08/28/2015
Fleisher Named 15-16 Wolf-JDC Int’l Fellow
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Cleveland-born, Benjamin Fleisher (Ben), has been named the 2015-2016 Roslyn Z. Wolf Cleveland-JDC International Fellow and will participate in an exceptional opportunity to spend one year abroad, enriching the lives of disadvantaged children in Bat Yam, Israel. Ben will volunteer for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s Ashalim Initiative developing programs that help Israeli children overcome barriers to their future success.
Established in 2003 by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the JDC Entwine Global Jewish Service Corps, the Roslyn Z. Wolf Cleveland-JDC International Fellowship is part of the cohort of 26 young JDC Entwine Global Jewish Service Corps Fellows deployed around the world. The Wolf Fellowship was created in memory of Roslyn Z. Wolf, a Trustee for Life of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, whose many years of dedicated community service has improved the lives of thousands of Jews around the globe and continues to inspire young volunteers. The fellowship is made possible through the generosity of her late husband Ambassador Milton A. Wolf and his children in honor of their late wife and mother.
“We are thrilled to have Ben join our 2015-2016 JDC Entwine Global Jewish Service Corps,” said Shauna Ruda, Program Director of Global Volunteer Programs for JDC Entwine. “Ben’s expertise in education paired with his rich and deep connection to Cleveland, made him an obvious choice for the Wolf Fellowship and we are confident that he will raise critical Jewish issues at home when he returns.”
Ben graduated from the University of Chicago where he majored in International Studies with a focus on African History and Arabic. In April 2014, Ben spent ten weeks in Israel studying Arabic and Jewish Thought, and then taught at a school in Namibia during the summer. He was the president and co-founder of the Jewish Students' Association at the University of Chicago, where he worked with other Jewish organizations to create a cohesive and inclusive Jewish community on campus. During college, Ben interned as the Fellows Ambassador to former Missouri Secretary of State, Robin Carnahan. He also worked as a Health Educator at the Peer Health Exchange, where he empowered students to make positive life choices.
“While at college, I got very interested in Jewish education, and took every opportunity to explore my Jewish identity,” said Ben. “Along with exploring Israeli culture, I hope to work hand-in-hand with the students to enable them to lead successful and meaningful lives." I feel very lucky to become the JDC Entwine Global Jewish Service Corps Fellow; it is a great opportunity that will help me understand the different aspects of being Jewish both here and abroad.”
For more information or to apply for the JDC Entwine Global Jewish Service Corps, please visit www.jdcentwine.org/jsc.
