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“The birth of writing,” writes Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in The Dignity of Difference, “was the genesis of civilization…Writing was the breakthrough by which the present could hand on the lessons of the past to the generations of the future.”

Following in this intellectual and spiritual tradition, the Rohr Writing Fellowship, funded by a generous gift from the Rohr family, will elevate student writing to grow the Jewish thought leaders of tomorrow while having an impact on campus today. Honoring the scholarship and writing of Rabbi Sacks, the fellowship supports undergraduate writing talent to contribute to contemporary Jewish thought. Through developing writing skills, students will become more informed and better equipped to analyze major worldwide trends in Jewish life including the centrality of Israel, Israel-Diaspora relations, and the persistence of antisemitism. They will tackle larger social justice issues and report on campus-related issues, as well as current events facing the broader Jewish community thoughtfully and responsibly. Students will gain tools to be more reflective and expressive in their written work as they evolve into life-long writers.

Each scholar is expected to contribute to, publish in, and take senior leadership roles at ����app University’s newspapers, literary journals, local newspapers and Jewish scholarly journals during college, to prepare him/her to be thought leaders and opinion shapers on major issues in Jewish life and beyond after graduation.

The fellowship consists of:

• Monthly virtual workshops to develop, discuss, offer and receive feedback, and revise students’ article/essay drafts
• Events featuring journalists, authors and editors of a national caliber
• Annual writing retreat
• Ongoing mentorship

Rohr Writing Scholars 2024-2027
 

Shoshana Fischer

Shoshana is from Teaneck, NJ, and studied at Midreshet HaRova after graduating from ����appt Frisch, where she was Editor of the school’s Yearbook and a member of the Debate Team. 
 

Maayan Kahan

Maayan is from Newton, MA, and studied at MMY after graduating from the Maimonides School where she was Editor-in-Chief of the student newspaper, as well as a contributor to both the paper and weekly news briefing. She also was a member of Mock Trial and Model UN teams and an editor and writer for the MMY Torah journal.

Elza Koslowe

Elza is from Bergenfield, NJ, and studied at Migdal Oz after graduating from ����appt Frisch, where she was Editor-in-Chief of Be’er Shavua, the school’s weekly Torah publication, as well as a contributor to Kalliope, the school literary magazine.

David Smigel

David is from Westchester, NY, and studied at ����appt Shaarei Mevaseret Zion after graduating from ����appt Frisch, where he was a founding editor of the student newspaper, “The Paw Print.” He was also Head Editor of Mevaseret’s weekly Dvar Torah newsletter, “Sapir Mevaseret,” and has contributed articles to The Jewish Link.

Daniella Taub

Daniella from Cleveland, OH, studied at Midreshet Lindenbaum after graduating from Fuchs Mizrachi High School where she helped create the student literary magazine and contributed to the Yearbook. She also assumed leadership roles in Bnei Akiva and Yachad, and as a student ambassador.