What is your role at Federation?
My job at Federation is to help young adults connect and engage with the St. Louis Jewish community. I am currently developing a number of creative initiatives to assist with this goal, including a program called Challah in the Home, which will connect young adults to families in the area. I am also working on the ways in which we welcome new people into our community and how to help get them connected both in a Jewish way and in the broader St. Louis community.
What made you want to work in the Jewish community?
A lot of my motivation to work in the Jewish community stemmed from positive experiences with Next Dor, a young adult group in the Central West End, and serving as one of their board members over the past two years. I have always felt a connection to Jewish people and Jewish culture, so being at Federation has been a way in which I have been able to share that passion with others new and old to the city. It is my hope that people will be able to benefit from all the Jewish community offers for years to come and I feel lucky to be able to help sustain that for future generations.
What experiences have helped you prepare for this role?
Coming from Brandeis, an institution rooted in Jewish values, I received my undergraduate degree in politics and business. This formed a base for many of the ways I engage with the Jewish community today. After receiving my Masters in Higher Education Administration at University of Pennsylvania, I came to St. Louis to become a Residential College Director at WashU. Much of that role was built on developing community for students and helping them to thrive as undergraduates. These experiences continue to guide me in my current role at Federation.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I believe that St. Louis has a strong Jewish community and I am working to help individuals engage with our community in a way that is meaningful to them. It is certainly a challenge because there are many promising leaders who fail to connect in a manner that makes them want to stay in St. Louis. My hope is that through the programs and initiatives I am developing with our team here at Federation, people will truly find a place for themselves in this great city that I call home.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
In my spare time, I enjoy rowing with the St. Louis Rowing Club and engaging in meaningful social justice dialogue with friends and colleagues.
To learn more about Nate, contact him at NRosenblum@JFedSTL.org or 314-442-3726
