Every year, the Third Year Council offers ring scholarships to deserving members of the class, who are selected through a blind, rigorous application process. This year, along with the ring scholarships, the Ring Ceremony Committee of Third Year Council started an outreach effort. The ring sponsorship program empowers student organizations to recognize outstanding third years within their communities. 
 
Seventeen student organizations applied for the 3 available sponsorships. The decision was very difficult! Multiple members of the Ring Ceremony Committee of Third Year Council read each organization's application, scored the application based on a rubric, and we were ultimately able to select 3 amazing student organizations, one of them being the Jewish Leadership Council! JLC received the scholarship because the selection committee felt that their application really showcased the dedicated spirit of the organization. It was a pleasure to read and learn about what JLC does, the community it serves, and its impact on the larger University community! 
 
The JLC then had its own independent application and selection process that involved the entire Jewish community. They accepted nominations for third-year members that contribute to the vibrancy of Jewish life on Grounds. JLC then created a selection committee of past leaders in the UVA Jewish community to choose the recipient. The committee blindly read nominations and picked a recipient. We are happy to announce the scholarship has been awarded to Talia Sion! 
 
Talia is incredibly committed to both the Jewish and larger University community. She serves as a Days on the Lawn Team Leader, Orientation Senior Leader, FYC co-chair in the Jewish Community, and is currently spearheading the new initiative called "Jewmans of UVA," highlighting the stories and experiences of Jewish students at the University. For much of Talia's time at the University she has actively worked to make others feel welcome and engaged in the communities she loves so much. She proudly shares both her WaHoo and WaJew pride. 
 
JLC is thrilled to honor an outstanding leader of both the Jewish community and Third Year class. We hope her ring will symbolize and commemorate all she has done for these two communities! 
 
-Diane D'Costa
VP of Third Year Council

Hey guys! My name is Jake Lichtenstein and I’m a second year at UVA. I’m from Roanoke, Virginia and I’m serving as the Social Justice Engagement Intern with the Brody Jewish Center, Hillel this coming year. I’m extremely excited to serve in this position because it gives me the opportunity to create programming for Jewish students at UVA, and I get the chance to meet lots of new people! Most importantly, my job gives me the chance to help those who are passionate about social justice connect to meaningful opportunities. Outside of Hillel, I’m involved with Unsung People and the Virginia Riding Team.

When I first came to UVa three years ago (oh gosh, was it really that long ago?) I knew I had plenty of different ways I could spend my time. I honestly didn’t expect Hillel would be where I would invest so much of my time. But, from the moment I arrived on grounds, it was obvious that there was no place I felt more at home. I am so proud to be a member of this community and so lucky to be surrounded by ambitious, kind, and inspiring friends.

My name is Sam and I am the incoming Chair of the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC). JLC is the umbrella organization for all of the Jewish organizations on grounds. We are made up of the presidents of each organization and a few members who work on larger, community-wide programs. These groups include the Jewish Social Connection, the Jewish Social Justice Council, Hoos for Israel, the Jewish Religious Life Council and the Jewish Education Initiative. We are the student board for Hillel at UVa, and we work hard to make sure that there is a little something for everyone so that anyone can feel included in our community.

JLC has excitedly been preparing for the new year! We have lots of fun events coming up and tons of new ways to get involved. It all starts with Welcome Week when we have an event every single day of the week! It is a great way for first years to get to know one another and to meet upperclassmen. For me, the highlight is the Welcome Back BBQ on Tuesday, August 23rd where all members of our community return to Hillel for our first big event of the year! When I was a first year, this is where I met a few girls that, to this day, I am lucky enough to call my best friends.

However, we’re just getting started! We are already envisioning an exciting (and full) semester. The Jewish Social Connection will be hosting small events all semester long, like going apple picking and hosting tailgates! But those just lead up to their biggest party of the semester: The Festival of Lights! There will also be opportunities to volunteer with the Jewish Social Justice Council and attend their annual Sleepout for the Homeless during Sukkot!

As always, you can count on your free bagel at Bagels on the Lawn every Wednesday! And get excited for two very special Shabbat dinners. Shabbat around Grounds is an opportunity for students to host Shabbat dinners at their own apartments. It’s a great way to meet new people and maybe improve your cooking skills! And we’ll be finishing off our semester with our 6th annual Shabbat 300, where we celebrate Shabbat with more than 300 people in Newcomb Hall. 

And these are just our staple events. You can expect to see a lot of new ideas this year, as well. Furthermore, we want to know what's personally important to you! Feel free to share any ideas you have with either myself or anyone else on JLC. I’m looking forward to another year of good friends and positive memories.
Wahoowa!
Sam Magnes

Hi y’all! My name is Naomi Karlin and I am the incoming General Engagement Intern for Hillel! I am so excited to be joining the engagement team this year. Hillel has introduced me to so many great people that have become some of my closest friends. Whether it is Shabbat dinner or Bagels on the Lawn, there is no shortage of free food and good company. As an intern, I hope to introduce you to all of the great people that have helped make my time at UVA amazing.
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Now would be a great time to tell all of you a little about myself. I am a third year from the wonderful state of New Jersey about to embark on my first year at the McIntire School of Commerce. I’m looking to concentrate in finance and information technology with a track in global commerce (stocks anyone?). When I’m not hanging around the Brody Jewish Center or the Lawn looking for bagels, I am most likely volunteering with Madison House through their Adopt-a-Grandparent program, doing research for an education/investment club I am in called Smart Woman Securities, or avoiding my schoolwork on Clem 2 (RIP). I am really looking forward to the year ahead and meeting all of you!

Hi everyone!  My name is David Magat and I am a Greek Engagement Intern for the 2016-2017 school year.  I am a second year from Richmond, Virginia planning to major in Media Studies and am a brother of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.  I am excited to make the connection between Hillel and Greek Organizations closer than it has been in the past.  Outside of Hillel, I am also an active member of Club Swim, Blueprint Emerging Leaders Program and the ALEPH Network, a new philanthropy-focused initiative at Hillel. 

I’m happy to talk about any of these great organizations. Feel free to reach out, and I can’t wait to see everyone in Charlottesville again.