Graduating seniors gathered with faculty and family members on May 3 at Brower Commons to celebrate and honor academic excellence and diverse achievements in the interdisciplinary field of Jewish studies. Ten students received awards which included several travel grants to study in Israel and in Poland.

The diversity of interests among students was readily apparent in this gathering. Several students received grants to study at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and an international study award  helped make it possible for a student to participate in the global field trip to Poland led by Professor Nancy Sinkoff. Grants were also given to students in the School of Social Work who participated in its winter study session in Israel. The special event also marked an exciting first: the first student to graduate from the Rutgers joint certificate program in Jewish studies and social work.  

A live musical performance by Rutgers alumnus Ami Yares (LC, 2003) and his band made the annual end of year celebration in Jewish studies particularly festive. Ami spoke to the group about how the foundation of his career in music, education, and Middle East peace advocacy was formed largely as an undergraduate in Jewish studies at Rutgers. The band played a combination of original and traditional folk songs, steeped in both Middle Eastern and American culture,