“My name is Karel Ohana. I am French but grew up in London, where I went to North London Collegiate School. I am currently interning at the Moshe Dayan Centre for Middle Eastern and African Studies, where I am learning about Israel’s relations with the Middle East. To me, women’s day means recognising, and testifying to, the achievements that women have made in terms of political, economic, and social progress. Looking to Jewish female role models makes me feel empowered in who I am and hopeful for our future as a people. Indeed, International Women’s Day is not only a celebration of women but of society at large. The opportunities afforded to women in any society are indicative of the strength of its democracy; and the development of its economy.
After my gap year, I plan to return to London to study Philosophy and Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
My name is Dina Kornbluth, I am from Denver, Colorado and I graduated from Denver Jewish Day School last spring! I believe that women’s day is a way of celebrating the fact that women are able to achieve anything in today’s society that a man could achieve. This semester I took the Mada course and I am currently volunteering as a first responder on the ambulances across Jerusalem. Participating in Mada, as part of the overseas volunteering program, made it apparent to me that everyone in our course had the same opportunities and the same potential as everyone else. I specifically feel empowered while I am in the ambulance because I get to help people, whether emotionally or physically each day. This job makes me feel like I am having an impact on Israeli society, and showing society that women can work alongside men in any profession. Next year I will be attending Washington University in St. Louis to study chemistry on a pre-med track, with the hopes of pursuing a future in medicine.
My name is Lily Sidman. I am from Boston, Massachusetts and I went to Beaver Country Day School.
“To me, national women’s day is a day to celebrate activists on a global level while also focusing on how much progress needs to be done. I think of all the amazing women who have inspired me to fight for my place in the workforce and also the 181 million girls and young women that are not in education, employment, or training. I think of my grandmother, Gloria, who was repeatedly mistaken as a secretary instead of the position in power she worked so hard for. I hope that our society no longer needs a day to celebrate women and that every day will become national women’s day.
After my gap year, I will be studying sociology and biology at the University of Michigan.”
“I’m Hillary Altes and I’m from San Diego, CA. I went to the Francis Parker School. To me, Women’s Day means uplifting other women and celebrating their accomplishments. I can relate to that concept because I’ve been interning for a determined, hardworking female boss for the past two semesters at MBZ Marketing. Along with her, both of my Madrichot have been incredible female role models throughout my time on Aardvark.
After the gap year, I’ll be studying Theatre and Economics at Northwestern University!”
