The Grad Network Advisory Board launched Spring 2022 as a way for graduate students to help shape the Jewish community at Columbia. The Advisory Board has evolved each year and now includes three special committees: Shabbat Committee, Social Committee, and School Ambassadors Committee. Advisory Board members serve on one of the three committees.
The Advisory Board includes students from different Columbia Graduate schools and Teachers College in order to best support students across academic disciplines and departments. Throughout the semester, The Advisory Board meets to provide feedback on current programs, imagine new initiatives, design Shabbat experiences, create social events, examine values guiding Jewish leadership, and build community among each other. We're grateful for their time, ideas, and dedication to strengthening Jewish community at Columbia.
Meet the 2025-2026 Grad Network Advisory Board
School Ambassador Committee Members
Esther Rotlevi
Grad School: Neuroscience PhD, General School of Arts & Sciences
Hometown(s): Queens, NY
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I make a mean shakshuka.
I like to talk about cooking, the nature of reality, all things Jewish.
Joel Tillman
Grad School: Teachers College, Applied Linguistics
Hometown(s): Philadelphia, PA
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I lived overseas for 2 1/2 years and earned my first M.A. in Hong Kong.
I like to talk about music with strong vocals and video games.
Joey Levine
Grad School: School of International and Public Affairs
Hometown(s): Port Washington, NY
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that as a baby, my likeness was used for the cover of a romance novel.
I like to talk about DJ sets, books, Israel, and basketball.
Karisa Lasoff
Grad School: Mailman, PhD in Sociomedical Sciences with a concentration in History
Hometown(s): Boston, MA
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I have been ice skating since I was three years old and played hockey growing up.
I like to talk about whatever work of fiction I’m currently reading!
Leora Segal
Grad School: College of Dental Medicine
Hometown(s): New Rochelle, NY
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I’m a certified ski instructor and spent my gap year teaching in Colorado!
I like to talk about live music, Skiing/Hiking, Tennis, Broadway, Sustainability, and being Jewish.
Sierra Lavine
Grad School: Teachers College, Communication Sciences and Disorders - Bilingual Extension
Hometown(s): New York City
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro!
I like to talk about dogs, Taylor Swift, being Jewish, and anything speech language pathology related!
Shabbat Committee Members
Antonella Milans
Grad School: Mailman, Masters of Public Health Epidemiology, Certificate in Molecular Epidemiology
Hometown(s): Monterey, California
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I love classic rock.
I like to talk about random interests.
Dan Twili
Grad School: PhD Statistics at GSAS
Hometown(s): Randolph, NJ
People who meet me might be surprised to learn I work on machine learning and AI research!
I like to talk about calisthenics, tech, and wild Talmud stories.
Noam Shapiro
Grad School: School of International and Public Affairs, MPA in Environmental Science & Policy
Hometown(s): Upper West Side, New York City
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I am a professional theater director and producer. I founded two theater companies and have directed 12 professional shows!
I like to talk about performing arts, politics, literature, Israel, Judaism, climate change, and cooking.
Omer Barash
Graduate School Program: Department of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition
Hometown(s): Yesud HaMa'ala, Israel
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that before coming to NYC, I used to live in Jerusalem, Montréal, Vienna, and Paris!
I like to talk about music, experimental art, Hebrew literature and poetry, and anything gay.
Rachel Araten
Graduate School Program: Teachers College, Early Childhood Education
Hometown(s): Murray Hill, NYC
People who meet me might be surprised to learn I grew up on top of a hospital
I like to talk about Arts & Crafts, DIY projects, Trader Joe's, and Museums
Zev Grossman
Graduate School Program: Teachers College
Hometown(s): Ridgefield, CT and Mill Valley, CA
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I am a total nerd!
I like to talk about everything.
Social Committee Members
Genevieve Krieger
Graduate School Program: School of International and Public Affairs; MPA- Development Practice
Hometown(s): Boca Raton, FL
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I did ballet for 16 years.
I like to talk about tennis, traveling, interior design, and The West Wing.
Jara Grossman
Grad School: Columbia School of Social Work
Hometown(s): Miami, FL and Teaneck, NJ
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I carry a sketchbook almost everywhere, just in case
I like to talk about art, kickboxing, and which Jewish holiday has the best food (it's a tough call)!
Roni Matza
Grad School: Columbia Business School, MBA
Hometown(s): Tel Aviv, Israel
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I don't sound Israeli, I worked on The Amazing Race Israel, and I served in the IDF for 2 years!
I like to talk about film & TV, arts!
Sara Goldstein
Graduate School Program: M.S. in Sustainability Management
Hometown(s): New Rochelle, NY and Los Angeles, CA
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I took a gap year, during which I moved to Israel and interned as a political journalist!
I like to talk about all sorts of art (dancing, jewelry making, ceramics), live music, Judaism, sustainability, cooking, and budget traveling (I've backpacked through 26 countries and don't plan to stop anytime soon)
Yaffa Reichwald
Graduate School Program: Neuroscience & Education (Teachers College)
Hometown(s): Queens, NY
People who meet me might be surprised to learn that I can speak four languages.
I like to talk about health, nutrition, and fitness.