To speak to one of these recent Fellows, please fill out this form.
Elke Bentley ’22
High School: Maimonides School
Background: I’m from a primarily liberal Modern Orthodox background. Last year I attended Yeshivat Drisha in Israel.
Relationship to Judaism in high school: Community; Learning; Connection.
Favorite high school hobbies/interests: Playing musical instruments/making music; learning languages; reading.
Most interesting class you’ve taken in high school or college so far: Foundations of Philosophy.
One reason you think someone should apply to Bronfman: To broaden their understanding of what it means to be a part of the Jewish community.
What aspects of Bronfman you’d especially like to talk to prospective applicants about: I’d love to talk about any aspect of Bronfman with prospective applicants!
Ilan Brusso ’22
High School: The Leffell School
Background: Hi! I’m Ilan Brusso (he/him), a Conservative Jew from New York who is very much a product of Jewish day school and Jewish sleepaway camp, although one of my favorite parts of Bronfman was meeting other Jews who weren’t. To me, Judaism means many things. It is connection to family and community, and an intellectual heritage that calls upon all of us to maintain ageless, at times inconvenient, values and morals regardless of the era we find ourselves in. Also Matzo Balls.
Relationship to Judaism in high school: Strong, occasionally transactional, familial
Favorite high school hobbies/interests: Mock Trial. Volunteering with special needs/neurodivergent populations. Student Government.
Most interesting class you’ve taken in college so far: Witches and Vixens: Nasty Women in Ancient Greece and Rome.
One reason you think someone should apply to Bronfman: To meet the literal best people in the world and in a space that is long and contained enough that you can convince them to be your friend 🙂
What aspects of Bronfman you’d especially like to talk to prospective applicants about: Any and all! How Bronfman compares to Jewish camps, how to have fun during the summer and how to write an application that best reflects your individual strengths!
Adam Buchsbaum ’22
High School: Xavier Academy in Houston, TX
Bio coming soon
Katje Bulthuis ’21
High School: Logan High School, Utah
Background: I grew up in rural Utah and converted to Judaism in high-school. I am currently a student at Brandeis University and identify most strongly as Masorti in my religious practice.
Title of most interesting class taken in college so far: The Fundamentals of Acting – I’m somewhat biased as a theater major, but I think of acting as a worldview. This course was a deep dive into the theories and practices behind acting for the stage, and I find myself still drawing on my experiences in the course on- and offstage.
One reason someone should apply to Bronfman: My fellowship experience shaped the way I understand my Judaism. The pluralistic nature of the fellowship allows fellows to explore new practices, ideas, and ways of thinking with similarly deep-thinking, curious peers.
Aspects of Bronfman you’d especially like to talk about: I am available to speak to fellows who come from what may feel like unconventional backgrounds, including rural hometowns and interfaith families.
Beverly Cohen ’21
High School: The Marlborough School, CA
Background: I was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up Modern Orthodox. I am a member of the Muscogee (Creek) nation and currently a student at Wellesley College.
Relationship to Judaism in high school: Freeing, connective, academic
Favorite high school hobbies/interests: Political activism, Community outreach/volunteering, Mental health advocacy, Theater
Title of most interesting class taken in high school or college so far: Jesus of Nazareth religious seminar
One reason someone should apply to Bronfman: Bronfman was an incredible experience- I felt that I had never met so many young Jews so excited about practicing in a way that is individually meaningful to them. Being at Bronfman allowed me to further understand what I wanted out of my Jewish identity as I become more independent.
Aspects of Bronfman you’d especially like to talk about: Queer community at Bronfman, Jews of Color community at Bronfman, religious exploration/identity
Sofia Isaias-Day ’22
High School: Corvallis High School, in Corvallis, Oregon
Background: Religiously I mostly find myself in between the Conservative and Modern Orthodox movements. I grew up in a very liberal and small Jewish community in Corvallis, Oregon. My father is from Mexico and I consider myself a Latina Jew.
Relationship to Judaism in high school: Curious, wanting to explore, and excited
Favorite high school hobbies/interests: Ceramics, tennis, and writing
Title of most interesting class taken in college so far (or favorite class in high school): Abnormal Psychology
One reason someone should apply to Bronfman: Applying to Bronfman was one of the smartest decisions I made in high school. Bronfman opened me up to Judaism in a whole new way and set me on a different trajectory intellectually.
Aspects of Bronfman you’d especially like to talk about: Coming from a small town Jewish experience to Bronfman and how that opened me up to so many possibilities and experiences.
Sam Rosen ’22
High School: Lakehill Preparatory School, TX
Background: I am a wasian reform Jew from Dallas, Tx. I tend to lean to the center left on most political views and I love movies.
Relationship to Judaism in high school: Community, Tradition/family/history, grounding
Favorite high school hobbies/interests: Thrifting, Track & Field, Rock Climbing
Title of most interesting class taken in college so far: Modern Black History
One reason someone should apply to Bronfman: Bronfman provided a supportive environment in which I was able to learn about a side of Judaism I never knew existed. Also free food, housing, and travel.
Aspects of Bronfman you’d especially like to talk about: The time that we spend not learning.
Ilan Weiner ’22
Where you attended high school: SAR High School
Background: Hi, my name is Ilan Weiner and I am a first-year at the University of Chicago. I spent last year taking a gap year studying in a Yeshiva in the old city of Jerusalem before beginning college. I grew up in a modern orthodox family and attended a modern orthodox day school my entire life.
Relationship to Judaism in high school: Rigorous study of Jewish text. Observance and rituals connected me to my community. Spending time in Israel and Zionism are very important to me
Favorite high school hobbies/interests or activities: Model UN. Behavioral Economics Club. Fantasy football
Title of the most interesting class taken in college or high school: I love my Morning Seder (Talmud learning) in Yeshiva.
One reason you think someone should apply to Bronfman: For the right kid, having deep discussions with Jewish people from all different backgrounds and perspectives is actually super fun.
What aspects of Bronfman you’d especially like to talk to prospective applicants about: What it’s like to be shomer Shabbat. What it’s like coming from the modern Orthodox community. What kind of topics and texts you will learn
Applications for the 2025 Bronfman Fellowship are open!To nominate a teen, click here.
Learn more:
Watch our Oct. 10 info call recording here.