Announcing the Newest Ritually Rooted Cohort

Hebrew Union College welcomed its newest cohort of 16 fellows to Ritually Rooted, an initiative now in its second year that enables college-aged individuals to explore and create deeply rooted modern Jewish ritual, as part of an effort to connect an emerging generation to sacred Jewish leadership.

"Our inaugural cohort showed us what's possible when emerging Jewish leaders are given space to learn deeply, build relationships, and experiment with ritual. We saw fellows gain clarity, build confidence, and connect with their communities," said Erin Fine, MAJNM, MSW, Associate Director of Recruitment and Partnership Development, and creator of the fellowship. "We're excited to keep building on this foundation and see this new cohort create Jewish ritual in authentic and meaningful ways."

This year's program launched with a welcome session led by Fine offering students the chance to meet and frame the cohort's learning together. Upcoming sessions will include a Tu Bishvat seder and the use of Hebrew as a vehicle for exploring Jewish ritual, studying both keva (routine) and kavanah (intention) within Jewish tradition.

In addition to learning sessions, fellows receive mentorship from leaders and faculty across the Jewish ecosystem and complete a community ritual project, including the design and implementation of a ritual experience for their community.

Hebrew Union College is grateful that grants for these projects are available through a partnership with Men of Reform Judaism.

The 2026 cohort spans 13 colleges and universities, eight states, and Canada. These fellows include classroom educators, Hillel board members, and camp song leaders, alongside students and professionals studying a range of subjects such as architecture, political science, music therapy, law, and biology. From rural communities to major campuses, classrooms to sanctuaries, these fellows are united by a commitment to explore Jewish learning, customs and traditions, and creating relevance for today.

Fine stresses that "Ritually Rooted is a real chance for us to reach rising Jewish leaders who are interested in exploring their Jewish roots and spirituality but don't have a structured avenue to do so."

If you are interested in joining a future cohort or would like to recommend a prospective fellow, learn more here.

Meet the 2026 Ritually Rooted Fellows

Rosie Aronson is a junior majoring in Psychology and Judaic Studies at George Washington University (GW). Raised in Atlanta, GA, she has long been a leader in the Jewish community through education and peer mentorship roles at her home synagogue and URJ Camp Coleman. She has strengthened Jewish community life through religious and social programming at GW Hillel and interfaith work at the George Washington Center for Interfaith and Spiritual Life. She currently serves on the Interfaith Advisory Board, is a Fight Hate Fellow, and is excited to fulfill a junior leadership role as Programming Specialist at URJ 6-Points Sci-Tech.

Ember Berk grew up in Tucson, AZ, and currently attends the University of Arizona, where they study elementary education with the hope of becoming a cantor. Ember is connected to their local Jewish community through synagogue life, including teaching in the Religious School. Ember has cultivated an international Jewish community while living in various places around the world. Outside of school, Ember enjoys spending time with their dog, Tikva, and engaging in creative art projects.

Andrew Cole lives in Las Vegas, NM, and works as a sixth-grade ELA teacher. In partnership with the Jewish community of this small, rural town outside Santa Fe, he helps lead Friday and Saturday services and provides Hebrew tutoring for children and adults. Andrew is deeply interested in both personal and communal Jewish ritual and is grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and growing through this work.

Alana Cowan is a fourth-year student at the University of Miami studying Architecture, with minors in Spanish and Religious Studies. She grew up at a Reconstructionist synagogue, was heavily involved in BBYO, and continues to build on those experiences through leadership in Hillel and Chabad on Campus. Alana serves as Vice President of Alpha Rho Chi, the professional architecture fraternity, interns at an architecture firm in downtown Miami, works at UM Hillel, and co-teaches third grade at Temple Beth Am. An Argentine American Jew bilingual in English and Spanish, she enjoys connecting across cultures and bringing people together through conversation and creativity.

Julia Fromson-Mayhew grew up at Temple Sinai, a Reform congregation in Oakland, CA. As she began making her own choices about Judaism, she gravitated toward Jewish education and leadership, discovering a passion for Jewish communal life and meaningful ritual moments. Julia attends Barnard College and plans to pursue rabbinic ordination after graduation, with the goal of becoming a Reform congregational rabbi. This semester, she is excited to join the board of Kesher, the inclusive Reform minyan at Columbia/Barnard Hillel.

Hannah Ginsberg lives in Canada, where she studies and works in music therapy and is currently completing an internship with older adults in retirement and long-term care. She loves using music to connect people, tell stories, and create moments of joy and meaning. Hannah grew up in a pluralistic Jewish environment, which fostered a deep appreciation for many ways of being Jewish and a strong connection to tradition. Her Jewish community has been shaped especially by Reform Judaism and years in Jewish camp spaces, where she worked as a song leader and educator. She is passionate about music, mental health, Jewish ritual, and leadership, and is excited to learn and grow alongside this cohort.

Lindsay Hamburger, from Long Island, NY, is a second-year student at Hofstra University, double majoring in Social Studies Education and History with a minor in Rhetoric and Public Advocacy. She earned her associate's degree from Nassau Community College in May 2025. Lindsay's love for Jewish life and education began through her involvement in USY and continues through her work as a religious

schoolteacher, Bnei Mitzvah tutor, and family service coordinator at Midway Jewish Center. She is also active in Hofstra Hillel, where she previously served as a Service Engagement Intern.

Sierra Hyman is a sophomore at Boston College from Northern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Jewish Studies. She is actively involved in campus life through BC Hillel, which she considers her primary Jewish community and where she helps foster meaningful Jewish engagement on a Catholic campus. Her academic interests include Jewish studies, law, politics, and justice.

Mikko Kohnke-Sunenshine lives and works in New York City. They graduated from NYU's Music Business program this past December and will begin at Cardozo School of Law in Fall 2026. Mikko works at the 14th Street Y in the Adult Programs and Wellness department and with the Department of Jewish Life. They feel deeply connected to the NYU Hillel community and the friends they made there.

Daniella Krasney is a junior at the University of Miami studying Journalism, with minors in Religious Studies and Biology on the pre-medical track. At UM Hillel, she serves as a Rabbinic Fellow, exploring community-building and visionary leadership through Judaic learning. Daniella participated in Birthright and Onward Israel, where an emergency evacuation allowed her to experience the resilience of the global Jewish community firsthand. She documented the experience through her role as News Editor of The Miami Hurricane, UM's student newspaper. Upon returning home, she became a Madricha at BBYO's Kallah program, mentoring teens in the community that first fostered her Jewish identity. She is also active in Greek life, campus tours as a President's 100 guide, and scientific learning as a biology workshop leader and tutor.

Zahara Lucas is a junior at the University of Southern California and an active member of the Jewish community at USC Hillel. She serves as Ritual Vice President and helps lead weekly Shabbat services for the student community. Originally from Napa Valley, CA, Zahara grew up in a small synagogue and continues her passion for Jewish life through music and singing. She also teaches fifth-grade religious school at Temple Isaiah in West Los Angeles.

Ella Rosenblatt is a sophomore at The Ohio State University from Queens, NY, majoring in Jewish Studies and minoring in Music. She is deeply involved in Ohio State Hillel, where she serves as the First Year Students of Hillel Chair on the general board. BBYO played an integral role in shaping her high school experience, and she continues that connection as a Movement Experiences Intern. She values giving back to the communities that have shaped her and hopes to continue strengthening Jewish life wherever she goes.

Sophia Sabag lives in Orange County, CA and studies at Chapman University, which she considers to be her Jewish community.

Sam Sheran is a junior at the University of Rochester double majoring in Music and Psychology. Sam recently completed a term as president of Chi Omega, performs in an on-campus a cappella group, and regularly leads Shabbat services through Hillel. They have spent ten summers at URJ Six Points Sci-Tech Academy and served as Head Songleader in summer 2025, a role they are excited to resume in 2026. Sam also remains connected to their childhood synagogue, Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, where they help lead religious school t'filah and community Friday night services.

Aaliyah Smith is a history major from Kalamazoo, MI, where she teaches Pre-K through first grade at her community Jewish school. Her Jewish community is small but broad, encompassing many different kinds of Jews and Jewish practice.

Jordan Teitelbaum is a senior at the University of Central Florida studying elementary education. Originally from Jupiter, FL, she volunteered throughout high school as a Madricha and song leader at her temple's religious school. During college, Jordan became a part-time Cantorial Soloist at Congregation Reform Judaism, where she also works as a Hebrew tutor, B'nai Mitzvah tutor. She is also a music specialist at Shalom Orlando's Camp J. After graduating, she hopes to transition into full-time cantorial work and eventually attend cantorial school.

Meet the Inaugural Cohort