Aylat Lifshitz, President
What’s your favorite place in Israel and why?
I am not fond of questions about favorites, especially with Israel because it is so hard to choose. Sometimes I would like to say that Haifa is my favorite place because there are some beautiful views and it is right near the beach, in addition to its model of coexistence, but I just recently finished a program called Livnot U’lehibanot in Tzfat and the fresh air and the view from the balcony of the dorms was just spectacular. Almost every evening I stood and watched the sunset over Har Meron and appreciated the beauty of nature. So there are quite a few places in the running for my favorite place in Israel and I’m not sure that I can choose just one.
Favorite place in Towson and why?
My favorite place at Towson is the Hillel lounge in Newell Dining Hall. I love this lounge because it is a little nook with comfy couches and a good place to do homework or hang out with friends. When the library is crazy full near exams, I tend to come to Hillel to study instead. Sometimes it is very quiet and a great place to study and other times there are tons of people just talking and having fun, so there’s a mix of atmospheres in the lounge which I like.
Why are you involved in Hillel?
I knew from the moment I came to Towson that I wanted to be a part of the Jewish community on campus, at that point I did not know what my level of involvement would be. Once I started coming to Hillel I began meeting many people with whom I shared many things in common with and I just kept coming back. Hillel allows me to celebrate my Judaism in relation to the holidays and Shabbat, but it also provides me with a community that I can actively participate in.
When I’m not in school I’m…
Dancing or watching Netflix. I have been dancing since before I can remember so whenever I get the chance I try to drop into a ballet or modern class. Also, in the evenings sometimes you can find me at a local Harkada doing some Israeli dancing with my friends. And then like most people, I got sucked into the Netflix era. Currently I’m watching “Friends” for the first time ever.
What are you doing this summer?
This is by far my most adventurous summer yet. Since my semester studying abroad at Hebrew University did not end until mid-June, I was unable to make it home in time to work at the summer camp which I have been doing for the past few summers, so instead I decided to stay in Israel. I have been traveling around Israel, some on my own, some with friends, and some on programs and literally going from the farthest south in Eilat, to the norther borders with Syria and Lebanon in the Golan Heights within just a few days. I will end my summer volunteering at a camp in Haifa for children with special needs, so I will get my time at a summer camp again.
