paralyzed dad could hike.

On Day 3, we visited beautiful grottos at Rosh Hanikra. We took a cable car down to the caves and saw the stunning Mediterranean Sea up close. Then, we visited the ancient city of Acco to explore tunnels built by the Crusaders. I enjoyed learning about the history of the city and browsing a craft market set up in the tunnels. This was our last full at our beautiful kibbutz hotel in Ginosar in the North of Israel before relocating to Jerusalem.

Day 4 was full of excitement and relaxation at the same time. First, we went biking with a special biking organization! I used a hand bike for the first time, which I really enjoyed because it taught me that I was stronger than I thought. I had some assistance from a volunteer, but I was the source of most of the bike’s power. It was a really cool experience and I might even consider going to the gym to use hand bike machines! Then, we had a picnic lunch in a park. Israel in the summer is extremely hot, although today, July 20, it’s hotter in Clarksville than it is in Jerusalem. After boiling in the heat, we went to a winery for a tour and a wine and chocolate tasting. It was interesting to learn about the process and then taste some of the products. I’m an inexperienced wine drinker, but I did manage to like one or two of the samples.

The next day, we explored the Old City of Jerusalem. However, before our tour began, we got some new additions to the group. Every Birthright trip has a mifgash, or an encounter, between Americans and Israelis. I am so glad that three amazing women currently serving in the Israeli Defense Force decided to join our trip. Eyla, Maya, and Gal are not only sweet, hilarious, and smart, but they also have important roles in keeping Israel safe. I’m also glad that they had a real progression in their thoughts on disability as they saw first-hand the accessibility troubles my group had. I had so much fun with them and I’m proud to call them my friends. We started our time together by visiting the Western Wall, also known as the Kotel. I wrote a note for myself and for my grandma and put them beside each other in a crack in the bricks. It was an emotional experience for me because of the holiness of the site. Then, we ate lunch in the shuk, a busy market that was especially crazy before Shabbat. I could barely navigate through the crowds, but at least I got the authentic Israeli experience!

We went back to the hotel on the earlier side so that we could prepare for Shabbat. I don’t usually do much for Shabbat at home, but I challenged myself to go technology-free for this Shabbat. I succeeded, except for a necessary alarm. It was so nice to just relax and be in the moment talking and relaxing with my new friends. Friday night we had a lovely Kabbalat Shabbat service and a good dinner before having fun at an improv workshop led by our awesome staff member Jake.

On Shabbat itself, we had a meaningful discussion about Jewish values that made me rethink my views of Judaism and Israel. I realized how fortunate Israelis are to not have to actively seek out Judaism. In America, we are in the minority. It gave me a new appreciation for Israel and the importance of a Jewish State that all Jews can call their home. Later in the day, I swam in the beautiful hotel pool with my friends and just thought about how lucky I was to be spending Shabbat in Israel. We ended Shabbat with a havdalah service before going out for a night on the town. My friends and I shopped on Ben Yehuda Street, a busy hangout spot in downtown Jerusalem, and then we had some fun singing along to live music in a bar.

Day 7 was exciting because it included two of the most famous Israeli sites: Masada and the Dead Sea. Masada is an ancient mountaintop fortress built by King Herod. Jews hid up there in the Roman period, but when the Romans finally came for them, the Jews all killed themselves to avoid being captured and enslaved. These ruins include Israel’s oldest synagogue and an impressive water supply system. My favorite part of Masada is the cable car to the top and the gorgeous view of the desert and the Dead Sea surrounding it. On that note, I really enjoyed the Dead Sea as I floated in the salty water with some assistance. Not everyone likes the feeling of the Dead Sea (I felt bad for people who shaved the night before), but I felt completely relaxed and carefree.

Day 8 was our most serious day. In the morning, we went to Yad Veshem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. This museum was incredibly powerful and moving. The Children’s Memorial was especially poignant; it was a room filled with candles and mirrors that made the space look infinite while a recording voiced the names and ages of the 1.5 million child victims of the Holocaust. Later in the day, we went to Mount Herzl Military Cemetery to honor the soldiers who gave their lives to protect Israel. Even though this day was heavy, it is important to learn about Israel’s past.

On Day 9, we had a lot of fun in Tel Aviv. First, we went sailing with an adaptive sailing organization! I never thought I would get to steer a sailboat in the Mediterranean, but I did just that. I had never been sailing before, so it was a super cool experience. That being said, I would not recommend trusting me to sail a sailboat myself in the future! We went to a busy market for lunch, but first, we had an impromptu dance party with a street singer. I loved being spontaneous enough to just dance in the middle of the street like no one was watching. Then, we went on a tour of the Birthright Innovation Center, where we learned about Israeli innovation.

We closed out our amazing trip with some bonding sessions that made me realize just how close this group had gotten in just ten days. Some of the best moments on the trip were the unplanned moments, like hilarious dance parties on the bus or impromptu conversations about having a relationship when disabled. There was never a dull moment on this trip. I feel like I gained a new community of people who truly understand me, and I hope these friendships will last a lifetime. I really did not want this trip to end.

I want to thank Jake, Becca, and Shereen, our amazing staff members, for pushing me beyond my comfort zone and facilitating such a fantastic experience. Jake, you brought so much laughter and excitement to our trip, plus you made me feel understood because you have a form of muscular dystrophy yourself. You’re one of the funniest people I know and I expect to see you on TV someday. Thank you, Becca, for not only your OT knowledge, but also your compassion and fun personality. Thank you to Shereen for always having something nice to say. Thank you to Eyla, Maya, and Gal for being amazing mifgash participants. Thank you to Omer for being the best tour guide and the “most person”. Thank you to my incredible fellow participants: Cat (the influencer), Haley (the storyteller), Avery (the journalist), Ethan (the self-proclaimed pervert), Vanessa (the mom), and Liad (the hugger). I feel lucky to have met you all and I hope to stay in touch. Thank you to the companions who volunteered their time to go on this trip. Most of all, thank you to Shira, my companion, for accompanying me on this amazing trip. I am so glad we got to do this together.

When I look back at my Birthright experience, I feel proud and lucky. I feel proud because I pushed myself to try new things. If you know me, you know that leaving my comfort zone is often difficult for me, but throughout these ten days, I did things I never thought I could do and expanded what is in my realm of possibilities. It served as a reminder that I am capable of more than I realize. But most of all, I feel lucky because I got to participate in this amazing program that has sent hundreds of thousands of Jewish young adults to Israel for free. I feel lucky because I met incredible people from all over the world. I feel lucky because I increased my connection to Judaism and Israel. Thank you, Birthright, for the best ten days in Israel.