Alyla Meir is a Junior at Tufts University studying Math and minoring in Studio Art. She is originally from the Bay Area, California where she loves to swim, hike, and ski in the beautiful outdoors. She also loves exploring new places and bringing her camera wherever she goes. Spring semester of 2026 Alyla is studying in Madrid, Spain, and she is excited to participate in Kahal programming while there. Alyla has a passion for bringing Jewish students together for meaningful conversation, action, or just to be in joyful community!

Aviva is from White Plains, New York and is studying Sociology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is passionate about community organizing and engagement, leading them to get involved with her Hillel board. They have hopes of going to law school and pursuing legal advocacy professionally. Now, she is excited to go abroad to gain experiences, meet new people, and create a community for herself and other Jewish students abroad!

Dylan Goldman is a third year pre-law student from UC Berkeley! This semester he is excited to be studying abroad in Barcelona, and is thrilled to make new friends, connections, and experiences. Dylan is deeply involved in the Jewish community back home, serving as the vice president of Chabad and president of AEPi.He is passionate in creating fun and interactive events for others, and helping set the scene for meaningful connections. Personally, Dylan absolutely loves cooking, hiking, and spontanuous adventures. Dylan is most excited about waking up each day with a sense of mystery, as each day could have a new adventure in store, or a new experience waiting to be had while abroad.

Gabe Gatt is a Cognitive Science major with a strong interest in understanding how people think, learn, and interact with the world around them. He enjoys staying active through skiing and playing tennis, and values balance through spending time listening to music and hanging out with friends. Gabe is deeply interested in traveling and exploring new places, using these experiences as opportunities to learn from different cultures and perspectives. In particular, he is eager to explore diverse Jewish communities around the world and engage with their unique histories, traditions, and ways of life. Through both academic study and personal experiences, Gabe seeks to broaden his global outlook, build meaningful connections, and continue developing intellectually and socially in dynamic, real-world environments.

Gabrielle Weingard is a rising junior at Binghamton University majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She is deeply involved in campus life, serving as Treasurer of the Crossword Club and a member of the MEOR G-Board, a Jewish outreach and leadership organization. Gabrielle is also an active member of the Society of Women Engineering Club and regularly participates in Chabad events on campus, where she finds strong community and connection. Outside of academics and leadership, she enjoys playing sports, painting, and spending time with friends. She is proudly Jewish and values staying connected to her identity, community, and culture through both leadership and active participation.

Isobel is a keen participant in the local Jewish student community. Currently serving as the Treasurer for the Sorbonne Université Jewish Union, she has a lot of experience in Jewish student leadership. Having served as the Vice President for the Warwick University Jewish Society 2024/2025, she focused on inclusion and widening participation among students who grew up outside of the Jewish community. In 2025 she graduated as a fellow of the Union of Jewish Students Leadership Fellowship, which led her on to be chosen to participate in the World Union of Jewish Students Impact Plus Fellowship. Here she learnt valuable skills that she took back to her community, helping to improve intercommunal relationships. Being able to connect with Jewish students from all around the world is a big passion of hers, as she believes that this is one of the best ways to empower the global Jewish community.

Jacqueline is a Psychology major, double minoring in Strategic Management and Public Communications. She is interested in pursuing a career in HR after graduating and enjoys traveling, wellness, and learning about different cultures. Jacqueline grew up attending Jewish day schools and camps prior to college and is involved in numerous Jewish organizations on campus at Syracuse University, including Hillel, Chabad, and ICC. In addition to her Jewish involvement, she is a strong advocate for Israel, attended Birthright, and speaks Hebrew fluently. She is excited to cultivate a Jewish community with fellow study abroad students in Florence and make a meaningful impact.

Maya is an Urban Studies major and Jewish Studies minor at McGill University. Born in Boston, MA and then moved to Pittsburgh, PA for her adolescent years, she was raised in strong Jewish communities and attended Jewish day school. She has engaged in volunteering, specifically in the Jewish community, where she was the President of the Hillel on her campus which was an avenue for her to foster Jewish community. She loves to learn about new places, ideas, and cultures and her dream career would be being paid to walk around cities and explore, though I think she will suffice in making it a side-hobby. She loves to spend time outdoors, swim, cross country ski, play sudoku, listen to music, and knit. She is really excited to spend the semester in Amsterdam and take advantage of all it is Europe has to offer.

Sawyer Jane is a junior studying quantitative economics and finance, and she is very involved in the student life at Tufts University. She is a part of the financial group, Hillel and fencing team. As a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, she fulfills fifteen volunteer hours per semester. Her favorite volunteer events include Read by the River- a Tufts-Hillel sponsored initiative that collaborates with local libraries to host fun reading-related events- and a dog walking service for busy professors at nearby universities. She has completed a banking internship and a wealth management internship, in which she accepted a return offer for a leadership role.

Yael Smith is a Junior at Washington University in St. Louis, currently studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark through DIS. She is a proud Jew and eager to meet new people from all different backgrounds during her time abroad. She is majoring in Biology with minors in Hebrew and Psychology and she is also a passionate researcher studying non-alcoholic liver disease in mice through WashU Med. Besides her studies, she bakes lots of Challah as an executive board member with Challah for Hunger and also volunteers around the St. Louis community as a proud member of Alpha Phi Omega. Before WashU, she was a student on the Nativ College Leadership program in Israel, spending half of the year in Jerusalem studying at Hebrew University and the second half volunteering near Haifa with Magen David Adom. She loves spending time with friends, exploring new places, and trying new and unique vegetarian food.

Alexa Schwartz is a senior at the University of Kansas majoring in Film and Media Studies, but her roots are in Houston, Texas! Outside of her film work, she loves to read, bake, cook, watch Formula 1, and build Legos. She’s always had a love for travel starting at the young age of 4, which was part of why she was so adamant on spending the entire 2024-2025 academic year studying abroad, where she found her home in Norwich, England. Alexa is excited to share all of her adventures with everyone! But especially her friends, family, KU family, Hillel, and Chabad. Thanks to JDC and KAHAL, she was able to connect with other Jewish study abroad students to explore the rich cultures of Europe and spend a beautiful shabbat with the local Jewish community. She hopes to spread her love for KAHAL and the countless opportunities it can bring!!

Anna is a junior at University of Maryland studying psychology, neuroscience, and human development. She is originally from Cheltenham, PA and spent fall semester 2024 in Madrid. While she was there, she took part in KAHAL events in Madrid as well as a Shabbaton to Vienna. She also loved to travel, go to language exchanges, and explore different neighborhoods in Madrid. At UMD, she is part of a Jewish a cappella group called Rak Shalom, works at Maryland Hillel, programs as the Ramah College Network Coordinator, and works as a research assistant in the NeuroCognitive Development Lab and Child Development Lab. KAHAL was a big part of her study abroad experience and she is excited to continue to grow that community from UMD!

Ariella is a rising senior at Williams College where she is studying History and Religion with a concentration in Jewish Studies. She is involved in campus performing arts and Jewish life as a member of Williams’ improv group, a regular stand-up comedy performer, co-host of a radio show, and as co-president of the Williams College Jewish Association. Ariella spent the spring semester of her junior year abroad in Amsterdam. During her time abroad, she participated in the KAHAL trips to Mallorca and Bulgaria, where she loved connecting with fellow Jewish students studying around the world as well as the local Jewish communities there.

Bram Hoffman is a junior at Washington University in St. Louis double majoring in American Studies and Marketing with a minor in Urban Design. Before college, he took a gap year to study at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh in Yavneh, Israel. Proudly hailing from Shaker Heights Ohio, he’s interested in urban development, the blues, and fashion. On campus, he sings bass in an award-winning acapella group that competes annually in ICCA (like Pitch Perfect). He has read Torah for eight years and counting since his Bar Mitzvah. When he’s not singing, he contributes to the campus fashion magazine, plays basketball, and works at a St. Louis bookstore.

David is a senior at Tulane University in New Orleans majoring in International Relations and Marketing through the Altman Program, a selective four-year program combining liberal arts and business with a focus on global engagement. Originally from Miami, he spent the past academic year studying abroad in Madrid and Seville and participated in KAHAL-supported trips during both semesters. On campus, David is involved in AEPI, where he served as Professional Chair, and is the current president of Tulane Toastmasters. He’s also a member of the Tulane Club Wrestling Executive Board. Outside of academics, he enjoys sailing, MMA, and playing the Assassin’s Creed games.

Esther Bistricer is a senior at Brandeis University studying Psychology and Public Health. During her semester abroad in Madrid, she deepened her appreciation for history, art, and adventure while exploring museums, historical sites, and going on walking tours. As a KAHAL Global Ambassador, she participated in Global Campus Shabbatons and engaged with Jewish life in Spain through social events, Shabbat meals, and Passover seders. She values the independence and experiential learning that studying abroad offers, and as a KAHAL Campus Rep, she is excited to support students in making the most of their time abroad.

Esther is entering her junior year at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia and is from Atlanta, Georgia. She is studying kinesiology on the pre-physical therapy path with hopes of entering pediatric physical therapy. At William & Mary, Esther is very involved in Club Gymnastics and Hillel. She is also an Orientation Aide for new students each fall and will be a tutor this year. Esther spent last spring on a William & Mary sponsored study abroad program in Seville, Spain, where she lived with a host family and experienced Spanish language immersion. Esther connected with a KAHAL ambassador while traveling in Madrid and used a microgrant to help fund her trip to Israel during Passover. Esther enjoys working with kids and has spent her summers working at different Jewish camps. In her free time, Esther enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with friends.

Eve Capin is an International Studies major at the University of San Francisco, concentrating in conflict resolution with a strong interest in cultural understanding and advocacy. Originally from Arizona, she now calls San Francisco home and is passionate about building peace and community in the face of humanitarian issues. Eve values global experiences, having studied abroad in Spain, and draws inspiration from storytelling and remembrance in her academic and personal pursuits. Whether working with Holocaust survivors or teaching children Spanish, she finds joy in fostering cultural learning across generations. Eve is excited to bring her creativity, curiosity, and commitment to justice to the Entwine Campus Representative program.

Hannah is a Biomedical Engineering major in her senior year at Duke University. During her study abroad program in Madrid, she travelled to Vienna with KAHAL. She is excited to spread the word about KAHAL so that other Jewish students have the same opportunity to engage with Judaism even while studying abroad. Outside of her classes, she serves as President of Jewish Student Union and is involved with regenerative medicine research. She also loves running, reading, art, and traveling.

Ilana is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Business Administration. She was a Global Ambassador while abroad in Rotterdam in the winter and attended two Global Campus trips during her time in Europe. She enjoys playing tennis and pickleball with friends and family in her free time!

Jonathan studies History and Political Science at the University of Miami, where he is also a tour guide and an active leader in campus Jewish Life. Outside of school, Jonathan loves to travel, exercise, and play the cello.

Julia is a senior at Barnard College in the dual degree with the Jewish Theological Seminary. She is studying architecture and Jewish ritual object design. After being a global ambassador in Copenhagen, she wanted to share Danish Jewish culture with her campus.

Kasey is a senior at Tufts University studying Engineering Psychology with minors in Economics and Engineering Management. She’s from Los Angeles, is interested in product design, and hopes to work in assistive tech when she’s older. She studied abroad in Paris during Fall 2024, where she went on the KAHAL Vienna trip.

Luci Lobin is a senior at the University of Arizona studying Communication and Public Relations. She studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, in the fall of 2025. Her trip to Rome with KAHAL was a highlight of her semester! She loves trying new coffee shops, traveling, and going to UofA sporting events.

Originally from Rockville, Maryland, Maia is a senior at Tufts University studying Biology and Community Health. At Tufts, she sings in Shir Appeal, Tufts’ Jewish A cappella group, and is involved with Hillel. She also works as a nursing assistant and enjoys going to the gym, reading, and cooking. She studied abroad in Copenhagen last semester and had an incredible time traveling with Kahal to Mallorca and Krakow!

Margarita Zeleniy is a student at the University of Maryland, double majoring in Finance and Information Systems, with a passion for global engagement, education, and Jewish identity. While studying abroad, she participated in a KAHAL trip to Mallorca, which strengthened her connection to international Jewish communities and inspired her to help others explore meaningful global experiences. Outside the classroom, Margarita enjoys playing volleyball and teaching, both of which reflect her love for teamwork, communication, and mentorship. As a Campus Representative, she is excited to connect her peers with Entwine’s opportunities and empower others to explore their Jewish identity through travel, learning, and cross-cultural connection.

Sage is a rising senior at the University of Michigan where she is studying Neuroscience and hopes to attend medical school in 2026. She just returned from studying abroad in Valencia, Spain where she was a KAHAL Global Ambassador and enjoyed connecting with local and exchange program Jewish students there. In her free time she enjoys running, surfing, and walking her labradoodle Lila.

Saige is pursuing a double major in History and Business Administration, with a minor in Jewish Studies, at the University of Richmond. She recently returned from a semester in Prague, where she studied at a Jewish Studies program. At Richmond, Saige serves as president of her university’s history society, a student representative for Jewish life, an orientation advisor, and is involved in numerous other activities. In her hometown, she is a substitute teacher, and nationally, she is a student leader with Jewish on Campus. Saige is currently working on an honors thesis that explores the intersections of Jewish, Czech, and American history during the Holocaust.

Shir Toledo is a senior majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Chemistry at Haverford College. She is originally from Israel and is now based in the Bay Area, CA. She is very passionate about exploring the intersections of science, culture, and community. On campus, she serves as a teaching assistant, peer mentor, and is actively involved with Chabad and Jewish life. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature, especially with friends and family, and attending theater performances. Last semester, while abroad, Shir participated in the KAHAL trips to Bulgaria and Poland, which deepened her connection to global Jewish communities and allowed her to meet fellow Jewish students from around the world. She is excited to become a Campus Representative!

Zachary is a senior at Duke University studying public policy and economics originally from San Diego, CA. Zachary studied abroad in Madrid and has also spent a summer working in Santiago, Chile at the US Embassy and in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Zachary loves to travel and is excited to share how Kahal can help grow the Jewish study abroad experience.